A Prophet's Prophecy: Unravel the Prophecy and Uncover the Truth

By Tracy S. Shade

In the heart of a bustling city, a series of chilling murders shake the foundations of belief and reason. When a charismatic religious prophet starts foretelling these heinous acts, doubt clashes with apprehension as an investigative skeptic plunges into the clandestine depths to uncover the enigma. As th

• Language: English
• Publisher: AfterDark
• Release date: Apr 22, 2024
• ISBN: 9780645995558

Tracy S. Shade

Tracy S. Shade is not your ordinary novelist. A parent, anhonors graduate in education, and a former teacher, Tracybrings a unique blend of experience and perspective to herstorytelling. She found her true calling not in the four wallsof a classroom but within the expansive universe of words,where the only limits are those of imagination.The leap from educator to full-time writer may seem vast,but for Tracy, it was a natural transition. She discoveredthat the tools for effective teaching-clarity, creativity,and an unquenchable curiosity-were the same ingredientsthat make for a compelling story. As a parent, Tracybrings an additional layer of depth to her narratives. Herstories often explore the complexities of family dynamics,the eternal struggle between duty and desire, andthe blurry line between right and wrong-all themes that gainnuance from her own experiences in parenthood.

Book preview

1

The Prophecy Unveiled

The rustic church was a sanctuary of silence, guarded by wooden pews worn from years of prayer. Stained glass windows cast ethereal lights and shadows, setting the mood for something otherworldly. On this particular evening, the ambiance was not of peace, but of palpable tension. Hushed conversations filled the air as the congregation gathered, their faces a mix of reverence and unease.

Elijah stood at the pulpit, his eyes closed, immersed in quiet prayer. He was a man of about fifty, his face chiseled with wisdom and life's many lessons. His white robes glowed in the candlelight, creating an aura that felt both holy and haunting. Finally, he opened his eyes, and they met those of his followers. There were not many—thirty at most—but they looked at him as if he held the keys to the kingdom of Heaven.

Brothers and sisters, tonight is unlike any other, Elijah began, his voice rich with gravitas. For I have had a vision. A vision that unveils itself under the crescent moon. A dark omen that we cannot ignore.

The room went quiet, so quiet you could hear the flicker of candle flames dancing in their sconces. Everyone leaned in, subconsciously holding their breath.

A life will be taken, choked by the hands of betrayal, he continued, his eyes never leaving those of his congregation.

Murmurs erupted. Hands clutched at prayer books and rosaries. Elijah's words were a departure from his usual abstract prophecies. This was terrifyingly specific.

In the narrow, forsaken alley near St. Michael’s Arch, when the clock strikes midnight, a soul shall depart from this Earth, Elijah elaborated, giving life to his ominous words. Let those who have ears, hear.

For a moment, the room stayed frozen in collective disbelief. Then, like a dam breaking, the silence burst into a cacophony of hushed whispers and exclamations. Some bowed their heads in prayer, while others crossed themselves, murmuring for divine protection. A few skeptics exchanged glances, wondering if their spiritual leader had finally crossed the line into madness.

As the crowd began to disperse, some forming clusters to fervently discuss the prophecy, Elijah stepped down from the pulpit. His assistant, Rachel, approached him with a concerned look.

Are you certain about this, Elijah? she asked softly.

God’s messages are not always for us to understand, but to convey, he replied, a sense of solemn finality in his voice.

Rachel nodded, though her eyes betrayed a storm of questions. As she moved to snuff out the candles, Elijah walked toward the exit, pulling his shawl tighter around his shoulders. He stepped out into the night, his eyes lifting to the crescent moon that hung low in the sky.

As he walked away, the weight of his words lingered in the air, heavy and fraught with foreboding. He knew what he had done; his prophecy was now a ticking time bomb, set to explode under the dark veil of night.

And so began a chilling countdown to an event that would blur the line between faith and fear, between the will of God and the deeds of men. The stage was set, and the players, knowingly or not, were about to partake in a drama that none would forget.

2

The Skeptic's Burden

Sarah Hale sat in her cramped office at the precinct, surrounded by stacks of cold cases and a jungle of potted plants. Her desk was a mess, a labyrinth of paperwork and scribbled notes.

With a heavy sigh, she leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as if trying to wipe away the stress of the day. Isn't it funny how reality often falls short of expectations? Sarah had once imagined solving complex cases by connecting obscure dots, not drowning in a sea of admin work.

Her phone buzzed, breaking her reverie. It was a message from Mike, her partner.

Have you heard about Elijah's latest 'prophecy'? LOL.

Sarah rolled her eyes. Ah yes, Elijah—the self-proclaimed prophet who had the town under his mystical spell. She had met the man once, during