Free The Awakening by Angella Graff

way.  I remember a weird humming in my ears.  It was loud, I couldn't hear anything else, but no one else seemed to notice it.  There was this huge flash of light, and when I tried to pull my hand away from him, I couldn't, like I was locked there.  I came to right before I was about to hit the floor, and when I looked around, no one appeared to have noticed anything happen.”
                  “And after?” Mark asked, his face unreadable.  “Did you feel as though you could sleep and sleep, and perhaps never wake?”
                  “Yes!” Ben said, wincing when he leaned forward too far.  “I was so damn tired, but when I woke up...” Ben trailed off, unwilling to finish his sentence.
                  “Your vision was clear?” Mark asked, trying to keep his voice calm and neutral, despite his desire to jump up and scream, demanding more answers.  “No need for your corrective lenses any longer?”
                  “Did this happen to you or something?” Ben asked in a low tone.
                  Mark shook his head.  “Your sister explained to me about your eyesight, but the rest I am familiar with.”  He took a deep breath, trying to decide how to proceed.  It was Yehuda, there was no other possible explanation for it.  He didn’t want to appear too eager, however, because Ben was already suspicious by nature; that was in his job description.  Mark knew he needed a fool-proof plan, and he knew then his position with the Church might come in handy then.  “Do you know what might have happened to this homeless man once he was taken by the ambulance?”
    “No idea, really.   I think he was probably arrested and admitted to a hospital.  He clearly wasn't in his right mind.”
                  “No, he wouldn't be, would he?” Mark said, almost to himself.  He seemed to realize he'd said that aloud, and shook his head.  “Forgive this question but, would you be able to find out where he was taken?”
                  Ben frowned over at Mark, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.  “Why would you want to know that?”
                  Mark hesitated a moment and then said, “The church has a certain stake in people who display qualities of sainthood.  It would benefit us greatly if we could keep tabs on him.”
                  Ben let out a sigh and then said, “I’m sure I could find out if you really need me to.  Look, I’m starting to hurt pretty badly, do you mind if I doze off?”
                  “Not at all,” Mark said swiftly.  “I’m sorry I bothered you with this right after a surgery.”
                  Ben gave a weak cough and after a few moments, his breathing evened out and he slept.  Abby returned a short while later, pressing a cup of warm coffee into Mark’s hands and together they crept into the hallway.
                  “Well?  Do you think he was healed?” Abby all-but begged.
                  Mark hesitated before answering her.  The truth was, he did believe Ben was healed, and though it wasn’t a miracle from God, it was still something outside her understanding.  Mark knew, however, for his own safety and for the safety of his companion, he couldn’t tell her the whole truth.
                  “I believe the storm for your brother has passed,” Mark said eventually.  “He’ll rise from this strong and healthy, and you can definitely stop worrying so much.”
                  Abby let out a huge breath of relief, and without warning, threw her arms around Mark.  She buried her face in his neck and let out a small sob.  “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice muffled by his sweater, “I was so damn scared.”
                  Mark pat her back awkwardly, but smiled at the affection.  “It’s going to be