He went back to Angela's room and gently laid the crucifix across her bed.  He would figure out were to hang it up later. 

He jumped in his car and frantically left his house, heading towards the church.

“Halloween is always such a sinister time of the year. I think this one will be worth remembering."  That is what the preacher had said. He was racking his brain, trying to understand what the preacher meant by that.

He wondered if the preacher was somehow responsible for the death of his wife, his children.  Why did he press so much about his family?

His speed has reached about 90 now, yet even in his deep thought he managed to keep the car steady.  He leaned over the steering wheel, pounding on it and swerving around any car that was in his way.

How did he managed to get Angela's crucifix?  Had he been imagining the fact that the cross was turned upside down on it after washing it in the sink?  

He was slowly approaching the church which was about seven miles from his house.  His thoughts continued on.

He asked where I was from and I told him Scotland.  He asked about the church and the people.  He asked were the church people loyal to one another, to the community.  

He also remembered the preacher asking about whether the congregation was family oriented. The type who would be willing to keep the town safe.  Ban together and make a decision for the continuation of safety for the church and its people, in these trying and evil times. 

He realized he was about two miles from the church now.  He began to reminisce about becoming a member or that church when his family moved here from Scotland.  He remained a faithful member along with his wife and children up until their death, one year ago today. 

Halloween.

The death of his wife and kids made him renounce God.  He had no faith in the church.  But he also knew the church held the answers, and he must return there to find them.

He pulled into the church yard.  He noticed that all the parking spaces in the church lot were filled.  He found that odd, since the day of the week did not go with traditional services that he was use to attending here before he lost faith. 

He jumped out his car and ran full speed to the church entrance.  He forced the doors open.

He noticed with an eerie feeling that sent goosebumps down his spine that all the rows in the church were filled. The people were standing, and they were all facing the preacher with their arms extended and their heads bowed. As if he was some sort of savior.  From the entrance he saw not one row empty. 

He looked down the aisleway and saw the preacher standing behind the pulprit. His eyes were glowing red.  He saw him grin a sinister evil that made the whole congregation moan.  

Only the moan was not one of displeasure.

What have I walked into was his only thought.  He found himself shivering all over.  He looked down and noticed his feet were guiding him.  Guiding him down the aisle, as if he were a proud father giving away his daughter on her wedding day. 

He wondered if it was the preacher or his own will to want to see what was gonna take place.  As he made his way down the aisle, every person on every row turned towards him, and the looks on their faces said they knew about darkness.  He saw that their eyes were a mixture of happiness, fear beyond comprehension, and loathing. 

He felt that the loathing part was for him.  

There was a warmness to the church that caused him to begin to sweat.  Not extreme heat, but very uncomfortable.  His shirt stuck to his chest almost instantly.

He felt as if he was in a dream.....Everything moved in slow motion.  He felt all eyes on him as he made his way down the aisle.

As he approached the first row of the church he noticed that their were three people on that row.  They were the only ones who were remaining seated.  He could not believe his eyes. 

I truly have lost my mind, he thought.  This cannot be real.  This cannot be happening.

They all stood and turned to face him.  The congregation moaned and wailed.

One of the three was wearing a crucifix.  The cross was turned upside down.

Daddy!!! He watched as she began to run towards him.  He looked up again into the eyes of the preacher.  

You can be with them.  The voice of the preacher filled his head. 

He noticed the preachers lips were not moving.

His daughter broke his gaze on the preacher by wrapping her arms around him .  He fell to his knees, in total disbelief.  He felt waves of loneliness and despair overpower him.

He watched with tears of utter disbelief as his son Trevor and his wife made their way towards him.   

The preacher raised his arms before the congregation.

He began to speak........