David didn’t know for sure if this meant anything. He could not recall any of the other birthdays, but if they were at the beginning of the year, that likely could be more than a coincidence. He had to figure out the others’ birthdays.
He again had to meet with Dr. Loran. At first, he liked the psychologist, but he was beginning to get annoyed with him. He seemed to be a little bit of a know-it-all; almost like officer Cook without the cockiness.
It had already gotten back to Dr. Loran that David had talked to the police about the investigation. “I do suggest that you leave the investigation to the authorities. You know that if someone finds out there is a kid running around trying to meddle in their business, they might not be so merciful to you.”
“Yeah, but they will come after anybody involved in the investigation.” After saying this, David realized his defense was weak.
“True, but professionals know how to handle it, and you’re not a trained professional.”
“Well, I do believe in God, and I’m sure I will be ok. David said with earnest sincerity.
“Let’s talk logical. Many people I have talked to believe God would protect them. One example, would be soldiers who go off to battle. I would later find out that the same soldiers who thought God would protect them would be found dead.” Dr. Loran stated. “Even though sad, they died an honorable death serving our country, as they were well trained to do what they do. You, on the other hand, might just end up getting yourself killed if you’re not careful.”
“You mean, you don’t believe in God?”
Dr. Loran threw up his arms in protest, “I didn’t say I don’t believe in God. I’m just saying that if he exists, he doesn’t automatically rescue everyone who put their life in a risky situation.”
“Then what do you believe?”
“Well, I don’t know if it is my place as a counselor to bring up my personal thoughts regarding religious beliefs.” Dr. Loran said, seeming like he would gladly share his thoughts, but didn’t want to cross professional boundaries.
David wanted to know more. “Aw, come on, I won’t tell anyone.”
“Well, if I answer your questions, please don’t be offended. They are my personal beliefs, and I don’t want them to have a negative impact on the counselor/student relationship.”
“Ok, I won’t get offended,” David said, uncertain as to whether or not he would actually be offended.
“Well, first, I’m not sure if the Biblical interpretation of God is accurate.”
“How so?”
“Well, the Bible says that God is perfect, all powerful, all knowing as in he knows what is going to happen, and ever-present right?”
“Correct.”
“That would mean that in the beginning, when there was just God, everything had to have been perfect. Correct?”
David didn’t answer. He didn’t know where Dr. Loran was going with this and didn’t want to fall into a trap.
Mr. Loran continued on, “However, there came a time when God created angels. He created one that everyone knows called Satan. Now a perfect, all-knowing God who hates sin, will not create anything less than perfect, right?”
“Well, I don’t know about that. God gives everyone a choice.”
“Possibly, but to give everyone a choice, he would have to create that choice which goes against what he stands for. He therefore, had to create sin so angels and humans could choose to not follow him.”
David was stuck without an answer, and Peter continued to put the nail in the coffin. “God then had to create a place of eternal torment for those who do not follow him. After the angels, he made humans, which he knew would fall. He would end up having to send a vast majority to hell to suffer for eternity. After seeing this side of God, Hitler doesn’t seem like such a bad guy, according to my standards.”
David felt offended even though he promised not to be; especially by the last statement. Yet, he didn’t have any good answers. Dr. Loran pinned him in a corner rather quickly. He believed that Dr. Loran was wrong, but he wasn’t sure how to respond to this. He’d have to pray and hope that God would open his heart. David finally mustered up something to say, “So, what exactly do you believe?”
“Well, I believe that the definition of what is good and evil is sketchy. I do believe in some of the moral teachings of the Bible such as treating others with love. But then the Bible becomes extreme when someone must be stoned for picking up sticks on the Sabbath, or God telling his people to go slaughter nations including infants.”
“Where does the Bible mention that God ordered his people to slaughter infants?”
Dr. Loran was prepared with an answer; “I believe it is 1 Samuel 15 when Saul was instructed by Samuel to wipe out an entire nation, including the infants. I’d have to say that even America is more merciful than that since when we go to war, we try not to harm civilians.”
“Anyways, I need to ask you to stay out of the investigation,” Dr. Loran said suddenly changing the subject.
“I guess I’ll stay out of it.” David stated, caught off guard.
“You don’t sound like that is what you really intend on doing.” Peter shot back, reading David’s every move.
“What do you expect me to say? If I say I want to involve myself, you will tell me to stay out of it. If I say I will stay out of it, you don’t believe me.”
“I’m just trying to look after your safety. I support you wanting to be a detective and hope that is what you eventually go into if that continues to be your desire. However, you need to be trained to do that kind of work. Soldiers are trained before they actually go into battle. Police officers are trained before they do their job.”
David needed to manipulate his way out of this conversation. “I see what you are saying. I will consider it.”
“That’s what I’m looking for,” and with that the session ended.
David was glad it ended. He felt very frustrated. He wasn’t about to give up his quest to solve the murder mystery. He knew there were patterns, but he couldn’t piece it together. He was hoping to piece enough together to be able to stop the next murder, which might be in eight days.
* * *
Peter Loran kicked back in his chair and smiled to himself. He thoroughly enjoyed discussing religion with people, especially when it came to confusing them. Messing with people’s heads was a specialty of his. People like David even made it more fun; especially with how intense they believed. He knew David too well, and knew he wasn’t going to give up his faith over a simple argument.
If it were not for having to remain professional, he would probably not suggest that David avoid investigating the murders. In fact, Peter was hoping David wouldn’t listen to him. The police had virtually no chance of figuring things out, as they were overly rational. One would need a very open mind to even consider what was going on. Sarah might also be of use, as she seemed to be much more open minded that most people in the area. He knew that the more he tried pushing Sarah and David apart, the more David would cling to the friendship.
* * *
That night David went home from school exhausted and tired, for it had been a long day. He looked up at his light blue house, and memories came to him about the not-so-distant past before the murders began. He didn’t realize how peaceful things had been. Any kind of indifference seemed petty as compared to now. People in his church would argue over whether or not to put a cross on the wall up front. Some people believed it would offend people, while other more rigid believers would say that “the offense of the cross was needed, and if they were offended, they didn’t belong in the church.” With the murders, the petty arguments decreased. It just showed how human nature was. No matter what, people would find something to argue over. As he entered the door, he heard his mother say, “there is an envelope on the table for you, someone left it on the doorstep.”
David thought this was rather strange. Maybe it was a friend or someone he knew giving him a message. He secretly hoped it would be a letter from Lauren, telling him of her attraction to him. He knew that it wouldn’t be, but he could always hope.
He walked up to his room since he didn’t want to open it in front of his nosy mother. In fact, there were certain things that he hid in his room. He will never forget the day he came up to his room and found his mom reading his journal. He never heard the end of it. When he was angry with his mother one day, he wrote in his journal a few nasty things about her. Of course, she just happened to be reading that part when David walked in. David felt ashamed, but angry at the same time. It happened over a year ago, yet still put a damper on his relationship with his mom.
He shut his door and tore open the envelope; surprised that his mother didn’t have a look at it already. As he read it, he felt chills go down his spine. Unsigned in big bold letters, it read: “Keep your nose where it belongs, and stay out of the investigation, or else…”
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