#(No one has ever lied more truthfully. Or almost sold it. Because it’s kind of just her throwing a little tantrum) (validTM)

[itspileofgoodthings]

okay but I actually do think that Sweet Nothing will stand the test of time unlike, say, lavender haze because the song itself is a rejection of the empty business of the world and the phrase sweet nothing, as deployed in the song, is about finding in the beloved freedom from the weight of crushing expectations and also the warmth of affection and simplicity.

[collecting-stories]

Thirteen - JJ Maybank

Request: hi! could you write an imagine where jj and the reader are really close and when they are starting to hook up for the first time and y/n gets scared bc of her past. She has a flashback and JJ helps her. She is reluctant and denies that anything is wrong. But finally she admits to jj that it’s not him and he’s super sweet and protective?

TW: Very brief contextual mention of sexual assault to a minor. 

Outer Banks Masterlist

▽ △ ▽ △

A knock sounded on the bathroom door as you sat on the edge of John B’s tub, head in your hands as you tried not to cry. Not today, not after all this time. You knew who was knocking but you didn’t have it in you to answer. Partially from embarrassment, (had you really just up and ran into the bathroom in the middle of making out?) and partially from the residual and everlasting pit in the bottom of your stomach that threatened to swallow you whole every time you felt even the smallest bit of happiness seep in. 

“Do you...should I go?” JJ’s voice followed his usual three-in-a-row rapping pattern on the wooden door. Like a code you didn’t need to tell you it was just him outside. No one to be afraid of. 

“No,” you shook your head even though he couldn’t see it, looking at the mirror across from you, a silver of forehead reflecting in the glass at your current height. “No, sorry, I’ll be right out.”

“Don’t apologise,” JJ replied hastily, running a hand through his hair. He wasn’t trying to make you feel like you had to rush out, he just wanted to make sure you were okay. He wasn’t exactly world class at comforting people though, “Are you alright? Do you want me to call Kie or something?” 

“No.” That was the last thing you wanted. Then your friends would be up in your business and you loved them, truly, but you didn’t need them interfering in whatever was happening between you and JJ. Or not happening, at this point. 

“Is there, I mean...is there anything I can do?” He asked, pacing the small area around the bathroom door, staring at the pictures Big John had on the wall. “We can talk or something.” 

You sighed, standing up and getting a full view of yourself in the mirror. “Yeah. Okay.”

The bathroom door opened and JJ stood up straight, back hovering against the wall opposite you, as if he was afraid of what would come out. It was just you though, looking a little worse for wear, as if you’d encountered a ghost somewhere between the pull-out couch and the bathroom. And, to be fair, you had. A ghost that looked a lot like you only younger, maybe a little more naive, and scared. You walked out of the bathroom slowly, reminding yourself over and over that the boy your ghost was afraid of wasn’t here and it was JJ, looking sweet and sympathetic and a little scared himself, that was standing across from you. 

“Hey, uh....here,” he led the way into the living room, moving aside the old comforter for you to sit on the pull-out, “you can sit.” 

You chewed at your lower lip as you sat there on the side of the bed, thigh pressed against the arm of the couch, staring at JJ who was still standing, rubbing at his arms the way he did when he was nervous, “You don’t have to be weird JJ...I didn’t mean to freak out.” 

You couldn’t help the guilty feeling gnawing at you. It’d been a perfectly good afternoon until your meltdown. John B was out and JJ invited you over because, truthfully, things between the two of you had been changing. A little more than friends, it had been a long time since you had trusted yourself with letting a crush be anything more than a crush. But JJ was different, you had always been honest with each other and he had trusted you with his dad. You knew you could let him in, it was just the doing so that felt like an insurmountable hill. 

“It’s cool. I just,” JJ shrugged, sitting down beside you but keeping a person sized distance between your body and his. “I just don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.” 

“It wasn’t you.” You clarified though you hoped he already knew that. 

“Are you...okay? I mean, can I do anything?” JJ asked, teetering on the edge of wanting so desperately to help but also wanting to call anyone else in the world who would be better at this then he was. 

“It’s just-“ You thought about how to tell him so that he understood, how to make it sound so that he didn’t treat you like some sort of leper when he found out, “you know when you told me about your dad...”

“Yeah.” 

God, he would remember that for the rest of his life. The way you looked so upset when you thought he’d been picking a fight with Rafe or Kelce only to have him say that it was his dad. The way you looked, so horrified and angry, like you were going to march over there and beat the crap out of Luke Maybank yourself. JJ had half a mind to think that you could’ve if you really wanted to. 

“That’s, I feel like that.” You replied, thinking of the way he looked when he told you, that pain like a piece of broken glass wedges into his heart. 

“Is someone hurting you?” He paled as his eyes met yours. Immediately running through every possible candidate in his mind. 

“No, no.” You shook your head, not anymore. “I’m, I just don’t want you to think of me any differently.”

“I wouldn’t.” 

“Yeah but-“ you started to say but JJ shook his head, cutting you off. 

“No, seriously. I wouldn’t. Whatever it is you can tell me.” He replied. He waved his hand between the two of you as he continued, “this is a judgement free zone.” 

“Yeah okay.” You nodded. 

“What’s going on?” 

“It’s just...I haven’t really...done this before.” You replied. It was a complicated truth and you were trying your best to get it out, to explain something you’d never explained before. “Well,”

“Hey, it’s okay.” JJ scooted closer finally and you found a small piece of you immediately comforted by the feeling of his hand against your back, “Is it okay if I touch you?”

You nodded your head, moving your leg so your knee brushed his as id to silently confirm that it was okay. 

“I guess...” you tried to think of the words to say as you started to talk, “when I was 13 I had the biggest crush on my friend’s brother. I thought he was so cool. And he talked to me, ya know...like made me feel special. On day when I was over their house he told me he liked me a lot and that if I liked him I should...show him.” You took a deep breath, trying to ground yourself again.

Trying not to run for the bathroom and lock yourself inside. This was JJ. Funny, dumb, always high JJ, who tried to do party tricks to impress you at the risk of breaking a bone. Who lied through his teeth to buy a keg the week before while you sat in the driver’s side of your jeep honking the horn at him so many times the guy in the shop sold the keg just to get you to leave. JJ who always made sure you were okay any time you were feeling nervous. 

You pushed on, “I just really wanted him to like me and I didn’t want to do that but I felt like I had to. And I haven’t been with anyone since then cause-“ 

“Hey, it’s okay. We don’t have to do anything, at all.” JJ stressed, his hand rubbing warm circles on your back. He leaned over and kissed your exposed shoulder, so gently you almost swore it was your imagination, “Whatever you want, I’m happy just hanging out like we always do.” 

“I know you are. I just, I like you but I just feel like, I’m not sure...how to be with someone.” You didn’t even think you were making sense at this point but he didn’t seemed fazed. “It feels, it doesn’t feel like I think it should.” 

“Maybe that’s like, you telling yourself you aren’t ready for that yet.” JJ replied, unsure if he was even doing this comforting thing right. 

“Yeah but you’ve been with like, a ton of girls before.” You weren’t naive enough to think that JJ had never hooked up with the girls he hung around at parties, you knew that was pretty much all he did. 

“So what? That doesn’t have anything to do with this.” He insisted.

“If that’s true then I should be fine.” You argued. If he could just move on and not think about or compare you to anyone he’d ever been with then you shouldn’t still be carrying this weight. You didn’t even want it. 

“That’s different, someone hurt you.” He replied, “Yeah I’ve had sex before but, both of us wanted it. What your friend’s brother did wasn’t anything like that.” 

“I just don’t want you to think I’m messed up or something,” you explained. “or that you want something I can’t give you yet.”

JJ frowned at the sentiment, the last thing he would ever want is for you to feel any kind of pressure. From him, yourself, or anyone else, “I don’t care about that. And hey, we agreed, no judgement.” 

“Yeah I know but-“ 

“No. When I told you about my dad, that was really hard but you didn’t bail on me or make me feel weak. This is me doing the same for you.” He replied. “Forget dating or whatever, this is me and you alright. Best friends before anything else. What happened wasn’t your fault and it doesn’t change the way I feel about you at all. Don’t think that it does.”

“Okay.”

“That was a half-ass okay.” JJ replied, his shoulder knocking against yours. 

“It’s the best okay I can offer.” 

“How about, we just watch something? John B’s not back for another couple of hours.” He suggested, getting up and climbing onto the bed, the springs creaking as they buckled under his weight. You twisted to watch him as he made himself comfortable, spreading out with his back against the cushions and his arms out on either side. “We can even take a nap.”

You kneeled up onto the bed and crawled over to him, careful as you laid down beside him and rested your head against his shoulder. His  arm came around to drape over you and you reached up to hold his hand. “You got a full eight hours last night, how are you still tired?” You asked, the mood lightening significantly as you relaxed with him, “What would you have done if we had actually had sex?”

“Fallen asleep on you.” He replied, shrugging as if it was the obvious answer, “You would have asphyxiated cause I would’ve crushed you to death.” 

“You’ve been hanging out with Pope too long, you actually know what that word means.” 

“Are you saying I’m not smart enough to know things without hanging out with Pope?” He asked, sitting up a little more to look at you. 

“No, I’m just saying Pope is smarter than you,” you almost shrieked as he tackled you against the cushions, fingers prodding your sides over your tank top. “Oh my god, JJ! Stop, you know I’m ticklish!”

“Not until you admit that I’m the smartest person you know.” 

“Yes, yes, okay, you JJ Maybank are the smartest person I know,” you laughed as he stopped tickling you, hands holding your sides as he leant over you and placed a kiss on your forehead. 

“Good,” He replied, “you admit the truth. Now, let’s watch something happy.” 

-

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[amylillian22]

What If I Never Get Over You (Part 1) - Chris Evans Imagine

Summary: Y/N’s performing with her band for the first after their long hiatus. It’s also the first time performing since her break up with long time boyfriend, Chris Evans. Everything goes smoothly until she sees Chris Evans in the crowd right before she sings a song she wrote about him.

Word Count: 1,807

Pairings: Chris Evans x Reader, Cody Christian x Reader

Warnings: Mentions of heartbreak

Author’s Note: Based on Lady A’s “What If I Never Get Over You” (Click on the title to listen to the song on YouTube.

Disclaimer: I do not own the lyrics to the song - which are in Bold & Italic - and belong to the song writers, Jon Green, Laura Veltz, Ryan Hurd, and Sam Ellis.

[Part 2] /// [Part 3]

I pulled the curtain back a little bit, letting me catch a small glimpse of the small crowd tonight. People were sitting and talking amongst themselves as they waited for us to start the show. My eyes flickered to the table I had reserved for my boyfriend and two of my closest friends, who were all laughing. My boyfriend, Cody Christian, turned in my direction and his eyes immediately locked with mine. He smiled and mouthed, "good luck. I love you."

I smiled back at him. "Love you too," I mouthed back.

"Hey, we're about to go on stage," Dave said. "You ready?"

"Whoa! Are you okay?" Charles asked. "You look a bit nervous."

"I'm fine," I swallowed the tightness in my throat, hoping my nerves would also go away. "I mean this is the first time we perform together in a couple of years. Not to mention, we're doing an acoustic show for our new album. I'd say 'nervous' is an understatement," I slightly lied to my band mates.

All of that is true. Our band, Lady Antebellum, took a couple of years off due to weddings, children being born, and me dealing with the hardest heartbreak I'd had ever experienced.

Chris Evans was the love of my life. We dated for 7 years before he broke up with me 4 years ago. We were high school sweethearts. I saw his career explode once he became Captain America. He was there when Lady Antebellum started in Charles' garage and slowly turned into a platinum recording, award winning country band. We supported each other. I tried my best to attend most of his premiere events. I always left a concert ticket for him at Will Call when my band was playing in a city he was filming. We made it work. We fell in love and I swore he was the one.

"Hello, everybody!" The announcer spoke through the speakers, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Welcome to a very special night. Not only is this a one of a kind acoustic show, but Lady Antebellum has also decided to record tonight's show for an acoustic album, which will be released before the holidays."

The crowd cheered and clapped at the surprise announcement. I took a deep breath as Charles handed me my microphone. I plugged in my In-Ear monitor plugs and closed my eyes, taking it all in.

"Please welcome to the stage, Lady Antebellum!"

The curtains pulled up. I forced a smile as several spotlights hit us, not letting me see most of the crowd. I looked to the far left, my eyes immediately landed on Cody. He didn't like that I picked the furtherest table to the side. He wanted front row seats, but I needed to see him. I needed him there in case I got nervous. I needed to be able to see him, knowing he would put me at ease.

"Hello, Boston!" Charles said over his mic as he sat down on his bar stool.

"How are we doing tonight?" I asked and sat in my bar stool next to Charles. I made myself comfortable as the crowed hollered with excitement.

Dave's fingers started moving on the piano. "We hope you enjoy this piano and acoustic show tonight."

Over the next hour, we sang our new songs and talked in between almost every song. We either talked about how the song came about or talked to the crowd. We let some of them ask us a couple of questions. It went smooth sailing. I had forgotten how much I loved singing and performing in front of a crowd. I was ready to hit the road in a couple of weeks and get back to singing in sold-out arena shows.

"Y/N, do you kind of want to tell the crowd about our last song of the night?" Charles asked me. He grabbed my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, knowing I would need some support.

I looked over at Cody, and he gave me a small nod. I knew he was telling me it was okay. Although he knows I love him, he also knew the story about this next painful song.

I took a deep breath. "We have all experienced heartbreak at some point. I thought I did until the last breakup I went through. It's no secret who I dated in the past and when that happened, I was in a very dark and miserable hole. I know some of y'all were devastated when we took a break from the band, but I needed that time to heal, mend, put the pieces back together to try and get back the person I used to be.

"So, after a few months, I grabbed a pen and some paper, and everything I felt, thought, and wanted to say came flowing out," I finished.

"When she showed us the lyrics..." Dave trailed, "I was blown away. I could feel the emotions and rawness with every line. Charles and I were there for Y/N, and we thought we knew what she was going through," he shook his head. "We didn't know to what extent until we read the song. You could feel what Y/N was going through. Its painful, yet relatable, even if you've never experienced a painful heartbreak."

"When I got home after Y/N showed us the lyrics, I hugged my wife. I was internally grateful she has never broke my heart and wanted to spend her life with me forever," Charles added.

"Heartbreak is never easy," I said. "But it doesn't last forever. Always remember there is a flicker of hope, even in the darkest places," I smiled looking at Cody.

Dave started playing "What If I Never Get Over You" on the piano. Charles pulled the microphone to his lips and sang the first verse.

It's supposed to hurt, it's a broken heart But the moving on is the hardest part It comes in waves, the letting go

My eyes flickered back to Cody, getting ready to sing the chorus. Except, my eyes landed on the man sitting alone at the table behind Cody. My heart dropped to my stomach as I hadn't seen him in years. Truthfully, I wasn't expecting him to come. I didn't tell him either, but old habits die hard. I had left 2 tickets at Will Call for him.

When did he get here? Has he been here since the beginning of the show? Did he purposely sit behind Cody, knowing I would see him? I thought to myself.

"But the memory fades, everybody knows, everybody knows," Charles must have known I was distracted, because he grabbed my hand once more and squeezed it, signaling me to sing the chorus with him.

What if I'm trying, but then I close my eyes and then I'm right back Lost in that last goodbye, what if time doesn't do what it's supposed to do? What if I never get over you?

I took a deep breath and fought against the tears that were starting to form in my eyes as I sang my verse.

Maybe months go by, maybe years from now And I meet someone and it's working out Every now and then, he can see right through 'Cause when I look at him, yeah, all I see is you

I closed my eyes, seeing flashbacks of my relationship with Chris. All happy memories of us laughing, traveling, stealing kisses, having fun together, and loving each other. I felt a tear drop sliding down my cheek as I sang the chorus again with the guys.

What if I'm trying, but then I close my eyes and then I'm right back Lost in that last goodbye, what if time doesn't do what it's supposed to do? What if I never get over you?

I finally opened my eyes, my vision completely blurry. I fought the tightness in my throat, hoping my voice wouldn't crack while singing. I looked at Charles as we took turns singing lines with the next verse, matching our harmonies together at the end.

What if I never get over? What if I never get closure? What if I never get back all the wasted words I told you? What if it never gets better? What if this lasts forever and ever and ever, I'm tryin'

Dave's fingers stopped moving along the piano when I stopped singing. The entire crowd was dead silent; you could hear a pin drop. I could see a couple of the fans with sad looks on their faces. I looked over and saw Chris' eyes filled with tears. I closed my eyes and I was right back to the moment that broke me.

"I can't do this anymore," Chris said. "You're an amazing person, but-"

He looked at me with tears in his eyes, unable to finish the sentence as if that would kill me and not his first sentence, 'I can't do this anymore'.

"I'm sorry," he said, leaving me in the pouring rain with no explanation and a broken heart.

I slowly opened my eyes and wiped away the fallen tears with the back of my hand. It hurts. Singing this song, especially with Chris in the crowd, it was like my wound had been reopened again and I hated it. I didn't want to feel this way. I don't want to be reminded of all the good and bad memories. How is it possible to still feel this way years later?

I bit my lip and nodded, signaling the boys I was ready to finish the last verse. I closed my eyes as I sang the first note.

But then I close my eyes and then I'm right back Lost in that last goodbye, what if time doesn't do what it's supposed to do? What if I never get over you?

What if I gave you everything I got What if your love was my one and only shot What if I end up with nothing to compare it to What if I never get over you?

I opened my eyes. I stood up from my bar stool and walked off the stage as the crowded clapped. I rushed passed the announcer, down the side stairs, and made it out to the floor. My eyes stayed focus on one person as I made my way through his table. Chris swallowed hard, noticing I was headed towards his direction.

I stopped in front of Cody, who immediately stood up. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tight. With my eyes never once leaving Chris', I whispered in Cody's ear, "please don't ever leave me. I can't go through this again."

Chris got up and left without looking back at me. I closed my eyes, letting more tears fall as I sniffled. Cody held me close, tight, yet so gentle; reassuring me he would never hurt me like Chris had in the past.

[elysiumrp]

Jacob Andrew Newton || Anti-Supernatural Human || Pro-Humanity Portrayed by Chris Wood

Biography /

Jacob was born to a long line of family hunters, so his profession was determined for him before he was even in the womb. He was brought up with the knowledge of supernaturals and being taught the same ideas that all hunters hold dear. His life and his outlook were decided for him from the beginning. The Newton family resided in England, but there were many out spurts of the line that lived in other countries. Still, the Newtons with the surname Newton were still the ones that called the shots, and Jacob grew up knowing that he would not only be a hunter, but that he would also be a leader for his generation. He was the eldest Newton of his generation which meant that he was the most important heir they had. Jacob would lead his siblings, he would lead his cousins, and he would lead all of those other hunters that followed their family as well. Jacob made the decision to come to New York after it was revealed just how bad things were in the city. New York had always been a bit of a hot spot, but the majority of hunters were always reassured that it was under control. With everything that has happened, Jacob sees that that is far from the truth. They have been lied to, the supernatural populations have gotten out of control, and now it’s going to take twice as much work to fix things as it would have to just keep them under control in the first place. Jacob has learned from this experience that if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself, so right after the initial supernatural reveal, he caught a flight to JFK and hasn’t looked back since. Jacob has successfully integrated not only into the hunter population, but also into the life of one hunter in particular that seems to have quite the supernatural connection. He knows that he won’t be able to go home to England until he has taken care of the city, and he knows that one of the best ways to get supernaturals chased out is to kill some of their society’s most prominent members, so that has what he has set out to do. He doesn’t see them as people, they’re monsters and they do nothing but kill, so he has nothing holding him back when it comes to making sure New York City gets returned to the place it should be as opposed to the underground supernatural haven that it is now.

Important Points /

--Death is something that Jacob is all too used to and dying young is something that is almost expected in his family’s line of work. Sure, there are some hunters that make it out and live full lives, but whenever one simple mistake can mean you’re dead, there are so many more that die very, very young. Jacob actually lost a cousin to a werewolf on their first hunt out together, and it’s something that fully cemented his hatred towards the supernaturals. They were young kids, no more than seventeen, and just like that, one of their lives was extinguished. Now, of course one could argue that they were trying to do the same to the werewolf, but Jacob doesn’t see it like that. Supernaturals aren’t humans, they don’t have souls, and there’s no reason why they deserve to live. They’re killers, all of them, and they kill innocent humans for fun each and every day. If Jacob had his way, all supernaturals would be eliminated so that humans could live in safety once and for all, but hunters have been trying to achieve that for years, and it has never worked. His life will be an ongoing battle against the supernatural until the end of his days, but Jacob is okay with that. He’s proud to carry on the family legacy, especially now that people know hunters and supernaturals actually exist, and his main concern is making sure that he is able to make New York City and the entire world just a little bit safer every single day.

--Most hunters are brought up to just kill, kill, kill, but Jacob has started to try to bring more strategy into how he does things. New York City now is a completely different environment than there has ever been in the world, and Jacob is planning to use that to his advantage. Supernaturals are registering what they are, and after a person finds one supernatural, it is so much easier to find the other supernaturals that they know. Instead of just having to hang out at a bar and wait for some vampire to bit an unsuspecting human, instead Jacob has found it to be much more efficient to actually try and attack and kill supernaturals through their social groups. If he can find one vampire and make it through not killing them right away, it is so much easier to find the other supernaturals that that creature knows as well. With every new supernatural he finds, he is able to find a handful more that are exposed because of their social connections, and mapping supernaturals means that it is so much easier to eventually eliminate them all at once. Killing more than one supernatural at the same time is difficult, but not if there is pre-planning involved. He's willing to go to whatever lengths it takes to keep working on helping out New York City, and the more supernaturals that die, the better. It means that eventually they'll get scared and run out of the city, or eventually try to come after him. If the second happens, he's sure that he'll be able to put them down before they even get near.

--New regulations have passed that state that supernaturals that register will once again have the same rights as humans when it comes to being able to walk down the street without being attacked, but Jacob knows that that kind of rule is all too difficult to enforce. It’s all a matter of he said, she said, and if the supernatural is dead, there is nobody to argue against him if Jacob were to claim that they attacked him first. Not only that, but a database of supernaturals with where they live and everything else is all too convenient, and Jacob is working diligently to get his hands on it. If the hunters were able to find out where all registered supernaturals lived, it would be all too easy to work towards their cause. Jacob has even heard rumors that the government will release it eventually as well so that the hunters can do the jobs that the government technically can’t do to make the city safer overall. Jacob can’t wait for that day. The absence of supernaturals would make the city such a better, and safer, place to live than it is now.

Connections /

TARRYN DAVIDSON ; Jacob and Tarryn have been official for months now, and Jacob himself is surprised that he has been able to keep her unaware for as long as he has. Tarryn knows that he's a hunter, that's how they met, but she is still fully under the impression that he believes the same that she does--that only bad supernaturals should be killed. Technically, it's not lying when Jacob says he believes the same, he just leaves out the part about how he sees all supernaturals as bad. Truthfully, Jacob is using Tarryn more than anything else. To kill the alpha of New York City's biggest and only pack would be something that gained him a reputation for the rest of his days, and he's not going to just let such a perfect opportunity pass him up.

EMILY VILLANOVA ; Emily is the main bargaining chip that he has in his agreement with Marcus, and he's willing to use Emily if necessary to get what he wants. He knows that Marcus will do anything to protect his sister, and that just makes Marcus all the more vulnerable because he has a weakness. Emily technically no longer has magic, but Jacob doesn't see her as human. She is still a witch, albeit a broken one, and a former witch is still not welcome in what he wants to become a sanctuary city for humans.

MARCUS HENSTRIDGE ; Marcus was desperate, and desperation is all too easy to exploit. He's a former warlock with no magic, and one that wants his magic back more than anything else. It was simple, Jacob made a deal with Marcus that he could help him get his powers back if he just sold out some high value target supernatural kills, but secretly Jacob has no plans to deliver on his side of their agreement. After he feels that he's used Marcus as much as he can, he'll most likely dispose of the former warlock. It's safer than letting him live when he has no idea what Marcus could try to do, or what he might say to others, in retaliation.

HANNAH ROWE ; Jacob met Hannah by chance through one of his friends, and it's nice to be introduced to other humans that actually appreciate what the hunters are doing for the world. He knows that they are all living in a time of terror and distrust, but he takes pride in the fact that he's trying to make it a little bit better for them all each and every single day. Not everyone can be a hunter, but that just means that those that are need to step up and actually do their jobs for the benefit of their entire species.

GABRIEL MORENO ; Gabriel is more known as Antonia Moreno's brother than anything else, but that doesn't mean that he is any less of a target. Antonia might have been the one that came out to the public as a vampire, but that also means that she has fled and is most likely seriously on guard. Gabriel, on the other hand, isn't recognized by as many, and Jacob can't help but assume that that would make him an easier target. Taking out a Moreno would be great, especially since it might drive Antonia to insanity. If that was the case and she acted out... Well, it would be all too perfect for one of the main outspoken supernaturals to go on a killing spree on camera. There would be no coming back from that for anyone in the community at all.

SAMANTHA DEANE ; Deane is a last name that he has heard before when researching the history of New York City, mainly the council itself. Samantha wasn't mentioned anywhere close to as many times as her father, but Jacob isn't an idiot, and he knows that magic continues down the family line all the same. Samantha is a witch, but not only that, she's one of the last few surviving members of New York City's supernatural reigning body, and for that reason alone, she's better dead than alive. Even considering the possibility that she doesn't have a single leadership bone in her body, the existence of a Deane still reminds others of better times, and that is something that needs to be taken away.

BETHANY HEATON ; Jacob doesn't know who Bethany Heaton is, but she knows him, and he also knows her ex-boyfriend. Ryan is his second cousin, one of the few American cousins that he actually knows since Ryan's family flew to England to visit them a few years back. They've been keeping the northeast in control for quite a while now, but Jacob can't help but think that perhaps they need to head down to New York City to help out down here too. He has full confidence in his family, more than he does other hunters, and he knows that working alongside his cousin would increase their abilities and what they were capable of even more.

JACOB NEWTON IS CURRENTLY OPEN

[cfijerusalem]

THE DOUBLE BLESSING

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty (John 6:35, NIV).

Bread (l’chem), in Hebrew, is something we all keep in our homes. It is a food staple and there’s nothing like a good piece of bread, be it home- made or bakery purchased. We probably never stop to think about the importance to the ancient Hebrews of this principal and essential item in the Jewish communities of yesterday and also today. If one visits Israel today, they will find all kinds of bread, from all over the world. Wherever Jewish people were scattered, they would take with them their ancient ancestral recipes. When Shabbat rolled around, the Shabbat bread was on every Jewish table (Leviticus 26:26). It was made according to kosher baking and there is nothing tastier than this wonderful ancient bread. It was very much a basic part of every diet and usually made from wheat flour, water, salt and sometimes adding olive oil.

Illustration of the temple priests replacing the shewbread each week (CC BY 4.0 via Wikipedia)

In ancient times, there was Ezekiel bread, manna, matzah, and the Showbread. The holy showbread was on display in the Temple and placed on the altar of the Most High God. Every Shabbat the High Priests removed the loaves and replaced them. The loaves were seen as something like a sacrificial offering. Prof. Baruch Levine suggests that “two different modes of sacrifice are reflected in the prescribed manner of offering the bread of display. The loaves themselves were a presentation to God for which no altar of burnt offerings was used. The bread was viewed by God and, by this means, accepted by Him. Subsequently, the loaves were apportioned to the priests. In an effort to adapt this widespread mode of sacrifice to the more distinctive method of burning offerings on the altar, frankincense was to be burned near the loaves of bread; just as with other offerings of grain, a small amount of flour was burned on the altar. God was pictured as inhaling the aroma of the burning frankincense as “an offering by fire.” “According to medieval commentator Ibn Ezra, the twelve loaves represented the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and the offering was symbolic of the pledge of the Covenant between the Twelve Tribes and God. Just as a contract between men was sealed and a form of friendship forged by their taking of a meal together, so did ancient Israelite sacrifice seek to strengthen one’s connection with God. As in the case of all ancient sacrifice, the bread of display sought to bring about God’s appearance and his blessing. And God himself, by accepting the gift...as part of the ritualized renewal of the covenant, binds and obligates Himself in some way. (Jewish Heritage Online Magazine).

Six Braided Jewish Challah (CC BY 3.0 via Wikipedia)

I do not know how many loaves of Shabbat bread are sold in Israel every Friday when we all visit our bakeries, but it must be millions of loaves. Who would set a Shabbat table in Israel, without this wonderful loaf of Shabbat bread either baked at the local bakery or baked at home by the mother of the house? It reminds me of the covenant God has with Israel every week when I take it and it also tells me over and over again, that the “bread of life” for me, is Yeshua, who allowed His Body to be broken for all who believe in Him. As a Christian, I cherish that tiny portion we take to our mouths as we pray “Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha olam, Ha Motzi Lechem, Min Ha’Aretz” (Blessed art thou oh Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth the bread from the earth). The next time you go to your local bakery and purchase bread, take time to think about the meaning it has for Israel and the meaning it has for all of us, as followers of the Jewish Messiah. This bread will strengthen your soul and give you immediate energy to go on serving the One True God of Israel, and as Christians, to follow the One Redeemer and Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus). Think and ponder the next time you eat bread at your table. You will receive a double blessing for taking the time to stop and consider its true importance to us all. Thank you Lord, for our daily bread.

LET’S GO TO THE THRONE ROOM OF PRAYER

“From the golden altar rose the sweet cloud of incense, symbol of Israel’s accepted prayers...” (Alfred Edersheim). Israel today is passing through some deep waters. With the constant lies about Israel, propaganda from Israel’s enemies, and an anti-God and anti-Christ world, Israel’s oppressors in their might and pride are continually threatening to destroy the entire Jewish nation with the press of a nuclear button. Jews and Christians need to be imploring the One True God of Israel, for His intervention in today’s shaky and unsteady world.

The headlines in the Times of Israel read, “After Gaza Flare-Up, Ministers Hear War Drums as Army Seeks to Return to Calm.” Israeli ministers have been saying that it is not a matter of “if’ but “when” the war will begin here. Israeli military leaders do not want an escalation in hostilities with Hamas but the threats from Gaza continue day after day, threatening to harm Israel and her citizens. Everyone is guessing when it will start, but only God knows the exact timing.

Thank God for the soldiers in the IDF who have sought to do all within their power to restore calm and lessen some of the tensions surrounding the Gaza Strip. May they be strong in the Lord, as there are many believers in the Israeli Army. There are God-fearing Israelis who love the Lord God with all of their hearts. Many Christians serve in the IDF as well as Messianics and Arameans. “But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto Him” (Psalm 4:3).

Praise the Lord for the determination of Israel’s soldiers to protect the People of Israel living in the Land. Israel has been retaliating when rockets are sent into population areas, but Hamas then holds Israel accountable – just for protecting her citizens and everyone else in the Land. “Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me” (Psalm 55:3).

Beseech the Lord for Israel to remain strong in the face of world opposition to the possessing of her God-given Land. Almost the whole world is against Israel returning and making prosperous the once desolate and barren land left after many invading armies for centuries over ran her and treated her as a barren land. Praise His Name that HIS WORD is coming to pass just as He promised it would. “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89).

Rejoice that many new homes have been approved for construction in Judea and Samaria, the “heart land” of Israel. Condemned by the world and the Palestinian Authority (PA), their threats resound around the world to punish the Jewish state for the new construction. May God bring confusion into the camps of the enemies of Israel in order to chastise Israel with “death to the Jewish state”. “Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonor that magnify themselves against me” (Psalm 35:26). As a Christian living in Israel for many years, I can truthfully say that all Israelis want is a safe place to raise their children, as well as protected borders. Israel is robbing no one of their land. They are being obedient to God to possess it whenever they can.

Intercede, for in the camps of those who continually plot the killing of innocent Israelis, terror is reigning. The light is very dark in the tents of the wicked and they walk continually into a snare. ISIS is the king of terror today but they will be stopped. “O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou has destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them But the LORD shall endure for ever: He hath prepared His throne for judgment. And He shall judge the world in righteousness...” (Psalm 9:6-8a).

Thank God that in the midst of all of Israel’s Islamic enemies, Israel agreed to accept 100 orphan children from Syria, refugees from the Syrian Civil War. This unprecedented stretching out of the hand will have an impact upon these children for years to come. Israel will give them the freedom to attend institutions of learning provided by the Education Ministry, and will place the children in foster families in Israel. They will eventually become temporary residents, receiving identity cards, passports, and will be treated as citizens in every way. What other nation on earth would be as benevolent? Thank God for the kindness of Israeli people. When the people are strong in the Lord, He is strong on their behalf and is a fortress of defense for Israel. “Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me” (Psalm 31:2). 

For all of the wonderful intercessors around the world who utilize this Watchman’s Prayer Letter, let it be known that your prayers are not in vain. The Lord has searched for intercessors before and found none. Today there are thousands stationed at their posts around the world. Let us be found serving Him in prayer for His Chosen People when He comes. It is my honor and privilege to facilitate and provide you with fuel for prayer each month. As guardians and a shield of prayer for the nation, you have the privilege of sending forth sweet smelling incense to the Father, through the Son, into the heavenlies in a loving form of prayer and intercession. God bless each of you for your calling.

Until He Comes,

Sharon Sanders CFI Co-Founder

Christian Friends of Israel - Jerusalem www.cfijerusalem.org email: prayer@cfijerusalem.org