14 July 2026, Freewriters Community Daily Writing Prompt Day 3164: death is not the end
“No, nephew, don't be impressed by me like that, although your impression is based on truth, and if physical death were the end, you would be right. But let me upgrade your Sunday School knowledge: 'Fear not them that can kill the body, but fear Him Who can kill body and soul in Hell.' There's a second death, nephew, and that one never ends. That's what you need to worry about, because you know better than what you are doing.”
Sgt. Vincent Trent was on the phone with one of his brother's sons … male Trents were already rare owing to so many of them choosing generations of crime, and losing another one was at hand. But somehow, the younger Trent cousins and nephews all knew to call Sgt. Trent before doing the thing, and so this conversation had started with, “Nephew, if that's the plan, cool. You've been on the phone long enough for me to triangulate your position and take you out, because I'll be nice about it! You're over by Smallwood, baiting old Captain Wagner and his crew to come get you like it is 1899 – just sit still if you need to die, because they will shoot you up and string you up and cut off a few souvenirs, too. I won't do that – just stay put!”
That had stopped Jeremy Trent, 25, with nothing he thought was worth losing, dead in his tracks.
“See, there's a world out here, Jerome, of men not needing drugs and women to beat on – no, we will meet you as men and take you down. My thing is, your grandmothers don't need you to get mutilated, so if you need to go rob somebody over in those parts, I need to come get you first. But before I do that: death is not the end, nephew.”
“Unc … you're serious!”
“Yeah, because you don't call me, the Army master sergeant whose mother is that whole Jubilee-of-the-mountain who is your grandmother, for unserious conversation. But no, nephew, don't be impressed by me like that, although your impression is based on truth, and if physical death were the end, you would be right … .”
This was where Jerome Trent learned what old Captain Wagner and his crew would never have had him know.
“Nephew, you have a soul, and that soul is of such concern to God that He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die for your sins and rise again for the justification of all who believe on Him. See, I love you, but I can't save you from the path you're on. You're 25 and you are the walking dead, like your father, your uncles, and all your great uncles – but it ain't gotta be this way. You don't even have any major convictions yet. You can still get out of the game – but you have to believe that there's something better, and there is. God is offering Himself, in Christ. You heard that because I used to pick you up when I was on leave and take you to Sunday School – but this is the adult upgrade. I love you, but I can't save you. God loves you – God loves you, Jerome – and is willing to save you from your sins and be the Father you need so you can become the man you are meant to be in His service.”
“I never knew all this, Unc … I never knew all this … I didn't think I mattered to anyone!”
“First of all, that's a lie, because you called me, Jerome.”
“Well, OK, but I mean … .”
“I get what you are saying, nephew. I miss your father too, and I could hit him in the mouth for leaving us, except that second death don't need no help.”
This conversation went on for hours … at the end of which Jerome Trent escaped the first and the second death, in coming to Christ as Savior, and thus, God receiving him as another adopted son.
Sgt. Trent also made a few other calls …
“Man, listen – if that boy has those kinds of skills, I need him right now in towing because these drivers in Big Loft are making no sense at all during this pandemic!” Sgt. Joe Banner said. “I'll teach him how to get paid by breaking and entering legally – send your nephew on over here!”
And thus, all of the sudden, Jerome Trent began on the earthly side of his everlasting life into law-abiding prosperity, for Sgt. Banner became the Godly mentor he needed in day-to-day life.
After all the talking was done, Sgt. Trent went into his bedroom and closed the door, got down on his knees, and wept … so much lost, but one regained … one more of his brother's sons, kept from an early grave and the second death.
“They all have your phone number,” Mrs. Melissa Trent said to him later. “The ones that are coming are going to keep coming.”
“You did good, son,” Mrs. Gladys Jubilee Trent said to him still later as both of them, unable to sleep for the emotions stirred up, were out on the porch, watching the stars overhead. “Your father would be so proud of you continuing the work … and your Father in Heaven, having pulled another Trent out of destruction, is pleased that He could use you in the plan.”
“That's all I desire – to be used to get a few Trent sons home to glory, too – Lord knows only the few are being saved, but we thank God for every one!” the sergeant said, and he and his mother wept together there before finally being able to bid the moon good night, and go to bed.