The Angel's Calling

Chapter 13

Peyton opened the door and shouted.

Peyton: cover you necks, both of you! Get the hell out of there!

Me and Matthew didn't hesitate for a second and ran to the main room. Luckily we both got out alive. Peyton went in himself instead and tried to get the pastor out of the water. He was quick and strong enough to get the pastor out of there without getting hit himself.

Peyton put the pastor onto the couch and checked his breathing.

Peyton: hmm

He then removed the needle from the pastor's neck and looked at it.

Peyton: Must have been a tranquilliser gun. I'm gonna call the ambulance and some backup. Be right back.

When Peyton left, Jessica came to me.

Jessica: oh my god, Jose! Are you okay?

Me: I'm fine. It's Pastor, that I'm worried about.

I looked at Matthew who was looking at the pool through the glass. I walked next to him.

Me: Matthew, are you okay?

Matthew turned to look at me but something was off.  Instead of empathy you could usually see in his eyes, it was fear.

Matthew: am I okay? I just barely survived by not getting hit with some kind of a needle!

Matthew fixes his posture.

Matthew: you have some good explaining to do, Josephine. Please tell me what's going on?

I took a deep breath in and out. I was so sorry about everything that had just happened. Tears started to form in my eyes.

Me: Matthew, you have to believe me. I'm so sorry for everything and I didn't mean for this to happen. The truth is that for few weeks now, I've been under FBIs protection because there is a possibility that my life is in danger.

Matthew looked at the pool and then back to me.

Matthew: I couldn't agree more. But why?

Me: that's what we're trying to figure out. Police still hasn't got any leads.

Matthew: am I correct to assume that you were aware you might be putting other people's lives in danger?

Me: yes.

Matthew: Josephine, why would you do this? We could have easily avoided all of this if we would have changed the date.

Me: because my faith is strong Matthew and I didn't want to wait that long. This was very important for me.

Matthew: I don't know what to say. Just because I survived this, doesn't mean you're less guilty.

Me: trust me, Matthew. I take full responsibility. Can you please forgive me?

Matthew: yes but I think that you owe another apology to someone else and a thank you to your friend.

Me: of course.

Matthew nodded and a little smile appeared on his face. Considering all that happened, he was taking it better than I thought it would.

Then Peyton appeared with medical team and they put the pastor into the truck. Matthew changed his clothes and went with him. We stayed still when a familiar face approached us.

Mr. Smith: and we meet again.

Peyton was behind him, his facial expression rather upset.

Peyton: cut the crap and get on with it. We don't have all day.

Mr. Smith: alright. Miss. Hunt, where were you standing, when the pastor got hit?

I looked towards the pool and then around it. I was sure I knew what I was searching for if I saw it.

Mr. Smith: Miss.Hunt?

I turned to look at him.

Me: look, it's not science. We were facing that window with Matthew when drying off.

I pointed towards the window.

Me: I don't who was meant to be shot but the Pastor got hit. I would check the window out so it must be open. I have nothing else to say.

Mr. Smith: very well.

He let his head down as if he was disappointed and went to other room.
Another familiar face entered the room. It was mr. Harrington. Jessica and Eric both came to me.

Jessica: this place seems to be crowded. Call me if you get some alone time.

Jessica gave me a hug and she left with Eric. Mr. Harrington approached me and Peyton.

Mr. Harrington: Miss. Hunt, how are you? I came as soon as I could.

Me: I'm fine.

He turned to Peyton.

Mr. Harrington: any updates?

Peyton: likely a tranquillizer gun. Can't tell an exact radius where the shooter might have been.

Mr. Harrington: I don't like it. So nothing?

Peyton: well, when I removed the dart, it seemed to be in a spot that wasn't fatal. The shooter has some skill.

Mr. Harrington: alright. We'll get to work when the dart has been examined.

Peyton: of course.

Mr. Harrington nodded and went to the pool room and stopped next to mr. Smith. I turned to Peyton.

Me: isn't it weird how in the zoo and this time I barely I got out?

Peyton: what do you mean?

Me: I was knocked out in the zoo and they say to pretend to be dead to protect yourself from a bear.

Peyton: and?

Me: this time you said it yourself that the dart was shot precisely for it not to be fatal.

Peyton: Yeah, the pastor might have been shot but we still don't know the injection. It must have been strong enough to take him out that fast.

Me: so there's a chance they aren't trying to kill me after all.

Peyton: it's best not to assume that. I can't explain what happened in the zoo but the pastor did fell into the pool without moving. He could be dead if he had enough water in his lungs.

My eyes widened for  a second and I stared at the pool. Mr. Smith and mr. Harrington entered the main room.

Mr. Smith: the window was opened. This was planned.

All eyes were now staring at me. I turned around.

Me: I need to get home and rest.

Mr. Harrington: good idea. Go change your clothes and Peyton will take you back home.

Me: okay.

He turned to Peyton.

Mr. Harrington: you'll make sure that nothing else happens tonight by staying there.

Peyton: why?

Mr. Harrington: sorry, weren't you just here?

He pointed to the pool with both of his hands.

Peyton: sure... I mean right, of course.

I got changed quickly in the change room and we both left the building.