Souls in Peril Read Online Free PDF Page A

’ m . . . Max couldn ’ t even think the word.
    “There is something you should know.” Gabe hesitated. After several long seconds, he continued. “Jayden is being implicated in your family’s deaths. Let me assure you, Max, the accident was just that: an accident. There were no drugs or alcohol, nor horseplay involved.  I can promise you that.”
    Max stepped back. Lumpy killed him and his family? The news rocked him to his core.
    “I understand this is difficult, Max. And as I said, it truly was an accident.” Gabe placed his hand on Max's shoulder, squeezing softly.
    “Jayden's going to need a friend in his corner when he heads back to school. He's awkward and clumsy. He won't know how to make this better with the other students, nor with some of your friends,” Gabe pointed out. “And you’ll get to see Emma again, although it will be only as a friend.”
    “ Dirty trick throwing in Emma as bait, Gabe. I’ll bet that’s against the Angel ’ s Union, if there is such a thing,” Max said dryly. Gabe flashed a guilty smile and shrugged his shoulder.
    Max had to admit that, despite the Emma bait, calm washed over him at Gabe ’ s words. He felt sorr ow for Lumpy. What a huge burden to have on your shoulders at his age. He thought about Em ’ s dream to make Lumpy and Izzy their friends , and h ow her pretty face lit up when she explained what she planned to do . She’ d want Max to do this. She’ d be proud of him.
    In the end, it was Em that made his decision easy . He’d get to be with her again. Helping Lumpy would be a breeze, then he’d spend the rest of his time with his Em. Looks like she’s going to get her wish, and I’m going to be there when she does. Max smiled confidently. “ I ’ ll do it. ” It felt right the minute he said it. He ’ d made the right choice without a doubt . He immediately began planning how to help Lumpy—correction, JD. First , Max would eliminate all junk food from JD ’ s diet. Then he ’ d outline an aggressive exercise routine for him. Max could almost feel the sweet burn in his own muscles.
    Gabe smiled wide ly . “ Your mother said you ’ d take the assignment. You ’ re very blessed to have lived your life with the love and support of your family . Not everyone does, you know. ”
    “ You ’ ve seen my parents? ” All thoughts of JD left Max ’ s head. His parents were dead. He wouldn ’ t be with them for a very long time now. “ May I see them? ”
    “ I ’ m sorry, Max . They ’ re not in the holding cells, and the living are not allowed to cross - over to where they are. Y ou ’ re only allowed to be in this immediate area. I hope you understand. ”
    “ Sure, ” Max nodded, swallowing hard.
    “ After your assignment with JD, I ’ ll take you to where they are. I promise. We ’ re talking two, maybe three months tops. ” Gabe rested a hand on Max ’ s shoulder. “ Sound good ? ”
    “ Sounds good . ” Max could make it three months. It ’ d be like a really long summer camp.
    “ Wonderful. Follow me. We should get started. ” Gabe led him out of the room and down a long white corridor lined with doors.
    “ Max, behind these doors are souls in peril. The souls are placed into a state of suspension while we assist them with their particularly difficult struggles. We don ’ t often intervene in people ’ s lives, preferring to let life take its natural course, if you will. But there are times when we feel the need to intercede, especially for those in situations like JD ’ s. Ultimately, it is up to the individual if they accept the help. We don ’ t force our support on anyone, but it is offer ed . We keep their souls safe here while we help them. ”
    “ Or when you accidently kill them, ” Max said dryly.
    Gabe ’ s ears burned red at Max ’ s words. He opened one of the doors and entered. Max followed him into another all- white room. White desk, white chair and a white flat screen of some kind occupied the