Page 78 of Still Afraid

“I’m not sure we should go.”

She stopped at the top of the stairs. “Why?”

“What if the person doing these things becomes more desperate?”

“They’re looking for something we don’t have. Why would they try anything in the middle of a crowded event?”

“You’re telling me you want to go? I thought you’d equate it to a nightmare.”

She held a breath, then let it out in a laugh. “You’re not wrong. But I kind of feel like I should go.”

“Why?” He squeezed her hand.

“Didn’t they want some people to share? I can do that. I can’t imagine we’d be in any danger.”

“I suppose you’re right. Maybe a quick appearance. Let’s not hang around too long.”

“That’s fine with me.”

As they went inside, she began kicking herself. Had she really talked Josh into going to something with a lot of people? She hated that kind of thing, but she’d already told herself she had to go. Now she had a check in her gut. Maybe going wasn’t a good idea. Her anxiety was running rampant right now. Did she even know the difference between the Holy Spirit warning her about something and the fear from the devil that wanted her to sequester herself and not do the will of the Lord?

Chapter Thirty

Josh handed the food truck worker cash for two barbeque catfish burgers. Chloe took the sandwiches, while Josh looked around. Ever since they’d gotten here half an hour ago, he felt like he needed to be extra vigilant. It didn’t help that because the rally was on high school grounds, he couldn’t carry his pistol.

At least the police had a presence. Josh nodded to Gabe, who was in uniform, on duty, and standing near the entrance to the gymnasium where the rally was going to be held. Josh wasn’t quite sure why they chose the gymnasium over the football field, but maybe it had to do with the PA system being simpler to use in the gym.

Poirot’s leash hung loose from Chloe’s arm as she didn’t need to hold tight control over him. He stayed by her side without any issue. And with his SAR vest on, most people didn’t approach him like they would if he didn’t have it. His vest didn’t say “don’t pet,” yet enough people seemed to know that working and service dogs were not to be touched without permission. A few kids looked like they wanted to ask, but they didn’t work up the gumption to and Chloe didn’t notice them.

They walked around and saw a few individuals they knew from church and the community. Some offered condolences on the loss of the house; others asked if everything was coming together for the wedding.

Time for the rally approached, and the crowd started moving into the building. As they joined the crowd, Josh threw their wrappers in a trash can and took Chloe’s hand in his. Once inside, Josh spotted Tripp and Steph, and they saw him as well and waved.

Josh introduced them to Chloe.

Steph asked, “Are you willing to share a little about what happened, so people can put a face to who they’re helping?”

“I can do that. I’d much rather talk to a large group than a bunch of individual small groups.”

Steph reached out and touched Chloe’s arm. “Thank you so much.”

“Thank you for helping organize this.”

Tripp explained a little about how it was going to go and where Chloe should wait.

A few minutes later, Josh, Chloe, and Poirot stood beside the stage at the end of the gymnasium as Tripp welcomed everyone. He explained the purpose of the evening and thanked supporters for visiting the food trucks before the event. Each vendor had promised to contribute part of their proceeds from the night to the fund.

“Before I explain the other ways you can help the survivors of the recent tornadoes with practical items and such, I’d like to introduce you to a member of our community. She lost her home in the tornado two nights ago.”

Chloe handed Poirot’s leash to Josh. He squeezed her hand before she walked up the stairs and joined Tripp at the podium.

Josh didn’t like her being so far away from him, especially without Poirot. But was he being paranoid? She wasn’t even that far. Then why did it feel like a hundred miles?

Chloe shook Tripp’s hand as she stepped up beside him at the mic. When she and Josh talked about what she would say earlier, they’d decided she shouldn’t talk about anything too personal. Use only her first name. And don’t mention the street name, even though everyone knows where the tornado touched down.

Tripp said, “Chloe, why don’t you introduce yourself and tell us what happened.”

Lord, give me the courage and the words. “Like Tripp said, my name is Chloe, and I’ve lived in Knoxville most of my life. No doubt you’ve seen my house on the news, not that you would know it. When the storm hit the other evening, I was just getting home from the grocery store. Before I could make it into the house, the tornado dropped from the sky. By the grace of God, I was able to make it into the crawlspace, but the house was leveled. We’re not even sure the foundation will be recoverable.”