Page 8 of Soaring and Steadfast

Giving up so soon?

And yes – I’m on my way.

CHAPTER FOUR

PASTEUR

Louis’s phone vibrated, the sharp buzz breaking the stillness around him. He glanced down, expecting the usual banter from one of the guys, but what he saw made his breath hitch.

So, I hear you are the guy to make all my dreams come true?

His heart pounded. His first instinct was to look around, scanning the room as if he might catch someone watching, waiting for his reaction. A joke, maybe? The guys pulled pranks all the time, but this—this was different. There was something raw about it, something that sent a chill through him.

His fingers hesitated over the keys before he finally replied.

I don’t know about that, but I’ll give it a try. Who’s this?

No names.

A slow exhale left his lips.

Fair enough—Hi Person. I’m Person. Nice to meet you.

Where are you?

No locations.

A mystery. A secret wrapped in layers of uncertainty. He leaned back; his grip tightening around the phone.

Gotcha—a mystery person, eh?

A long pause. Then?—

I shouldn’t even be doing this…

Something about those words settled heavy in his chest. His fingers flexed as he typed.

Why not?

Obviously, you texted for a reason…

Another hesitation. He could almost feel it through the screen.

Because I feel like I’m falling apart—and I’m scared.

The confession hit like a punch to the gut. His throat tightened. This wasn’t just some random conversation. Whoever this was—they needed him.

Want to tell me what is going on?

No.

Louis stared at the word, feeling the weight of it. Whoever was on the other end was barely hanging on, reaching out but too afraid to be seen.

You know, it makes things hard to talk to someone when you don’t know who it is, what is wrong, or what is going on. I feel like you are setting me up for failure.

I’m not. I just need a friend right now—okay?

A friend.

---