Gentle Breeze

By Karalee Ratliff

Gentle Breeze is the continuing story of our hero, Tim. Tim finds himself battling for another soul, Colton, a stranger from the past who is fighting many demons inside his own mind. Tim connects and begins to share his own experiences. Using his own knowledge on his journey over the chasm, Tim can recognize when Colton hears the voices and can relate to his troubled soul. Throughout the journey, Tim becomes entangled in battle of the townspeople versus Colton yet holds firm to his belief that Colton is not who they think he is. Many voices plague Colton's mind, but only the cool, smooth, and calming voice of the Gentle Breeze can settle his mind and soul.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798888329054

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Gentle Breeze

Karalee Ratliff

ISBN 979-8-88832-904-7 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88832-905-4 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Karalee Ratliff

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

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 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

About the Author

Chapter 1

As the moon crested the over the horizon and the evening turned into night, Lucas sat in awe at the marvelousness of scenery. The glimmering of the sun's disappearance overtaken by the insipid darkness yet revived by the beauty and reverence of the full moon. It was though the moon had said, Not today, Satan and rose in full glory to God. Lucas marveled at the irony of night. He thought of it as adventure for Satan but a playground for God. In Lucas's mind, Satan used the cover of darkness to do his best work, but God used the fullness of the moon to call out, Gotcha! comparing it to the child's game of hide-and-seek.

With his campfire dwindling, Colton searched for more sticks or leaves to resuscitate the flame. With night falling quickly, he wanted to have a substantial flame to keep him warm through the night and to help keep the nightmares away. At least tonight it was not too cold, and the moon was in full presence. Full-moon nights were better for Colton; the shadows of his past did not seem to impress upon him as heavy in the brightness. Scurrying around, he found enough sticks and even pieces of a small branch that would aid in the return to flame of his fire.

For the first time in a while, Colton finally felt as though he would be able to get some sleep. Some desperately needed and seeking sleep. The fire was going strong, the wind was nonexistent, but there was a movement of refreshing air. The scene was silent and calming. Colton was starting to feel at peace. His wearing body was relinquishing its hold on the ever-vigilant alertness; Colton snuggled into his sleeping bag and fell asleep.

******

Wake up. Hey…wake up! What are you doing on my property? Dude, what are you doing on my property? Are you trying to burn the place down or what?

Colton opened his eyes. There was a man standing over him with a bat in his hand and not looking very friendly. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Colton slowly moved to sit up. His fire had been put out, seemingly by this gentleman. The moon was cresting in the distance, and this man was not easing up on his questioning of Colton's presence on his property.

Sir, I am sorry. I did not…

Well, that is obvious that you didn't think. What are you doing here?

I will leave, sir. I am sorry. I meant no disrespect or to trespass. I have a little money. Did I damage anything?

No, you did not damage anything. You are lucky in that regards. But you still have not told me who you are and what you are doing here. Why did you choose this spot for your little campout?

Colton was still processing everything that was happening and trying not to make any sudden moves. He did not want to agitate this man anymore and cause an accident where he would end up in the hospital again. He softly explained that he was a traveler, and when he happened upon this clearing in the trees, he found some rocks to create a safe place for a fire. He slowly rolled up his sleeping bag, attached it to his backpack, and asked the gentleman if it was okay for him to stand up.

Sure, go ahead. But why would you choose this area?

The gentleman's tone had softened. Colton's guard was easing slightly but was still cautious in his movements. He again asked if he owed any money for his infringement to the gent's property and asked if he was free to leave. Without objection, the gent stepped aside and let Colton pass. Stretching as he walked on through, he thanked the gent for his hospitality and apologized for his trespass. As Colton crested the next hill, he could see a highway and decided it might be prudent to follow it to the next town. He could get something to eat or at least a cup of coffee. Though his sleep was interrupted, he felt like a million bucks; he actually got several solid hours of sleep. Something that had not happened in a long time.

Chapter 2

Honey, who was out there? Mary asked Tim.

I don't know. He wouldn't give up his name or why he was there. Seems like he is just down on his luck. He moved very methodical and cautious, Tim replied. Let's go to bed. He left…and the fire is out.

Tim and Mary had decided to sit out on the back deck and watch the sunset. As the sun surrendered to the night, their conversation turned to what had happened to Tim the year before. Tim still had a lot of questions, and though he was not a serious member and follower, there was a lot that he did not understand. Periodically he would sit and talk with Mary about different things that happened to him in his dreams. She would explain the best way she knew how, and if it was something that was not in her wheelhouse, she would refer him to Pastor Tom.

Tomorrow was Little Tim's christening. Tim could hardly believe that his grandson was not a young boy but an infant. The dreams were as real as real could be. He had built a birdhouse. He had had lunch and played cards. They went on walks. But they didn't.

Tim was nervous about tomorrow. He was scared he would mess up somehow, and he just wanted it all to be perfect. Tomorrow Little Tim was being dedicated to God in front of the entire assembly. Tim was going to be on stage with the rest of the family. He had no idea what he was supposed to do or how he needed to act. Mary had reassured him that he would be fine, and all he had to do was listen to Tom and answer any questions if he was asked. It sounded too simple to Tim. He was sure he was going to make a fool of himself.

As they sat on the deck after the sun went down, Mary noticed a flicker in the distance. It wasn't very consistent or even very big, but each time it caught her eye, there was something about it that made her want to know what it was. There was just enough of a cool breeze that she began to ponder on if there was a fire at the edge of their woods. Tim tried to console her and tell her that it was probably just a reflection of the full moon against the creek or something like that. But Mary was not having it. She was convinced that something was wrong, and they were going to lose everything.

When Tim could not console her fears, he told her that even though it was getting late, he would trapes through the darkened woods and battle off any wild creatures that may be out there having a weenie roast. She told Tim she knew that he thought she was being ridiculous, but something wasn't right, and she would feel so much better if he would check it out.

Tim grabbed his bat, to beat off the weenie-roasting critters, his flashlight for the areas that were not lit up by the moon, and his jacket because the breeze was picking up a bit, and it was getting chilly. As he made his way through the woods, Tim thought about his dream and the story that Tiny had told him about the Turds. He chuckled and wondered if maybe one of them was out here having a weenie roast.

He had made it all the way to the back of the property when he noticed that Mary had been correct. There was fire. Now how she saw it flickering from the house, he had no idea. Tim had to walk a good mile through the denseness of the woods. The trees were in full bloom, and the thickets were coarse. This was just another thing that he could not explain.

When he walked up on the small campsite, he noticed a man he guessed to be in his midthirties to forties snuggled deep in his sleeping bag. The fire was contained in a circular rock fire ring. The ring had three levels to help contain the flame. Tim's concern was more for the breeze that had begun to pick up and how it might cause the flame to jump even though the ring was sturdy. Tim found some loose dirt nearby and put the fire out. He made sure there were no embers still visible. The moonlight was full as could be in this area, and the need for the flashlight was not really a thing; but to assure the young traveler that he was not being attacked when he woke him up, Tim had his light on.

Tim used the end of his bat to nudge the man easily so as not to startle him too much. After their conversation and the man packed up and left, Tim returned to his back deck to reassure his wife that all was well—also, to ask how on earth she saw that flame. It wasn't that big, and it was well contained. Mary replied, she just did.

Mary looked concerned and puzzled, but Tim thought it best to leave her to her thoughts. She sat on the deck for a while longer before