Matthew yawned as he adjusted his sitting posture in the Pontiac he and David had hired at Los Angeles Airport. He gazed at the black strip that was Interstate 40 as it stretched shimmering into the distance. “I need something to eat.”
“Well, haul into the next roadside restaurant,” said David as he stretched his arms.
They pulled into a Drive-Thru and ordered food. Then Matthew drove into a rest area where there was only one other car. David lowered his window and placed his right elbow on the door as he ate.
After wards, they stretched their legs by walking a little way into the desert. The sky was an electric blue and the cruel sun baked the landscape. A sharp contrast, thought Matthew, to winter back home.
“How are we going to find him,” he said as he gazed up at the mountains.
David pushed back his homburg, which he used partly to conceal his sallow face from the public, and said: “I’m not sure…” A loud rattling interrupted him as a giant rattlesnake reared up behind them–blocking any escape to the car.
The skin of the serpent was grey with brown speckles, and at its thickest the body was 15 cm in diameter. The vertical part stood one metre tall and was topped by a head with the mouth open revealing two vicious looking fangs.
Dark red eyes stared at the men as the rattle from the tail was accompanied by a loud hissing.
“Shit!” Matthew shouted as the snake's head darted back and forth.
“You must return whence you came, or I will smite you down!” said the snake in a hissing voice.
David just nodded his head.
“What are we going to do?” screamed Matthew.
“Ha!” David said, now standing behind the serpent. “You’re one of Grondin’s vile manifestations!” he shouted as he grabbed the tail. He then spun the beast above his head before releasing it to soar through the air and land on a distant mountainside.
“Right let’s go,” he said as he passed a stunned Matthew, while brushing dust from his jacket.
“Keep going along I 40?” Matthew asked as he strapped himself into the driver’s seat.
“Yeah. At least we know we’re on the right track,” answered David.
The dusk was cold as Christ–now known as Joshua Collins-sat staring into the flames of the fire he had started with brushwood. Shadows danced on the walls of the cave around him as a coyote howled in the distance.
He unrolled his sleeping bag and contemplated sleep, but meditated instead. And, after adopting the cross-legged position, he entered a deep trance-like state as a gentle breeze entered the cave.
After an hour Joshua opened his eyes expecting to see the dying embers of the fire, but the flames seemed to be as high. Through the blaze a young woman gazed at him. She had long blond hair, and wore a blue, checked shirt, which had the top three buttons undone revealing a deep cleavage.
“Hi!” she said. “I thought you could do with some company.”
“Where did you come from?” Joshua asked in a calm voice.
“I was out hiking when I saw the light from the fire,” she answered averting her gaze from his to the fire as she threw brushwood into the flames.
“I require no company, but you’re welcome to stay.”
“My name’s Bonny; what’s yours?”
“I’m Joshua. Would you join me in prayer?”
“I don’t pray,” she answered pushing her chest out provocatively.
“Please allow me to,” he said as he closed his eyes.
When he opened them again a few moments later she was sitting next to him.
She ran a hand along the inside of one of his legs.
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“Stop!” he shouted as he sprang up and jumped back from the flames which had shot up scorching the ceiling of the cave.
The woman rose and moved toward him with flickering red eyes.
“Come on,” she hissed, “you know you want me.”
“Back! Back!” Joshua commanded as he sprang up, “You’re the temptress!”
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