Shaken Page 7

  “Did you see them too?”

  “I thought he was dreaming or something, but a split second later I saw them. They filled the sky. Abdullah jerked the plane around until we figured out we could go right through them. But Leon and the crew in the back were coughing and sputtering because of the smoke. We landed in Khartoum with two dead and four gasping for air.”

  “I had no idea the horses could be that high.”

  “Me either. But we heard an awful lot of Mayday calls from pilots who were going down.”

  “So you flew from there to Johannesburg?”

  “Yeah, Leon was hot to meet with the former head of the United Nations. But when his limo pulled up to the plane, Leon crashed into the cockpit and told us to take off.”

  “The assassins,” Judd said.

  “Yeah. I blasted them with some jet exhaust, but they got their guns and caught up. They blew out the tires of the Condor, and we were stuck.

  “That’s when I noticed there wasn’t another plane in sight. No emergency vehicles. Nothing.”

  “It was a setup.”

  “Exactly. I didn’t think we were going to survive. We had two pistols in the cargo hold, but by then they’d opened up on us and ripped holes in the fuselage. We were pinned down on the floor of the plane.”

  “How did you survive?”

  “I got on the radio and called in a Mayday. That’s when they threw in the concussion bomb and the plane filled with smoke. We were on fire with nowhere to go. Abdullah and I opened the main cabin door, and we all tumbled out before the fire caught up to us.”

  “Weren’t the assassins waiting for you?” Judd said.

  “Tell you the truth, I shut my eyes so tight I thought my cheekbones were in my forehead. I figured I’d open my eyes in heaven. There was smoke and fire, gunshots, Leon screaming for God to help him … I thought we were dead. I fell on top of Leon as we hit the ground, and a bullet ripped open my right shoulder. Another hit my right hand, and I was waiting for a shot to the head.

  “Then everything got real still. I thought maybe the gunmen knew they had us and were walking up to finish the job. When I looked up, the smoke was so heavy I could hardly see past my nose. Then I caught sight of them.”

  “The gunmen?”

  “The cavalry,” Mac said. “I don’t know if you’ve seen them, but these things were hovering off the ground, galloping and trotting around. They looked even worse than the locusts. They swished their snake tails and snorted fire and smoke. They were only about a hundred feet away. Two of the assassins were near the plane, dead. They had been close enough to kill us all with their next shots. The other one ran down the runway.”

  “So that’s why I saw that little smile on your face when Fortunato said the GC had killed the assassins.”

  Mac laughed. “I couldn’t help it.”

  “So you saved Fortunato’s life?”

  “Not on purpose, but it worked out that way.”

  “Spend much time in the hospital?”

  “Yeah, I had some major work done on my shoulder and hand. They saved all the fingers, but I can’t do much with them. My thumb won’t bend. Best thing that came out of that ordeal is that we met two believers who work with the International Commodity Co-op. A couple from Oklahoma saved our hides with Leon. It’s a long story, but a happy ending.”

  “What happens now?”

  “For the next few weeks we’ll be off on a tour. The ten regional potentates are supposed to roll out the red carpet for Leon so he can personally invite them to the Gala in September.”

  Judd thanked Mac for the information and asked his opinion on getting back to the States.

  “Travel is still difficult with the plague. There’s no telling how long that will last. The GC estimates about 10 percent of the population has died since the start of the smoke and fire and sulfur. That means about three times that will eventually die. If you can find a commercial flight, take it.”

  It took Vicki a few days to recover from their trip. She had lived out of a suitcase for so long that she had a hard time adjusting to her own room. Each morning as she awakened, she thanked God for their travels, the people she had met, and the believers who had been encouraged.

  The kids met and decided who would and would not attend the nearest GC satellite school when it opened.

  Conrad volunteered to scout out the site and the best way to get there from the schoolhouse.

  Early one Friday afternoon Mark called for Vicki from the computer room. “I think you’ll want to see this.”

  Vicki looked at the screen. It was a message from the pastor in Arizona.

  “It was sent to our address, so I read it. I hope that’s okay.”

  The message read:

  Dear Vicki, Conrad, and Shelly,

  First, I can’t thank you enough for the computer. It has really come in handy. I think you’ll be pleased to know that your efforts here have paid off. The underground church is growing in Tucson. Many unbelievers who survived the horsemen’s rampage have come to us with questions. The young believers you taught were able to clearly explain how to have a relationship with God, and many have become believers. I suspect the other areas you visited can say the same. You were truly a gift of God to us.

  The other exciting news concerns Jeff Williams. He has become a believer!

  Vicki gasped and put her hand over her mouth. For a moment she couldn’t read.

  “Is he related to Buck?” Mark said.

  Vicki nodded and looked at the screen.

  Jeff stayed away from the church for a few days, then came back. We had a great talk. He went home without praying but knocked on my door at 3 A.M. He couldn’t wait to tell me he had accepted Christ, and he wanted to be sure he had done it right. I could tell by the sign on his forehead that he had.

  Jeff talked to his father the next day. He’s not a believer yet, but they’re both attending our church, and I have great hopes for Mr. Williams.

  “I can’t wait to tell Buck,” Vicki said.

  “Better read the last part,” Mark said.

  Jeff has asked that you not tell his brother any of this. He fears for Buck’s life and thinks any contact with him will somehow endanger him. Please don’t give him this information.

  The pastor signed off, and Vicki quickly clicked the reply button. Thank you for letting us know this wonderful news. We’re excited about the new addition to the kingdom! We’ll be praying for Jeff’s father. Let us know if anything in that situation changes, and don’t worry about us telling anyone. We’ll keep the information to ourselves.

  Judd found Mr. Stein excitedly talking with other witnesses one day and asked what was going on.

  Mr. Stein gathered Lionel, Sam, and Judd together. “The Lord spoke to me last night and told me there will be more opportunities for people to become believers in Christ. And God will do it right here in Jerusalem, under the nose of the most evil man on the face of the earth.”

  “What’s the plan?” Lionel said.

  “God showed me the faces of people who will come here from every part of the globe. Of course they will be here to celebrate Nicolae Carpathia’s Gala, but God will meet them here, and he will use many of the witnesses who have been staying with Yitzhak.”

  “You mean, you’ll just preach in the streets?” Sam said. “Eli and Moishe do that.”

  “True. But God revealed that something will happen during those events that will cause some to turn to him.

  When that happens, we will be there and I want you with me.”

  Lionel looked at Judd. “We’ve stayed this long, might as well stick it out and see what happens.”

  “I’m in too,” Sam said.

  “Let’s get Jamal and Kasim in here,” Judd said. “I want them to hear this.”

  Judd went to the family’s room in the basement and found Jamal and Lina. “Where’s Kasim?”

  “Out,” Jamal said.

  Judd explained Mr. Stein’s plan and asked the two to jo
in them.

  “No need,” Jamal said. “I can assure you, we will stay until the week of the Gala.”

  Lina looked away. Something didn’t feel right. As Judd passed the back door, he noticed Kasim walking in the alley. He held something under his arm. Judd opened the door, and Kasim looked startled.

  “Where’ve you been?” Judd said.

  “I didn’t know I had to check with you when I went out.”

  Judd squinted. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I just wondered.”

  “Fine. Now if you’ll excuse me.” Kasim brushed by Judd and headed downstairs.

  Judd called after him. “Mr. Stein has a plan to reach people during the Gala.”

  Kasim stopped and turned. “Whatever the plan is, I’m sure my family will be pleased to help. Excuse me.”

  Judd shook his head. Had he said something to offend Kasim and his father? Judd waited a moment, then followed him to the family’s room.

  “Did you get it?” Jamal said.

  Kasim unzipped his jacket and paper rattled. “This is the best they had. It will reach the target from a great distance.”

  Lina interrupted, clearly upset. “I told you I do not like this. Nada is dead. Now you two want to join her.”

  “Don’t worry,” Jamal said. “In the crowd, no one will notice until it is too late.”

  Judd peeked around the curtain. Jamal inspected something. Judd realized the man was holding a high-powered pistol.

  “Perfect. Nicolae Carpathia will pay for the pain he has caused us and the rest of the world.”

  10

  JUDD walked back upstairs, reeling from what he had seen and heard. First Hattie Durham, and now Jamal and Kasim planned to kill Nicolae Carpathia. And who could blame them? After all they had been through, who wouldn’t be angry enough to want to kill Nicolae?

  Now what do I do? Judd thought.

  “Did you find them?” Lionel said when Judd returned.

  “They’re busy.”

  Mr. Stein talked more about spreading the gospel during the Gala. Lionel suggested they print pamphlets in different languages. Sam thought of renting a huge hall and holding special meetings.

  “Why not speak from one of the Global Community stages?” Mr. Stein said.

  Judd laughed.

  Mr. Stein stared at him. “I’m serious. If it’s what God wants, perhaps he would make a way for someone to preach from the enemy’s stage.”

  “I guess it could happen if God wants it to,” Judd said, “but won’t the GC crack down as soon as you get up there?”

  Mr. Stein nodded. “Perhaps. But there must be a way.”

  Judd waited for a lull in the conversation. “I have another question. Would it be wrong for a believer to kill Nicolae?”

  “Whoa,” Lionel said. “Where’d you come up with that?”

  “I’m just wondering. The guy’s going to be killed anyway. Is it wrong?”

  The kids looked at each other. Lionel shrugged. “He’s supposed to come back to life, so it’s not really going to be murder.”

  “What?” Sam said. “You mean, like some kind of vampire?”

  “The Bible says the Antichrist will be killed and then wake up.”

  Mr. Stein sighed. “I haven’t considered this. God does not permit murder. It is one of his commandments. But there are certain circumstances, in warfare for instance, where God tells his people to kill those who are against him. I would assume the Antichrist fits into this.”

  “Back up,” Sam said. “How do you know this is supposed to happen?”

  Mr. Stein grabbed a Bible and flipped to the book of Revelation. “In chapter 13 it talks about the beast that is Antichrist.” He found the passage and read it aloud.

  “‘I saw that one of the heads of the beast seemed wounded beyond recovery—but the fatal wound was healed! All the world marveled at this miracle and followed the beast in awe.’”

  “So, how’s he supposed to be killed?” Sam said. “Does it say?”

  “In the following verses it talks about another person who is able to deceive the world. This person requires everyone to worship the one who was wounded. A later verse refers to ‘the beast who was fatally wounded and then came back to life.’ I take that to mean that Antichrist is to be wounded in the head by a sword. The language there could be figurative, but I believe Tsion Ben-Judah thinks the same, and he hasn’t been wrong yet.”

  “There’s one thing for sure,” Lionel said. “Whoever does the killing will probably be put to death on the spot.”

  “And Carpathia will come out looking more of a hero than ever,” Sam said.

  Judd swallowed hard. Jamal and Kasim were in big trouble. If they went through with their plan, the GC could come after the entire group.

  “Why does God even allow somebody like Carpathia to live?” Sam said. “It doesn’t make sense.”

  “God’s plan has been in place since the beginning of time,” Mr. Stein said. “Satan and his evil angels and all who follow them are merely part of God’s divine design. Satan is God’s devil, and he only gets away with what God allows him to.”

  “But if God knew all this bad stuff was going to happen …” Sam paused and looked at Mr. Stein. His lip quivered. “God knew my dad wouldn’t respond to the message, but he made him anyway. I don’t understand.”

  Mr. Stein put a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “And neither do I. How can we understand someone whose wisdom and knowledge are so far above our own? But I do know this. If your father had never existed, neither would you. And you would not have had the opportunity to follow Christ.”

  Sam nodded. “I’m thankful I came to know God. I guess there are some things I’ll never understand.”

  “Know this,” Mr. Stein said. “Satan and his followers will be punished for their evil deeds. But the next few months and years will be very dark for those who believe in the one true God.”

  Judd looked up as someone walked into the room. It was Kasim.

  “So who do you think will actually kill Nicolae?” Lionel said.

  Kasim glanced at Judd.

  “I would think the person who kills Nicolae will be filled with anger,” Mr. Stein said. “He will no doubt be desperate, willing to sacrifice his life for something he feels is right.”

  “Will the person be insane?” Lionel said.

  “Perhaps,” Mr. Stein said. “But he may believe it to be the most sane thing he’s ever done in his life. He will be desperate but cunning. To get close enough to the potentate to inflict this kind of wound will be an impressive accomplishment.”

  When they had finished talking among themselves, Kasim came to Judd. “We need to talk.”

  “Later.”

  “Tonight.”

  Over the next few days, Vicki taught Melinda as much as she could about the Bible, prophecy, and what they would experience in the Great Tribulation. Melinda soaked up the information. She asked good questions and took notes in a small, red notebook she kept with her at all times.

  After their studies one afternoon, Vicki took Lenore’s baby, Tolan, so Lenore could take a break. Vicki had always loved kids and figured that one day she would get married and have some of her own. She enjoyed babysitting, except for the wild kids in the trailer park where she used to live.

  As she played with Tolan in front of the schoolhouse, she thought about the kids she used to run with and where they were. Most of them had probably died in one of the plagues.

  Shelly brought Tolan’s food and sat beside her. Vicki told her what she was thinking, and Shelly nodded.

  “Sometimes I play the what-if? game. You know, what if the Rapture hadn’t happened? What if the Young Trib Force had never gotten together? What if I hadn’t become a believer?”

  “What are the answers?”

  “For all the bad stuff that’s happened to the world, I wouldn’t change anything because now I know the truth.”

  Vicki nodded. “I was just thinking about who I might have married if things had
stayed like they were.”

  “Did you have a steady boyfriend?”

  “There were a bunch of guys I used to party with. I’m not proud of it, but it’s the truth. If I’d stayed mixed up with them, I’d be an alcoholic or in jail or both.”

  “What about now? Where do you see yourself in a couple of years?”

  “I don’t know,” Vicki said. She took Tolan by both hands and pulled him to a sitting position. “This is probably the most eligible bachelor among us.”

  “And the cutest,” Shelly laughed.

  Conrad drove the sports car up the long driveway. Vicki elbowed Shelly. “Did something happen between you and Conrad during the trip?”

  “We did have a lot of time to talk.” Shelly smiled. “Conrad’s a nice guy. He sure cares a lot about you and the others.”

  Conrad sat down and asked to hold Tolan. Vicki handed the boy to him, and Conrad lay back and put him on his chest. Tolan giggled and tried to grab Conrad’s nose.

  “He’s good with kids too,” Vicki whispered.

  Shelly rolled her eyes.

  “What did you find out about the satellite school?” Vicki said.

  Conrad handed Vicki a pamphlet. “Plenty. First session is a week from today. Kids are actually lining up to register.”

  Vicki studied the pamphlet. On the front was the insignia of the Global Community. Nicolae Carpathia’s face was at the top. Pictures of teenagers from around the world were shown underneath.

  ANNOUNCING THE OPENING OF GLOBAL

  COMMUNITY SATELLITE SCHOOL #1134.

  The date of the opening sessions was given as well as registration times.

  ALL STUDENTS TWENTY YEARS OF AGE

  AND YOUNGER MUST SIGN UP. COME PREPARED

  WITH AT LEAST TWO PIECES OF IDENTIFICATION.

  “Are they fingerprinting?” Shelly said.

  Conrad shook his head. “I don’t think so. But they were unloading some big machines as I left. One of the workers said a new ID system is in the works.”