Black Mesa, Oklahoma
“Are you sure you boys want to leave today?” Maddie asked as she squinted to see through the heavy fog.
“Yes ma’am. We really need to deliver this meat.” Mo smiled gently at Maddie.
“Besides we’re running out of time that we will be free to run around.” Skunk gave Maddie a small nudge. “Before you know it we will be running for our lives. I want to share the gospel with as many people as possible before my head is literally on the chopping block.”
Kristen grimaced at Skunks choice of words, but she also knew that he was telling the truth.
“Well promise you guys will be careful.” She said as she hugged Raul.
“We will.” Raul whispered into her hair. “You better be good too. I expect you to be reading at a high school level when we get back.” Raul tapped Kristen on the nose with his finger.
“Aye, aye. Sir.” Kristen gave a smart salute.
“I really wish you’d just stay here.” Becca said as she held Ryan. “I have a bad feeling.”
“We’ll be ok, Becca. Don’t worry.” Ryan reassured her.
“You boys be careful and keep in touch.” Shade ordered the younger men.
“Will do.” Mo said as he reached out and shook Shades hand.
“Are you still planning on going to Maine to talk to our Uncle?” Renee asked Ryan as she stepped forward to give him a hug.
“Yes. He needs to hear the Truth about Christ.” Ryan said firmly as he gave his big sister a squeeze.
Renee closed her eyes and bit her lip to keep from shouting a protest.
“You will be in our prayers.” Zoe said as she gave Skunk a hug.
“Keep studying the Word.” Trevor said as he shook Mo’s hand.
Finally all the goodbyes had been said and the men got into the SUV and drove off into the fog.
“Father, I ask that Your hand of protection be over those boys as they go to plant seeds and help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I ask for traveling mercies and that You would bring them all home to us safe and sound. I pray that many souls would be won for Your kingdom during their travels. Let Your will be done Father. I ask all this in Jesus name, Amen.” Shade finished the prayer and he took one last look in the direction that the taillights had disappeared in before turning and heading back into the cave.
“Are you sure you boys want to leave today?” Maddie asked as she squinted to see through the heavy fog.
“Yes ma’am. We really need to deliver this meat.” Mo smiled gently at Maddie.
“Besides we’re running out of time that we will be free to run around.” Skunk gave Maddie a small nudge. “Before you know it we will be running for our lives. I want to share the gospel with as many people as possible before my head is literally on the chopping block.”
Kristen grimaced at Skunks choice of words, but she also knew that he was telling the truth.
“Well promise you guys will be careful.” She said as she hugged Raul.
“We will.” Raul whispered into her hair. “You better be good too. I expect you to be reading at a high school level when we get back.” Raul tapped Kristen on the nose with his finger.
“Aye, aye. Sir.” Kristen gave a smart salute.
“I really wish you’d just stay here.” Becca said as she held Ryan. “I have a bad feeling.”
“We’ll be ok, Becca. Don’t worry.” Ryan reassured her.
“You boys be careful and keep in touch.” Shade ordered the younger men.
“Will do.” Mo said as he reached out and shook Shades hand.
“Are you still planning on going to Maine to talk to our Uncle?” Renee asked Ryan as she stepped forward to give him a hug.
“Yes. He needs to hear the Truth about Christ.” Ryan said firmly as he gave his big sister a squeeze.
Renee closed her eyes and bit her lip to keep from shouting a protest.
“You will be in our prayers.” Zoe said as she gave Skunk a hug.
“Keep studying the Word.” Trevor said as he shook Mo’s hand.
Finally all the goodbyes had been said and the men got into the SUV and drove off into the fog.
“Father, I ask that Your hand of protection be over those boys as they go to plant seeds and help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I ask for traveling mercies and that You would bring them all home to us safe and sound. I pray that many souls would be won for Your kingdom during their travels. Let Your will be done Father. I ask all this in Jesus name, Amen.” Shade finished the prayer and he took one last look in the direction that the taillights had disappeared in before turning and heading back into the cave.
- Zags
_________________________________________________________________
Black Mesa, Oklahoma
“You know Mom is gonna have a fit.” Matt whispered.
Nods went around the circle.
“She really had a hard time not breaking down with the guys leaving.” Zoe stated the obvious.
“Well we can’t just hide out here until the Trib is over. We need to be out there planting seeds. Besides I want to go to Nelson and meet Mrs. Pike. She can tell me more about my parents and little sister.” Kristen said.
“What are you kids doing huddled up whispering?” Maddie said with a laugh.
They all jumped guiltily. “We’re just talking.” Nathan blurted.
“I’m gonna miss the boys too. You don’t have to whisper about what their off doing.” Maddie said planting a kiss on top of Matt’s head.
Zoe gave Matt a hard look.
“Well actually that’s not exactly what we were talking about.” Matt said hesitantly.
Madiie froze as she looked into her sons eyes. “You want to go too.”
“Yes. Me, Zoe, Trevor, Kristen, Nathan and Renee all want to go out and plant some seeds.” Matt said quietly.
“And we want to take Leon too.” Kristen blurted.
“Leon?” Shade said as he approached. “Where do you want to take Leon?”
“With us. Out to teach people about Jesus and what’s coming.”
“They all want to go!” Maddie wailed.
Shade frowned at Matt. “Why now? You know your mother is already upset with Mo, Raul, Skunk and Ryan heading out.”
“Dad like Skunk said, we’re running out of time to be able to do it in relative safety. You see it on the news everyday. Hatred for Christians is spreading. We have to get out there now before hearts are so hardened that they are unreachable.”
“And we know Argryos is getting ready to start WW3, then the second seal will be officially opened quickly followed by the third seal with the price of food skyrocketing and then the fourth seal of famine. We have to act now.” Zoe said.
“Once things start happening it’s all going down hill.” Trevor nodded. “Time is short. We can’t spent all our time hiding. We have to go out there and tell people about Christ.”
“Aunt Maddie, we know you hate the idea of anything happening to any of us, but you know the odds of us all surviving. We have to go about our Fathers business.” Nathan added.
Maddie sank into a chair. “I know.” She said sadly. “I can’t be selfish. There are lost souls out there.”
Shade heaved a big sigh as he sat next to Maddie and wrapped his arm around her. “We can keep busy here. We can go into town and help Frank and his guys with the education center and the tunnel. And you can help Tansy put all those tracts together. You and her have been talking about ways to get the message of Christ out. You two can work on that.”
“So you will let us go?” Nathan asked his uncle.
“Yes. Reaching the lost is too important. What do you say Maddie?”
With tear filled eyes Maddie looked up at the children she loved so much. “Yes, you can go.”
“You know Mom is gonna have a fit.” Matt whispered.
Nods went around the circle.
“She really had a hard time not breaking down with the guys leaving.” Zoe stated the obvious.
“Well we can’t just hide out here until the Trib is over. We need to be out there planting seeds. Besides I want to go to Nelson and meet Mrs. Pike. She can tell me more about my parents and little sister.” Kristen said.
“What are you kids doing huddled up whispering?” Maddie said with a laugh.
They all jumped guiltily. “We’re just talking.” Nathan blurted.
“I’m gonna miss the boys too. You don’t have to whisper about what their off doing.” Maddie said planting a kiss on top of Matt’s head.
Zoe gave Matt a hard look.
“Well actually that’s not exactly what we were talking about.” Matt said hesitantly.
Madiie froze as she looked into her sons eyes. “You want to go too.”
“Yes. Me, Zoe, Trevor, Kristen, Nathan and Renee all want to go out and plant some seeds.” Matt said quietly.
“And we want to take Leon too.” Kristen blurted.
“Leon?” Shade said as he approached. “Where do you want to take Leon?”
“With us. Out to teach people about Jesus and what’s coming.”
“They all want to go!” Maddie wailed.
Shade frowned at Matt. “Why now? You know your mother is already upset with Mo, Raul, Skunk and Ryan heading out.”
“Dad like Skunk said, we’re running out of time to be able to do it in relative safety. You see it on the news everyday. Hatred for Christians is spreading. We have to get out there now before hearts are so hardened that they are unreachable.”
“And we know Argryos is getting ready to start WW3, then the second seal will be officially opened quickly followed by the third seal with the price of food skyrocketing and then the fourth seal of famine. We have to act now.” Zoe said.
“Once things start happening it’s all going down hill.” Trevor nodded. “Time is short. We can’t spent all our time hiding. We have to go out there and tell people about Christ.”
“Aunt Maddie, we know you hate the idea of anything happening to any of us, but you know the odds of us all surviving. We have to go about our Fathers business.” Nathan added.
Maddie sank into a chair. “I know.” She said sadly. “I can’t be selfish. There are lost souls out there.”
Shade heaved a big sigh as he sat next to Maddie and wrapped his arm around her. “We can keep busy here. We can go into town and help Frank and his guys with the education center and the tunnel. And you can help Tansy put all those tracts together. You and her have been talking about ways to get the message of Christ out. You two can work on that.”
“So you will let us go?” Nathan asked his uncle.
“Yes. Reaching the lost is too important. What do you say Maddie?”
With tear filled eyes Maddie looked up at the children she loved so much. “Yes, you can go.”
- Zags
__________________________________________________________________
They filed into the inner chamber and took their seats. Murder,Fear, Hate, Pain and Confusion took the first row of seats. Murder and Hate had been on assignment together working with Ra from the First Community Joy Church. Rape had been assigned there first but after the dissappearances he had returned to base for another assignment while Murder and Hate had continued on. He had raped Ra's wife until she disappeared. But before that he had enjoyed every scream she made. His stories had thrilled his comrades when he returned to give his weekly report to the Master.
When Hate took over he fed Ra everything he would need to help Murder inspire Ra to take out as many christians in every city he could get to. Ra spent his days on the internet searching. He had found a site called Rapture Ready where alot of left behind people had found refuge and comfort. Ra was filled with Hate and gained all his information for revenge against God who had left him behind. Murder and Hate had found him a willing target. They had been there the night he had sat in his car waiting for them to come home and when they did Ra had giggled as he blew their home up with them in it. Murder and Hate had it all in their report. The Master would be pleased.
Fear and Pain sat together going over everything they had accomplished in Babylon Iraq with Earl. Their mission was not yet over. Fear had entered Earls mind to frighten him and Pain had strummed on his heart giving him irregular heartbeats. Pain had laughed hysterically when Fear turned into a snake and bit Earls cheek. They had left Earl and returned to the chamber as ordered with their reports and both hoped the Master would send them back to Earl keeping them on the same assignment for awhile. Fear and Pain agreed that this was too much fun.
Confusion had finished his report and sat quitely wondering if the Master would send him back to Black Mesa Oklahoma to continue his progress with Earl. Confusion had been dealing with some strong powers that surrounded Leon as if protecting him and Confusion had not been able to penetrate very far into Leons mind. He hoped the Master would let him keep trying and not send him back to the fire yet.
Sulfer filled the chamber as the door swung wide. They all knew it was him. Rising from their seats they all bowed in unison, face to the floor for they knew his gaze could burn the sockets out of their eyes.
Their voices praised him, telling him their was none like him.
When Hate took over he fed Ra everything he would need to help Murder inspire Ra to take out as many christians in every city he could get to. Ra spent his days on the internet searching. He had found a site called Rapture Ready where alot of left behind people had found refuge and comfort. Ra was filled with Hate and gained all his information for revenge against God who had left him behind. Murder and Hate had found him a willing target. They had been there the night he had sat in his car waiting for them to come home and when they did Ra had giggled as he blew their home up with them in it. Murder and Hate had it all in their report. The Master would be pleased.
Fear and Pain sat together going over everything they had accomplished in Babylon Iraq with Earl. Their mission was not yet over. Fear had entered Earls mind to frighten him and Pain had strummed on his heart giving him irregular heartbeats. Pain had laughed hysterically when Fear turned into a snake and bit Earls cheek. They had left Earl and returned to the chamber as ordered with their reports and both hoped the Master would send them back to Earl keeping them on the same assignment for awhile. Fear and Pain agreed that this was too much fun.
Confusion had finished his report and sat quitely wondering if the Master would send him back to Black Mesa Oklahoma to continue his progress with Earl. Confusion had been dealing with some strong powers that surrounded Leon as if protecting him and Confusion had not been able to penetrate very far into Leons mind. He hoped the Master would let him keep trying and not send him back to the fire yet.
Sulfer filled the chamber as the door swung wide. They all knew it was him. Rising from their seats they all bowed in unison, face to the floor for they knew his gaze could burn the sockets out of their eyes.
Their voices praised him, telling him their was none like him.
- Renee
________________________________________________________________
The winds danced over the water creating small swells that pulled the rowboat closer to the shore. Its solitary occupant tugged feverishly at the oars. Faster, faster! Even though his leg still ached from that hailstone, his pride ached much worse. He was a weary bedraggled sight. He started on this mission with such high hopes of glory and duty; only to have it yanked from his hands and shattered into a million pieces before his very eyes. Mentally, he rehearsed all that had transpired in the last twenty-four hours; and like the ancient deceiver before him, he carefully plotted his plans to trap the rebels.
With each gust of wind, he approached the many ships and smaller vessels lay at anchor in New York Harbor. A small speedy cutter lay anchored nearby. It's owner lounged on the deck of the cutter curiously eyeing the small rowboat and its sorry occupant. The Lieutenant saw the man and headed straight towards him.
Cupping his hands around his mouth, Maskovy shouted, “Sir! My boat’s broke. Can you give me a ride to shore, please?”
“Oh, sure, sure.” He mumbled as he helped the Lieutenant into the boat. “Where are you from young feller?”
“I’m a Global Family agent and I’ve got urgent news to take to the U.S. president. Hurry please!” The boat’s owner simply nodded as the motor zinged to life and zipped away leaving a trail of white foam in its wake. Lt. Maskovy’s chauffer deftly weaved his way between the maze of other boats and ships and arrived in record time at the edge of the pier. Both men sprang from their small craft and ten minutes searching found a lazy taxi driver reclining in his cab, waiting for another passenger. The Lt. barely had time to get into the taxi, before the door slammed shut behind him.
His new acquaintance screamed at the driver, “The New York City Airport. Look sharp, cabby!” With a terrific screech, the old cab rattled over loose pavement and weaved its through the strangely quiet city.
- KBR
_________________________________________________________________
Black Mesa, Oklahoma
Dissention giggled as he jumped and spun about the room, while Anger grunted with satisfaction as he listened to raised voices.
“I thought we were going to Nebraska first.” Kristen said loudly.
“We will, but I want to head to Colorado Springs first then we can head to Nelson.” Trevor said through his teeth.
“I wanted to head to Tallahassee as soon as possible. I thought we had agreed that we would head up to Nebraska and then work our way toward Florida.” Nathan half shouted to be heard over Kristen and Trevor.
Anger shot Dissention a grin and began to bounce around the room, spinning and twirling.
“Look at them. They are so easy to manipulate.” He singsong.
“Yes! Yes!” Dissention’s agreement rang through the room.
But the humans who were so vehemently arguing didn’t hear, except one.
“Wait!” Leon shouted.
“What?!” Matt shouted.
“Don’t you hear that?” Leon said quietly as he shrank back into the couch.
“What?” Zoe asked. “I don’t hear anything.”
Leon shook his head and tried to listen harder. He closed his eyes and heard the faint laughter again. “Laughter.” Leon whispered as his eyes sprang open.
“You’re just tired Leon. You haven’t slept much for weeks. You’re probably just hearing things.” Nathan said.
“No. It’s them.” Leon insisted, his chest rising and falling as he began to hyperventilate.
“Them?” Zoe asked. “Who’s them?”
Trevor went still. He held out his hand to indicate everyone be quiet.
Anger and Dissention both stopped their frenzied spinning as well. They looked at each other their teeth dripping saliva, their long nails clicking together.
“He can hear us again.” Anger stated.
“Yes.” Dissention nodded.
Both demons looked across the room to see Confusion appear. With an ugly smile the creature sprang across the room to land on the arm of the couch next to Leon. He began to whisper his voice sweet and cajoling.
“Why do you stay with these people? You would be better on your own. There is no way the girl could forgive you for what you did to her. They only act like they care.”
Doubt appeared and joined in whispering. “How could she? How could HE? You’re sins are too great.”
“Can you feel it?” Trevor said aloud.
All the demons stopped whispering. They looked around the room at the humans, their heads cocked to the side. They looked at one another as they began to feel uneasy.
“It feels.....ugly.” Kristen whispered.
“Cold, angry.” Zoe added.
“Evil.” Matt said.
Leon sat on the couch his eyes wide with fear and doubt as he looked around. “You can hear it?”
“No.” Nathan answered. “But something.........I don’t know............Something’s not right here.”
Matt picked up a Bible and quickly thumbed through the pages.
“Jude 1:9 But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the Devil, he argued about the body of Moses, he dared not bring a judgment of blasphemy, but said, Let the Lord rebuke you!”
The four grotesque creatures flinched back and away from Leon, growling with rage.
“Father are the only hope we have in the quickly falling world. You are our shelter, our stronghold when the evils of this world close in. We come to You now, grateful that we have Your promise that You will never leave or forsake us. Thank You Father, for that promise. Father I ask you to place a hedge of protection over this house. Let Your grace, mercy and love fill each and everyone in this house. Fill each corner of each room with Your Holy presence. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.” Matt finished the prayer, his heart and mind filled with peace as the eerie feeling that had permeated the room began to fade.
With shrieks of pain and rage the four fallen angels disappeared from the room, and Leon leaned forward as he heard their shouts fade into oblivion.
“I can’t hear them now. What did you do? How did you make them go away?”
“I didn’t. It was God.” Matt said.
“How? Why?” Leon asked confused.
“Because He loves us.” Kristen said simply.
- Zags
________________________________________________________________
Black Mesa, Oklahoma
Leon desperately tried to keep his eyes open, but his battle to stay awake was futile. The days of sleeplessness had finally caught up with him.
As his body’s demand for rest finally won the battle Leon’s fears were forgotten as he drifted into sleep.
He was running through the dark cave, the ground slithering and writhing under his feet. He could feel insects dropping from the ceiling as he ran. The quickly began to burrow under his skin and Leon began to scream in his dream.
“Please! Someone! Help me, please.”
All he could hear was the sound of frenzied laughter and he saw in his peripheral vision something large stalking him as he ran.
“PLEASE!!” Leon shouted hoarsely as he stumbled headlong into a slime covered wall.
Suddenly Leon could hear someone speaking quietly. He couldn’t make out the words, but the tone was much different than those of the demons that tormented him.
The words brought him a measure of comfort and seemed to give him strength to stand and continue on. As he stumbled the ground was becoming more stable and he could see light up ahead.
With a shout of joy he ran for the light. As he got closer to the light the mass of swarming worms and snakes at Leon’s feet grew into a frenzy. He could see insects, snakes, rats and worms trying to cover the exit with their malformed bodies, and Leon’s heart sank. They were blocking his way out and the light was growing dimmer.
Leon stumbled to a halt as the light became just a small spec in the distance. Overwhelmed by losing his chance to escape the cave he began to cry.
It was then that he heard the voice. “Run toward the light. Trust in Me Leon. Run toward the light. I have something I want to show you.”
Leon, strengthened by the voice, ran as fast as he could. As he got closer to the light he could see the worms beginning to wither and rats scurrying away from the exit as the light became stronger.
He could see the demonic eyes of the snakes fill with fear as he ran toward the beam of light as it grew larger.
Insects shrieked as they backed away from the light into the darkness. Leon saw that the exit was open and with a cry of joy he burst through the opening.
Leon desperately tried to keep his eyes open, but his battle to stay awake was futile. The days of sleeplessness had finally caught up with him.
As his body’s demand for rest finally won the battle Leon’s fears were forgotten as he drifted into sleep.
He was running through the dark cave, the ground slithering and writhing under his feet. He could feel insects dropping from the ceiling as he ran. The quickly began to burrow under his skin and Leon began to scream in his dream.
“Please! Someone! Help me, please.”
All he could hear was the sound of frenzied laughter and he saw in his peripheral vision something large stalking him as he ran.
“PLEASE!!” Leon shouted hoarsely as he stumbled headlong into a slime covered wall.
Suddenly Leon could hear someone speaking quietly. He couldn’t make out the words, but the tone was much different than those of the demons that tormented him.
The words brought him a measure of comfort and seemed to give him strength to stand and continue on. As he stumbled the ground was becoming more stable and he could see light up ahead.
With a shout of joy he ran for the light. As he got closer to the light the mass of swarming worms and snakes at Leon’s feet grew into a frenzy. He could see insects, snakes, rats and worms trying to cover the exit with their malformed bodies, and Leon’s heart sank. They were blocking his way out and the light was growing dimmer.
Leon stumbled to a halt as the light became just a small spec in the distance. Overwhelmed by losing his chance to escape the cave he began to cry.
It was then that he heard the voice. “Run toward the light. Trust in Me Leon. Run toward the light. I have something I want to show you.”
Leon, strengthened by the voice, ran as fast as he could. As he got closer to the light he could see the worms beginning to wither and rats scurrying away from the exit as the light became stronger.
He could see the demonic eyes of the snakes fill with fear as he ran toward the beam of light as it grew larger.
Insects shrieked as they backed away from the light into the darkness. Leon saw that the exit was open and with a cry of joy he burst through the opening.
- Zags
________________________________________________________________
Black Mesa, Oklahoma
Kristen heard Leon shout and ran to his room. Zoe followed behind her and they both saw that Leon had finally succumbed to exhaustion.
Both women saw Leon tossing on the bed and Kristen moved to the side of the bed. She stared to reach out to him, but Zoe caught her hand.
“Don’t wake him. He needs his rest.”
“But he’s obviously having a nightmare.” Kristen protested.
““Please! Someone! Help me, please.” Leon whimpered aloud.
Kristen felt her eyes fill with tears.
“PLEASE!” Leon whispered so forlornly that Zoe too was moved to tears.
“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst. Matthew 18:20.” Zoe said as Maddie, Becca, Trevor and Shade entered the room.
“YES!!” Kristen shouted with understanding. She quickly knelt next to the bed and took Leon’s hand in her own.
Everyone else followed suit and knelt next to Leon’s bed and began to pray.
Kristen heard Leon shout and ran to his room. Zoe followed behind her and they both saw that Leon had finally succumbed to exhaustion.
Both women saw Leon tossing on the bed and Kristen moved to the side of the bed. She stared to reach out to him, but Zoe caught her hand.
“Don’t wake him. He needs his rest.”
“But he’s obviously having a nightmare.” Kristen protested.
““Please! Someone! Help me, please.” Leon whimpered aloud.
Kristen felt her eyes fill with tears.
“PLEASE!” Leon whispered so forlornly that Zoe too was moved to tears.
“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst. Matthew 18:20.” Zoe said as Maddie, Becca, Trevor and Shade entered the room.
“YES!!” Kristen shouted with understanding. She quickly knelt next to the bed and took Leon’s hand in her own.
Everyone else followed suit and knelt next to Leon’s bed and began to pray.
- Zags
_________________________________________________________________
Black Mesa, Oklahoma
Leon squinted his eyes against the sudden light and blinked rapidly.
He heard a noise and looked to see a man. The man was cut and stumbling about. He had a deranged look about him and Leon stepped back in fear as the mans glazed eyes drifted over his direction.
Leon heard another sound and turned to see a boat coming to shore. A Man stepped ashore and immediately the deranged man stepped forward to Him. The man threw himself at the other Man’s feet and Leon heard him say, “What is to me and to You, Jesus, son of the Most High God? I adjure You by God not to torment me.”
Then the Man he had called Jesus said, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!”
The man at His feet jerked and trembled. Then the Jesus asked, “What is your name?”
The man on the ground answered in a voice that sounded inhuman, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” Then the man on the ground began to plead with Jesus pointing to a herd of about two thousand pigs , “Send us into the pigs, that we may enter into them.”
Jesus gave his permission for the demons to enter into the swine and Leon saw the demons leave the man on the ground and enter the herd of pigs. The Leon watched as the pigs began to run frenziedly toward the sea where they all drown.
The man on the ground suddenly sat up and gazed upon Jesus face, as the pig herders ran toward the city shouting at what they had seen.
People from the city curious at what the pig herders were shouting about ran to see the man who had been possessed sitting at Jesus feet.
They stared in awe at the once deranged man and looked at Jesus. Leon could see their fear as he heard them begin begging Jesus to leave their land.
Leon shook his head as he heard their begging and shouted a denial. “Why would you send Him away? Look what He has done!! He cast all those demons out of that poor man!!!” Leon was incensed.
Jesus turned and got back into the boat and the man He had freed from the torment of the demons begged to go with him.
“ Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and has had mercy on you.” Jesus told the man.
So the man turned and ran shouting what Jesus had done for him.
Leon heard someone speaking and slowly opened his eyes. He looked around the bed and saw Maddie, Shade, Becca, Zoe, Trevor, Matt, Nathan around his bed. He felt someone holding his hand and turned to see Kristen, eyes closed, her face wet with tears as she prayed aloud for him.
Leon struggled to keep his eyes open but sleep overtook him again before he could say anything, but he did notice that he was no longer afraid.
Leon squinted his eyes against the sudden light and blinked rapidly.
He heard a noise and looked to see a man. The man was cut and stumbling about. He had a deranged look about him and Leon stepped back in fear as the mans glazed eyes drifted over his direction.
Leon heard another sound and turned to see a boat coming to shore. A Man stepped ashore and immediately the deranged man stepped forward to Him. The man threw himself at the other Man’s feet and Leon heard him say, “What is to me and to You, Jesus, son of the Most High God? I adjure You by God not to torment me.”
Then the Man he had called Jesus said, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!”
The man at His feet jerked and trembled. Then the Jesus asked, “What is your name?”
The man on the ground answered in a voice that sounded inhuman, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” Then the man on the ground began to plead with Jesus pointing to a herd of about two thousand pigs , “Send us into the pigs, that we may enter into them.”
Jesus gave his permission for the demons to enter into the swine and Leon saw the demons leave the man on the ground and enter the herd of pigs. The Leon watched as the pigs began to run frenziedly toward the sea where they all drown.
The man on the ground suddenly sat up and gazed upon Jesus face, as the pig herders ran toward the city shouting at what they had seen.
People from the city curious at what the pig herders were shouting about ran to see the man who had been possessed sitting at Jesus feet.
They stared in awe at the once deranged man and looked at Jesus. Leon could see their fear as he heard them begin begging Jesus to leave their land.
Leon shook his head as he heard their begging and shouted a denial. “Why would you send Him away? Look what He has done!! He cast all those demons out of that poor man!!!” Leon was incensed.
Jesus turned and got back into the boat and the man He had freed from the torment of the demons begged to go with him.
“ Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and has had mercy on you.” Jesus told the man.
So the man turned and ran shouting what Jesus had done for him.
Leon heard someone speaking and slowly opened his eyes. He looked around the bed and saw Maddie, Shade, Becca, Zoe, Trevor, Matt, Nathan around his bed. He felt someone holding his hand and turned to see Kristen, eyes closed, her face wet with tears as she prayed aloud for him.
Leon struggled to keep his eyes open but sleep overtook him again before he could say anything, but he did notice that he was no longer afraid.
- Zags
________________________________________________________________
Babylon, Iraq
“So do you think he’ll live?” the nurse asked the doctor.
“I don’t know. The combination of the heart attack and the snake venom may be too much.” The doctor shrugged and replaced the chart.
Both the nurse and the doctor left the room.
Earl was running through the caves. He kept running headlong into walls and the ground moved under his feet. He could sense something running alongside him, but in the darkness couldn’t see who or what was keeping pace with him.
He could hear the sound of his breathing as it rushed in and out of his chest, and with each breath it felt as if he were inhaling fire.
He would kill for just one small sip of water to ease the dryness in his mouth. With every step he took he felt as if he may sink into the slithering bodies that were constantly shifting under his feet.
He could hear moans and shrieks as he ran, his feet constantly being grabbed at by hands. He thought he saw a small shaft of light up ahead and began to run toward it. He didn’t know where it would lead and actually he didn’t care. He just wanted out of the oppressive cave.
As he ran toward the light he thought he heard a voice. “I have something I want to show you.” The voice said.
Earl continued to run toward the light, his heart pounding now with anxiety and fear. The closer he got to the light the more the fear grew.
The light began to dim as Earls steps slowed. The slower he ran the dimmer the light became.
Earl was filled with indecision. The light was soothing, but terrifying at the same time.
He wanted to be surrounded with the light, but run from it as well.
Somewhere in his mind he knew the light would force him to face things he would rather not.
He heard a shout of joy as whatever had been keeping pace with him suddenly shot forward toward the light.
Earls steps slowed even more as the light grew. It looked as if hands were reaching for the man who Earl could now see. The man sprinted for all his worth to the hand shaped light and as he dove into them Earl stopped.
He could swear he saw scars on those hands as they gently caught the man and pulled him from the darkness.
Earl stopped as the hands reappeared. “Come to Me. I have something I want to show you.” The voice coaxed gently.
Earl began to back away from the hands. He shook his head in denial. “No!” he shouted at the hands and to the voice.
The light began to fade. “Please. Come to Me.” the voice pleaded.
“No! I don’t need You!” Earl shouted.
The light faded until it was a tiny speck in the distance. Earl tried to wet his lips, but his mouth was so dry it had no affect on his parched, cracked lips. He was so thirsty.
“He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes on Me shall never thirst.” the voice whispered.
Earl shouted his denial and shook his fist at the quickly fading light. “No! No! No! Do you hear me?! I don’t want You, I don’t need You! I hate You!”
The light disappeared and Earl was left in complete darkness. He felt rough hands grab him and shove him. He struggled against the hands but found himself shoved against a wall. He heard something grunt and then he was falling.
“So do you think he’ll live?” the nurse asked the doctor.
“I don’t know. The combination of the heart attack and the snake venom may be too much.” The doctor shrugged and replaced the chart.
Both the nurse and the doctor left the room.
Earl was running through the caves. He kept running headlong into walls and the ground moved under his feet. He could sense something running alongside him, but in the darkness couldn’t see who or what was keeping pace with him.
He could hear the sound of his breathing as it rushed in and out of his chest, and with each breath it felt as if he were inhaling fire.
He would kill for just one small sip of water to ease the dryness in his mouth. With every step he took he felt as if he may sink into the slithering bodies that were constantly shifting under his feet.
He could hear moans and shrieks as he ran, his feet constantly being grabbed at by hands. He thought he saw a small shaft of light up ahead and began to run toward it. He didn’t know where it would lead and actually he didn’t care. He just wanted out of the oppressive cave.
As he ran toward the light he thought he heard a voice. “I have something I want to show you.” The voice said.
Earl continued to run toward the light, his heart pounding now with anxiety and fear. The closer he got to the light the more the fear grew.
The light began to dim as Earls steps slowed. The slower he ran the dimmer the light became.
Earl was filled with indecision. The light was soothing, but terrifying at the same time.
He wanted to be surrounded with the light, but run from it as well.
Somewhere in his mind he knew the light would force him to face things he would rather not.
He heard a shout of joy as whatever had been keeping pace with him suddenly shot forward toward the light.
Earls steps slowed even more as the light grew. It looked as if hands were reaching for the man who Earl could now see. The man sprinted for all his worth to the hand shaped light and as he dove into them Earl stopped.
He could swear he saw scars on those hands as they gently caught the man and pulled him from the darkness.
Earl stopped as the hands reappeared. “Come to Me. I have something I want to show you.” The voice coaxed gently.
Earl began to back away from the hands. He shook his head in denial. “No!” he shouted at the hands and to the voice.
The light began to fade. “Please. Come to Me.” the voice pleaded.
“No! I don’t need You!” Earl shouted.
The light faded until it was a tiny speck in the distance. Earl tried to wet his lips, but his mouth was so dry it had no affect on his parched, cracked lips. He was so thirsty.
“He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes on Me shall never thirst.” the voice whispered.
Earl shouted his denial and shook his fist at the quickly fading light. “No! No! No! Do you hear me?! I don’t want You, I don’t need You! I hate You!”
The light disappeared and Earl was left in complete darkness. He felt rough hands grab him and shove him. He struggled against the hands but found himself shoved against a wall. He heard something grunt and then he was falling.
- Zags
_________________________________________________________________
Greenville, Maine
Ryan, Raul, Mo and Skunk all looked at Ryan’s uncles house. The place had definitely seen better days.
“Are you sure you wanna do this Ryan?” Mo asked quietly as he watched the house.
“Yes. My uncle deserves to hear the Gospel.” Ryan nodded as he reached for the door handle.
“We’re coming in with you.” Skunk said as he opened his door.
When all the men had gotten out of the SUV, they approached the door of the house and Ryan knocked briskly.
No one answered so Ryan knocked louder.
“Guess nobody’s home.” Raul said.
Then they heard a crash from inside followed by loud cursing.
Ryan was reaching to knock again when the door swung open and Ryan stopped himself from knocking on his uncles face.
“Who? What?” Ryan’s uncle looked at them through bleary eyes. Blinking rapidly Ryan saw the moment his uncle recognized him.
“Why you little thief!!” His uncle lashed out with a closed fist and caught Ryan on the chin. Ryan fell back.
“Hey!!” Mo jumped and reached for the drunk man.
Ryan’s uncle struggled as Mo caught the man in a bear hug. “That little brat stole my money!!!”
“No I didn’t!” Ryan said from the ground. “Grandpa left it to me and Renee.”
“Only because you turned him against me!”
“Stop right now.” Mo said squeezing the man.
Finally the man realized that he wasn’t going to get away from Mo. He went still, “Ok. I’m sorry. You can let me go now.”
Mo let the man go and stepped back.
“So what do you want?”
“I wanted to talk to you.” Ryan said.
“About what?” Ryan’s uncle eyed him with distrust.
“Can we go inside?” Ryan asked.
Ryan’s uncle eyed the men with Ryan. “You can come in, but not them.”
“I don’t think so.” Mo said quietly. “We all go in.”
“If you think I’m gonna let a ..” Ryan’s uncle stopped when he saw Skunk and Raul both step closer. “I don’t want your kind in my house.” he finished defiantly.
“My kind?” Mo said cocking a brow. “You mean a black man? What about him?” Mo pointed to Skunk. “He’s half black. Would you be adverse to letting a half black man into your house? Or what about him?” he asked giving a nod to Raul. “You got a problem with him?”
Ryan’s uncle just glared defiantly.
Mo sighed.
“I’m sorry.” Ryan said looking at Mo. “I didn’t know he’s a racist.”
Mo shrugged. “It’s his problem, not yours. Besides once you talk to him he might change his mind.”
Ryan’s uncle was watching the men closely and realized that they were unarmed. He looked at the ground and he began to plot. He smiled and looked up.
“Fine! Come on in.”
Ryan stepped into the house behind his uncle and followed him into the living room. He heard Skunk behind him muttering about how this was a bad idea and Mo shushing him.
Ryan sat pushed several pizza boxes off the couch and sat down. He looked to see Mo, Skunk and Raul looking around the room.
“I need a drink.” Ryan’s uncle announced. “You want one?” He issued the invitation to Ryan only.
“No thanks.” Ryan said.
“Your choice. I’ll be right back.”
“This is a bad idea. Something doesn’t feel right here.” Skunk whispered to Raul.
Raul nudged him. “Stop being paranoid.”
Skunk looked at Mo.
Mo just shook his head. “You just don’t like the guy. Let Ryan talk to him.”
Skunk didn’t like it, but nodded his agreement.
Suddenly a shot rang out and blood blossomed over Raul’s chest. He fell to the floor a look of shock on his face.
Mo heard another shot and then another . He looked down to see if he’d been hit and put his hand to his stomach. When he pulled his hand away he saw the blood. Then the pain kicked in and he fell to his knees.
“Now where’s my money you little thief?” Ryan’s uncle shouted pointing a gun at Ryan.
Mo tried to get up, but his legs gave way. He crawled over to Raul and feeling for a pulse couldn’t find one. He could hear Ryan’s uncle shouting about wanting his money as he searched for Skunk. He saw him folded over on the floor at Ryan’s uncles feet.
“I gave it away!!” Ryan shouted. He was trying to reach Skunk on the floor as tears rolled down his face.
“You gave it away? You gave it away? To who?” Ryan’s uncle looked dumbfounded and enraged.
Ryan shook his head.
Ramming the gun against Ryan’s temple he screamed. “You had no right to that money! You and that sister of yours turned my own father against me. You think I didn’t see it?”
Mo could feel his skin getting clammy and he knew he was going into shock. He fell face first onto the floor panting.
“Jesus loves you Uncle Blake. He died for your sins and rose three days later defeating Hell, Sin and Death for you!” Ryan said desperately.
“Shut up with the sermon! Can you get the money back?” His uncle shouted.
“No! It’s not money you need, it’s Jesus.” Ryan tried again.
“I told you to shut up!!! I want my money!!! Give me my money!!!”
“I can’t! I don’t have it. All I have to offer you is the message of salvation.” Ryan said suddenly calm.
Mo looked up in time to see Blake pull the trigger. Ryan fell back onto the couch obviously dead. Mo let out a groan and saw Blake turn to him. He raised the gun only to have Skunk wrench it from his hand. Skunk landed a punch to his face knocking him out.
Ryan, Raul, Mo and Skunk all looked at Ryan’s uncles house. The place had definitely seen better days.
“Are you sure you wanna do this Ryan?” Mo asked quietly as he watched the house.
“Yes. My uncle deserves to hear the Gospel.” Ryan nodded as he reached for the door handle.
“We’re coming in with you.” Skunk said as he opened his door.
When all the men had gotten out of the SUV, they approached the door of the house and Ryan knocked briskly.
No one answered so Ryan knocked louder.
“Guess nobody’s home.” Raul said.
Then they heard a crash from inside followed by loud cursing.
Ryan was reaching to knock again when the door swung open and Ryan stopped himself from knocking on his uncles face.
“Who? What?” Ryan’s uncle looked at them through bleary eyes. Blinking rapidly Ryan saw the moment his uncle recognized him.
“Why you little thief!!” His uncle lashed out with a closed fist and caught Ryan on the chin. Ryan fell back.
“Hey!!” Mo jumped and reached for the drunk man.
Ryan’s uncle struggled as Mo caught the man in a bear hug. “That little brat stole my money!!!”
“No I didn’t!” Ryan said from the ground. “Grandpa left it to me and Renee.”
“Only because you turned him against me!”
“Stop right now.” Mo said squeezing the man.
Finally the man realized that he wasn’t going to get away from Mo. He went still, “Ok. I’m sorry. You can let me go now.”
Mo let the man go and stepped back.
“So what do you want?”
“I wanted to talk to you.” Ryan said.
“About what?” Ryan’s uncle eyed him with distrust.
“Can we go inside?” Ryan asked.
Ryan’s uncle eyed the men with Ryan. “You can come in, but not them.”
“I don’t think so.” Mo said quietly. “We all go in.”
“If you think I’m gonna let a ..” Ryan’s uncle stopped when he saw Skunk and Raul both step closer. “I don’t want your kind in my house.” he finished defiantly.
“My kind?” Mo said cocking a brow. “You mean a black man? What about him?” Mo pointed to Skunk. “He’s half black. Would you be adverse to letting a half black man into your house? Or what about him?” he asked giving a nod to Raul. “You got a problem with him?”
Ryan’s uncle just glared defiantly.
Mo sighed.
“I’m sorry.” Ryan said looking at Mo. “I didn’t know he’s a racist.”
Mo shrugged. “It’s his problem, not yours. Besides once you talk to him he might change his mind.”
Ryan’s uncle was watching the men closely and realized that they were unarmed. He looked at the ground and he began to plot. He smiled and looked up.
“Fine! Come on in.”
Ryan stepped into the house behind his uncle and followed him into the living room. He heard Skunk behind him muttering about how this was a bad idea and Mo shushing him.
Ryan sat pushed several pizza boxes off the couch and sat down. He looked to see Mo, Skunk and Raul looking around the room.
“I need a drink.” Ryan’s uncle announced. “You want one?” He issued the invitation to Ryan only.
“No thanks.” Ryan said.
“Your choice. I’ll be right back.”
“This is a bad idea. Something doesn’t feel right here.” Skunk whispered to Raul.
Raul nudged him. “Stop being paranoid.”
Skunk looked at Mo.
Mo just shook his head. “You just don’t like the guy. Let Ryan talk to him.”
Skunk didn’t like it, but nodded his agreement.
Suddenly a shot rang out and blood blossomed over Raul’s chest. He fell to the floor a look of shock on his face.
Mo heard another shot and then another . He looked down to see if he’d been hit and put his hand to his stomach. When he pulled his hand away he saw the blood. Then the pain kicked in and he fell to his knees.
“Now where’s my money you little thief?” Ryan’s uncle shouted pointing a gun at Ryan.
Mo tried to get up, but his legs gave way. He crawled over to Raul and feeling for a pulse couldn’t find one. He could hear Ryan’s uncle shouting about wanting his money as he searched for Skunk. He saw him folded over on the floor at Ryan’s uncles feet.
“I gave it away!!” Ryan shouted. He was trying to reach Skunk on the floor as tears rolled down his face.
“You gave it away? You gave it away? To who?” Ryan’s uncle looked dumbfounded and enraged.
Ryan shook his head.
Ramming the gun against Ryan’s temple he screamed. “You had no right to that money! You and that sister of yours turned my own father against me. You think I didn’t see it?”
Mo could feel his skin getting clammy and he knew he was going into shock. He fell face first onto the floor panting.
“Jesus loves you Uncle Blake. He died for your sins and rose three days later defeating Hell, Sin and Death for you!” Ryan said desperately.
“Shut up with the sermon! Can you get the money back?” His uncle shouted.
“No! It’s not money you need, it’s Jesus.” Ryan tried again.
“I told you to shut up!!! I want my money!!! Give me my money!!!”
“I can’t! I don’t have it. All I have to offer you is the message of salvation.” Ryan said suddenly calm.
Mo looked up in time to see Blake pull the trigger. Ryan fell back onto the couch obviously dead. Mo let out a groan and saw Blake turn to him. He raised the gun only to have Skunk wrench it from his hand. Skunk landed a punch to his face knocking him out.
- Zags
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