The wind whipped the two men’s trench coats around their ankles as thunder roared somewhere off in the distance. The two men had one hand in their pockets and the other keeping their fedoras on their heads.

“ So, do you think the man will be able to help?” one of them asked the other. He looked back at the small, blue house as a scream sounded inside it.

“ I dunno Jack, but I sure do hope so.” The man responded, “ Otherwise, the little girl is lost for good.” He puffed out a cloud of cigarette smoke and tapped the ash onto the dirt road.

“ I hate to agree, I really do, but it seems that you’re right.” Jack sighed. “ It’s a shame is what it is. The small girl in need of help and no one being able to.”

“ I just hope that what I heard about this guy is right. Do you really think that he can help anyone, that he can fix any situation, even hopeless ones?” He touched the cross that hung around his neck for luck and puffed out more smoke.

“ Maybe. When do you reckon he’ll arrive?” Jack rubbed his hands together when the wind had settled. “ It’s gettin’ nippy out here.” Thunder roared once again, followed by a flash of lightning. “ Any minute now and it’s gonna start pourin’ rain.” He put his hand back over his hat as the wind picked up again.

“ He requested that we wait outside for him so he knows which house it is. Although I don’t see how he could get all too confused since this is the only house for miles.” The man looked down the road. “ Le’s just hope he gets here soon.” A shattering sound followed by another scream made Jack turn around to look at the house.

“ Wanna go check on that Dave?” Jack questioned.

“ It’s David, Jack, I told ya’ a million times, it’s David.” He sucked in another cloud of smoke before tossing it onto the road and stomping it out. Then he turned on his heel and walked towards the house, mumbling as he went.

Jack watched as a sleek, black car turned onto the dirt road, dust and dirt coming up in clouds as the car passed over it.

“ Well i’s about time” Jack smiled as the car rolled to a stop in front of him. The driver emerged from the car and went to open the door for the man inside just as David walked out of the house.

Both Jack and David were taken aback as a boy no older than ten exited the car.

“ William Bernard.” The boy stuck out his hand, which was as ghostly pale as the rest of his skin, and waited for the men to shake it.

Jack quickly recovered from his shock and shook the boy’s hand then, after having to nudge him in the ribs, David did as well. “ Pleased to meet you, uh, sir.” Jack spoke.

“ I suspect that this is the reason I was called here?” The boy nodded towards the house, another scream rang through the air.

“ Yes, the girl is in desperate need of help. No preacher has been able to fix her.” David spoke urgently.

“ Finn,” William spoke to the driver who was holding a large briefcase in his arms. “ would you hand me my, ah, yes, thank you.” He grabbed the suitcase by the handle and pulled it from Finn’s arms. “ Gentlemen, let’s go.” The two men looked at each other for a split second before turning around and followed Mr. Bernard up the stone path that led to the house.

“ This shouldn’t take long Finn,” The boy spoke to the driver. “ Keep the car running will you?” William looked up at the house, then at his briefcase. “ Not long at all.” He whispered.