CHASING ECHOES
CHASING ECHOES
Raymond Ehrhardt wasn’t what you’d call a religious man, but he believed in God and enjoyed getting solace from reading the Bible before he went to sleep each night. He’d tried reading thrillers and suspense novels, but they seldom helped him to relax after a long day at work.
His wife, Rosemary, was a devout Christian, and she sometimes urged him to read aloud, even after she’d preceded him to bed and doused the bedroom lights.
The wind had been gusting cold and chilly all day, and he was grateful to slide under the warm heavy quilt. He got into a comfortable position on his right side, and flicked on his book light.
“What are you reading tonight?” his wife asked in a sleepy voice.
“John. Chapter five.”
“Can you read to me, but not too loud?”
“Certainly.”
“I love you,” she said, barely above a whisper. She was lying on her left side and had her head buried in her goose down pillow.
“I love you back,” he said as he found the passages he was looking for.
“The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there,” he read, and decided to put his glasses back on. While his wife’s Bible had large print, his had much smaller type.
“Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him,” he continued, and a voice spoke the next words as he read: “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”
“Did you hear that?” he pivoted his head around and asked Rose.
“Very nice,” was all she said, slurring the words.
He turned back to his book.
“So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the jews persecuted him,” he read, and the voice again finished the passage with him: “Jesus said to them, My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.”
“I realize you’ve memorized a lot of this, but I’ve never heard your voice mimic a man’s in that tone before,” he said to his wife. “Rose?” He listened, but her breathing had changed and he knew she’d fallen asleep.
“Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God,” Ray read, but didn’t finish the passage.
The voice did: “Jesus gave them this answer: I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing.”
The voice was coming from the hallway, outside the bedroom.
Still holding the Bible with the book light on, he slid out from under the blanket and sat on the edge of the bed.
He continued reading, but not aloud. “Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these.” He looked away from the Bible and the voice said, “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.”
The voice had seemed more distant, no longer right outside the bedroom, but further down the hall. Ray shuddered and got to his feet. He walked to the doorway and heard nothing. The usual house sounds were silent, and he didn’t hear a trace of the blustery wind outside.
If there was someone in the house, he didn’t want to confront them in the dark. Aiming his book light to guide him, he closed the bedroom door almost all the way, and flipped on the hallway light switch. He couldn’t detect any movement in the hall or beyond it into the living room. And he still heard no sound whatsoever.
If someone was here, how could they possibly know what passages I was reading? Unless they had a close-up with a hidden infrared camera.
He almost dismissed that notion as preposterous when he decided to experiment. He walked to the edge of the living room and balanced the open Bible in his left hand. He re-directed the light back onto the page and cupped his right hand around the reading area. “Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,” he read to himself, and closed his eyes.
The voice said, “That all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.”
Ray’s eyes snapped open. It was coming from the kitchen, and it was louder.
He flipped the Bible shut, raced to the kitchen, and turned on the light.
No one. And still no sounds.
He went to the back door and checked to make sure it was still locked. It was. He peered through the back door glass and saw slim trees bending and leaves swaying, but he couldn’t hear a sound, even when he placed his ear near the crack. Very odd.
He saw some movement outside and turned off the kitchen light. It was in the backyard of his neighbor across the way. Ray placed his forehead on the glass and saw a flicker of light at ground level that was casting eerie shadows on the back of the Dillman’s house. He knew Dave left for work early, and didn’t see any lights on inside their home.
The flicker of light became a flame as suddenly a bush under a window was burning.
Ray had been cold all day, even though he’d been fully dressed with a jacket, but now he was only wearing his boxers and a T-shirt. The cold was numbing as he ran barefoot through his yard.
The frosty wind rustled the trees like pom-poms and as he shouted “Dave”, several other adjacent bushes ignited. Flames began to lick the wood siding of the house.
As Ray drew nearer, he could see a barbecue grill on its side with a trail of glowing coals pointed at the house. He was still shouting when he saw the fire crawl up and the wood began to darken.
At the same moment Ray saw the garden hose snaked around the yard, he saw the look of terror on the face of Becca Dillman that was pressed against a window at the corner of the house.
Ray groped the hose and kept yanking it, pulling it toward him, until he finally held the nozzle. He got as close as he dared to the fire and when he pulled the trigger, only a short spray then a trickle of water came out.
For some reason he kept pressure on the trigger as he looked for the valve. The flames were shooting up above the house now. Then he saw a pajama clad Dave Dillman fling his back door open and head straight to where the hose was connected. The man was shouting “no, no” as he frantically twisted the wheel.
The water shot from the hose as Ray drenched the burning house then the conflagration below it. The smoke grew denser and soon hid the horrified owner from his view.
By the time the fire truck arrived, the fire had been extinguished, but the scorched walls would serve as a reminder that a tragedy had been averted. Rosemary had awakened and come over to investigate the disturbance.
Ray was being hugged by Becca and shaking Dave’s hand when the owner said, ”We ate late, and I just had to have my steak grilled. I should never have left it so close to the house.”
A fireman next to the house got their attention.
“Is this where you turned the valve on?”
“Yes,” said Dave.
“Then when was this done?” the fireman asked, holding up the end of a hose that had a gaping hole where a connecter should have been.
They all looked in amazement at the nozzle still dripping in Ray’s hand. The fireman tugged on his end and Ray felt the hose torn from his hand.
“You couldn’t have gotten any water with this hose,” the fireman said, “it wasn’t even connected to the faucet.”
Ray stared at Dave and Becca as their eyes began to well with tears. “I’ve been meaning to get that fixed,” Dave said with a look of wonder.
The firemen had draped a silver blanket over Ray’s shoulders, and he still wore it as he and Rose walked back to their own home. He told her the voice he’d heard had brought him to the kitchen in the first place. Although he was freezing, his heart and mind were ablaze in search of a logical explanation for what had just happened.
He saw a pinpoint of light and realized he’d carried his Bible outside in his haste, and had discarded it on his race to the Dillman’s house. The Bible was splayed open facedown and the book light was very dim. He turned it off to preserve what little light was left.
He couldn’t see the pages in the dark, but he could sense their power.
Just as he carefully closed the Bible, a voice said, ”I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.”
They both heard it this time.
this was a great short story full of creativity! I could actually see this story happening for real. Good read! Thank you for posting it!
I like your short stories, Michael
My name is Piter Jankovich. oOnly want to tell, that your blog is really cool
And want to ask you: is this blog your hobby?
P.S. Sorry for my bad english
Hello, Piter. This is an extension of my writing career. I appreciate you visiting. Please come again.
great post as usual!
You kept me wondering what would happen next!
I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
I’d have to give carte blanche with you one this subject. Which is not something I usually do! I love reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!
Splendid post. I learn new stuff on different blogs everyday. It’s usually stimulating to read content from other writers and learn a little something there. I’d select use some for this content on my blog from the event you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link back in a web page. Appreciate your sharing.
You made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for the topic and found most guys will go along with with your website.
Couldn’t be written any better. Studying this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always stored talking about this. I will ahead this text to him. Fairly positive he will have a great read. Thanks for sharing!
I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…
This is really a extremely beneficial read for me, Have to admit you might be 1 in the most effective bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.
I have read few of the articles on your site these few days, and I really like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my favorites web site list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my website also and let me know what you think.
I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…
Incredible information provided, thank you!
Hi! Your article rocks and is really a very good understand!…
Very good written story. It will be beneficial to everyone who usess it, including me. Keep up the good work – looking forward to more posts.
After study few of the posts on your blog now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I added it to my bookmark blog list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my internet site too and let me know what you think.
I gotta say this internet webpage is genuinely attention-grabbing, always keep posting fantastic information.
I’m still learning from you, as I’m making my way to the top as well. I certainly enjoy reading all that is posted on your blog.Keep the information coming. I loved it!
This is really a extremely beneficial read for me, Have to admit you might be 1 in the most effective bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.
Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…
Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…
Excellent brief and this article helped me alot. Say thank you I looking for your information….
Thank you for an incredible along with useful posting I certainly value all the effort which went in to the creating.
Hey, just stumbled upon your website through Google, and located it to be really informative.Cheers!
Usefull post do you mind if i translate into Italian for my blogs visitors? Thanks
Thank you for sharing this. We’re always looking for smart content to share with clients and my colleagues, and this post is absolutely worth sharing!
It’s really good written and I fully agree with You on main issue, btw. I must say that I really enjoyed reading all of Your posts.
A thoughtful opinion and ideas I will use on my blog. You’ve obviously spent some time on this. Thank you!
There is definitely a great deal to know about this. In my opinion you have made some great points in Features also.
I think you know how to write a really informative post. Thanks!
There is visibly a bunch to know about this. I think you made certain good points in features also.
My sis advised me about your website and the way great it is. She’s right, I’m actually impressed with the writing and slick design. It seems to me you’re just scratching the floor in terms of what you possibly can accomplish, however you’re off to a terrific start!
As a Newbie, I am always browsing online for articles that can be of assistance to me. Thank you
Generally I do not post on blogs, but I would like to say that this post really forced me to do so! really nice post
An amazing article, I just passed this onto a co-worker who was doing a little analysis on that. And he in fact purchased me lunch because I discovered it for him…. smile.. So let me rephrase that: Thankx for the treat! But yeah Thnx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more info? It is very helpful for me. Big thumb up for this article!
I have read a few of the articles on your web site these few days, and I really like your style of blogging. I tag it to my bookmark blog list and will be checking back soon. Pls visit my website as well and let me know your thought.
As a Newbie, I am constantly browsing online for articles that can be of assistance to me. Thank you
Thx for your downright post. I’ve been searching nearby for this web site right after becoming referred to them from a colleague and was thrilled when i was in a position to locate it right after looking for lengthy time. Ideal wished to commentary to show my admiration for your website as it is quite inspiring to complete, and numerous writers usually do not secure acknowledgment they deserve. I’m confident I’ll be back and definitely will send my buddies
Awsome article and right to the point. Thank you
Hi, a fantastic read man. Great Share. But I am experiencing issue with the RSS feed. Unable to subscribe. Is there anyone else facing similar rss feed trouble? Anybody who can help kindly reply. Thankx
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
I can see that you are an expert in this area. I am starting a website soon, and your information will be very useful for me.. Thanks for all your help and wishing you all the success in your business.
I wanted to thank you for this great I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your web site to check out the latest stuff you post.
Hey! I simply noticed one other message in one other blog that appeared like this. How have you learnt all these items? That’s one cool post.
Hey this is a actual cool website
Excellent. I’ve been looking everywhere for this. THX
You had fantastic good ideas here. I did a search on the subject and discovered almost all peoples will agree with your blog.