Compass Call: Survival & Awakening (The Gatekeeper Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Pete.
    “Can’t we just drop the trees?”
    “You can, but that will provide cover for any attacker,” said Pete. “A ditch is better.”
    “Wait a minute, are you talking about defending from a threat in, or out of the neighborhood?” asked John.
    “Both.”
    “Do you think the neighborhood is dangerous for us?” asked John.
    “Everywhere is dangerous for us now. I know you know that. Which is why I was surprised to see you didn’t already have some kind of neighborhood defense force organized,” said Pete.
    “I haven’t had the time. But the real reason is that I don’t think this neighborhood is interested in defending itself,” said John.
    “Have you had a neighborhood meeting?”
    “Not since the disaster,” said John, “and I’m really not interested in having one either. I’ve met with the people who organize this neighborhood. They weren’t interested in hearing about preparedness, so I really have no interest in reengaging them.”
    “Sounds like you had your feelings hurt,” replied Pete.
    John snorted and said, “Yeah, well, maybe. But you know what, it’s really hard for me to feel sorry for these people. I tried to convince them to prepare, and they treated me like I was some kind of paranoid fool. The HOA president even went so far as to call me one,” replied John with a sigh.
    “The HOA president called you a paranoid fool?” asked Pete, with raised eyebrows.
    “Well, not a fool, but he made it clear he wasn’t interested in hearing what I had to say about preparedness. He did call me a nut-job survivalist. Made it sound like a sickness, too. That was the last meeting I attended.”
    “When was that?” asked Pete.
    “Oh . . . about a year ago,” said John.
    “I was one of those people, John. I wish I listened to you earlier,” said Pete, “but even a little help is better than none at all. Besides,you couldn’t prepare this neighborhood by yourself, just like you can’t defend it by yourself.”
    John shrugged and said, “I don’t plan to prepare it or defend it by myself. I . . ,” paused John. He wanted to say he no longer wanted to stay, but he felt it wasn’t the right time. He needed to know where they were going in Colorado before he worked anyone up about their leaving. Instead, he said, “I can’t tell you how much you being here has . . . will . . . make a difference for our survival.”
    “John, we had nowhere else to go. I’m glad you’re prepared. I’m glad you followed whatever impulse you had to prepare, but your actions were unique . . .
you
are unique,” said Pete, and after a short silent pause he added in a whisper, “After reading your journal I think you might be more unique than you realize.”
    “You already finished reading my journal?” asked John.
    “I did. I finished it last night. It’s quite an interesting story, especially the part about you being in the spirit world, and talking to God,” answered Pete, “but I think there’s more to it, isn’t there?” he asked.
    John studied Pete’s face as his friend’s words sank in. He knew Pete well enough to know that his friend wasn’t being skeptical, but he could tell he was curious and interested to hear more. Still, John hesitated to answer because he didn’t know what else to say, or if Pete expected him to say something profound and put everything into context. So much had happened to him during his trip to the spirit world that he needed Pete to be a bit more specific. John decided to wait and see what Pete would say next, so he studied his friend’s face earnestly. Finally, after more than a minute of silence, Pete smiled and said, “I can tell by your look that you don’t know how to reply, but let me say just one more thing, I believe you, John. I believe every word you said in your journal. It’s fantastic, unbelievable and amazing. It’s out of this world insane, but I absolutely believe you.”
    “Thanks Pete. And please don’t take offense to what I’m