“I know it might seem incredible in the literal sense of the word but what if you could feel what we were talking about?” “I’m not about to risk setting him on fire,” defended Matthew, not at all being confident in his ability to control any part of this. “I’ll shock him,” Dan said flatly. “Are you crazy?” questioned Ricky. “You just got this ability and you already want to try it out on an actual person?” “Sure. Why not?” “Cuz it could be dangerous.” “I’m not gone go full Kaminari on him. It’s just gone be a little shock. More than static electricity but less than an electrocution.” “That is a huge margin of error Dan.” “It’s up to Brandon though. I’m always up to show people the glory of God in any way that I can. If doing this will make it easier for him to believe that something like this is possible, then I am happy to be of service,” Dan stated seriously.

Brandon stopped walking. He thought it over. What could it hurt, right? “Aight Dan, mane. Gone do it. But I’m telling you right now: if you electrocute me, Imma punch you.” “Deal.” “But you gotta do it from over there.” Dan looked. He was about 10 feet from Brandon. He smirked. “No problem.” “This is insane,” groaned Ricky, but secretly kind of wanting to see it. “What do you think of all this Eli? You’ve been pretty quiet this whole time.”

“I’m just, just taking it all in.” Which wasn’t a complete lie. He actually believed Dan and Matthew. He had seen his father do and say things that proved that some people just had a stronger connection with spiritual stuff than others. But why didn’t he? He studied. He worked in the church. He was the son of a preacher for God's sake. Wasn’t he supposed to inherit some kind of affinity for this stuff? And he was trying. He was actually trying right then to summon up some power. But he never felt anything. Not the way these guys were talking about it. Is there something wrong with me? Is it something I’m missing? Why can’t I do this? Why can’t I do this but DAN of all people can? Why is he even a preacher? Surely God knows what he be up to. So why does Dan get all this power without even trying it seems and here I am, actually putting forth effort and I got nothing?

It isn't fair.

It isn't right.

It isn’t…

Eli felt something. Deep down in his gut. It was heavy and hard and…wrong. Something felt wrong. Next thing everyone knew, while they were looking at Dan expectantly, they saw Eli fall to the ground, eyes closed. Dan had been concentrating on gathering some lightning in his hand to shoot out at Brandon. Once he felt Eli drop behind him he lost concentration and the lightning faded quickly. They all crowded around Eli to see if he was ok. Brandon rushed over. After quickly examining him they didn’t see anything wrong.

Kat was the first to look up to try to find someone to help. “Hey guys,” she said with trepidation in her voice, “where did everyone go?” They all looked up and saw that they were completely alone in the sanctuary of the church.

Dan’s eyes began to spark on their own.

Matthew’s heat haze seemed to spread.

Panic rising up inside him, Ricky heard a voice as a steady breeze brushed passed his ears and neck, strong enough to make his locs billow slightly: “You guys wanted a demonstration to believe. Well here you go.”