After finishing his greasy breakfast, Sam thought it best to head into town and run some errands. It was obvious that he needed to resupply the pantry and cupboards, but he also thought it was about time to fix up the sanctuary and... resume services, somehow. Evangelos' message had been ringing in his ears nonstop since their encounter.

You are the light of the world.

Let your light so shine before men.

“What in the world am I supposed to do, even after fixing up the Tabernacle?” Sam pondered to himself out loud while throwing on a pullover with a hood. “If only... If only dad were here. Pastor Eli. He could rally people. He knew the Bible inside and out, and had such a charisma that only comes once in a generation or two.”

He cruised to the market side of Lumen City in Eli's truck while letting his mind race. First stop: the local hardware store, Lumen Nuts 'N' Bolts. This is always where he was sent to buy tools and materials for every little repair job at the Tabernacle. Of course, going to the same store that he always frequented, carried with it the risk of being recognized or noticed by someone, even under his hood.

In and out. I'll just need a few things from aisle 5, some plaster, and a few more tools, and I'll be home free.

Perhaps, if life hadn't drastically changed, Sam may have become a handyman. He always enjoyed the feeling of a repair being completed and a job well done.

He quickly loaded his shopping buggy with what he came in for, and headed to the registers. There was only one register open, and it was being manned by the store owner, Mr. Smith. Sam tried to hide his face as he approached, not sure of where the conversation might would go if he recognized him. Would he have seen the news report and think Sam was the Angel?

“Find everything you needed sir? Wa-wait a second... Sam? Sam Sander?”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

That didn't take long.

“Ye-yeah, it's me Mr. Smith,” Sam nervously replied, leaving his hood up and beginning to sweat.

“I... I sure hated to hear about what happened, Sam. It was a real shame. Pastor Eli was one in a million, most honest customer I ever had. I know you are missing him.”

Sam managed a nod, and felt a pain in his heart, hearing someone speak so highly of his adopted father.

Realizing how sore of a subject it was, Mr. Smith switched subjects.

“Did ya happen to catch the report this morning? Bout the Angel guy swoopin' in and saving that lady?”

Sam's ears perked up, and he wasn't sure how to respond.

“Yeah, I saw that. Crazy, right?” Sam settled on that quick reply, and thought it was the most neutral response he could give.

“You know, people are really responding to it. Everyone is thinking that God is coming to punish this wicked city, in retaliation to the shooting,” Mr. Smith shared as he continued the checkout counter, “Heard there was a small group heading to the Tabernacle today. Not sure what their intentions were, though.”

Sam's eyes widened.

“What? They are heading that way today?”

“That's the word around town. I wouldn't be surprised if they were there already,” he said, scanning the final item.

Sam face flushed. He knew he had to now race back home and prepare for... whatever this group was up to. He must have been visibly upset, as Mr. Smith took notice.

“I'm sure it's nothing son, but you better be careful... Anyway, your total is... well, it's on the house. It's not much, but I just feel as though I need to do that for you today.”

That was very unlike Mr. Smith, who was a known tightwad, but Sam was very grateful. He expressed his gratitude, loaded up the truck, and raced toward home.

Groceries would have to wait.