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  “Don’t try to talk me out of it.”

  Judd scratched his beard. He hadn’t shaved in a few days and was surprised at the extra growth. He had tried growing a beard when he was a sophomore without much success. A few of his friends had laughed and made fun of him, but some of the girls thought he looked cute.

  “I don’t want to talk you out of it,” Judd said to Sam. “I think you should go.”

  “Really?”

  Judd nodded. “If your dad hasn’t been stung yet, he will be soon. That may give you a chance to talk with him.”

  “Shouldn’t I try to get to him before he’s stung? He can’t become a believer afterward, can he?”

  “From what I read, it’s still possible to become a believer after you’re stung—it just won’t take away the pain.”

  Sam sat in thought. Finally he said, “There’s a woman who lives next door to our house. She watches the neighborhood like a hawk but stays inside all the time. Maybe she’ll know.”

  Judd took some change from his pocket and handed it to Sam. “Find a pay phone a few blocks from here and call. We’ll help you get to him.”

  “Thanks, Judd.” Sam smiled, grabbed the change, and ran out the door.

  When Lionel finally awoke, Judd told him the plan.

  “You think Mr. Goldberg will be in any mood to talk?” Lionel said.

  “For Sam’s sake, I hope he’s already been stung. That way Sam can talk to his dad and not worry about his dad taking him home.”

  “I need to talk to you about the deputy commander,” Lionel said.

  Judd gritted his teeth. “What about him?”

  “It seemed like you enjoyed sending that locust after him back at Jamal’s apartment. Am I reading it wrong?”

  Judd looked away. “I was on the phone when that guy killed Taylor and Hasina. And then he lied—”

  “I’m just as ticked off about what he did as you,” Lionel interrupted. “Woodruff is a GC scumbag. But you looked like you were doing more than saving Jamal and his family. It looked like you were trying to get even.”

  “Well, I didn’t,” Judd said. “The only way to get even with that guy would be to kill him.”

  “What? You’ve considered that?”

  Judd shook his head. “I haven’t told anybody this, but I’ve thought about it a lot. When I heard what Woodruff did, I made a promise to Taylor and Hasina. If I ever had the chance, I’d try to get that guy back. It wasn’t until I heard Woodruff’s voice without seeing his face that it all came together.”

  Lionel ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t believe this.”

  “Maybe I’m wrong for thinking this way,” Judd said, “but maybe I’m right. A lot of believers might be spared if he’s taken out.”

  “And what about the ‘vengeance is mine says the Lord’ stuff? Don’t you see? This is the same thing you stopped Taylor Graham from doing when he wanted to shoot Nicolae at the stadium. You’re going to get yourself and a lot of other believers in trouble if you try to kill him. And you’re going to have to answer to God.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Ever heard of ‘Thou shalt not kill’? I think it’s still in effect.”

  Sam ran in, out of breath. “I talked with her. . . . She said there were droves of locusts around our house. . . .”

  “Slow down,” Judd said. As Sam caught his breath, Judd explained to Lionel about Sam’s neighbor.

  Sam continued. “She said that last night a GC ambulance showed up with guys in these weird outfits. They were covered from head to toe with protective gear. They carried my father out and took him to the hospital.”

  “He’s been stung,” Judd said.

  “Yes,” Sam said, “but that’s not all. I called the GC hospital and finally talked with a nurse. She wasn’t going to help, but I said I was his son. He’s on the third floor recuperating from the sting.” Sam’s eyes widened. “And get this. Deputy Commander Woodruff is in the bed right next to him!”

  Judd looked at Lionel. “We’ll talk about this later,” Judd said.

  While the others continued unloading the truck, Vicki and Shelly took Carl into the computer room to begin his training. Lenore peeked in and asked if she could join them while Tolan took a nap. Vicki nodded and Shelly grabbed another chair.

  “We’ll break this down into three different segments,” Vicki began. “First is basic Christian beliefs. You’ll need an overview of what the Bible teaches. Second, we’ll talk about the prophecies of the Bible and what’s coming, so you’ll have an idea what to expect. And third, we’ll talk about how to share your faith with other people.”

  Carl nodded. Shelly gave him a notebook and he wrote furiously, trying to take down every word.

  Vicki began with an overview of the Bible. God had created everything by simply speaking it into existence. He created Adam, then Eve, and had a close relationship with them. Then the people sinned. Since God is holy, he was forced to send the man and the woman away from his presence.

  “God’s plan all along was to send a Savior, someone who could help restore the relationship between God and people,” Vicki said. “That’s predicted as early as Genesis 3. Throughout the Old Testament, the coming Savior is predicted.”

  Vicki slowly worked her way through the heroes of the Bible: Noah, Joseph, Moses, David, Daniel, and many of the prophets. She showed Carl passages that pointed to the coming Messiah. She pointed out Isaiah 9: “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David.”

  “Do you know who that’s talking about?” Vicki said.

  “It sounds like a baby,” Carl said, “but then it sounds like God.”

  Vicki nodded. “It’s talking about Jesus. Though he was a man, he’s also God. Everyone, every person who has ever lived and every angel ever created, will one day confess that Jesus is Lord.” Vicki turned a few pages and showed Carl verses from Isaiah 53.

  “Read it out loud,” Vicki said.

  Carl read, “‘He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care.

  “‘Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all.

  “‘He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins—that he was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal.’”

  Carl looked up. “Whoever this is, it doesn’t sound too good for him.”

  “Throughout the centuries,” Vicki said, “most Jewish people thought these two different passages described two people. But now some realize this is the same person you read about earlier. Jesus was both the one who suffered and the Prince of Peace.”

  Vicki turned to other verses about the sacrifices God required his people to make for their sins. Then she took Carl to the Gospels and showed how clearly Jesus had fulfilled all of the prophecies about the coming Savior. Jesus was killed, buried, and rose again.

  “It’s all coming together for me,” Carl said. “What John told me on the ship and what Mark said made me believe that Jesus was the only way. Now I understand it so much better.”

  “And there’s a
whole lot more,” Vicki said. She showed Carl verses that clearly taught about the nature of God. He was one spirit, but three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. She pointed out the depths of God’s mercy and love for people, but also that God was holy and required perfection.

  “That’s why Jesus had to die in our place,” Vicki said. “He was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. When we believe in Jesus, God no longer sees all the bad stuff we do. He looks at us and sees the perfection of Jesus.”

  “Awesome!” Carl said.

  Vicki wanted to take a break for dinner but Carl wouldn’t let her. “Keep going,” he said.

  Carl switched hands while taking notes. When his right hand got tired, he switched to his left. “I can use either of them.”

  Other kids moved in and out of the room while Vicki taught. Pete sat in the corner with Charlie. Conrad and Mark were in another room in a heated conversation.

  By nightfall Vicki was again exhausted. She had completed a third of what she thought Carl needed to know. Carl rubbed his eyes and went to the kitchen for something to eat.

  “Looks like your student’s pretty excited,” Pete said.

  Vicki shook her head. “He has a lot more energy than I do.”

  “How long before you think he’s ready?”

  “Ready for what?” Vicki said.

  “To go back to the GC,” Pete said.

  “Is that why he’s so eager?” Vicki said.

  Pete smiled. “I think he’s eager because he’s hungry for the message and he’s got a pretty teacher.”

  Vicki blushed.

  “I finally convinced him that we need somebody inside the GC here in the States,” Pete said.

  “I’m not putting him in that position,” Vicki said.

  Pete nodded. “And now I’m going to convince you of something.”

  “Me?” Vicki said.

  Pete nodded. “I want you to go south with us.”

  7

  VICKI sat up. She had thought about traveling in the last few days, but she wasn’t sure why. Why go anywhere when the kids could reach millions through the Internet?

  “You have a gift,” Pete said. “The way you explained the Bible to Carl was incredible. You could do that for others.”

  Mark and Conrad ran into the room. “We just hooked up with Tsion Ben-Judah,” Conrad said. “As soon as we get our Web site up, he’ll link his site with ours.”

  “Fantastic,” Darrion said.

  Vicki pulled Mark aside. “Why were you two arguing?”

  “We had a little disagreement about what to call it and what the icon should look like,” Mark said. “We’ll work it out.”

  Pete explained his idea to Mark and Conrad. “If Vicki and one or two others come along, you could really encourage some believers.”

  “What if they’re underground?” Mark said.

  “That’s where Carl comes in,” Pete said. “We let the GC ferret out the believers and before they can arrest them, we tip the believers off and give some teaching.”

  “Won’t the GC figure out there’s somebody working on the inside?” Conrad said.

  “Maybe,” Pete said. “Carl will have to be careful.”

  Vicki chewed on the idea. “How would we buy food or supplies while we’re on the road?” Vicki said.

  Pete handed her a heavy envelope. “Almost forgot. Z told me to give you this.”

  Vicki opened it and stared at a stack of bills. She didn’t have to count it to know there was enough to last several trips.

  “Z said it came from the sale of those coins,” Pete said. “He was real happy to pass this on to you. The money from the treasure you guys discovered will probably help believers for years.”

  Pete paused. “So what do you say, Vicki? Will you go?”

  Judd figured the best route to the hospital for the following day. Lionel and Sam researched locust stings. Using household items they came up with a mixture to put on that looked just like a real sting.

  Jamal asked Judd about the plan. Judd explained Sam’s concern for his father but didn’t mention Deputy Commander Woodruff.

  “I’m behind you,” Jamal said. “If you need a vehicle, you can use mine.”

  Nada stayed to herself. Judd had seen her at meals, but they hadn’t talked. Judd knew they needed to talk, but now wasn’t the time.

  Early in the morning, before they left, Judd found an e-mail from Vicki. She brought him up to date on all the changes at the schoolhouse. She asked about Mr. Stein. Then Vicki asked Judd about Pete’s proposed trip. Judd’s first reaction was to tell Vicki to play it safe. She was finally in a place where the GC couldn’t find her.

  Instead, Judd put himself in Vicki’s shoes. What would he do in the same situation? Judd selected Vicki’s last sentence and hit the reply button.

  I really value your opinion about this.

  Love, Vicki

  Vick,

  I only have one thing to say about the trip. Go for it! I wish I were there to go with you. Sounds like God has prepared you to help the people you’ll meet.

  Lionel and I will try to get back soon. Whenever that is, know that we’re praying for you and wish you the very best. Be as careful as you can about the GC and as bold as you can about the gospel.

  Love,

  Judd

  By the time Vicki received Judd’s e-mail, she was completing her teaching with Carl. He had soaked up the basics of the faith and prophecy the first two days. During the third segment, Vicki brought in several others and had them tell their stories. Shelly, Mark, Conrad, and Lenore told of their experiences. Each story showed a different aspect of sharing your faith.

  When Darrion stood, a hush fell over the room. “My story’s a lot like yours,” she said to Carl. “I had someone who was willing to put his life on the line for me.

  “Ryan Daley was in the wrong place and got caught by some guys who wanted to hurt my dad. But Ryan told me the truth. I didn’t want to hear it. I even told him to shut up a couple of times. But he showed what it means to be a true believer. He risked me being mad at him and those other guys trying to kill him just to give me the message.”

  Vicki looked through tears around the room. All the kids who knew Ryan were crying. The others were silent.

  “How did he finally get through to you?” Carl said.

  “I thought God was a force in the universe,” Darrion said. “I’d meditate and try to work myself into a spiritual state. That was empty. Ryan said God was a person, and when he prayed, he prayed to somebody who cares. That’s part of what turned me around and got me thinking that Ryan was right.”

  “Where’s Ryan now?” Carl asked.

  Vicki cleared her throat. “The earthquake. He was caught inside a house. He died at a hospital, and we buried him near the church where we first heard the truth.”

  “Sounds like a brave guy,” Carl said. “Was he older than you?”

  Vicki bit her lip. “He was the youngest of us. But in some ways, he was a lot older.”

  Phoenix came to Vicki and nuzzled her hand, almost as if he understood they were talking about his friend.

  Judd drove Lionel and Sam to the GC hospital where Mr. Goldberg was being treated. Lionel spoke quietly to Judd. “What about Woodruff? Have you thought more about taking revenge?”

  Judd nodded. “I’ve thought it over. I was wrong to think about taking the guy out. I won’t try anything up there.”

  “Good,” Lionel said. He turned to Sam. “How are we going to get clearance to go into your father’s room?”

  “I have a card that says I’m a family member of a GC employee,” Sam said. “If that doesn’t work, we’ll sneak up.”

  Judd parked in front of the hospital, and the kids put on their act. They moaned and writhed in pain like others who had been stung. GC guards in protective masks and bulky gear guarded the entrance.

  “One of us should wait with the car in case we need to make a getaway,” Judd said.

  “We’ll draw st
raws,” Lionel said, tearing two strips of paper. “Shortest goes inside.”

  Judd drew the shortest. Lionel grabbed him and whispered, “Any trouble and you’re out of there.”

  Judd and Sam limped toward the entrance. The Global Community had wired an electric shield that zapped any locusts that tried to enter. When Sam spoke with the first guard, Judd couldn’t hear the man’s muffled response.

  “Say again?” Sam said, moaning a little.

  “Visitors go to the side entrance,” the guard yelled.

  The side entrance was a series of doors the GC had rigged to keep the locusts out. Sam and Judd slipped through easily and approached the front desk. A man lifted his visor to look at Sam’s ID. He waved Sam through and Judd followed.

  “Just a minute,” the guard said to Judd. “Who are you?”

  “He’s my brother,” Sam said. “Doesn’t have an ID card with him.”

  The guard waved them on, and Sam pressed the elevator button for the third floor.

  “Pretty smooth,” Judd said.

  “I didn’t lie,” Sam said. “You’re my brother in Christ, and you don’t have a GC ID card with you.”

  The elevator dinged on the third floor.

  “Follow me,” Sam said, “and act like you know where you’re going.”

  Judd put his head down and walked briskly behind Sam. He glanced at the nurses’ station, but they all seemed busy with charts or monitors.

  “Three more rooms and we’re there,” Sam whispered.

  “Stop!” someone shouted behind them.

  Judd froze. Sam turned and meekly said, “I’m here to see—”

  “This is a restricted area,” the nurse said. She walked quickly toward them.

  Judd stared straight ahead. Sam handed his ID to the woman and said, “It’s my father. He’s in that room down there. Please let me see him.”

  “If you two were stung, how are you walking?” the nurse said.

  Judd let out a moan and grabbed his neck.

  “They were light stings, ma’am,” Sam said. “Tiny locusts.”

  The nurse lowered her voice. “You don’t fool me. I know who you are. I see the mark on your forehead.”