The Anchor

Chapter 14

"Ah. Kara!" Zoey yelled and ran to give her a tight hug. "Oh my God! I'm happy you're safe!"

The hug was becoming too tight for Kara and she was finding it difficult to breathe. "Zo...Zoey. I can't breathe." She said in a strained voice.

Zoey immediately pulled out of the hug. "Oh, sorry. I was so worried. What happened?"

"I got out. I was even the one who called the cops."

Her eyes widened. "Seriously?"

Kara nodded.

"Where were you then?" Zoey asked.

"Somewhere. And besides, you should have left Layla. It would have been good if she got caught. She deserved that." Kara said out of anger.

Zoey sighed. "I just couldn't."

"I no longer want a friend like her. She's wayward. She took drugs and was offering. I think she drugged you."

Zoey furrowed her brows. "Right?"

Kara nodded. "Yeah, when we got there. The one drink you drank, and she tried to force me to, it was no coincidence."

Zoey sighed loudly. "From now henceforth, I'm allergic to clubs."

Kara chuckled. "Right."

Then Zoey furrowed her brows remembering a statement Kara made. "You said you saw me helping Layla, where you there, 'cause I searched for you?"

"I was busy, Zoey. I got enough evidence."

Zoey gaped. "Really?"

Kara nodded. "Hopefully, sooner or later, Renard will call me, and after his testimony, we'll have something to publish."

Zoey smiled. "It did work out. Thanks to you."

Kara nodded, but then sighted professor Hall. "Um, I'll get back to you, Zoey. I got somewhere to be."

Zoey just nodded, and Kara left going after professor Hall.

Getting to him, professor Hall furrowed his brows at her realizing he was being followed. "Any problem, Rogers?"

"Can I have a few of your time?" Kara asked.

Professor Hall was surprised, so he nodded as they walked to his office. "Of course." He opened it, and they both entered.

He sat on his desk and looked at her. "Go on."

Kara nodded. "Well, it's about something you said the day you taught about the...um, the other side?" She said sounding unsure of her statements.

Professor Hall nodded. "Yeah, I remember that. What do you want to know?"

"I just want a broad explanation about it. Why is there an other side, instead of a one-way ticket to hell, or heaven?"

Professor Hall sighed. "Hmm. Big question. Sit down." He gestured.

Kara nodded and sat down.

"The other side was created for humans with anguish in their hearts. A human who's got unfinished business, especially with the one that's got to do with revenge, and pain. They don't have the right to enter the Judgment. It's until they decide to calm their minds, and let peace dwell before they can proceed to their next test that determines where they'll end."

"And what if they don't calm? Will they remain there forever?" Kara asked.

"If they don't calm, it is an automatic ticket to hellfire. Rage is a sin. It's caused by a devil to blindfold you, and there's a time for it. Everyone on the other side is sinners, so after five years, and if they're still blindfolded by that anger, then they'll find themselves in hell."

Kara nodded. "And after they calm, or was avenged. After the anger releases their hearts, what is next for them?"

"Purgatory, Rogers."

"Purgatory?" Kara asked coming across the word.

Professor Hall nodded. "Yeah. It's a process for redemption. A second chance for sinners. They're gonna have to face a lot of suffering, and not give up. They're gonna have to endure everything thrown at them."

"How long?" Kara asked.

"Five years still. After that five years, the ones that endured will be judged by heaven, but due to what they faced, they'll end up forgiven, and enter the gates of heaven. But the ones that give up have an automatic entry to hell. You only give up after you sell your soul to the devil, so it's over."

Kara nodded getting everything.

Professor Hall tilted his head at her. "What made you so interested?"

Kara stood up. "Nothing really. I just found it interesting. I'll be on my way now."

Professor Hall nodded, and she left.

He brought his phone out and dialed a number. After two rings... "Hello."

"You're right, Ava. She's no longer normal."