Over Power

By Beverly Nickles

America is in dire straits. Unemployment is high, food is scarce, and disease is widespread. Josh Victor is an MIT graduate headed to Godsfield, Ohio, on an adventure to help a woman he has never met, hoping he will be useful in the battle to win back America. A believer for only a short time, Josh arrives at Joan Darcy’s door two days later, wondering if he is truly ready for his next challenge. Joan considers herself a failure, but is determined to follow the Lord’s direction. After Josh and Joan share their personal stories, she reluctantly agrees to lead a faithful band of believers to rally against the evil around them. From her small living room, Joan’s insights combine with Josh’s technical expertise to produce a synergistic force they can only hope will achieve positive turnaround in a country desperate for change. Over Power is the inspirational story of ordinary people determined to overcome darkness and rise in faith and victory as each attempts to discover God’s plan for them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Sep 26, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483416656

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Nickles

Copyright © 2014 Beverly Nickles.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-1666-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-1665-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014914511

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 09/05/2014

CONTENTS

Part One    Sliding Into Darkness

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Part Two    Rising In Light

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

To the Lord Jesus Christ

***

PART ONE

Sliding into Darkness

CHAPTER 1

They met on a New York City sidewalk, and Byron dispatched him without fanfare on this mission. Byron made the connections with Joan and assured Josh that he could find her. Seemingly out of nowhere, he produced provisions for the journey and stuffed them without asking into Josh’s backpack. Satisfied that everything was in place, he laid a firm, encouraging hand on Josh’s shoulder and prayed for his journey.

Then looking Josh straight in the eye he said, Don’t let Joan intimidate you. And with a wink and a grin, he spun around and walked off.

Taken aback by Byron’s parting words, Josh began to question what kind of a woman Joan might be. Dread rose up in him. What had he gotten himself into?

He stood gazing at the sidewalk momentarily and then set out walking, settling it in his mind that the journey to Ohio would be a long one. He headed purposefully down the sidewalk in the direction of Ohio, mulling Byron’s warning and trying to imagine this Joan woman.

Thus, his adventure began.

Suddenly, coming up from behind, he heard the sputtering roar of an ailing motorcycle. Coming to a halt almost at his side was a beat-up, black Harley sportster with an even more beat-up-looking, middle-aged biker straddling the seat. Where ya headed, kid? the biker asked in a coarse but friendly manner, brushing back some stray strands of his long, greasy pony-tailed hair.

To central Ohio, Josh answered, forcing his nervous lips into a smile.

I can get ya as fur as Cleveland, but it’s gonna cost ya, the biker said.

Uh, I don’t really have any money to speak of, Josh replied. Considering the recent spike in the crime rate, Josh tensed up. Would he be robbed of the little he possessed—or worse?

Got anything tuh eat? If ya can keep starvation from doin’ me in till we get there, ya can park yerself on the back of this seat until we get to Cleveland. The biker grinned, pointing behind him with his thumb.

Josh hesitated. The vagabond lifestyle was new territory for him, and he didn’t want to make any stupid moves. After sending up a quick, silent prayer, he felt at peace that the grubby biker was likely harmless. Okay. Josh nodded. It’s a deal!

At that moment, he realized the value of the stash Byron had crammed into his backpack. The thing he needed most right now was a food supply, and that was the only thing he possessed in quantity. With the economy in ruins, obtaining even basic necessities could be a challenge. The country’s leaders seemed indifferent to the people’s plight or even complicit in their causes, creating an even greater feeling of hopeless.

The two rode hard all day, stopping occasionally to stretch their legs, relieve themselves, and quench their hunger and thirst. Tony—that was the biker’s name—siphoned gasoline along the way wherever he could find a few gallons in an unguarded gas tank.

An interesting fellow to observe, this Tony. Decked out in the usual biker gear—black T-shirt, riding leathers, and boots, all showing years of wear—Tony was kind enough, but he showed no interest in making a new friend. He didn’t so much as ask his passenger’s name. He was holding up his end of the deal, and he expected only that his rider do the same. No further discussion required. At first, Josh made some awkward attempts at the usual social niceties. Then realizing the futility, he gave up, feeling relieved of the need to come up with superficial conversation.

After a full day of barreling down the highway against a cutting wind, they reached a major junction near Cleveland.

Tony pulled off the road and unceremoniously said, Okay, kid. Yer on yer own.

Josh got the message, climbed off the bike, and tried to get his stiff legs to work again. Before he could say good-bye, the bike roared off and down the road. Josh stood silently and watched until the diminishing black spot disappeared in the distance.

Trying to get his bearings, he looked first to one side and then the other, and then he turned and looked behind him. As far as his eyes could see stretched a two-lane highway in poor repair and devoid of any signs of life. The sun was starting to set. For a brief moment, a feeling of utter abandonment swept over him—like he was the last man left standing on the planet.

Stay calm. You’re doing fine. Just think, he quietly instructed himself. No, pray! That’s what you need to do. Pray! he told himself in an excited whisper, as though he had just remembered the key.

He looked off to the right and saw that the ground just past the edge of the road sloped down into a grassy embankment. He walked far enough down the slope to be out of sight from the road, took off his shoes and socks, stretched out on the grass, and began to collect his thoughts. Before he ever got to the praying part, he dropped off into a deep, absorbing sleep.

He slept like a dead man, oblivious of everything. Then an intense tickling sensation caused him reflexively to rub his nose with the back of his hand. Eyes still closed in half-sleep, he relaxed again. Almost immediately, he again felt the tickle. As his hand shot up once more to rub his nose, it struck a soft but solid object with a dull thud. Alarmed, he opened his eyes and swiftly sat up. A long-haired, chestnut-colored dog stood practically on top of him, staring directly into his eyes. In momentary panic, Josh imagined the dog to be half the size of a horse.

Josh froze. So did the dog. Afraid of what might happen next, Josh held his position. After a few silent moments, the dog softly whined, dipped its head, and let out one loud, sharp bark. Startled by the unexpected yelp, Josh almost peed his pants. A hot fear sensation shot through his body.

Then the dog again barked, dropped its head, and nuzzled Josh on the shoulder. He realized that the dog was trying to make friends. Josh laughed in relief, let out a sigh, and rubbed the dog’s head enthusiastically with both hands—grateful to know that he wasn’t about to become the animal’s breakfast.

Where did you come from, buddy? Josh asked the dog as he continued to pet it. The dog, in a dog’s way, expressed obvious delight at finding a friendly soul—and Josh felt oddly heartened by the dog’s company. The stark aloneness he had felt the night before subsided.

Still petting the dog, Josh began looking around him, trying to get straight in his mind where he was. The ground around him was moist with dew, and the sun was starting to rise in the distance. He realized that he had fallen asleep on the side of the road and had slept soundly through the night. He felt refreshed—in mind, body, and soul. Ready to take on whatever challenges the new day might bring.

Josh retrieved a water bottle from his bag and took a long, satisfying drink. Then he poured some into his cupped hand and doused his face. His new friend looked on, licked his lips, whined again, and wagged his tail. Sorry, buddy. You’re probably thirsty too. Josh refilled his cupped hand and watched in amusement as the dog lapped up the water.

The dog playfully bounced on his front legs, stuck his nose in the air, and unexpectedly let out another loud, sharp yelp.

Startled again, Josh jumped and then broke into a hearty laugh. You need to warn me next time before you do that, my friend, he said. Gazing at the dog, he understood that someone, somewhere had once loved him a great deal, and the dog was missing human companionship.

Come here, buddy, Josh motioned to the dog. The dog came closer, and Josh wrapped his arms around it in a tight hug. Then he drew back his head, looked into the dog’s face, and asked in mock seriousness, Is it okay if I call you Buddy? The dog gave Josh a juicy lick across his mouth. I’ll take that as a yes, Josh said, spitting repeatedly and wiping his mouth on his sleeve.

After sharing a light breakfast with Buddy, Josh said, Well, sitting here isn’t getting us anywhere.

Josh rose to his feet, walked onto the highway, and considered his options. It seemed to him that he needed to head south. So which way was south? Oh, help me, Lord. I don’t know which way to go, he whispered in prayer. Then recalling a boyhood lesson from his old Scouting manual, the city kid soon figured it out according to the position of the sun. He paused, took a deep breath, and said, This way, pal. You coming with me?

Buddy bounced playfully around Josh’s feet, as if to answer yes.

Okay, then let’s hit it! Josh said, signaling the way forward and moving out. With that, the two set off on the next leg of the journey, Josh marching confidently ahead with Buddy at his side.

They walked steadily for a couple of hours. The mild weather and pleasant countryside made traveling on foot more bearable. Almost felt like a hike. But if forced to walk the whole distance to his final destination, it might take two days. As desolate as the highway appeared so far, the prospects of catching a ride seemed dismal. He looked down at Buddy. You doin’ okay, pal? Shall we take a rest? he asked.

Buddy looked up and barked twice.

Was that yes or no?

The faint hum of a small engine interrupted their conversation. The distant drone seemed to come from somewhere up ahead and off to the right. They picked up their pace, hoping to catch up with the source of the most welcome sound. Running a short distance ahead, they reached a spot where they could see down into a shallow valley.

A worn, sun-bleached green farm tractor pulling a flatbed utility wagon slowly made its way up an access ramp to the highway. The driver appeared to be an older man in faded bibbed-overalls, a dark-green uniform shirt, and a battered and sweat-stained straw hat. The exposed skin of his forearms was tanned deep brown.

Looks like the rescue squad has arrived, Josh said cheerfully to Buddy. Let’s see if we can catch it.

Josh took off running in the direction of the tractor, flailing his arms, whistling loudly, and shouting, Hey! Hey!

Buddy ran ahead, chiming in with his best deep-throated barks.

Josh wondered if there was any chance of the farmer hearing them above the noise of the tractor engine. To his great relief, the driver turned his head around to look down the highway. Josh began to jump and wave and shout even more vigorously.

Buddy raced ahead, beckoning the driver with nonstop yelps.

The driver turned his upper torso halfway around in the seat and strained to get a better look.

Josh noted the driver’s recognition that the lone young man was trying desperately to catch him. The farmer gestured broadly with his arm to a spot up ahead where the on-ramp merged with the highway. He seemed to indicate that he would wait there. Josh nodded in an exaggerated fashion so the farmer could see. The farmer waved his arm, turned back around in his seat, and continued his ascent.

Buddy, we’ve been rescued! Josh shouted. Buddy raced back to Josh, and the two danced a quick jig before they jogged down the highway to catch their ride.

Josh made it to where the farmer was now standing beside his tractor. Feeling winded by the sprint, he bent over double, drew several deep breaths, and managed to gasp, Thanks!

No problem. No problem at all, young man the farmer said, looking curiously at Josh. What in the world are you doing walking way out here?

Josh continued to draw some deep breaths and didn’t answer immediately. Finally, he said, Sorry. Needed to catch my breath. I’m not used to that.

The older man chuckled and said, No, I wouldn’t be either.

Josh briefly explained that he was trying to get from New York to central Ohio—and how a biker had brought him most of the way but dropped him off along the highway near Cleveland. Lacking other options, he was now trying to make his way on foot.

Whereabouts in central Ohio? the farmer asked, furrowing his brow.

Godsfield, Josh answered.

Well, that’s quite a walk ya got ahead of ya, young man, the farmer teased.

Strange that there aren’t any cars on this highway, Josh said.

Yeah, the ones that’s got cars that still run can’t afford gas. Gas got so high no one could buy it, except just what they absolutely had to have. Most everybody ’round here’s outta work. The farmer thought for a minute. Tell ya what. I can get ya as far as Ashland, provided this old tractor and the fuel hold out. That’ll cut a big chunk off yer journey. Pointing to a heavy wooden trunk on the wagon, he said, Tryin’ to get some stuff to my sister.

Buddy was sitting at Josh’s feet, attentively listening to the conversation.

That your dog? the farmer asked.

Josh looked down at Buddy and then back at the farmer with a broad smile. Since this morning, he is.

Looks like a fine dog. Well, I guess he can come too, the farmer said.

Buddy let out a couple of friendly barks, and Josh and the farmer laughed.

All aboard! the farmer shouted.

Josh climbed up onto the wagon, immediately followed by Buddy. The farmer lingered for a moment by the wagon and then asked almost apologetically, Say, ya don’t have anything to drink, do ya? I’m so thirsty I could spit cotton.

Josh could offer a small packet of apple juice or a bottle of water.

Juice? Ya don’t say! I ain’t had no juice in I don’t know how long.

Josh pulled a packet of juice from his bag. It’s yours! he said, cheerfully thrusting it toward him.

"Are you sure? I know how scarce stuff