Soul Collector: A Restless Soul, #3

By VJ Dunn

Some have a tiny bit of faith no bigger than a mustard seed. Dalton wished he had that much.

Former Pastor Dalton James and the little band of believers are trying to make it to "the promised land," a mysterious island off the coast of South America where they might just be able to ride out the Tribulation.

But they have to survive long enough to get there first.

Dealing with the sickness most of the group suffers from isn't easy… especially as Dalton finds his own body deteriorating more each day. Travel is slow, made worse when they have to stop and bury the dead along the way. And when they come across even more victims of the mysterious illness who beg to be taken along too, the difficulties compound.

And despite his wishes otherwise, Dalton finds himself in charge.

Coupled with attacks from both Roamers and Peacekeepers, the journey isn't going to be an easy one. But as miracles continue to happen, Dalton finds his faith returning a tiny seed at a time. The Lord seems to answer prayers and questions before they're even asked.

Dalton has his own questions that plague his soul almost as much as the Red Death plagues his body. But the one question that Dalton most fears the answer to...

Will I survive long enough to even make it to paradise?

 

Great for fans of Jamie Lee Grey, Mark Goodwin and Kyla Stone, A Restless Soul series are short stories of biblically truthful and Christian-based fiction. This is a stand-alone series, meaning each book can be read out of order, much like a television series. Due to content, not recommended for children under 13.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HEA Publishers LLC
• Release date: Apr 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223491644

Book preview

SOUL  COLLECTOR

Book 3 in A Restless Soul Series

By

VJ Dunn

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental, except in the mention of public figures such as celebrities, bands, authors, et al. 

© 2023 VJ Dunn, Library of Congress Registry Pending.

eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away, as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means — electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise — without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, at Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

HEA Publishers

PO Box 591

Douglas, AZ 85608-0591

Or email: [e-mail]

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 1

Ashes to Ashes

AS THE PLUME rose into the already smoky sky, Dalton sighed, the sound filled with regret. In all his years pastoring, he’d never liked the idea of cremation, though he knew there wasn’t really a biblical basis for disliking the idea. He knew it stemmed from his father’s death and the trauma that followed in scattering his ashes on a windy day.

Dalton could still taste the charred remains of his dad.

There wasn’t much else they could do now, though. The dead had to be dealt with, and burying was out of the question, not with Roamers and Peacekeepers patrolling. At least a fire amongst the million others that were already burning wouldn’t be noticeable.

Shouldn’t we say something? Annette whispered, her haunted eyes catching the reflection of the rising flames as she watched her husband’s body incinerate. Dalton was surprised she wasn’t crying; but then, the woman had probably cried an ocean of tears over the past month.

Not only had she lost her husband to the Red Death, but her two adult children as well not a week before.

Dalton sighed again before clearing his throat. He didn’t want to speak up, didn’t want to be the one to give any kind of eulogy, but he knew the others were too devastated—or too sick. Or simply had no idea what to say.

Unfortunately, he did. He’d presided over dozens of funerals in his pastoral lifetime.

The prophet Ezekiel was shown a field of dry bones, he said, clearing his throat again. The persistent cough threatened to overtake him once again and the smoke from the funeral pyre certainly wasn’t helping.

He ignored those who looked at him in surprise at hearing him speak, especially of godly things. No one knew he’d been a pastor and he wanted to keep it that way, but duty called and he couldn’t ignore it.

"God raised the rattling bones, covered them with flesh and breathed life into them once again. While this was a prophecy for the restoration of the nation Israel, it was also a promise for believers that we would also be raised again.

"‘And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people.’" He paused, having to swallow down the bile rising up at the words. Dalton wished he could believe them, but his faith was too far gone.

They were just words.

"‘And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.’"

He closed his eyes for a moment, willing himself to continue. Though he no longer believed the next words he would speak, he hoped they’d help the others, possibly give closure.

Like the dry bones noisily coming together, there will always be an empty rattling in our souls as death rears its ugly head in our lives. But we Christians know death has no victory because Christ defeated it at the cross. Just as God breathed life into the field of bones at Ezekiel’s feet, He will again breathe life into our loved ones. They are not dead, but simply sleeping, awaiting God’s breath to bring them back to life.

Sniffling beside him revealed Annette hadn’t cried herself dry. He reached out and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. The woman’s frail body shook with her silent sobs.

Sheila started quietly singing Amazing Grace then and the others joined in, careful to keep their voices down so they wouldn’t be heard by those who meant to do them harm. No one wanted to build another pyre for even more people. It was bad enough they’d lost five to the Red Death already, but to lose some at the hands of bad guys was unacceptable.

As soon as the song was completed, the survivors bent to retrieve their belongings and moved to the big garage where the RV was waiting. The funeral had been the last item on the to-do list before they could head south.

Dalton watched the others as they trudged through the gloom, a defeated, resigned cloud hovering over them. It was understandable, of course. They were living in a literal hell on earth after all.

Following behind, Dalton mentally shook his head at the fact he’d somehow been put in charge of the ragtag group of survivors. He’d certainly never meant to be their leader. Or any leader, not again. Not once he left the little church in Colorado Springs behind with its backstabbing, hateful, finger-pointing congregation who’d had no problem turning their back on him.

He just hoped this new group wouldn’t do the same.

At least the little band of survivors didn’t know he’d been a pastor. He wouldn’t have to put on a show of acting like he believed in something he was no longer so sure about.

Can I ride up front with you?

Dalton was startled out of his thoughts and turned to look at Shy, whose big blue eyes shined with unshed tears. Billy leaned against her legs, as if trying to offer his girl some comfort. The dog stayed by Shy’s side almost constantly; the only time he ever moved away was when he’d lie next to those who were dying, as if sensing they needed comfort as well.

A tear slipped down Shy’s cheek as she stared at him, waiting for an answer. The young teen had worked tirelessly with the sick over