Episode: Part 10

They were only on the road for an hour or so when Rose instructed Gage to pull off at the next exit.

"We just got started sis, do you need to use the bathroom already?" He half complained, half joked.

"God said we have to go see the Parkers. It isn't far from the exit and they really need our help" Rose insisted.

"Well, why didn't you say so?" Gage laughed, pulling the cart smoothly off the highway.

The exit was pretty clear, there was small debris here and there, but, the road was serviceable. The fauna had encroached all the way up to the asphalt, eating both soft shoulders as it came. There were marks on the plants, showing that they had been cut back from time to time.

The town they entered from the exit was no Smithville. There weren't many people about, the ones that spotted them waved, but, made no attempt at introducing themselves or gathering around them.

That is except for Teddy. Teddy was nine, and, he was fearless. He ran up as soon as he saw them. "Hi, im Teddy, I'm nine, whatcha doin round here?" He pattered at them.

"Hi, Teddy, nice to meet you, my name is Rose and .."

"Rose?! God's Rose?! Oh my!" He cut her off. "A man came and told the whole town about you! You are wonderful! Did you come to help my pa?"

"Is your pa named Parker?" Alex questioned.

"Yeah! Sorry, I forgot, I am Teddy Parker. My pa really needs some help. I can't say why. He told me don't say. We live right over there." He blurted, indicating a run down Victorian of pale yellow on the southeast corner of the block. Rose usually loved the old Victorian houses with all the gingerbread. She felt differently about this house. It had a waiting look to it, a hungry look.

Teddy ran to the house and up the porch steps in two leaps. He exploded into the front door, a regular tornado with feet, this kid. They hurried after him, eager to help and be on their way. Gage looked at Alex and said, "Stay with the cart, would you?"

"Of course, I will water the horses and make friends with the locals." He grinned.

"Not too friendly, don't let your guard down" Gage whispered.

Gage caught up with Rose, who waited for him at the porch. They went up together. When they reached the top, the screen door flew back open and Teddy was in their midst again. "Pa said come right in, he doesn't want to leave ma." He took Rose's hand and led her into the door. Gage followed.

The house was usually well kept, Rose could tell, but, hadn't been looked after so well of late. Teddy led Rose and her brother up the stairs. A disheveled man in worn jeans and a stained blue t-shirt sat against a door in the hallway. He looked up with sadness deep in his eyes.

"She just took a bath and now she is one of them." He said, fresh tears welling in his eyes. "Can you help me, please?" He was pleading.

Gage started, "I don"...

"Where is she?" Rose asked. "Is she in there?" Rose pointed to the door behind Mr. Parker.

"She is in the tub. She isn't herself anymore." Mr. Parker said, moving away from the door, but, making no effort to stand up.

Gage put a hand out, but, Rose softly brushed it away. "It's going to be fine, Gage, I know what I have to do." She opened the door.

The door opened to a medium sized bathroom that had been updated somewhat recently. The bathtub was full of water, but, apparently nothing else. Rose looked back out of the door and asked Mr. Parker his wifes name.

"Em-Emily and I'm Bob." He answered shakily.

She nodded then closed the door. Gage almost cried out and then remembered to have faith. Faith in God and in his sister. He sat down across the hallway from the old man and began to hear his story. Teddy was told to go play.

Rose walked to the edge of the tub and looked in. She no longer had any fear of the water. She was way past that now.

"Emily, you can't stay in there. You shouldn't be in there. Come out." She said this calmly and matter of fact.

The water rippled and then went still again.

"Satan has no hold on you. He was mistaken to take you. Come out and live again." She said a little stronger.

The water rippled again, but, that was all.

"Just come out, they cannot hold you, they have no right to you. Come NOW!" Rose commanded and shoved her hands into the water. She felt a form under the water and grasped onto it. She was unaware of the white light emanating from her. She concentrated all of her might and pulled on what she thought was an arm. There was a squealing sound then and the water started to rise in the middle of the tub. Rose pulled harder, veins expanding in her neck and on her forehead with the effort. Then, all at once, Rose pulled Emily, shivering and naked, out of the abyss and onto the small rug on the floor in front of the tub.

"There, there Miss Emily, you are safe now." Rose offered, covering her with a towel, "Bob hasn't left the bathroom door since you left. I'm going to get him, he's been so worried."

She went to the door and opened it. Bob was racked with worry and Gage was consoling him. He looked up at Rose with a mix of wonder and hope. She smiled at him and knelt down next to him. She leaned forward an whispered into his ear. As she did this, she laid her hand on his hip. A small flash of light was missed by them all. She then stood and held her hands out to Bob. He gave her his hands and allowed her to help him stand.

"Oh, thank you God! Thank you Miss Rose! Oh my goodness, I can't even feel it anymore! Oh, thank you! And my Emily?" He asked hopefully.

"She needs you, she is disoriented and cold. That's why I fixed you, I have to go now, you have to take care of her." Rose advised him. "Listen to God, he will tell you your path, just listen." She turned to Gage, "let's go, we have many miles to go before dark."

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