The Evil Inside (book 4 of Genesis 64)

Chapter 12 - roll with the changes

On top of Red Oak Mountain the next day

Kate leaves her house at the usual time and follows the usual trail to the top of the mountain. It's a cold, windy, partly-sunny late March day.

"Jonah!" Kate exclaims when she sees him.

"Hi, Kate," he calls down to her.

"I've missed you so much," she calls up as she climbs the natural stone steps that lead up the boulder to where Jonah now stands.

"What in the world has been going on at your school? I don't even recognize it - physically or spiritually," Jonah asks.

Kate answers in a dejected voice, "The school has changed so much this year."

"Why, what else has been happening?" he asks.

"Well, we don't do the classroom volunteering that Adonai started four years ago," Kate replies. "A lot of the student Bible studies have ended - everyone had different reasons and excuses. Most of the prayer circles have disbanded. They changed the spring formal to a spring dance - complete with very short dresses and loud secular music."

"Have you talked to your teachers about this," Jonah asks, "to Mrs. Grant?"

"Yes," Kate sighs, "but they either think I'm crazy or that I'm exaggerating."

"What about Mr. Tumnus? He was always your favorite teacher," he says.

Kate nods and answers, "He said that sometimes we need to 'roll with the changes'."

"I see," he replies. "What about Pastor Cross? He should be monitoring the spiritual pulse of the school."

"He thinks that everything is 'fine'. He said that enrollment is up, test scores are up, teacher salaries are up, and all four sports teams are winning. So everyone is 'happy'!" she says.

"That doesn't sound right. Is there anything else major that's changed?" he asks.

"Michael has changed so much!" she exclaims.

"Do you think it has to do with him being more independent and making his own decisions?" he asks.

"No, no, it's more than that. It's darker than that. It's like there's an evil inside the school and it's pulling everyone - including Michael - away from the Bible and everything we've been taught the past twelve years," she says. "And the worst part is - no one else can see it."

"So, you can see the evil there?" Jonah asks.

"Well... not see it, but I can feel something evil close by," she says, "...but nothing exact. Know what I mean?"

"I know exactly what you mean, Kate," he answers.

"Ohh, I'm so glad," Kate said with relief. "I was beginning to think I was crazy."

"No, you're not crazy," Jonah chuckles. "I work with people who have the same or similar 'gift'."

"Wow, really?" Kate asks, intrigued.

"Yes, I always knew you had that gift....so I don't know why they... never...," Jonah's voice trails off.

"Who never what?" Kate asks.

"Never mind, it's not important right now," Jonah replies. He slaps his knees with both hands. "It sounds like you need to investigate more."

"Me?" Kate asks. "No, we need you! I need you! You have to help us!"

"I'm sorry, Kate, I can't help you this time," Jonah replies. "I'm under orders..."

"Whose orders?" Kate asks.

"My boss," Jonah answers.

"But, you have to!" she exclaims.

Jonah lowers his voice a little and says, "Someone is coming, Kate, a great warrior - whose boots I'm not worthy to tie."

"Who? Is it Adonai? Is he coming back?" Kate asks.

"No, not him," Jonah replies. "The one who is coming may be the greatest warrior ever. Nations will rise up with other nations to defeat him, but they won't be able to."

"And he's coming to R.O.C.A.?" a wide-eyed Kate asks.

"Yes, but you have to be patient," Jonah tells her.

Kate groans, "Ugh!" Then she sighs, "Okay, I'll try."

"Hey, why don't you come to our house for lunch," he suggests.

"Okay!" she smiles.

"And Michael can drive you home after," Jonah says as they climb down the mountain. As they start down the trail to the Fortress' house Jonah pulls something out of his jacket and hands it to Kate. "Here, just in case, why don't you take this?" he says.

"What is it?" she asks.

"It's a 'master key' card for the security system at the school," he tells her. "In case your investigation takes you there for some midnight spying." He winks at her. "How's his driving anyhow?"

Kate laughs and answers, "He usually keeps it under the speed limit."

Plays REO Speedwagon's 'Roll With The Changes'

I knew it had to happen, felt the tables turnin'

Got me through my darkest hour

I heard the thunder clappin', felt the desert burnin'

Until you poured on me like a sweet sunshower

(Keep on rollin') Oh yeah

(Keep on rollin'), oooh roll with the changes

Keep on rollin' (keep on rollin' keep on rollin')

Oh now roll with the changes oh baby