It is said that a rolling stone gathers no moss. How could it? Things that are stagnant grow moss, slime or worse. Marina always taught her grandson Leon,
" If you're not moving forward you're going backwards." He'd argue with her that he could stand still or take a nap and not be the worse for it. However Marina knew better. She knew life on this planet was fleeting and that too many people had wasted it.

More than ever Marina wished she'd have held on to Alfred. As a teenager she saw how he was struggling as a young, new believer—but she had to let him go. He was relying on her and not the King. She had no idea how far he'd fall though. Even still, It warmed her heart that he was back on track and better than ever. She blushed thinking, "And looking more handsome than ever too." She wondered what would have happened if they never parted. Would they have a family? Then she thought to herself, "No sense crying over spilled fish guts." At least her sense of humor remained in tact.

After singing a few more hymns Marina gasped and shouted, "They're coming!"

In her darkness Bell grabbed for Nana's hand and asked, "Who? Who's coming?"

Knowingly X sighed. "Bad things. Bad things are coming."

Marina and X put out the fire and led Bell down into the lair. Lonely and the dogs got rid of the evidence of their family picnic and followed after them.

A palpable greyness crept across the crew as they battened down the hatches.

---

Ella gasped for air. She knew didn't have much time. In her delirium she called out, "Bell, Izzy, Peter... Bell, Izzy, Peter..."

The man laid a cool rag across Ella's forehead. He wondered if he'd make it in time. He had his coordinates but he'd never been much of a sailor. He'd always wanted to be one though. If he had it his way, he would have sailed the seven seas with his family by his side. He understood far too well the ache of missing those you love. If he could help this sad lady say goodbye to her family it would heal a lot of hurt in his own heart.

Ella moaned. Sounding like a sick child she asked the stranger for a sip of water. The man obliged. He looked at Ella's translucent face. Her black hair made her pale skin look like parchment paper. Her health seemed almost as fragile. Then he remembered how his mother would bake chocolate chip cookies on parchment paper. Even at the hottest temperatures the paper never burned. Here this pretty woman was burning up with fever but not dying—not yet. She must have some pretty good reasons to hang on. Three of them she mentioned over and over.

Ella slowly shook her head letting the rag drop from her eyes. Floating back into reality she asked, "Who are you?"

The stranger didn't answer her. He merely replaced the moist rag and whispered in his raspy voice, "Rest now... We're almost there."

Ella fell back to sleep.

---

"Circle up friends." Marina spoke to her underground crew. "Let's hold hands, and or paws, and pray."

Bell still couldn't see but she sat cross legged on the concrete floor and held out her hands. X took her left hand and Grace the right. Marina and Speed joined them.

Speed asked, "Do you have any weapons ma'am?"

Marina answered, "Several, but no weapon formed against us shall prosper. Let's talk with our King."

---

The cattle trucks seemed to be careening out of control. Izzy remembered how many other times things seemed out of control but were exactly the opposite. Now was not the time to panic. She wondered, "What's the opposite of panicking? Unpanicking? No... Trusting... Should she take the wheel? She'd never driven before. She rode a bent rusty bike into the side of a building once... Again she was not in control. She stood at the front of the bus and looked at the freaked out passengers and in her calmest voice she said, "We will not panic."

The group agreed and answered in unison, "We will not panic."

Izzy continued, "The Author is in complete control."

The group repeated, "The Author is in complete control."

As the truck engine roared Izzy spoke louder, "He knows exactly where we're going and we are on the right path." The group grabbed one another's hands and steadied themselves.

Izzy raised her chin and prayed silently for those in the second unmanned truck following closely behind them. She prayed they were remaining calm and unified.

The Author spoke to her heart. They are. You got this Izzy.

---

Once Alfred and Leon finishing serving the troops a meal of rice, mystery meat and peppered brown gravy the two met in the musty pantry.

Leon whispered, "When can we get outta here Pops?"

Alfred didn't mind Leon's familiarity today. "The Sargent handed me the keys to jeep as we left the bus."

"You have wheels Pops? You holding out on me?" Leon grabbed the keys from Alfred and jangled them. He dreamed of driving one day. He hoped today was the day.

Alfred took back the keys. "Look Leon, we have to be extra careful. If the Corporeal catches wind of us going AWOL it could put the entire mission in jeopardy." He plopped the keys into the pocket of his splattered and stained white apron.

"I understand that but if we don't get to my Nana soon she's gonna send out the calvary looking for me." Leon had no idea the cavalry was no more than two dogs, a brown bear, a giant boy-man named X and a blind girl. Some calvary.

Alfred knew Marina didn't need to dispatch anyone. From wherever she was she could call upon the Author and he could dispatch ten thousand angels. Or merely in the blink of his eye turn the world upside down. Alfred remained in perfect peace. Leon was mistaking Alfred's calmness for apathy. Alfred was far from apathetic; he knew what they needed to do.

The Author spoke to both of their hearts. Be still. I will fight for you.

-End of Chapter 37-

Author's note: I'm going to publish this tonight raw and unedited. If you see something please comment. I am just thrilled to be able to put out a chapter tonight! I love you all! Your votes, your reads and your comments make my heart sing!
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