Rabbi spoke softly, "My child, you are correct, they can come in, but we're not going to let anyone who might harm us in - that's why we are training. And some will leave this place to go into the world to obtain the things we must have, we are not self-sufficient, yet. In my deepest prayer, I have asked our Lord to reveal how we can become self-sufficient. If it's His will, all His children will stay here. If not, some will perish."
Lisa stood up straight, "I understand. Andy, what can we do about this Hacker?"
"First, be prepared, he will come here to harm us. Second, Mike and Jerry are working on a stronger fire-wall. We're going to have to keep re-building them constantly, especially when the government get ahold of this," Andy sighed.
"Fear not, we have HIS protection. I must leave and go deep into prayer." With that the Rabbi and Brother Aaron left the room.
"Wow! Guys, we've got to figure out how to keep the hackers - governmental in nature, or not - away from here."
- Renee
_____________________________________________________________________
Missouri Ozarks
The streets were empty as Sam drove to the pastor's house. He passed one car and recognized the man driving as Steven Anderson, the one and only sheriff. Sam had waved, but Steven seemed to not even notice him or his car. He turned onto Center Street and found the pastor's house and parked his car at the rear of the house. He found the key just as per his mother's instructions and let himself in the back door. The house was simple, but had an inviting feel. He walked down the long hallway looking into the different rooms until he found the pastor's study. The shelves were lined with Bible commentaries, reference books by the dozens, all the entire Left Behind series, and one complete section was devoted to books regarding prophecy. Sam sat down at the desk and opened the laptop and turned it on. There were files named Sermon Notes, End of Times Timeline, Letter to Those Left Behind, and Index for links to websites that would be helpful. Sam read the letter first and discovered the pastor and members of his congregation had left supplies in a cave for those seeking shelter from those that would harm any new believer. There were instructions to the cave and where on the property a satellite could be found. The pastor had been very thorough giving details down to water supplies and who could and could not be trusted in town. There in the letter was the name Steven Anderson and a description of a very troubled man, but the possibility he could be trusted when the rough times became reality. Sam turned off the computer and placed it in the carrying case and picked up several books from the shelf and left the room. "Thank you Lord for your good and faithful servant, Pastor James, for he has given us so much to prepare our way for the days of trial and tribulation. Lord, we ask that you guide us in everything we undertake to do in Your Holy name. Amen." Sam left the way he had come in and looked back at the house thinking how he longed to go back in time and be in Pastor James' congregation. The real work now begins.
The streets were empty as Sam drove to the pastor's house. He passed one car and recognized the man driving as Steven Anderson, the one and only sheriff. Sam had waved, but Steven seemed to not even notice him or his car. He turned onto Center Street and found the pastor's house and parked his car at the rear of the house. He found the key just as per his mother's instructions and let himself in the back door. The house was simple, but had an inviting feel. He walked down the long hallway looking into the different rooms until he found the pastor's study. The shelves were lined with Bible commentaries, reference books by the dozens, all the entire Left Behind series, and one complete section was devoted to books regarding prophecy. Sam sat down at the desk and opened the laptop and turned it on. There were files named Sermon Notes, End of Times Timeline, Letter to Those Left Behind, and Index for links to websites that would be helpful. Sam read the letter first and discovered the pastor and members of his congregation had left supplies in a cave for those seeking shelter from those that would harm any new believer. There were instructions to the cave and where on the property a satellite could be found. The pastor had been very thorough giving details down to water supplies and who could and could not be trusted in town. There in the letter was the name Steven Anderson and a description of a very troubled man, but the possibility he could be trusted when the rough times became reality. Sam turned off the computer and placed it in the carrying case and picked up several books from the shelf and left the room. "Thank you Lord for your good and faithful servant, Pastor James, for he has given us so much to prepare our way for the days of trial and tribulation. Lord, we ask that you guide us in everything we undertake to do in Your Holy name. Amen." Sam left the way he had come in and looked back at the house thinking how he longed to go back in time and be in Pastor James' congregation. The real work now begins.
- P4H
_____________________________________________________________________
"No no thats not how you hold it". Kevin laughed as he tried to help Emily brace the gun against her shoulder. "You fire it that way you'll be laying flat on your backside in a second". he gigled. Julie, David and Terry had been on the shooting range all day. They had been good students and had learned well that day from Joel. Joel was a retired military man. His wife Janet and he had moved to Oakland 2 years ago to be closer to their daughter Janel and her husband Josh. Janet had been so happy her parents were going to be closer to them. She had tried hard to get her parents to visit their little church, but her dad being a tough military man was hard to break. Mom had been easy and Janet had picked her up every Sunday. They would come home to Joels house every Sunday afternoon and while Janet had cooked them all dinner Joel would have to sit there for several hours while they all re-hashed the mornings service. Joel was kicking himself now. He had given them so much grief over the past 2 years and he had missed out when they all vanished. The big ole tough guy had fallen to his knees and cried like a baby when he realized they had all been right. He had found his wifes prayer journal and had read where she wrote down her prayers everyday since they had moved here. All about him. She had prayed for God to show him the truth and for Jesus to come into his heart. He wept over her pages missing her so much. He may have been too bossy and demanding stemming from his military background but not now. He had finally broke, realizing he couldnt go on without Jesus in his heart and had prayed the sinners prayer he had found in his wifes bible. His spirit immediatly felt lifted up and he could feel a sense of purpose for whatever lay ahead. He knew the spirit had led him to go to the collisium and he was thankful he had followed those instincts. Now he was in charge of preparing a tribulation army that would lead them all in the direction God had planned for them.
"Ok everyone, its starting to get dark, lets clean our weapons and secure them till tomorrow morning, 6am sharp everyone."
Julie was telling David how she had thought about joining the military a few years ago when she had lost her job but had put it on the back burner. She knew she had all the right instincts for it and was glad Joel was teaching them. Kevin handed Terry his weapon and told him he was going to take a little walk with Emily before dinner. Terry had kind of smiled at Kevin and had told him to be sure he didnt wonder off the compound because their protection was guaranteed on the inside.
Kevin reached out and took Emilys hand. She shyly smiled as they walked on the backside of the shooting range near the back fence that butted up to the woods that kept the compound hidden from normal view. Emily asked Kevin to finish his testimony from the day before...........
The man with no memory of himself sat down under a big oak tree holding his head in his hands. His head was pounding.He reached in his duffle bag for the aspirin bottle and popped 4 into his mouth swallowing it down with a big swish of lukewarm coke. He didnt know how far he had walked from the convienent store but it sure felt like 10 miles. He ate one of his ready made sandwiches as he sat there thinking about the hours he spent walking. At some point he had felt like he was just walking in circles because everything seemed to always look the same to him. He had heard what sounded like gunshots often and had tried to walk towards the sound hoping to find someone who might recognize him. Now he couldnt hear them anymore as he sat there holding his aching head.
- Renee
____________________________________________________________________
Daniel lay on his bed and cried. Not since the day in the cave did he cry like this. What did he do? Was all this that has happen been caused by his actions? And now what? His boat just received this Red Bird message telling him to return to Israel and stand by to turn his sub over to the UN.
The past last months events turned over in his head as he fell into a deep sleep where he dreamed of what had happen.
The hum of the engines took him deeper in sleep. His mind tumbled and turned as it raced back to the days leading up his actions that cost so many life’s. Deeper in sleep his body relaxed as his mind found the time and place it wanted to start his nightmare all over again.
- Alex
____________________________________________________________________
“Scope down” Daniel said pulling away from the periscope. The alarm sounded twice before the tube of optical lens, wires and hoses lowered at a quick rate.
Daniel Aviv, Captain of the Israel Dolphin class submarine Samuel of Ramah walked over to the plotting chart were he watched his Navigator plot the evening course. “Take us out 100 miles then back in to this area here.” Daniel whispered.
“Aye Captain, what time do you want on location?” Josh Beil asked while he traced a pencil line using his protractor.
“One hour before sunrise.” Daniel replied looking one more time at the chart then turned to the op’s board. “Op’s, any changes to the traffic report.”
Joe Akeman the Operation Boss looked once last time at the sonar repeater before answering his Captain. “No sir, contact Golf Hotel is 4600 yards and opening. The next contact if we stay on present course and speed will be a super tanker heading north. It will be at 5000 yards in 20 minutes with a range of 3200 yards at closed point.”
“Very well, have the watch notify me if any war ships get within 5000 yards. I will be in my stateroom”
“Aye sir”
As Daniel left the control room a young sailor yelled out, “Captain off the bridge”
Passing though two water tight doors, Daniel came to the only wood found on his sub. The door to his cabin or stateroom was made of hard Black English walnut. It was a gift or a bet payoff from Captain Jack McCoy an Agie Class Destroyer captain and a true to heart Scotsmen who Daniel met ten years earlier during a US/ Israel Naval training exercise. He and Captain Jack had bet that whoever sunk the other first, the loser would purchase a door for the winning Captain cabin. Jack had almost had Daniel three times but each time Daniel sub snuck away into the deep dark seas of the North Atlantic. On the final day with just five hours to go in the war games, the Samuel of Ramah sonar pinged the USS Russell 1000 yards. Had this been real, the US Man of War would have been sunk in less than a minute along with Jack, officers and crew.
Six months later, while port visiting Scotland, an old pickup truck pulled up on the pier. The driver, an older man dressed in dirty coverall had a crate that only the captain could sign for. The Officer of the day (OOD) questioned the driver but the driver orders stood. No Captain, no crate. The OOD notified Daniel who was as puzzled as the crew was. After signing the paper work, the driver released the package got back in his truck and drove off. It took six strong men to carry the wooden sealed crate onboard. Once there with the whole crew now intrigued as to what was so important stood around as their captain gave the order to open it. Wow, ahh and gee was all everyone could say as the first hint of the deep black colored door shined in the sunlight. At that time Captain Aviv knew he had won the respect of the US Navy.
Daniel Aviv, Captain of the Israel Dolphin class submarine Samuel of Ramah walked over to the plotting chart were he watched his Navigator plot the evening course. “Take us out 100 miles then back in to this area here.” Daniel whispered.
“Aye Captain, what time do you want on location?” Josh Beil asked while he traced a pencil line using his protractor.
“One hour before sunrise.” Daniel replied looking one more time at the chart then turned to the op’s board. “Op’s, any changes to the traffic report.”
Joe Akeman the Operation Boss looked once last time at the sonar repeater before answering his Captain. “No sir, contact Golf Hotel is 4600 yards and opening. The next contact if we stay on present course and speed will be a super tanker heading north. It will be at 5000 yards in 20 minutes with a range of 3200 yards at closed point.”
“Very well, have the watch notify me if any war ships get within 5000 yards. I will be in my stateroom”
“Aye sir”
As Daniel left the control room a young sailor yelled out, “Captain off the bridge”
Passing though two water tight doors, Daniel came to the only wood found on his sub. The door to his cabin or stateroom was made of hard Black English walnut. It was a gift or a bet payoff from Captain Jack McCoy an Agie Class Destroyer captain and a true to heart Scotsmen who Daniel met ten years earlier during a US/ Israel Naval training exercise. He and Captain Jack had bet that whoever sunk the other first, the loser would purchase a door for the winning Captain cabin. Jack had almost had Daniel three times but each time Daniel sub snuck away into the deep dark seas of the North Atlantic. On the final day with just five hours to go in the war games, the Samuel of Ramah sonar pinged the USS Russell 1000 yards. Had this been real, the US Man of War would have been sunk in less than a minute along with Jack, officers and crew.
Six months later, while port visiting Scotland, an old pickup truck pulled up on the pier. The driver, an older man dressed in dirty coverall had a crate that only the captain could sign for. The Officer of the day (OOD) questioned the driver but the driver orders stood. No Captain, no crate. The OOD notified Daniel who was as puzzled as the crew was. After signing the paper work, the driver released the package got back in his truck and drove off. It took six strong men to carry the wooden sealed crate onboard. Once there with the whole crew now intrigued as to what was so important stood around as their captain gave the order to open it. Wow, ahh and gee was all everyone could say as the first hint of the deep black colored door shined in the sunlight. At that time Captain Aviv knew he had won the respect of the US Navy.
- Alex
_____________________________________________________________________
Daniel eye lids moved at a quicker rate as his dream relived each moment, each detail of things that he did as well as his crew.
Inside his cabin, Daniel sat at his desk for a few minutes, glancing over paperwork that sat on his desk; he decided it all could wait till morning. Looking over at his rack, his body and mind told him it was time to relax and rest so he pulled off his shoe and lay down on the six inch thick mattress. As a Captain he could have a thicker one but he felt if his crew could sleep on a thin one he could too. The hum of the machines, engines and pumps pulled Daniel into a deep sleep where he journeyed back to his childhood and the day that would change his life forever.
“Tell me the story of Moses again Papa” little Daniel asked his grandfather.
“Moses, I have told you that story at least a hundred times, how about if I tell you about a mighty and wise king who was called Solomon. God favored Solomon and he gave King Solomon wisdom. He was the wisest man to ever live.” Daniels granddad said as he watched his sheep as they ate the grass in the small valley below.
“Was he better than King David?” The young boy asked.
“Oh no, no one was been as good as our King David but one day when our Messiah comes back he will be the greatest of all warriors.”
“Papa, how come the American who calls themselves Christians say a Prophet named Jesus the Messiah?”
“Because many years ago many men didn’t listen to our leaders and followed this man. Don’t worry when the true Messiah comes he will be the greatest king ever to rule for he will be sent from God.”
A strange sound filled the air. Daniel and his Papa looked up and saw jets racing across the sky just hundreds of feet above them. At first Papa looked at his sheep was afraid they would run but when he looked and saw the markings on the planes that flew over his heart sank and his sheep left his mind. After what seemed like ten minutes, planes of different types flew over then other sound was heard or more felt by the old man and young boy. Rumbling sound coming from over the hill the way the planes had come. “Come we must go quickly” Papa said grabbed the boy’s hand.
Running as fast as his old legs would carry him, he worked his way down the hill side towards the family home. With just two hundred yards to go, Papa felt his heart stutter. It went away then came back with pain that cut through his chest like a knife. The old man let go of the boys hand and fell to his knees. Young Daniel stopped then turned back to his Papa.
“What is wrong Papa? Why are we running and why did you fall?”
Through the pain and shortness of breath, Papa told young Daniel to run and hide. “Run and don’t look back, run and hide quickly and don’t come out until tomorrow morning.”
“Why Papa, are you hurt, should I go get help?” Daniel asked as fear entered his voice. Not fear of the sound that was quickly approaching but fear for his Grandfather.
“Daniel, no time just run and remember this day and always live under Gods rule. Now run!”
Daniel had never heard his Papa yell like that so he did what he was told. He ran as fast as his 10 year old legs could carry him. Down to the farm house then past it to a small cave that he always hid in when was playing hide and seek from his older sisters. Oh how he wished they and his mother was there now. They had drove down to Tel Aviv and left him with Papa. The young boy entered the small cave when the first boom sounded.
Laying on his stomach looking out the entrance, Daniel saw what he thought were hundreds of tanks and other equipment come over the hill were just minutes ago he and his Papa sat. They didn’t stop at the small wire fence nor did they stop as they raced up to his Papa house. BOOM… Smoke filled the air around the house then it disappeared. Gone was the house, gone was the small barn his Papa worked out of, gone was the first wave of tanks.
Daniel started to cry while he watched and looked for his Papa to stand and tell those drivers to stop but he didn’t stand. Daniel could see the area he grandfather fall but couldn’t see him. As more tanks came over the hill men running and men riding in uncovered trucks and jeeps came as well. Surly they would stop and help his Papa the 10 year old thought. He watched and waited and a smiled crossed his face when he saw three men run up to where his Papa was. They are going to help him he thought as he sat up on his knees. But something else happened. Something that Daniel could not understand. Those men pointed their guns and shot. “NO!” Daniel shouted; the sight he just saw and witness was too much for his young body and mind. He fell down and went into a deep dark sleep.
Inside his cabin, Daniel sat at his desk for a few minutes, glancing over paperwork that sat on his desk; he decided it all could wait till morning. Looking over at his rack, his body and mind told him it was time to relax and rest so he pulled off his shoe and lay down on the six inch thick mattress. As a Captain he could have a thicker one but he felt if his crew could sleep on a thin one he could too. The hum of the machines, engines and pumps pulled Daniel into a deep sleep where he journeyed back to his childhood and the day that would change his life forever.
“Tell me the story of Moses again Papa” little Daniel asked his grandfather.
“Moses, I have told you that story at least a hundred times, how about if I tell you about a mighty and wise king who was called Solomon. God favored Solomon and he gave King Solomon wisdom. He was the wisest man to ever live.” Daniels granddad said as he watched his sheep as they ate the grass in the small valley below.
“Was he better than King David?” The young boy asked.
“Oh no, no one was been as good as our King David but one day when our Messiah comes back he will be the greatest of all warriors.”
“Papa, how come the American who calls themselves Christians say a Prophet named Jesus the Messiah?”
“Because many years ago many men didn’t listen to our leaders and followed this man. Don’t worry when the true Messiah comes he will be the greatest king ever to rule for he will be sent from God.”
A strange sound filled the air. Daniel and his Papa looked up and saw jets racing across the sky just hundreds of feet above them. At first Papa looked at his sheep was afraid they would run but when he looked and saw the markings on the planes that flew over his heart sank and his sheep left his mind. After what seemed like ten minutes, planes of different types flew over then other sound was heard or more felt by the old man and young boy. Rumbling sound coming from over the hill the way the planes had come. “Come we must go quickly” Papa said grabbed the boy’s hand.
Running as fast as his old legs would carry him, he worked his way down the hill side towards the family home. With just two hundred yards to go, Papa felt his heart stutter. It went away then came back with pain that cut through his chest like a knife. The old man let go of the boys hand and fell to his knees. Young Daniel stopped then turned back to his Papa.
“What is wrong Papa? Why are we running and why did you fall?”
Through the pain and shortness of breath, Papa told young Daniel to run and hide. “Run and don’t look back, run and hide quickly and don’t come out until tomorrow morning.”
“Why Papa, are you hurt, should I go get help?” Daniel asked as fear entered his voice. Not fear of the sound that was quickly approaching but fear for his Grandfather.
“Daniel, no time just run and remember this day and always live under Gods rule. Now run!”
Daniel had never heard his Papa yell like that so he did what he was told. He ran as fast as his 10 year old legs could carry him. Down to the farm house then past it to a small cave that he always hid in when was playing hide and seek from his older sisters. Oh how he wished they and his mother was there now. They had drove down to Tel Aviv and left him with Papa. The young boy entered the small cave when the first boom sounded.
Laying on his stomach looking out the entrance, Daniel saw what he thought were hundreds of tanks and other equipment come over the hill were just minutes ago he and his Papa sat. They didn’t stop at the small wire fence nor did they stop as they raced up to his Papa house. BOOM… Smoke filled the air around the house then it disappeared. Gone was the house, gone was the small barn his Papa worked out of, gone was the first wave of tanks.
Daniel started to cry while he watched and looked for his Papa to stand and tell those drivers to stop but he didn’t stand. Daniel could see the area he grandfather fall but couldn’t see him. As more tanks came over the hill men running and men riding in uncovered trucks and jeeps came as well. Surly they would stop and help his Papa the 10 year old thought. He watched and waited and a smiled crossed his face when he saw three men run up to where his Papa was. They are going to help him he thought as he sat up on his knees. But something else happened. Something that Daniel could not understand. Those men pointed their guns and shot. “NO!” Daniel shouted; the sight he just saw and witness was too much for his young body and mind. He fell down and went into a deep dark sleep.
- Alex
____________________________________________________________________
Black Mesa, Oklahoma
Matt and Nathan unloaded the two four wheelers they had brought along. Trevor was uneasy about letting the boys go off alone, but knew that Matt was right. Somebody had to stay with the pickup.
"Keep in touch. Use the radios to talk to each other constantly. Call me on the cell every half hour." Trevor ordered both boys.
"We will." Matt nodded. He looked at his cousin. "Keep an eye out for coyotes. There are a few mountain lions out here too."
"What, no bears?" Nathan asked with a touch of sarcasm.
"Actually, there have been bears spotted out here too." Matt said seriously. "But rarely." he assured his cousin.
"What kind of bears?" Trevor asked, feeling even more ill at ease with sending the two boys to look for Patterson's hideout.
"Black bears." Matt told him.
"Maybe we should just forget this. I know we need to find the cave, but we could try to find it in the pickup." Trevor said. He really hated that Shade hadn't been able to come. But the man had to get the cattle moved closer to the ranch house. He planned to load some up and take them to Amarillo to sell soon. The plan was to sell of as many cows as possible so that maybe the ranch would stay under the radar. Then if anyone came snooping around they would see a failed cattle ranch, with no cattle to speak of and nothing of value that the government might want.
"Trevor," Matt said interrupting his thoughts. "We can get around faster on the four wheelers. We will check in with you every half hour and leave a trail of these to find our way back." Matt held up a sack of red mechanic rags. "Nathan and I will keep in contact with each other with the radios. They have a mile range, so were all set. We need to get started now. We wasted most of the morning loading and gassing up the four wheelers."
"Gas!!" Trevor reached into the back of the pickup and handed each boy a two gallon jug of gas. "Just in case."
"Ok. Lets get going." Nathan said.
"Father, please guide the boys to the cave quickly. See to their safety, and keep your hand of protection over them. In Jesus name, Amen." Trevor finished the prayer and both boys got on the four wheelers and roared off.
- Zags
____________________________________________________________________
On a Ranch in the Panhandle of Oklahoma
Zoe bounced along in the pickup. Shade and Tori were riding around on the four wheelers. Zoe had always thought that rounding up cattle had been done on horse back. Apparently she had been wrong. She had started out on one of the four wheelers, but when Shade had turned the catlle towards her, she had panicked and turned the atv around and run from the thundering beasts. She had never realized just how big a cow was. Shade had raced over and tried to get the cattle headed in the right direction. Zoe had rode over to the pickup where Tori was driving behind the cattle to keep any from falling behind. "Tori, I think I'll drive the pickup." Tori had nodded, gotten out and jumped on the atv and taken off. Things had been going much smoother since. Zoe shook her head at herself. She had assured Shade she could do the job. She felt like a fool. Tori had only helped round up cattle once before and looked like a pro.
Zoe noticed a flock of black birds off the the right about a hundred yards ahead. She had never seen so many birds. Tori must have noticed them too as she waved and raced off in that direction. Zoe watched Tori approach the birds and as they took flight, noticed something lying on the ground. She heard Tori's scream seconds later. She shouted at Shade on the radio and stomped on the accelerator to reach Tori.
Zoe saw the cow lying on the ground. Something had torn it to pieces. She jumped out of the pickup and ran over to Tori who was still screaming. She grabbed Tori, and forced her eyes away from the gruesome sight. Shade roared up next to them and got off the atv. He squatted down next to what was left of the cow and looked around. Zoe led Tori to the pickup and put the shaken girl inside. She smoothed the girls hair back from her face and looked in her eyes. "It's ok. Your Uncle Shade is here and he'll take care of it. It's ok." She pulled the girl into a hug and Tori almost strangled her she held on so tight.
"Zoe." Shade called out.
"Tori. Shade wants to talk to me. Stay in the pickup, and don't look." Tori nodded and lay down in the seat, still trembling.
Zoe walked up behind Shade. The cow was a mess. Zoe felt her stomach lurch, but forced her eyes to meet Shade's. "What did this?" she asked. "Coyotes?"
"No. Coyotes would have torn up her legs bringing her down." he motioned to the cows legs. They were fine. "Look at her head." Shade pointed.
Something had bitten into the cows skull and crushed it. Shade got up and began looking at the ground. He walked several feet way when he found a good print. "Bear."
"What?" Zoe asked looking around. They were less than a half mile from the house.
"It was a bear. Look at the print in the mud." Shade dropped down next to it. "He was here not too long ago. Looking at what's left of the cow, we must have interrupted his dinner." Shade stood up and looked for more tracks.
"Shade maybe we should get back to the house. If we interrupted him he's gotta be close." Zoe was looking at every rock and crevice big enough to hide a bear.
Shade pulled his rifle out of the scabbard attatched to the atv. He fired a few rounds in the direction the tracks went. "Let's get these cattle back to the house and penned up."
"What about that?" Zoe indicated the dead cow.
"Leave her. We don't want to draw the bear to the house."
"We can't just leave her." Zoe protested.
"Zoe, if we put her in the back of the pickup, the bear will follow the smell of blood back to the house. We leave her here. Let the bear have her. Hopefully he will get his fill and move on."
"Ok." Zoe said. She walked over to the pickup and told Tori she would ride the atv and Tori could head up the rear in the safety of the pickup. Zoe wasn't about to put the young girl at risk by leaving her exposed on the atv.
Zoe bounced along in the pickup. Shade and Tori were riding around on the four wheelers. Zoe had always thought that rounding up cattle had been done on horse back. Apparently she had been wrong. She had started out on one of the four wheelers, but when Shade had turned the catlle towards her, she had panicked and turned the atv around and run from the thundering beasts. She had never realized just how big a cow was. Shade had raced over and tried to get the cattle headed in the right direction. Zoe had rode over to the pickup where Tori was driving behind the cattle to keep any from falling behind. "Tori, I think I'll drive the pickup." Tori had nodded, gotten out and jumped on the atv and taken off. Things had been going much smoother since. Zoe shook her head at herself. She had assured Shade she could do the job. She felt like a fool. Tori had only helped round up cattle once before and looked like a pro.
Zoe noticed a flock of black birds off the the right about a hundred yards ahead. She had never seen so many birds. Tori must have noticed them too as she waved and raced off in that direction. Zoe watched Tori approach the birds and as they took flight, noticed something lying on the ground. She heard Tori's scream seconds later. She shouted at Shade on the radio and stomped on the accelerator to reach Tori.
Zoe saw the cow lying on the ground. Something had torn it to pieces. She jumped out of the pickup and ran over to Tori who was still screaming. She grabbed Tori, and forced her eyes away from the gruesome sight. Shade roared up next to them and got off the atv. He squatted down next to what was left of the cow and looked around. Zoe led Tori to the pickup and put the shaken girl inside. She smoothed the girls hair back from her face and looked in her eyes. "It's ok. Your Uncle Shade is here and he'll take care of it. It's ok." She pulled the girl into a hug and Tori almost strangled her she held on so tight.
"Zoe." Shade called out.
"Tori. Shade wants to talk to me. Stay in the pickup, and don't look." Tori nodded and lay down in the seat, still trembling.
Zoe walked up behind Shade. The cow was a mess. Zoe felt her stomach lurch, but forced her eyes to meet Shade's. "What did this?" she asked. "Coyotes?"
"No. Coyotes would have torn up her legs bringing her down." he motioned to the cows legs. They were fine. "Look at her head." Shade pointed.
Something had bitten into the cows skull and crushed it. Shade got up and began looking at the ground. He walked several feet way when he found a good print. "Bear."
"What?" Zoe asked looking around. They were less than a half mile from the house.
"It was a bear. Look at the print in the mud." Shade dropped down next to it. "He was here not too long ago. Looking at what's left of the cow, we must have interrupted his dinner." Shade stood up and looked for more tracks.
"Shade maybe we should get back to the house. If we interrupted him he's gotta be close." Zoe was looking at every rock and crevice big enough to hide a bear.
Shade pulled his rifle out of the scabbard attatched to the atv. He fired a few rounds in the direction the tracks went. "Let's get these cattle back to the house and penned up."
"What about that?" Zoe indicated the dead cow.
"Leave her. We don't want to draw the bear to the house."
"We can't just leave her." Zoe protested.
"Zoe, if we put her in the back of the pickup, the bear will follow the smell of blood back to the house. We leave her here. Let the bear have her. Hopefully he will get his fill and move on."
"Ok." Zoe said. She walked over to the pickup and told Tori she would ride the atv and Tori could head up the rear in the safety of the pickup. Zoe wasn't about to put the young girl at risk by leaving her exposed on the atv.
- Zags
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Black Mesa, Oklahoma
Matt rode along on the atv, watching for rocks, soap weed, and anything that looked like an entrance to a cave. He saw something that looked like it had possibilities and dropping a rag headed off in that direction. Once he had stopped he contacted Nathan on the radio and told him he was checking out a cave. When Nathan answered him he set off towards the entrance. He shone his flashlight and saw that the cave was pretty small. He tossed a couple of rocks inside to see if any animals were in there and listened for sounds of movement from within. When he was certain nothing was in there he squeezed himself into the opening. He saw piles of small bones and decided that maybe at one time a mountain lion used the cave for a den. He shown his flashlight around looking for any passageways and seeing nothing left the cave.
He got back on the atv, let Nathan know that he hadn't found anything and looked at his watch. "Better call Trevor." He dialed and waited for Trevor to pick up.
"You were supposed to call five minutes ago Matt." was Trevor's greeting.
"Sorry. I was checking out a potential cave and just got out."
"Tell me you found it." Trevor said.
"That would be lying Trev, and I'm trying not to do that." Matt said with a grin.
"I may not be able to see you, but I know you have a goofy grin on your face." Trevor said with a laugh.
"Maybe." Matt laughed. "Ok, I do. I just talked to Nathan he's checking out another cave as we speak. I think I'll look for another hour and then start heading back. It's gonna be getting dark in a couple of hours."
"Ok. I'll tell Nathan when I talk to him. He should be calling any second now." Trevor answered. "Be careful."
"Will do."
Matt rode along on the atv, watching for rocks, soap weed, and anything that looked like an entrance to a cave. He saw something that looked like it had possibilities and dropping a rag headed off in that direction. Once he had stopped he contacted Nathan on the radio and told him he was checking out a cave. When Nathan answered him he set off towards the entrance. He shone his flashlight and saw that the cave was pretty small. He tossed a couple of rocks inside to see if any animals were in there and listened for sounds of movement from within. When he was certain nothing was in there he squeezed himself into the opening. He saw piles of small bones and decided that maybe at one time a mountain lion used the cave for a den. He shown his flashlight around looking for any passageways and seeing nothing left the cave.
He got back on the atv, let Nathan know that he hadn't found anything and looked at his watch. "Better call Trevor." He dialed and waited for Trevor to pick up.
"You were supposed to call five minutes ago Matt." was Trevor's greeting.
"Sorry. I was checking out a potential cave and just got out."
"Tell me you found it." Trevor said.
"That would be lying Trev, and I'm trying not to do that." Matt said with a grin.
"I may not be able to see you, but I know you have a goofy grin on your face." Trevor said with a laugh.
"Maybe." Matt laughed. "Ok, I do. I just talked to Nathan he's checking out another cave as we speak. I think I'll look for another hour and then start heading back. It's gonna be getting dark in a couple of hours."
"Ok. I'll tell Nathan when I talk to him. He should be calling any second now." Trevor answered. "Be careful."
"Will do."
- Zags
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