Universal

Chapter 10

He couldn't process all that he had just heard. The Creator, other planets, other people on the planets, a grand universe, an Evil Lord, a redemption mission....it was all too much. Why him? Why was he the one chosen? It didn't make sense. He was a simple kid from a small town in the middle of nowhere, Georgia. He hadn't even finished the third grade! His mind couldn't take it all. He wouldn't have believed Judson if it hadn't been for the events of the night before. He was grateful for the fact that Judson had been able to heal his burns, because boy did that hurt, but he was angry and confused about all the rest. He knew he wasn't much, but there were people who would miss him if he just up and left the freaking planet! What about them? What about his plans, his future? What about Patricia and his parents? He couldn't leave all of them! He didn't even know how he would go about it if he did decide to go. What were they going to do, tap their heels together 3 times and magically end up on another planet? It was ridiculous. He wasn't going! 

Troy had been outside, slinging hay into the horses feeder a little more vigorously than he usually would have done. When he made his mind up and decided to reject the mission he threw the whole bale of hay over the fence of the corral and stormed into the house. He was going to tell Judson now! He would probably get fired, but he didn't care. He was a hard worker, and he knew it wouldn't be difficult to find work somewhere else. His daddy would even be happy to have him back at the furniture plant. 

With intention, Tory flung the door to Judson's house open and found Judson buttoning his plaid shirt in the mirror. "I can't do it." He said without waiting on Judson to turn and face him. That would have made it harder. He had grown to respect the man, and letting anyone down was just not part of his character. "I won't leave all of the people I care about to go off on some crazy mission with you. For all I know, you're working with the bad guy anyways. Maybe you came here to turn me away from my family and friends. Maybe this plan you keep talking about isn't to save anyone, but to hurt more people!"

Judson did turn now, his eyes full of hurt over what Troy was saying to him. "Come on now, you know better than that!" He shot back. 

"No I don't!" Troy demanded. "I don't know nothin' more than what you are telling me and what that nasty, evil thing did to me! I haven't seen this 'Creator'. He hasn't come down to talk to me! Why would he send you when he coulda' come instead?" 

"You have spoken with Him." Judson said. 

"Yeah? When?"

"In the field of flowers, you knucklehead!" Judson was becoming angry, but he was trying to keep his composure. The plan didn't work without Troy. The Creator had made it perfectly clear that Troy Rogers was the first member of this team. If Judson couldn't get him, he wouldn't be able to get the others. The team would not be strong enough to defeat the Evil Lord without Troy. He took a deep breath and spoke again. "If you don't believe me, that's fine....but next time your dreams take you to the field, ask some questions. The Creator will answer." Judson knew he had to get some space before he grabbed Troy by his shoulders and shook some sense into him. Grabbing his hat off of the old nail by the mirror he slammed it on  his head and walked out the door. 

Troy stood, alone now in the renovated shack, for just a minute before he too went outside. He didn't have his own truck, so he began the long walk home. 

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As he walked, the fumed. He wasn't going to let anyone, human or otherwise, tell him how to live his life! This was his life! It was the only one he was going to get! He began thinking of all the things he wanted, and instantly his conversation with Judson at the river came to mind. He wanted a wife, and a family, and a home to call his own. Troy picked up his pace until he was running down the old dirt road. Forget what everyone else wanted him to do, he was going to make his own path, and the first step started today. 

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The Evil One used his power to look in on Troy. His viscous grin turning his thin lips upwards. His plan may have failed, but his ultimate goal seemed right on track. The boy had turned from the Redemption, which had turned him from the creator. This might just work, he thought. He would still get rid of the boy, just in case, but this would buy him time as he figured out just how to do that. 

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When Troy made it home he was gasping for air. He had run at least 5 miles, not stopping once. With hands on his knees, he sucked deep breaths into his lungs. His mother came outside to see him standing there. "Son?" She called from the porch. "Are you alright?"

Helen Rogers was tall and thin. Her skin, a deep olive from working in the southern heat. The bump under her apron was growing larger by the day. Ankles, swollen from pregnancy, carried her down the steps of the old front porch and into the yard where her son stood. "Is it Mr. Camp? Is he alright?" She asked with a worried look on her face. 

"No, Mama, Judson's fine! I came to talk to you!" He said. 

"Well come inside and I'll get you a drink. Looks like you're about to pass out." She put her hand on his back and guided him into the house. Leaning closer she sniffed him. "Why do you smell like butter?"

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After settling down at the table with a glass of water and a sandwich, Troy's face became serious. "Mama," he said. "Do you still have Grandmaw's ring?"