Between Worlds
by
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In the few seconds before he started to sink, JJ went through a series of emotions: anger, courage, and finally, acceptance. He was going to leave this earth, he was going to leave Mom, great-grandma, and Max the cat. He was going to go somewhere peaceful and happy. Somewhere free of bullies and jerks like Charlie, he was going to...Whoosh! His head jerked back under the murky, freezing water and he saw the same light as he'd seen in his dreams. In one last effort, he reached his hands towards that light at the surface, and like a rubber ball released from the bottom of a swimming pool, he rushed towards the top.
The next thing he knew, JJ was lying on his back in the warm grass. He kept his eyes closed for several moments, unsure whether he was dead or alive. Slowly, he began to notice things: the sunshine on his face, his wet clothing, the sounds of birds and insects. He felt the tickle of a bug on his right arm; the back of his knee itched, and he felt very much like he had to sneeze. With great hesitation, he opened one eye, then the other, and then quickly shut them again. He thought he had seen a face above him, but there was something odd about it, so he lifted his hands to his eyes and rubbed them hard, and that's when he heard the soft laughter.
"Well, hello, little man. I think you've had enough water for today, hmmm?" The voice was gentle and kind and accompanied by a lovely lilt of humor. JJ opened his eyes again and found himself staring straight into the eyes of a young man with a flop of chestnut hair over his forehead and a worn cap on his head.
"Am I dreaming?" JJ said out loud, hoisting himself up on his elbows. "I'm ready to wake up now!"
"You're not dreaming, JJ," John replied, extending his hand to help JJ sit up.
"How do you know my name, mister? This must be my dream. It's just like it always is, except..."
"JJ, listen to me for a minute. Just calm down. Take a deep breath and keep quiet for just a second, okay? This is not a dream. I couldn't believe it myself when I saw those horrible kids push you in the lake. Why would they do something like that?" John sat on the grass next to JJ. "You were about to drown, so I helped you. You did need help, didn't you?"
"I, um, I guess so. I mean, yes! I needed help real bad just now!" JJ sat up on his knees so as to get a better look at this mysterious being. "How did you know I needed help? Where did you come from? Who...who are you?"
John laughed again and rubbed JJ's head. "You have a lot of questions there, little man! I don't know if I can answer them all. For now, it's only important that you know you're safe. A lot of people love you very much, and it's my job to make sure nothing bad happens to you. You won't always be able to see me, but I'll always be able to hear you. And if you need help, you just call for me." John, having been given such strict instructions by the Council, was trying hard to comply.
JJ played with a blade of grass and regarded John from the corner of his eye for a moment. "That sounds kinda like an angel."
"Yes!" John agreed. "It is indeed! I'm your special new friend."
"What's your name, mister?" JJ managed.
"My name is John..."
"Are you gonna come up and have a cook-out and sleep in my tent with me? You could meet my teacher, and you could help me kick Alex and Billy's butts!"
John wrinkled his nose. "I wish I could, JJ, but I'm not exactly that kind of friend."
"Well, what do you mean?" JJ looked disappointed.
"I'm the kind of friend that only you can see, JJ. Other people can't see me or hear me. I'm only here for you; to be your friend..."
"JJ! JJ! Where are you!" The frantic voice of Mrs. Anderson, coming from the woods behind them, interrupted John and startled him.
"Listen, JJ, you've got to go. Your teacher is looking for you. She sounds awful worried. In a moment, you won't see me any more; but remember, I'm always here for you. And JJ, this has to be our secret, okay? You mustn't tell anyone about me or about what happened today. Do you promise?" John stood, and for the first time, JJ could see his outfit clearly. It looked old-fashioned, like in the old Sears and Roebucks catalogs Nana had.
"I think it's okay to give you my phone
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About the Book
JJ McCarthy, a precocious but sensitive boy of eight, has been plagued by nightmares since the death of his father. Drowning in a sea of sorrow, and teased mercilessly by bullies at school, JJ tries desperately to fight for life. Then, at a crucial moment, he is saved by a mysterious being in the form of an angelic young man, John, from times past. Beset by both known and unknown conspirators, who wish to benefit by JJ's special relationship with his guardian angel, JJ is manipulated, and then kidnapped by a group of rogue scientists who intend to use him to unlock the deepest secrets of existence and the after-life. Their experiment ends up in destruction and chaos, nearly destroying a nearby city and ending dozens of lives.
After a dramatic and heart-breaking confrontation between good and evil, staged on the deck of a burning ship, John is forced to make a terrible decision...renounce his role as an attendant of God, or save the boy he loves. In the end, with the help of his grandmother, a Titanic survivor; his mother, a brave and beautiful fighter; and John, his guardian angel, JJ proves that love, faith, and integrity conquer all.
About the Author
Siblings Pershing and Delshad were born in Kurdistan, but raised in Sweden from an early age. As young adults, they both made the move to the United States, which they truly believe is the "land of opportunity," in pursuit of their academic dreams. Although both brother and sister always shared a secret desire to write, it wasn't until they watched a documentary together, that they were inspired to begin writing Between Worlds. The process has been so fulfilling and enjoyable, they plan to work together on many future projects.