Final Departures

By Daniel P Krueger

Life's unexpected twists may lead to deadly, yet lasting, consequences.

This collection of short stories highlights the final emotional and physical struggles of strong-willed people as they pass from this world to what lies beyond. Follow the last days and hours of conflict in these f

• Language: English
• Publisher: Daniel P Krueger
• Release date: Feb 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9780578859187

Daniel P Krueger

Dan Krueger has served various roles within the Christian church including church elder and president of his local congregation. Other roles include more than 12 years' experience leading bible studies at a local county detention center and decades as a pen pal to prisoners. His published non-fiction works include "A Day to Remember" and "Day of Joy/Day of Destruction". He lives in Kenosha, Wisconsin with his wife and two sons and enjoys movie night with his wife, family game time on Sundays and watching his favorite pro football (American) team.

Book preview

Introduction

In Ecclesiastes 7:1 Solomon wrote the day of one’s death is better than the day of his birth.  Considering the context of the book, he may have been describing the hopeless perspective that it is better to be at the end of a meaningless life in a sinful world than at the start.  Or was he simply agreeing with the apostle Paul who said in Philippians chapter 1 Yes, for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I am to go on living in the flesh, that will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet which should I prefer? I do not know.  I am pulled in two directions, because I have the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.?

Most people don’t view the day of their death as the best day of their life.  I submit that’s because we can’t see the transition of our souls from one realm to the next.  If we could observe the separation of soul and body, we might have a greater appreciation and anticipation of that day.  For those with faith in Christ the expectations are at times exhilarating.  For those without, the day of death is simply the end, or the transition to an unknown existence.

This collection of short stories looks at various ways we transition from this world to the next.  It was not my intention to create fatalistic stories of death.  It was my intention to create engaging stories that end in the transition of individuals from life on earth to what lies ahead.  Perhaps for a few people it will help them consider what will happen to them during the transition, rather than spend all their years clinging to life as they know it.

1

An End to Violence

Where are you going?  The question drifted across the dirt floor of the small stone and timber house in the pre-dawn darkness till it reached Reynald in the opposite corner where he was quietly packing his deerskin bag.  Though whispered and somewhat hoarse as words are when first spoken upon awakening, they froze him in his efforts.  He had hoped to be packed without notice and to slip away with just a brief goodbye, but Joelle heard him and felt something odd about his absence from their bed.  Outside, the sunrise was barely a pink sliver on the horizon and to her waking mind it was the dead of night.

He quietly lowered the long stone knife in his right hand into the bag, pulled its vine ties together and stood erect.  Turning to face her he simply said, I told you I’m going hunting today.  Even in the dim light of an oil lamp shielded to deflect the light, he could see her pale face and arms stirring over the top of the fur bed where she lay, her blonde hair contrasting with the darkness.  It was a mussed, tangled mess in this light, a far cry from what it would be once she washed it and the natural curls would put things aright.

Is today the day already?  You didn’t tell me it was today, she objected now starting to see more clearly with her eyes and mind.  Moving around the center support pole towards his waking lover, Reynald told her he had mentioned it again last night before the fire went out.  Well, no wonder I didn’t hear it, Joelle replied still half asleep, you know I fall asleep before the fire goes out.  Were you going to sneak off and let me sleep?

Looking up she could now see his face as he hovered over her, the sunken brown eyes framed between the long hair and for a moment she thought she saw a spark of tenderness in his eyes, eyes that usually seemed indifferent unless he wanted something from her.  But the image shifted as he knelt down beside her, stroked the hair on top of her head as one would a small child, saying No, of course I was going to say goodbye.  Then he kissed her forehead with dry lips, got up and returned to the corner to gather his supplies.

She propped herself on her elbows and wished him success on the trip as he extinguished the lamp and slipped out the door covering.  Staring momentarily, she decided that since she wasn’t going on a trip, she would remain under the warmth of the fur blankets until the sun was well above the horizon.  In a moment she was fast asleep as though the encounter had just been a brief dream intermingled with her other pre-dawn illusions.

Reynald walked briskly in the open air towards the rising sun on a path leading away from the village. Various birds chirped and sang their morning calls which he ignored.  Short but stocky, he easily walked the two hundred paces on a slight incline as the trampled dirt lane maneuvered between the towering trees.  When he crested the hill he turned to look back, his small house the first in sight, with the rest of the houses clustered beyond it among the shadows. The fools who lived there were just beginning to go about their business.  He had slipped away without notice.  No one had seen him leave and with any luck no one would see him return or be able to say how long he had been away.  He wondered what Joelle would do while he was away.  Would she search for another man’s arms and disappear like his former wife had done?  No, not yet.  He was sure she would still be there in a week.  With a well-planned story yet to be spun, she would believe his account of this trip and accept whatever trophy he brought home.

A slight smile came over his thin lips as he turned east and looked down the hillside in front of him.  He would travel for two days, that should take him far enough to avoid suspicion later.  It was time for the hunt to begin.

Several hours later Joelle pushed aside the bearskin draping of their doorway and stepped into the lush grass and flowers surrounding the house, her water skin over her shoulder and a knife strapped to her thigh under her woolen robe.  The blonde hair was tied back giving her deep blue eyes a clear view of the forest near their home with the sun near its treetops. It was a beautiful start to the day, and she felt a thrill of freedom pass over her as she took in the view.  Most of her 125 years had been spent as wife to several different abusive men and the few years she lived independent of them held that same sort of delight.  But the thrill passed more quickly now as she realized that, thanks to her own abuses and the people around her, freedom didn’t equal contentment.  So, she was glad to see the taller, slimmer 23-year-old Nadala walking in her direction.  In addition to a water skin that needed filling at the stream just beyond the trees ahead, Nadala had her infant son wrapped closely to her linen robe.

Smiling up at the young mother she inquired, How is our handsome little man today?  The ‘little man’ was starting to reach for Nadala’s long brown hair as she quickly shifted the baby and blurted, The little darling is in a pleasant mood because he doesn’t need hours of sleep like I do.  But we survived the night and I think I’ll be fine once I can refresh myself at the stream.  Good, Joelle replied, because I’m a free woman today and I’d like to just spend the entire morning feeling refreshed.  Nadala’s puzzled look was expected and Joelle clarified.  Don’t worry, Reynald didn’t run off or get killed in some angry brawl. He just went on a long hunting trip.  Nadala was relieved but asked, That’s good, but why does it have to be a long trip when there are plenty of animals nearby?

I don’t really know; the whole idea seemed to spring upon him.  You know how moody he gets, but since he told me about it, he seemed more content and even a little optimistic.  He even complimented one of the men in the village for some work he did on a house.  I think he just needs time away to have something to break up the boredom of life.  Doesn’t your husband like to be alone for hours at a time?

"No, not since he tried to be alone with you for a few hours last year, Nadala said smiling.  I know that sounds odd but it’s true.  After you bloodied his lip and gave him that scar on his groin, he’s been much more attentive.  He seems to love improving our house and spending more