1616

Suddenly an aura of brilliant golden-white light envelops the young Jesus, it rapidly becomes a luminescent cloud completely obscuring him, then he is suddenly the towering giant from John's Revelation, light emanating from his face and fiery eyes and a robe of blinding white enveloping him. I have to close my eyes, so intense is the light. I open them again, and now he is the mature Jesus, just before facing Herod and Pilate, a middle eastern man of medium height, dark hair and a beard with olive skin and green eyes. He is dressed simply in a white tunic and a simple brown homespun robe...

1697

Caspar turns to Carl and says in a soft low voice, "Thank you for the water." Stella stares at caspar, her eyes widened with shock. "Caspar. Did you actually thank Carl." He nods. And now the woman at the other table, she is wearing square dark rim glasses and has long straight bleach blonde hair and bangs, gets up and approaches our table. Before Stella can intervene, Caspar's face has already lit up with fear and disgust and screams at her, "Get out!". The woman hesitates. Then tries to advance nearer. "Do as he says", thunders Stella. "Zena, you are not welcome here." Zena reaches forth her left hand and mutters something, perhaps an imprecation in an unknown tongue, then turns and leaves the café.

1615

The teenage Jesus is standing in the middle of the living room, blood dripping onto the carpet from his outstretched hands and from the wounds on his sandaled feet. In this case I know better than complain about him ruining the rug. I know whose blood this is and why it is being shed right here. Jason and Lazarus are both prostrated on their faces at his feet, and Jesús has just dropped to his knees. The rest of us remain where we are seated, too astonished to say or do anything.

1614

"How did I end up in Vancouver and Jason in Victoria", says Lazarus. "That I do not have an answer for, I'm afraid." There is a soft knocking on the front door. Not wanting a repeat episode from Lindstrom, I feel really like holding my place and ignoring it. But Aaron looks at me and says, "I don't think it's Lindstrom this time." "But who would be calling at this hour?" "Find out." Curiously, the knocking has just stopped. I see no one in the peephole. I carefully open the door just a couple of inches. He is standing near the sidewalk, staring at the house. In his white shirt and bluejeans he is unmistakable. I open the door. "Won't you come in?"

1695

Instinctively I have just procured an extra chair for our unexpected visitor where Stella dumps him like a sack of potatoes. "Don't try to get aaway, this time, Caspar", she says, her hand firmly on his shoulder. "You are now under the power of the Millionth Council." Then to us she says, "Friends, let it be my great pleasure to introduce to you the step-father of my twin sibling. Nothing could be more prepostrous. The kid looks barely twenty. And he is actually a beautiful boy, with straight chestnut hair combed back and big doe like eyes adorning a rather thin but unblemished face. "Nice to meet you, Caspar", says Carl, who is seated nearest to him, and extends to him his hand. Caspar merely looks up at him, uncomprehendingly, both his arms hanging limp at his side. "He isn't going to have much to say right now", says Stella. "He is under our power and likely will remain pretty quiet. but the young Jesus did instruct me that he would be delivering him into our hands today...

1613

Lazarus says, "By the way, Aaron, do you have any idea at all how we ended up with amnesia and in psychiatric care." "My best answer is that you each separately visited the island, the island where the teenage Jesus lives with those two ancient guardians, you might recall the very old but very robust couple dressed in tweeds. Anyway, my sources have informed me that the trauma of being there, with all the strangeness was too much for both of you and you were each separately found wandering around in a semi conscious daze on the beach near the Community of the Transfiguration. My theory is that that caused you both to dissociate and to dwell exclusively as fully conscious persons here in this dimension.

1612

I not go back with you", says Jesús, "not if I sick and in coma in hosptal bogotano." "but if you die in hospital over there", say I, "Chances are you will also die here." "Or maybe if I stay alive here chances are no going to die in hospital in Bogotá." "He may have a point", says Carl. "How about you guys", says Aaron, directing onto Lazarus and Jason. "no way man", says Jason. "no fucking way", echoes, sort of, Lazarus. "We are staying together, and not about to wake up in the loony bin."

1611

"What else do you know", says Lazarus. "That's it." "If any of this is true", says Jason, "How did you find out." "I have regular contact with Lindstrom's and Stella's bosses." "What is that about", says Carl. "They are both servants of the Millionth Council." "You mean they are not nephilim", says Francois. "They are not nephilim." "And we are to believe you because", says Lazarus. "because of the way he can magically pop in and out of here like a mad fairy", says Carl. "Fair enough."

1610

"Can you ever forgive me?" "One day." "Please." "Oh, now you're giving me puppy eyes. Okay. Done. you and Alex both are forgiven. Totally and absolutely and divinely forgiven." "Thank you." "Anyway, I have an offer for the three of you, you guys, Jason and Lazarus, and Jesús." "Which is", says lazarus, skeptical. "How would you guys like to return with me." "To your dimension", says Jesús. "Curiously, all three of you are in rather rough shape back home. I have on authority that you, Jesús, are still in a coma in Bogatá, and that is why you are here. You guys, Lazarus and Jason, are both under prolonged psychiatric care, respectively in Victoria and in Vancouver. you were both found missing, together, somewhere on the Saanich Peninsula in a state of intense amnesia...

1609

"by the way, Aaron", says Jason, "I have a wee confession to make." "Oh?" "Alex, when he was leaving those obscene messages on your voicemail. I helped put him up to it." "Oh?" "We were having a fling. We both had the hots for you, so one day at his place, I talked him into calling you. So we got lour contact info off of one of your paintings in the café." "Oh?" "We had both already smoked tons of pot." "Good old herbal courage", says Aaron, laughing.

1608

"You were showing some of your art there", says Jason "Beautiful bird paintings. I really wanted to buy one, but couldn't afford to. "Alex our cook had a thing for you. He could never keep his eyes off you." says Lazarus. "The little creep was actually stalking me for a while", says Aaron. "No way", says Lazarus. "i finally had a place to live, but my life and situation were still really vulnerable. I went from a year in a shared apartment with a Czech guy to living in a small room on top of a big house in East Van, windows on three sides and a panoramic view and that's where I lived for two years, while still painting and schilling my art. I was also involved with Amnesty International and often sat at the table by the window in the Green Room writing letters to heads of corrupt dictatorship for the better treatment and release of prisoners of conscience.." "That explains the lit candle every time you sat there", says Jason....

1607

"And you too Lazarus", says Aaron, between bites of cheese. He rather makes me think of a giant mutant mouse right now. "That's right. I knew you when I was serving tables at the Green Room. You seemed very interesting." "I don't know whether to say thank you or not for that little comment." "Interesting in a good way. There was something very minimalist and very attractive about you. What, if I may ask, was happening in your life at the time." "I was homeless." "No way." "Not street homeless. I was staying with my father part time in Robert's Creek, then I would spend the balance of the week couchsurfing with various friends in Vancouver. Your restaurant became a kind of way station for me. A refuge actually. You and Jason treated me with a lot of kindness at a time when I was needing a lot of kindness. Did I ever properly thank both of you." "It was always a pleasure seeing you there", says Jason. Then he pauses, his eyes widening theatrically (of course) and says. "That is the first tine I have remembered this." "Me too" says Lazarus

1606

"You both already know Aaron, I presume", say I as we all make ourselves comfortable around the dining room table, which fortunately is very big. "The author and finisher of our characterizations", says Jason smiling. "I wouldn't go that far", says Aaron, slicing himself a piece of cheddar to go with his Breton. "But you are writing us", says Lazarus, now in a slightly better mood. "Aaron is a fly on the wall", says Francois. "He simply spies on us from a different dimension and then writes it all up." "I have visited you before", says Jesús. "In your apartment." "Yes, when I was living downtown." "You move so quickly." "I moved over a year ago. Right now, in my dimension it is March 2025." "That is almost four years from now", says Carl. "I said that time works very differently between our two dimensions." "How did you get over to see him", says Lazarus. "Jesús, like Aaron", says Jason, "has a counterpart in both realms. "And so do I ." "And that is why you look so familiar to me", says Aaron, with an aha look on his face.

1605

"Sorry", say I as they approach the table. "Were we keeping you awake." "It's almost eleven", grumbles Lazarus, whom I have already nicknamed, the Grumpy One. "Sorry", says Francois. "No worries", says Jason, who is the easier going of the two, despite his alleged mental health challenges. "We don't have to be up early, right Sable", he directs to his partner, as though warning him to lighten up. "Do you have any more of those Breton crackers with you", says Carl to Aaron. "There are four boxes in the pantry", say I. "Bring out a box. "And a block of cheddar while you're in the neighbourhood", says Carl.

1614

"Maybe. I don't know." He is clearly crestfallen and vulnerable. His head hangs like a prisoner in a cell waiting for his torture and interrogation. "what about Carol and Sarah?" says Francois. "What about them" says Carl. "Just the other day they were insisting that he come live with himn." I have had my fill of this inquisition, and my compassion and affection and dare I say, attraction, for our Colombian friend is about to trump my common sense. "That's enough you guys. He's staying here with us." "Chris", says Aaron. "Don't Chris me, you arrogant old man. Jesús is our friend. He is my friend, and we are not going to treat him like a leper." "Jesús", says Carl. "Welcome home." Jesús forces a little smile and says "Thank you", just as both Jason and Lazarus are emerging from the basement...

1603

"What a couple of killjoys", says Carl, snickering. "I have two little words for you Carl", says Aaron. "Grow up." "Hey, you're no fun." "Okay, four little words. Grow the fuck up." "You're serious." "Dead serious." "Jesús", say I. "How about the house in new Westminster. The big beautiful house that Carl just bought." "How soon?" "two weeks", says Carl...

1602

"They are both handsome men. What am I suppose to do." "Don't give me that Colombian Latino horseshit, Jesús. You will do as I say. Respect Christopher, respect Erik, and respect their relationship with each other. Got it?" "Yes. I should move out." "Where are you going to live. Vancouver is very expensive and these people are your only friends." "We will not have you ending up on the street, Jesús", says Carl. "And Carl, and Christopher", continues Aaron, "You could both do a much better job at role modeling. You both have very sloppy boundaries so no wonder this shit's hitting the fan." "So, what are we supposed to do", says Carl. "You can start by stopping the flirting and teasing each other." "we´re only having fun", says Carl. "You are only having fun", say I. "Aaron is right...

1601

"We're getting off track", says Aaron, looking at Jesús. "Do you want to speak to me in Spanish or English?" "English good." "I want you to shit or get off the pot." "Como?" "You have to make up your mind about your priorities, if you are going to live with these people in Christian community." "I don't understand." "Yes you do. From now on you are going to quit hitting on Christopher for sex or for a romantic relationship. And you are to leave Erik alone. He is not as interested in you as you are in him. Respect him and leave him alone. He already has enough to cope with.

1600

"English please", says Carl. "I cared for Carlos Quiroga, the Colombian narco king. The last five years of his life. He died last year in Sweden. I was his attendant. He helped me learn Spanish." "How come you know him", says Jesús, incredulous. "We met each other in Spain. He took a liking to me, why I don't know, but he asked me to work for him, live with him, take care of him." "Carlos Quiroga no es homosexual", says Jesús. "It was all platonic. We got on well, he paid me generously." "That very strange." That so very strange." "Did you know him, jesús", asks Aaron. "No personally. No. But he is part of net that kill Juan. He also involve in death of Escobar. Long time ago.

1599

"Is that what you told him?" "I said that I am going to start with him It is better that I do it in Spanish with him because it is his first language." "Plus", says Francois, chuckling, "No one is going to know what you are saying." "Except me", says Erik. "How did you learn Spanish" says Jesús. "From Carlos Quiroga." "That was the Colombian druglord you were looking after for his last five years.", say I. "Tú conoces a Carlos Quiroja", says Jesús, astonished. "Sí", Le conocí muy bien..."

1598

"So, what are we supposed to do with all this", say I. "First of all, in order to make yourselves ready for the coming challenges, and there are going to be more challenges, I think it's time that we all agree on some ground rules." "Ground rules?" says Carl. "About the way you guys are all getting along. Look, I said I have not been inventing any of this so far, and I for one am getting sick and tired of having to write and record all your stupid behaviour and the consequences. Please, for once you guys, start getting it right." "Such as", says Francois, looking a bit skeptical. "Voy a comenzar contigo", says Aaron to Jesús in Spanish. "Translation please", says Carl. "Have a bit of patience first."

1597

Thing is, just two days before this man who was part of the gang that killed Juan followed me in coffee shop, cornered me and said they have contacts with government and they already block my passport so I cannot leave Colombia. But I don't believe him and I go anyway. But lady in lineup at airport know something and she had all arranged. How, I do not know. But that was not my old passport she give me. No stamps on any pages. Brand new. and it got me here." I know now that when Jesús is tired or under duress that his English begins to suffer. And this must be very hard for him right now. Aaron says, "I know as much as you do, so don't expect any quick or snappy answers from me. But I do believe that Stella and this Lindstrom guy are both part of this somehow. That is my best educated guess, anyway, but my instinct says that Stella can be trusted up to a point, but you have to know when to put the brakes on her. Sven, even though he has gone over to the shadows, is not incurably evil. His experience with the Kid Jesus on that island has impacted him. He is also not well...

The peacock 1596

"So, whaddaya think", says Carl to all of us, but seems directed on Aaron. "Sends chills up my spine." "not just yours ", says Francois. "Do you believe in this", says Erik. "I do ", says Jesús, speaking for the first time since we arrived honme. "I know one of those people." "You know one of them", says Carl." "She helped me escape from Colombia." "What happened", says Aaron. ""Don't you already know", says Francois, laughing, "you are after all our extinguished author." "not so fast", says Aaron. "usually I don't have a clue what any of you are going to do or say next. I have done absolutely nothing to plot this out." "I met her in the airport. I thought she was British, like the man in the voice recording about the Millionth Council. She was standing behind me in line for check in. Then she tapped me on the shoulder and offered me a passport. I said I already had one. She told me to check my pockets, where I usually keep it. It wasn't there. I left home that morning with my passsport. It was in the front left pocket of my jeans. I remembered picking it up, looking at it, then putting it in my pocket while waiting for taxi. She smiled and said in perfect Spanish, the Millionth Council will see that you are not refused. I looked at the passport, it had everything, including my photo. I was going to thank her but she was gone. Disappeared, or vanished....

1595

Carl has just done a quick search on his phone. "Here it is, he says, "The voice recording of that strange message. Every planet has an aura. The area that you are discussing now is the aura of this planet. It is the communicative channel through which the Millionth Council governs this planet. Anyone going into the area when the communicative channel is open do not disappear but are in the timeless void. They are all perfectly alive and well. It is the only area through which the Council can communicate with this planet.

1594

"I think they are nephilim", says Carl. "And I believe that was originally your idea about them." "If they're not nephilim then what are they." "Have you ever heard of the Millionth Council?" "That has something to do with the Bermuda Triangle", says Francois. "Exactly so" says Aaron. The only mention we really have about the Millionth Council comes from a mysterious radio broadcast in 1975, just after a passenger liner disappeared into the Bermuda Triangle. All lights and communications had suddenly gone out, except for this older gentleman with a plummy BBC accent announced that they were safe in another dimension having gone through a portal between dimensions. And that this was all the work of the Millionth Council which has stewardship over our planet...

1593

"Could you guys all join me here at the table. I have some things that I need to tell you", says Aaron. As we collectively leave the living room to join him, Carl says, "And we have a few questions for you, Aaron." "Fair enough", he replies as we all gather round the table. "so, who is going to start." "Nephilim, " says Carl. "What are they?" "According to the sixth chapter of Genesis, they are hybrid beings of unions between fallen angels and humans." "Do you believe in them yourself." "I really don't have an answer for you", he says. I thought they might make an interesting literary device." "And that is where you got the idea for creating Lindstrom and Stella." "Now wait a minute, Carl. You are making some assumptions and jumping to conclusions." "Well, why did you invent them." "I did not invent them. They were simply there, and I was simply recording them." "And you knew they were nephilim." "I didn't know what the hell they were. I still don't know what the hell they are...

1592 The Peacock

"Dad is here", says Carl. "Hey Aaron, have you ever thought of phoning first before you drop in." Erik is staring at me with very wide, startled eyes. Aaron comes out of the kitchen, munching on a Breton cracker in one hand and carrying a plate with several more in his left. "Help yourself", says Carl. He seats himself at the dining room table and looks across at us, a rather odd, wise kind of smile on his face. "The crackers are actually from my own kitchen." "And you just carried them with you on the bus", says Carl. "Actually, I have no idea how I got here." "You mean, you weren't planning to visit ", say I. "I never do plan these visits. But now that I'm here...

1591

"That is creepy", says Erik. "And completely preposterous. So if this is true, this guy knows everything about us, hears everything we say, sees everything we do. "like Santa Claus" says Francois, Who then sings in a better than passable baritone, "he sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake, he knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake." "So, Aaron can see me when i'm picking my nose." "Or when you're jacking off", says Carl, smiling. "that's enough Dutch tact out of you Vancouvorden", say I. "And he even knows your cock size, mine, Erik's, Jesús, and even you Francois." "Nothing could be further from the truth", rings Aaron's voice from the kitchen.

1590

We have this eccentric friend, an older guy, named Aaron", says Carl, "Who claims that he is writing us as we get on with our lives." "You can't be serious." "We also happen to believe him", say I. "No way." "He appears to have the ability to appear and disapper at will" says Francois. Apparently, according to him, "We are living in parallel dimensions that are mostly identical, and that he is really just a fly on the wall eavesdropping on our lives then writing it all up on his blog.

The Peacock 1589

"The Kid Jesus would know", says Carl. "We could ask him next time he shows." "That could be interesting", say I, "Each time he has appeared my mind has usually gone completely blank. "Having seen him myself that one time when Lindstrom tried to break into the house, I would concur. There is something about that kid's presence that seems to blur and blot out everything else, no matter what might be going on." "Would Aaron have any idea?" says Francisco. "He hasn't been around in a while. I think he is the one who started us on the idea of Lindstrom and Stella as nephilim." say I. He actually admits that he isn't sure either", says Francisco. "What nerve", says Carl. "He is after all the one who is writing us." "Who are you talking about", wonders Erik, "And what do you mean that he is writing us...

The Peacock 1588

Sorry", says Erik, "But my deeply ingrained Nordic rationalism forbids me to even consider somethign so far off the grid." "Well", says Carl, clearly amused, "You have had plenty of contact with Lindstrom as well as your sister. How are you going to explain everything?" Erik, instead of answering, abruptly averts his eyes from Jesús, who clearly is smitten , and looks down at his phone. "What are you looking for?"" say I. "How do you spell that word. Wait, here it is." Erik reads for maybe five seconds, looks up and says, "That is pretty weird. And you know this about them...how?" "We don't", says Carl. "Conjecture"; say I . "Reductive thinking", says Francois. "what else could they be?" says Carl.

The Peacock 1587

"I lived with her in Amsterdam." "No way." "I was just eighteen. A rent boy on the canals, and Stella took me under her wing, rescued me from Lindstrom and got me off of drugs. She saved my life. She was a hooker back then." "You're lying." "I kid you not. I used to screen her johns for her." "What is she. Exactly." "Apparently. " say I, "Stella and Lindstrom are the same class of being." "Nephilim," says Francois. "What is that", says Erik. "an ancient angel and human hybrid", says Francois. "And apparently immortal."

1586

With a mischievous grin quivering on his lips, Carl says, "We ought to introduce them." "Who?" say I. "Why, Stella and Karen of course. They'd get along like a house on fire." "which is exactly what might end up happening", says Francois with his usual arsenal of common sense. "Karen sounds interesting", says Erik. "I would really like to meet her one day. Stella can wait. For a long time." "Isn't she your ally?" say I. "That isn't the point. She is so scary. I really want to stay as far from her as possible."