South of Colorado Springs
Trevor drove silently as he thought about Becca’s decision to stay in Colorado Springs.
“I can’t go back right now Trevor.“ Becca had said. “I know it’s selfish but the memories of Ryan are hard enough here…” the young girl had trailed off tears filling her eyes.
So against his better judgment Trevor had agreed to let Becca stay with Dr. Rourke.
“Take care of her and let us know how she’s doing.” Trevor had told the Dr.
“I will. She just needs time Trevor.” Edgar had said as he shook hands.
“Well time isn’t exactly on our side these days.” Trevor had said grimly.
“It was her decision.” Zoe said from the backseat bringing Trevor back to the present.
“I know.” Trevor mumbled. “I just have a bad feeling about leaving her there.”
Zoe sank back in her seat.
Matt reached over and turned on the radio “Maybe in a couple of months she‘ll wanna come home.” He pushed the knob trying to find a station that didn‘t set his teeth on edge. “I can‘t believe how much things have changed since Argryos took over the world. Music is disgusting to say the least and talk radio just sings his praises all day long.” With a frustrated sigh Matt shut the radio off.
“What’s that?” Zoe asked pointing at a trail of smoke zooming across the sky.
“I don’t know.” Trevor said his gut tightening. “It looks like a missile.”
Matt and Zoe both turned in their seats and watched the object as it sped over them towards Colorado Springs.
“Oh my…” Zoe screamed as she saw fire and smoke shoot up in the air.
The concussion from the blast caused Trevor to loose control of the SUV and it flipped over on the freeway.
Trevor drove silently as he thought about Becca’s decision to stay in Colorado Springs.
“I can’t go back right now Trevor.“ Becca had said. “I know it’s selfish but the memories of Ryan are hard enough here…” the young girl had trailed off tears filling her eyes.
So against his better judgment Trevor had agreed to let Becca stay with Dr. Rourke.
“Take care of her and let us know how she’s doing.” Trevor had told the Dr.
“I will. She just needs time Trevor.” Edgar had said as he shook hands.
“Well time isn’t exactly on our side these days.” Trevor had said grimly.
“It was her decision.” Zoe said from the backseat bringing Trevor back to the present.
“I know.” Trevor mumbled. “I just have a bad feeling about leaving her there.”
Zoe sank back in her seat.
Matt reached over and turned on the radio “Maybe in a couple of months she‘ll wanna come home.” He pushed the knob trying to find a station that didn‘t set his teeth on edge. “I can‘t believe how much things have changed since Argryos took over the world. Music is disgusting to say the least and talk radio just sings his praises all day long.” With a frustrated sigh Matt shut the radio off.
“What’s that?” Zoe asked pointing at a trail of smoke zooming across the sky.
“I don’t know.” Trevor said his gut tightening. “It looks like a missile.”
Matt and Zoe both turned in their seats and watched the object as it sped over them towards Colorado Springs.
“Oh my…” Zoe screamed as she saw fire and smoke shoot up in the air.
The concussion from the blast caused Trevor to loose control of the SUV and it flipped over on the freeway.
- Zags
________________________________________________________
Boise City, Oklahoma
Frank hung up the phone and headed to the dormitory.
“Gentlemen. I just received a call from Babylon. This center is to be ready for occupants in no less than one month.”
Looks of horror went around the room as the men realized the implications of Franks words.
“I don’t need to remind you that the Global Family is not aware that this facility is going to be a haven for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.” Frank said. “So when we do begin receiving ‘visitors‘”, Frank grinned mischievously then quickly sobered, “You will need to be very careful. The GF may become suspicious and send in spies.”
“No problem boss.” Lance Smith said. “We’ll screen each ‘visitor’ carefully.”
“Argryos is up to something. Jerome said the man is positively ecstatic about something.” Frank continued.” I’m thinking he’s about to start a war.”
“Isn’t that the second seal? World war followed by famine, skyrocketing food prices and then death?” one of the men asked.
Frank nodded. “Yes. Corporal Smith. Man the computer and see if you can get any information on what’s going on.”
“Yes sir.” Smith nodded and left.
Frank began asking the men how the work on the escape tunnel was going when his cell phone rang. Looking at the caller ID he saw it was Tansy.
“Hi honey.” He said answering.
“The second seal has been broken. Bombs have been hitting all over the world!!!” Tansy screamed.
Lance came sprinting into the room, “It’s started!!”
All the men looked at Franks pale face.
“Let’s pray for those people who are dying.” All the men bowed their heads.
“Father, Your will is being done, Your Word is coming to pass. I ask that Your mercy would be on Your children and that many would come to the saving knowledge of Jesus.” Frank choked up. “Thank You for the promise that if we are taken during this dark time that we will forever be with You. Let Your will be done Father. Let Your will be done. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”
Frank hung up the phone and headed to the dormitory.
“Gentlemen. I just received a call from Babylon. This center is to be ready for occupants in no less than one month.”
Looks of horror went around the room as the men realized the implications of Franks words.
“I don’t need to remind you that the Global Family is not aware that this facility is going to be a haven for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.” Frank said. “So when we do begin receiving ‘visitors‘”, Frank grinned mischievously then quickly sobered, “You will need to be very careful. The GF may become suspicious and send in spies.”
“No problem boss.” Lance Smith said. “We’ll screen each ‘visitor’ carefully.”
“Argryos is up to something. Jerome said the man is positively ecstatic about something.” Frank continued.” I’m thinking he’s about to start a war.”
“Isn’t that the second seal? World war followed by famine, skyrocketing food prices and then death?” one of the men asked.
Frank nodded. “Yes. Corporal Smith. Man the computer and see if you can get any information on what’s going on.”
“Yes sir.” Smith nodded and left.
Frank began asking the men how the work on the escape tunnel was going when his cell phone rang. Looking at the caller ID he saw it was Tansy.
“Hi honey.” He said answering.
“The second seal has been broken. Bombs have been hitting all over the world!!!” Tansy screamed.
Lance came sprinting into the room, “It’s started!!”
All the men looked at Franks pale face.
“Let’s pray for those people who are dying.” All the men bowed their heads.
“Father, Your will is being done, Your Word is coming to pass. I ask that Your mercy would be on Your children and that many would come to the saving knowledge of Jesus.” Frank choked up. “Thank You for the promise that if we are taken during this dark time that we will forever be with You. Let Your will be done Father. Let Your will be done. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”
- Zags
_________________________________________________________
Black Mesa, Oklahoma
Renee turned the volume up on her computer to better hear the two witnesses. Leon shifted forward in his seat so he could see and hear better.
“I wish Nathan would turn the TV down.” Leon muttered.
Since accepting Christ, Leon was fascinated with the two witnesses. Tears flowed freely down his face every time he sat at the computer and watched the two men via the internet. It was the only way people could see what was happening, and what was happening was many people were accepting Christ.
“Look at all those people!” Leon smiled. “So many souls being saved!” Leon eyes filled up yet again “Thank you Father! Praise your Holy name!” Leon continued to give praise as the two witnesses turned to the camera.
“And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
The two men thundered the words.
Leon blinked and looked at Renee.
“What was that all about?” he asked.
Renee shrugged and reached to turn up the volume on the computer all the way.
“Nathan! Turn the TV down.” She turned as she heard the TV volume go up.
“I…. What?..I don’t believe it! Lord have mercy!!” Nathan shouted.
“What?” Maddie asked as she looked up from the stove.
Shade turned toward the TV and began to watch.
“Nathan!” Renee shouted again. “Turn that down!!”
“Get in here! You need to see this!” Nathan shouted back.
Suddenly the TV and the internet both went down.
“What’s going on?” Leon asked.
“From what I just saw, the second seal has been broken.” Nathan said his face pale.
“The second seal?” Leon asked. He reached for a bible. “What happens with the second seal?”
“War.” Shade said grimly. “I’m thinking the third and fourth seals will be broken in quick succession as well.”
Leon found the passage about the second seal and read.
Rev 6:3 And when He had opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, Come and see.
Rev 6:4 And another, a red horse, went out. And power was given to him sitting on it, to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another. And there was given to him a great sword.
Rev 6:5 And when He had opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, Come and see. And I looked, and lo, a black horse. And he sitting on it had a balance in his hand.
Rev 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures say, A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenixes of barley for a denarius. And do not hurt the oil and the wine.
Rev 6:7 And when He had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, Come and see.
Rev 6:8 And I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him sitting on it was Death, and Hell followed with him. And authority was given to them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with the sword and with hunger and with death and by the beasts of the earth.
Kristen came into the room. “What’s going on?” she let out a big yawn. “I could hear you guys yelling all the way in my room.”
“The second seal has been broken.” Maddie said.
- Zags
_______________________________________________________
Babylon, Iraq
Brett was scrambling. The Pontentate was headed to the airport to fly back to New York and he wanted answers.
Brett fumed as he thought about those two men in Jerusalem.
“They should be dead!” Brett muttered as he waited on the phone for someone to tell him what had happened with the ship.
“We don’t know sir. They were ready to launch and the ship just exploded. We need time to investigate.” The man on the other end of the phone line stuttered.
“I want answers in 24 hours, no less. Do you understand me?” Brett growled.
“Yes sir.”
Brett slammed down the phone, picked it right back up and called the Pontentate.
“I have men investigating what happened to the ship in the Mediterranean. They will have answeres in 24 hours.” Brett stopped talking for a moment as Jerome stepped into his office.
“Mr. Reed? I have the information that the Pontentate wanted about the two men in Jerusalem.”
Brett snatched the papers from Jerome and after quickly scanning the page continued.
“The statement the two men in Jerusalem made is from the bible. From what our people have discovered, the two men are supernaturally protected for a time. From what this report says, the can’t be killed until then.”
Brett flinched and held the phone away from his ear.
“I want them dead Brett! Supernaturally protected!! Hire someone to sneak up behind them and slit their throats. Or hire a sniper to take them out. Throw grenades at them, fire a rocket launcher at them. I don’t care. Let’s test this theory that they are “supernaturally protected.” Argryos shouted.
“Yes, Pontentate. I’ll get right on it.”
Brett hung up the phone and turned toward Jerome. “Find every assassin you can. The Pontentate is going to prove to the world that those two men are frauds.”
Jerome left Brett’s office and returned to his own. With a smile he picked up the phone and began placing calls to find the best assassins in the world.
He almost laughed out loud thinking about how the Pontentate would react when each and everyone of the hit men would fail.
“They won’t die until the 1260 days are up, and even then the Lord will raise them up three days later.” Jerome muttered. “The look on Argryos’ face should be priceless.”
Brett was scrambling. The Pontentate was headed to the airport to fly back to New York and he wanted answers.
Brett fumed as he thought about those two men in Jerusalem.
“They should be dead!” Brett muttered as he waited on the phone for someone to tell him what had happened with the ship.
“We don’t know sir. They were ready to launch and the ship just exploded. We need time to investigate.” The man on the other end of the phone line stuttered.
“I want answers in 24 hours, no less. Do you understand me?” Brett growled.
“Yes sir.”
Brett slammed down the phone, picked it right back up and called the Pontentate.
“I have men investigating what happened to the ship in the Mediterranean. They will have answeres in 24 hours.” Brett stopped talking for a moment as Jerome stepped into his office.
“Mr. Reed? I have the information that the Pontentate wanted about the two men in Jerusalem.”
Brett snatched the papers from Jerome and after quickly scanning the page continued.
“The statement the two men in Jerusalem made is from the bible. From what our people have discovered, the two men are supernaturally protected for a time. From what this report says, the can’t be killed until then.”
Brett flinched and held the phone away from his ear.
“I want them dead Brett! Supernaturally protected!! Hire someone to sneak up behind them and slit their throats. Or hire a sniper to take them out. Throw grenades at them, fire a rocket launcher at them. I don’t care. Let’s test this theory that they are “supernaturally protected.” Argryos shouted.
“Yes, Pontentate. I’ll get right on it.”
Brett hung up the phone and turned toward Jerome. “Find every assassin you can. The Pontentate is going to prove to the world that those two men are frauds.”
Jerome left Brett’s office and returned to his own. With a smile he picked up the phone and began placing calls to find the best assassins in the world.
He almost laughed out loud thinking about how the Pontentate would react when each and everyone of the hit men would fail.
“They won’t die until the 1260 days are up, and even then the Lord will raise them up three days later.” Jerome muttered. “The look on Argryos’ face should be priceless.”
- Zags
_________________________________________________________
The office was eerily quiet as Alexis forwarded her reports to Andrew. Mark had received an urgent message and rushed out of the office with a quick, “See ya later, girl.” What was happening? A bomb has hit Colorado Springs flashed across her screen. She closed her eyes and prayed, “Lord, bless those souls that turned to You and now are with You for all eternity. Trouble has come to all of us with a vengeance and we pray for Your guidance. We praise Your Holy Name and ask for forgiveness in all things. Amen.”
Andrew burst into the room with a sense of urgency she had never seen from him.
“Alexis, send a message to Sam that we will be at the airstrip in two hours and have everyone ready to board. No delay. You must get yourself ready to leave this place and as soon as I get the word from Mark, we are outta here forever.”
She immediately sent the message to Sam and turned to Andrew with wide eyes and asked, “What’s happening? Where are we going?”
Andrew reached over and gave her a gentle pat, “We are headed to Israel. I don’t know how long we will be there, but it won’t be our last stop. Argyos has ordered the destruction of all known hideouts of the enemy and that’s US.”
She lowered her head thinking of all the destruction that was soon to come and held her breath, “Sam, I don’t think I’m ready for all that’s going to happen. I just want to go home to be with Jesus. Let’s just hope when our time comes…..it’s swift.”
“Alexis, God is still watching out for us and He will never leave us. We may suffer, but the reward is far greater in the end. The medical chips need to be removed as soon as possible so they can no longer track us. I don’t know if you were given one, but to be in the military it was required so I need to get to the doctor that helped Kerry and Shannon and see if he can remove them,” Andrew said with a huge sigh.
“I had forgotten all about that stupid chip. The Christians had refused them, but I wasn’t a believer at the time the government forced that on the citizens. So many of my parent’s friends recognized the leanings of the President and I refused to believe all the talk and now I see it was just getting us used to being controlled. Of course, we both worked for government agencies and they were mandatory to keep your job. Wow, never thought about them using the chips to locate us. You are right, we have to get them out of our bodies,” Alexis said.
“You might send Sam another message asking him to contact that doctor to remove the chips.”
Alexis fired off another message to Sam and turned to Andrew, “Done. Now we begin another phase in this new world. We must keep the faith and know we have to reach as many for the Lord as possible. If you read the latest reports, more and more have accepted Christ so the government is desperate to silence all of us.”
Mark walked in and looked at Andrew and Alexis then burst out, “We must take Lt. Henson with us. He knows us and has seen what transpired in this room when Jason died. I think he is one of us, but just to be on the safe side we need to take him. I’ve already told him we have a new mission and to be ready to leave in two hours. He is back at his quarters preparing a backpack just as I suggest the two of you do, too.”
Alexis threw back her head and laughed, “I’ve had a bag packed for ages. It’s like awaiting the birth of child, you must be prepared always for an unexpected turn of events. You are so excitable, Mark.”
He smiled back at her, “Well, how was I to know you are always so prepared. I wasn’t as organized, but I managed to get a few things together so as not to delay our trip.”
“Mark, do remember when we were required to have the medical chip injected into our arms? We need to get it removed because that has a tracking device. We are going to disappear and in our positions they might just try to find us,” remarked Andrew.
“Oh, yeah, I remember when that happened. Our illustrious former President’s great idea of more control over the people. I look back at those times and realize just how much the government controlled our lives and see it was only the beginning. I need to get my things together so I will meet you at the plane in an hour,” Mark told them.
Alexis watched Mark as he left the room then turned to Andrew with a look of fear, “Andrew, is this the beginning of the end for us?”
“Alexis, I don’t know God’s plan for us, but I know my plan is to be with Him throughout eternity.”
Andrew burst into the room with a sense of urgency she had never seen from him.
“Alexis, send a message to Sam that we will be at the airstrip in two hours and have everyone ready to board. No delay. You must get yourself ready to leave this place and as soon as I get the word from Mark, we are outta here forever.”
She immediately sent the message to Sam and turned to Andrew with wide eyes and asked, “What’s happening? Where are we going?”
Andrew reached over and gave her a gentle pat, “We are headed to Israel. I don’t know how long we will be there, but it won’t be our last stop. Argyos has ordered the destruction of all known hideouts of the enemy and that’s US.”
She lowered her head thinking of all the destruction that was soon to come and held her breath, “Sam, I don’t think I’m ready for all that’s going to happen. I just want to go home to be with Jesus. Let’s just hope when our time comes…..it’s swift.”
“Alexis, God is still watching out for us and He will never leave us. We may suffer, but the reward is far greater in the end. The medical chips need to be removed as soon as possible so they can no longer track us. I don’t know if you were given one, but to be in the military it was required so I need to get to the doctor that helped Kerry and Shannon and see if he can remove them,” Andrew said with a huge sigh.
“I had forgotten all about that stupid chip. The Christians had refused them, but I wasn’t a believer at the time the government forced that on the citizens. So many of my parent’s friends recognized the leanings of the President and I refused to believe all the talk and now I see it was just getting us used to being controlled. Of course, we both worked for government agencies and they were mandatory to keep your job. Wow, never thought about them using the chips to locate us. You are right, we have to get them out of our bodies,” Alexis said.
“You might send Sam another message asking him to contact that doctor to remove the chips.”
Alexis fired off another message to Sam and turned to Andrew, “Done. Now we begin another phase in this new world. We must keep the faith and know we have to reach as many for the Lord as possible. If you read the latest reports, more and more have accepted Christ so the government is desperate to silence all of us.”
Mark walked in and looked at Andrew and Alexis then burst out, “We must take Lt. Henson with us. He knows us and has seen what transpired in this room when Jason died. I think he is one of us, but just to be on the safe side we need to take him. I’ve already told him we have a new mission and to be ready to leave in two hours. He is back at his quarters preparing a backpack just as I suggest the two of you do, too.”
Alexis threw back her head and laughed, “I’ve had a bag packed for ages. It’s like awaiting the birth of child, you must be prepared always for an unexpected turn of events. You are so excitable, Mark.”
He smiled back at her, “Well, how was I to know you are always so prepared. I wasn’t as organized, but I managed to get a few things together so as not to delay our trip.”
“Mark, do remember when we were required to have the medical chip injected into our arms? We need to get it removed because that has a tracking device. We are going to disappear and in our positions they might just try to find us,” remarked Andrew.
“Oh, yeah, I remember when that happened. Our illustrious former President’s great idea of more control over the people. I look back at those times and realize just how much the government controlled our lives and see it was only the beginning. I need to get my things together so I will meet you at the plane in an hour,” Mark told them.
Alexis watched Mark as he left the room then turned to Andrew with a look of fear, “Andrew, is this the beginning of the end for us?”
“Alexis, I don’t know God’s plan for us, but I know my plan is to be with Him throughout eternity.”
- P4H
__________________________________________________________
South of Colorado Springs
Trevor heard a groan and slowly opened his eyes. With a grimace he began to take inventory of his injuries. With relief he noted that he had no broken bones. He turned his head and saw Matt looking at him with wide eyes.
“What happened?”
“A bomb.” Trevor answered.
Matt finally managed to get his seatbelt undone and turned toward the back seat to check on Zoe.
“Zoe?” Matt pushed himself up in the seat and looked in the floorboard directly behind him.
“Zoe!?” Matt said louder.
Trevor also turned in his seat and looked. He shot Matt a look full of panic. One of the windows on the back of the SUV was busted out.
Matt scrambled into the back seat and looked over the edge to see if Zoe had been thrown to the back of the vehicle.
“She’s not here!!” Matt shouted his breathing accelerating with his level of panic.
Trevor shouldered open his door and began looking down the highway.
Vehicles were strewn about, some in pieces, some on fire and some amazingly intact other than a few dints.
Trevor looked back at the SUV and saw Matt struggling to open his door. “Just climb on back and crawl out the window.” Trevor said as his eyes scanned the ditch for Zoe.
Matt crawled out and with a wince decided he had a sprained ankle.
“You ok?” Trevor asked distractedly.
“Yeah. Just a few cuts and bruises like yourself. Maybe a sprained ankle. Nothing to worry about.” Matt began limping back down the highway.
“ZOE!!” He began shouting, Trevor right behind him.
“How far do you think we rolled?” Matt asked.
“I don’t know. Not too far I don’t think. You check that ditch and side of the highway and I’ll look over here.”
Trevor began weaving his way around cars and stopped to check on people and found a good number of people had died as a result of the blast. With each body he found he sent up a prayer that thet individual had know Christ as their Savior.
Matt climbed up on a bus that was lying on it’s side and looked down in through the windows. “Anybody alive?!” He shouted. He watched all the bodies for any sign of movement and after moment crawled carefully down into the bus.
He checked for pulses and after a few minutes found that no one had survived. He sent up a prayer and crawled back out.
“Anything? Survivors or a sign of Zoe?” He shouted to Trevor.
“No.” Trevor continued to stop at each vehicle and check. He found one man and woman still alive but trapped in their car. It had come to a stop on it’s top and they were handing upside down by their seatbelts.
He got out his pocketknife and cut the straps and both the man and woman exited the vehicle.
“Are you both ok?” Trevor asked.
“Yes.” The woman answered.
“I’m fine.” The man said. “Did you see the bomb?” He asked Trevor.
“Yeah.” Trevor looked toward Colorado Springs. Black smoke covered the horizon.
He thought about Becca and prayed that she had died instantly.
“This is all those Christians fault. I bet they are the ones responsible for this!” The woman fumed.
Trevor carefully kept his face blank.
The man nodded. “Yeah. I heard that they were stockpiling weapons and were planning a world wide attack on the Global Family. I wonder if this is the only place that got hit?”
Trevor grit his teeth. “If you two are ok, I’m going to check if there are any more survivors and look for my friend.”
Trevor turned on his heel and headed toward the next car.
- Zags
________________________________________________________
Black Mesa, Oklahoma
Mo gave a negative shake of his head. “No answer on Trevor’s phone.”
Kristen shook her head. “Nothing on Becca’s either.”
“What about Matt’s?” Leon asked Shade.
“Nothing.”
Maddie looked at Shade, her eyes full of fear.
Shade reached out and caught her hand and pulled her into his lap and wrapped her in his arms.
“No answer on Zoe’s phone either.” Skunk closed his cell phone.
“Where all do you suppose got hit?” Leon asked the question no one really wanted the answer to.
“I don’t know.” Shade said.
“When do you think we’ll get internet and satellite back?” Leon asked another question.
“Renee’s working on it Leon.” Nathan said sharply.
Leon flinched at Nathan’s tone.
“I’m sorry Leon.”
“It’s ok.” But Leon knew it really wasn’t, and it wouldn't be until Jesus came and set everything right.
Mo gave a negative shake of his head. “No answer on Trevor’s phone.”
Kristen shook her head. “Nothing on Becca’s either.”
“What about Matt’s?” Leon asked Shade.
“Nothing.”
Maddie looked at Shade, her eyes full of fear.
Shade reached out and caught her hand and pulled her into his lap and wrapped her in his arms.
“No answer on Zoe’s phone either.” Skunk closed his cell phone.
“Where all do you suppose got hit?” Leon asked the question no one really wanted the answer to.
“I don’t know.” Shade said.
“When do you think we’ll get internet and satellite back?” Leon asked another question.
“Renee’s working on it Leon.” Nathan said sharply.
Leon flinched at Nathan’s tone.
“I’m sorry Leon.”
“It’s ok.” But Leon knew it really wasn’t, and it wouldn't be until Jesus came and set everything right.
- Zags
________________________________________________________
South of Colorado Springs
Matt gritted his teeth. The man and woman that Trevor had rescued had decided to tag along and help them look for Zoe.
“I swear you would be a great post.” The man said.
Every since the man had clapped eyes on Matt he had talked nothing but basketball.
“All you’d have to do is stand there and shoot. How tall did you say you are again?” He asked.
“About 6’8”” Matt ground out. “And like I said. I don’t play basketball.”
“But you could make a killing playing for the Global Family North Americans! Trust me I know. I was a scout for the Denver Nuggets before the Global Family recruited me to find players for the World League. I’d go all over the country to colleges and let me tell you kid, you’d be perfect!”
Matt shot Trevor a ‘Help Me” look.
Trevor pointed, “What’s that over there?”
The two men headed over to a car lying on it’s side about two hundred feet off the shoulder.
“Zoe’s shoe!” Matt said picking it up.
“Zoe!!!” Trevor began shouting.
“Look.” The woman tugged Trevor’s sleeve and pointed.
Next to the car in a tangle of weeds was a body.
One foot was clearly visible and on it was a shoe matching the one Matt held in his hand.
Matt gritted his teeth. The man and woman that Trevor had rescued had decided to tag along and help them look for Zoe.
“I swear you would be a great post.” The man said.
Every since the man had clapped eyes on Matt he had talked nothing but basketball.
“All you’d have to do is stand there and shoot. How tall did you say you are again?” He asked.
“About 6’8”” Matt ground out. “And like I said. I don’t play basketball.”
“But you could make a killing playing for the Global Family North Americans! Trust me I know. I was a scout for the Denver Nuggets before the Global Family recruited me to find players for the World League. I’d go all over the country to colleges and let me tell you kid, you’d be perfect!”
Matt shot Trevor a ‘Help Me” look.
Trevor pointed, “What’s that over there?”
The two men headed over to a car lying on it’s side about two hundred feet off the shoulder.
“Zoe’s shoe!” Matt said picking it up.
“Zoe!!!” Trevor began shouting.
“Look.” The woman tugged Trevor’s sleeve and pointed.
Next to the car in a tangle of weeds was a body.
One foot was clearly visible and on it was a shoe matching the one Matt held in his hand.
- Zags
_________________________________________________________
Boise City, Oklahoma
Travis hurried to the tunnel entrance. He quickly descended the ladder and took off at a sprint. As he passed men, dodging left and right he shouted if anyone had seen Frank.
“Over here.” Frank shouted.
“Frank….” Travis panted. “We’ve got company.”
Frank stiffened. “Who?”
“I don’t know, but they are in GF vehicles. There are four of them.”
“How long til they get to the gate?”
“They’re already there.” Travis gasped. “I told the guard at the gate to stall, but not too long.”
Frank got on the bullhorn and shouted for everyone to get out of the tunnel and head for the yard.
The men quickly filed up the ladder, Frank and Travis being the last two men out. Carefully they closed the trapdoor and Frank took off at a brisk walk ordering over his shoulder, “Make sure it’s undetectable.”
Travis began piling filing boxes and other office supplies on top of the door. After he finished he stepped back and gave it a critical eye. Satisfied he had the door hidden he grabbed a box of copy paper off a shelf and left the storage room.
As soon as he shut the door he was grateful that he had had the presence of mind to grab the box of paper. Filing past him was Frank and several GF officials.
Travis followed them into the outer office and set the box on his desk.
“We need a pot of coffee.” Frank barked at Travis.
“Yes sir.” Travis answered and headed to the break room.
As the coffee brewed Travis could hear the sound of power tools out back of the dormitory building.
Travis gathered cups, sugar, creamer and after the coffee was brewed he set the pot on the tray and headed for Franks office.
“will be out for several days until we get the towers set back up. Until then your orders are to continue work on the Education Center. We would like to do an inspection while we are here to check on the progress and see if there is any way we could speed up the opening. As I’m sure you’re well aware many of the men left in charge of building and overseeing the Centers have grown lazy in the last year so we are here make certain that’s not the case with this one.”
Travis knew that Frank would fill him and all the rest of the crew in on what happened in the meeting so he quietly poured cups of coffee and handed them out.
“I can assure you gentlemen that considering I’m short staffed, the progress is ahead of schedule.” Frank said smugly.
“We’ll see. I’d like to start the inspection as soon as we have something to eat. I assume the mess hall is open?”
“Of course. I believe today we are having steak with all the trimmings.” Frank answered with a sly grin.
“Steak?” One of the men looked surprised. “How in the world did you get your hands on steaks?”
“In case you missed it you’re in the middle of ranch country. There are cows running wild all over the place. When we get low on meat we just send one of the boys out hunting. Not that it’s much of a hunt mind you…” Frank laughed. “I’ve alerted the Global Family Farmers and Ranchers Association about all the cattle and they are gathering them up when they can.”
“Good.” One of the men said.
“Care to sink your teeth into a steak General?” Frank asked.
“Yes I am! It’s been weeks since I’ve had real beef.”
“Travis, call the cook and have him ready to serve lunch in fifteen minutes.”
With a nod Travis left Franks office and headed for the cafeteria.
- Zags
_______________________________________________________
JFK Airport, New York
The tarmac of the runway was covered with ice crystals that had fallen during the terrible ice storm. Lt. Maskovy slipped and slid towards the plane, his bruised leg throbbing with every movement. Only the knowledge that he must save Babylon from complete destruction spurred him onwards. Reaching the American Airforce jet 920, he climbed up steps and tumbled onto the floor of the plane. Stars danced round inside his head and he felt himself whirling towards a black hole from which was no escape. One by one the stars grew fainter and were blotted out as he approached the vortex’s center. He wanted to scream for help but no sound would come to his parched throat.
His convoluted brain tried to make himself stand still. Instead of standing still, he slipped into the end of the dark tunnel. There was no escape. As the Lieutenants eyes slammed shut, the pilot of the plane calmly flicked the off the cabin lights. A warm afternoon sun peeked from under the cloud cover. The pilot banked the plane’s nose sharply to the right towards Washington D.C.
He announced to the tower, “Plane 920, airborne.”
As the Lieutenant lay on the floor of the powerful jet, he remembered the events of this terrible Monday morning. He started on a simple raid to take out the Christian traitors flag, but that ice storm came up and forced an emergency landing. Then when he and his buddies were trying to take shelter, his two friends were slain and he alone spared. After the storm, he had been hauled outside and dumped in ignonimous shame in a small rowboat and now his country and revered leader was in peril. And he had simply been doing his own duty.
The tarmac of the runway was covered with ice crystals that had fallen during the terrible ice storm. Lt. Maskovy slipped and slid towards the plane, his bruised leg throbbing with every movement. Only the knowledge that he must save Babylon from complete destruction spurred him onwards. Reaching the American Airforce jet 920, he climbed up steps and tumbled onto the floor of the plane. Stars danced round inside his head and he felt himself whirling towards a black hole from which was no escape. One by one the stars grew fainter and were blotted out as he approached the vortex’s center. He wanted to scream for help but no sound would come to his parched throat.
His convoluted brain tried to make himself stand still. Instead of standing still, he slipped into the end of the dark tunnel. There was no escape. As the Lieutenants eyes slammed shut, the pilot of the plane calmly flicked the off the cabin lights. A warm afternoon sun peeked from under the cloud cover. The pilot banked the plane’s nose sharply to the right towards Washington D.C.
He announced to the tower, “Plane 920, airborne.”
As the Lieutenant lay on the floor of the powerful jet, he remembered the events of this terrible Monday morning. He started on a simple raid to take out the Christian traitors flag, but that ice storm came up and forced an emergency landing. Then when he and his buddies were trying to take shelter, his two friends were slain and he alone spared. After the storm, he had been hauled outside and dumped in ignonimous shame in a small rowboat and now his country and revered leader was in peril. And he had simply been doing his own duty.
- KBR
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