Chapter 17 - Page 260 - Trouble In Chicago

   Jim looked at the space where Clyde had been standing. The ground wasn't even scorched. People walking around them were laughing and having a good time. Jim, Rhasha, and Shanha gradually regained their composure.

   Shanha was the first to speak. "He was a bad man, Papa."

   "Yes he was, sweetheart."

   Rhasha was still in shock. She continued to stare at the bushes. "Jim, did God kill Clyde?"

   Jim wasn't sure what happened to Clyde, but he didn't want Rhasha to think he was dead. "I don't think so."

   Shanha asked, "If Clyde's not dead, then what did God do with him?"

   "I don't know," Jim replied again, helplessly. "Maybe God turned him into a baby and sent him home."

   Rhasha and Shanha chuckled. Their ordeal over, Jim, Rhasha, and Shanha began to relax.

   "Girls," Jim said, "it's been a strange day. Do you think we should go back to the truck stop?"

   Rhasha was disappointed, but tried to hide it. "If you want to," she said in a subdued voice. "Things have gotten very strange."

   Shanha hung her head. "Papa, are we going to let that bad man mess up our happy, fun day?"

   Jim realized that Rhasha and Shanha didn't want to leave. "No," he said firmly, "we're not. We're going to see everything we came to see."

   Rhasha and Shanha hugged Jim, giggling with excitement. They continued looking at the animals as if nothing had happened.