- Renee
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Keyes, Oklahoma
Shade woke up on the floor in Henry's house. When he had heard the shot last night he had tried to call 911, but the line had been busy. He had gotten up and rushed around getting dressed. Maddie had gotten up as well and rushed into Matt's room. She had woken him up and told him to dressed. Matt had been confused, but done as his mother said. She had told him to turn on the news. He had and stood in front of the tv in shock. The whole world was in chaos. "It happened didn't it." Shade had been on his way out the door when he heard Matt make that statement. He had stopped and walked back into the living room.
Shade woke up on the floor in Henry's house. When he had heard the shot last night he had tried to call 911, but the line had been busy. He had gotten up and rushed around getting dressed. Maddie had gotten up as well and rushed into Matt's room. She had woken him up and told him to dressed. Matt had been confused, but done as his mother said. She had told him to turn on the news. He had and stood in front of the tv in shock. The whole world was in chaos. "It happened didn't it." Shade had been on his way out the door when he heard Matt make that statement. He had stopped and walked back into the living room.
"Yes." Shade had said simply.
Matt had dropped to his knees. "God, I'm so sorry. Please give me another chance. I want to have a relationship with You. Please come into my life. I can't do anything to make myself righteous in Your eyes. Your Son did everything for me, and I'm so grateful. Please forgive me for being stubborn. Please forgive all my sins. I have lied, stolen, cheated, and so much other stuff. Please forgive me for all of it. I ask you this in Jesus name, Amen."
Maddie had dropped to her knees on the floor with her son and gathered him into her arms.
"Maddie. I've gotta get to town and check on Henry. See if you can get hold of anybody. I'm guessing Gabe and Steffi are gone, but try them too." Shade had said.
"Maddie. I've gotta get to town and check on Henry. See if you can get hold of anybody. I'm guessing Gabe and Steffi are gone, but try them too." Shade had said.
Maddie had nodded, and Shade had walked out to his pickup and started to town. When he got to Henry's house he had sat in his pickup for a moment, gathering his thoughts. He knew what he would find, but still prayed. "Lord, please let Henry be ok. Please."
He had gotten out of the pickup, walked up the sidewalk to the door. He tested the knob and found it locked. He had gone back to his pickup and gotten his lock picking kit out of the tool box. After a few minutes, he had managed to pick the lock. He opened the door and immediately saw the body of the farmer on his couch. He was dead. He had shot himself. The gun lay on the couch beside Henry's body. There were empty beer bottles all over the place. Shade had dropped to the floor and been sick repeatedly. He had crawled over to doorway of the kitchen and seen a pile of clothes on the floor. He had crawled over to them and picked up Rose's broken watch. 9:58.
Shade had begun to cry then. Huge sobs shook his body. He must have fallen asleep.
Shade got up and walked past Henry's body and out the door. He got in his pickup and started it and noticed he needed gas. He had planned to fill up at the ranch, but in his hurry to get to town had forgotten.
Shade got up and walked past Henry's body and out the door. He got in his pickup and started it and noticed he needed gas. He had planned to fill up at the ranch, but in his hurry to get to town had forgotten.
He drove to Mikey's gas station. Normally Shade avoided going to Mikey's. He detested the man. Gabe had been investigating the man for child pornography. Last summer one of Steffie's friends had been visiting and caught Mikey looking at little girls on his computer.
Zoe had rushed into the barn where he and Gabe had been working on one of the hay bailers. She had told Gabe everything she had seen. Zoe has been crying she had been so furious. "Gabe, you're a cop. You've got to do something. Arrest him."
Gabe had went straight to the phone and called in Zoe's complaint. He had rushed into the house and changed into his uniform. He had sent a cloud of dust up roaring out of the yard in his patrol car. By the time they had gotten a warrant for Mikey's computer, the hard drive had been erased. The had sent the computer to OBI and were waiting for what they found.
Shade got out of the pickup, filled his tank, and went inside to sign the ticket. He saw Mikey lying on the floor in a pool of blood. He walked over to the man and felt for a pulse. Nothing. The man was dead.
Shade got out of the pickup, filled his tank, and went inside to sign the ticket. He saw Mikey lying on the floor in a pool of blood. He walked over to the man and felt for a pulse. Nothing. The man was dead.
Shade stood up and began to walk out of the station when he heard a noise. He stepped behind the counter and looked around. He caught a glimpse of the computer moniter and let out a growl of rage. He heard the noise again and walked over to the closet door. He tried the knob and found it locked. He pulled his lock picking kit out of his pocket and quickly had the door opened. He stared at the little girl, curled up in a ball. She was rocking back and forth. He could see the chain attached to a hook in the ceiling. His eyes followed the chain and saw that it was attatched to a shackle around the girls ankle. He let out an explitive.
Runt looked up and saw the biggest man she had ever seen. He had to be over seven feet tall. She began to whimper in fear.
"It's ok. I'm not gonna hurt you." Shade said softly. He began looking around for a key to the shackle. Finding nothing, he went over to Mikey's body. He found a set of keys in his pocket and went back to the closet. He knelt down and began trying keys. The child trembled and her eyes were round with fear. Shade got the shackle unlocked and removed it from the girls ankle. He could see scars all over her arms and legs. She was dressed in rags. Shade could feel rage in the pit of his gut. He took a step back and the girl suddenly sprang to life.
"Get away from me you...." and she let go with a string of profanities that would have made a sailor blush. She took off running and slipped on a spot of grease and fell hitting her head, knocking her out.
Shade picked the child up and gently lay her in the backseat of his pickup.
Shade picked the child up and gently lay her in the backseat of his pickup.
"Lord, this poor child needs care. I feel like You sent me here today to find her. Please help her Lord. She has obviously been abused. Help us find a way to help her. In Jesus name, Amen."
Shade got in the pickup and drove out of town headed back to the ranch.
Shade got in the pickup and drove out of town headed back to the ranch.
- Zags
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The anger had finally subsided as he sat on the couch feeling spent. He wasnt angry, he couldnt cry anymore, he just didnt know what to do now. Glancing around the room of his parents home he felt ashamed of letting his anger get the best of him. Going into the kitchen he grabbed the broom and dust pan and returned to livingroom sweeping up all the glass from the broken TV. He felt like a broken man without purpose now that his parents were gone. Putting the broken glass into the trash can in the kitchen and then putting away the broom and dustpan he walked down the hall to his bedroom that his parents always kept for him even though he had moved out 9 years ago. His body ached from the way he had slept and he stretched out across the bed turning his TV on with his remote control. He flipped through channels watching scene after scene of all the events of yesterday. He couldnt believe how much the world had turned upside down in less than24 hours. If it was anything like he had seen last night in Oakland the rest of the world was a war zone. "Oh God, if you're out there, what am I suppose to do now?" The announcer going to a break brought to the screen a live shot of the Oakland Collisium. He had spent some happy times there with his Dad when they had gone to the Raiders games so often. Seemed like so long ago now. An older gentleman stood at the microphone talking. He turned up the volume. "Friends, if the events of the last 24 hours has you wondering whats going on I encourage you to come out to the collisium and join us. We will be offering you a hot meal and a time to fellowship with others in the same situation you find yourself in. Give yourself a chance to catch your breath and refresh yourself. Our doors are open and waiting for you." Richard shut the TV off and sat up thinking. He knew he didnt want to report to the hospital today. His pain had cut his heart to pieces and he hadnt figured out yet how to put his life back together. Maybe he would go to the collisium. What could it hurt. Others were in the same place as he was. Maybe it would help.
- Renee
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Talahassee, Florida
"It's ringing!!" Tori shouted to her brother.
Nathan came running into the room. They had been trying all day to get through.
Tori put the phone on speaker. "Hello."
"Aunt Maddie! It's Tori and Nathan."
"Tori. Nathan. Are you kids alright?" Maddie asked frantically.
"Yes. We're ok." Tori said.
"Are your parents there?" Maddie asked.
"No." Nathan said. "They were flying back from a conference in Miami. Their plane crashed as it was landing." Nathan choked out.
"Oh no!!" Maddie began to cry.
"Aunt Maddie, I'm scared." Tori said. "There are riots and looting all over the city. People are breaking into houses, mugging people. Can we come stay with you?"
"Of course!!" Maddie said. "I'll get you plane reservations immediately!"
"Aunt Maddie, we can't fly. The airport is closed until further notice. No flights in or out. We were thinking about driving. We just wanted to make sure somebody was there first."
"Drive!! That's half way across the country. The highways are a mess. Nathan, you've only had your drivers license for a year and Tori is too young to drive yet."
"I have my learners permit." Tori said.
"But.." Maddie began to protest.
"Aunt Maddie we have to get out of the city ASAP. It's way too crazy." Nathan said. "I'm worried someone will break into our house."
"Maybe I can get Shade to drove out there and pick you up. I hate the idea of you children out in this mess."
"Uncle Shade's still here? What about Matt, Gabe and Steffi?" Tori asked.
"Matt's still here, but Steffi and Gabe went in the rapture."
"The rapture? We've heard people talking on the news about the different theories about the disappearences. You think that's what happened?" Nathan asked.
"Yes. Kids, Jesus came back and called his church home. I know it." Maddie said.
Tori and Nathan looked at each other. "Can we talk about this when we get to the ranch? We need to get packed and will call you from the road. It would take Uncle Shade too long to drive out here. We'll be super careful. We promise." Nathan said decisively.
"Ok." Maddie said reluctantly. She had seen the news. She was worried about the kids either way, but Nathan was a bright boy. If he was that worried about staying in Tallahassee, then it must be bad. "Call every chance you get. I love you both. Be careful, and may the Lords hand of protection be over you both on your journey."
"We love you too Aunt Maddie. And keep praying for us. Bye." Nathan disconnected the call.
"Let's get packed. I want to be away from the city before it gets dark."
Tori nodded and rushed off to her room.
- Zags
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Sarah sat in the nurses lounge eating her salad and drinking her coffee she had bought from the hospital cafeteria. This was her dinner break she took every night at 7pm. She was glad her shift would be over in 4 more hours. She was anxious to get back to her apartment to study Gods word some more. As a new creation in Christ she couldnt get enough. She felt like a sponge soaking in every holy word. The muffled sounds of the TV interupted her thoughts. Turning up the volume she listened as the older gentleman told her about the event going on in the collisium. She thought about all the times she had been there for different events the city always held. She and her roommate had been a few weeks ago to a crafts fair. While thinking about her roommate she felt only a sense of happiness that she was now with Jesus and she would see her again in a few years. The older gentleman continued to urge people to come to the collisium for fellowship during these trying times and she felt the spirit inside her willing her to go. She didnt know how she could though, because she was scheduled for work the next 4 days. Maybe her supervisor would give her some time off. She had a lot of personal time accumulated. "The Lord will work it out." she turned to look to see who else was in the lounge with her, but she was still alone.
- Renee
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"Hey Dad ..FOUND IT" "It's here in her night stand" Dan rushes to take a look..takes raptured wife's bible and flips it open to look at the inside of the cover..May 5, 1943 gave my life to Jesus,(friday night revival service)..May 7, 1943 baptised today in Turnback Creek! scrolling down ...it says in notes section "verses I am clinging too" Acts 16:31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you and your household shall be saved. Tears well up again in Dan's eyes as he flips open the bible ...he begins to notice she had verses underlined...he stops at one that is even hi-lighted
Romans 10:9,10 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved!
Son...right here is where I believe your mother would want us to start...let's get on our knees right here beside her nightstand ...Dan takes off his favorite old John Deere hat and he and his son make their confession of faith. Dan finishes off the prayer "Lord, I know this may be too much to ask but take care of momma will ya"
"What next Dad" "Not sure son...I reckon we need to make our way to town and see if there are other's like us...maybe stop at mom's church whadya reckon?" "sounds good me to dad."
- STA
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Colorado Springs, Colorado
Zoe lay in the hospital bed watching the snow fall out the window. Trevor and Dr. Rourke walked into the room.
"How are you feeling today?" Dr. Rourke asked her.
"Ok, I guess." she answered. "Look, I'm sure this bed could be used for somebody else. If feel alot better and I can see people laying on gurneys out in the hallway. Can I go home?"
Dr Rourke looked at her. "Well lets have a look at you first." He had Trevor check her vitals while he put her through some basic tests. "Follow my finger. Don't move your head, just your eyes." He had her stand up and ran a few more tests. "Well, you seem to be ok, and your vitals are steady. The cat scan showed no damage. I guess if you really want to go home, that would be alright. I'll go get your discharge papers."
Zoe thanked the doctor, and he left the room.
"Look, if you need a ride home, my shift ends in about an hour." Trevor offered.
"Yeah. I guess my car was probably totaled. Thanks." Zoe said.
"Ok. I'll be back at the end of my shift. By that time you should be signed out of here."
"OK."
Trevor left the room. Zoe looked at the tv and shook her head. She had been watching off and on all day. Total chaos. She lay her head back on the pillow. "Jade. You can't be gone. Please." and she began to cry.
- Zags
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On a Ranch in the Panhandle of Oklahoma
Matt and Maddie looked up as Shade walked in the house. He was carrying a small girl in his arms.
"Oh my goodness!" Maddie jumped up.
"I found her at Mikey's gas station." Shade said, gently laying the girl on the sofa.
"Mikey's?" Matt asked.
"Yeah." Shade said running his hand down his face. "I went to get gas after I left Henry's house."
"Henry! Did he.." Maddie trailed off.
Shade nodded.
"Oh man." Matt said.
"Anyway I went to Mikey's and filled up with gas and went in to sign the ticket and found Mikey dead on the floor. He must have slipped in all the grease, hit his head and bled to death."
"I never did like Mikey. I couldn't stand the way he looked at the little girls in town. It made me want to smash his face in." Matt said.
"I was walking out and heard a noise. I stepped behind the counter and Mikey's computer had a message on it about there weren't any little girls available because of the disappearences."
"Oh!!" Maddie looked as if she might faint.
Shade put his arms around his wife. "I heard the noise again, and it was coming from the closet. It was locked so I picked it. When I opened the door, this little girl was in there with a shackle around her ankle chained to the ceiling."
Matt growled. "If he weren't already dead, I'd kill him!" He looked at the girl on the couch, his heart aching.
"I found the key to the shackle in Mikey's pocket and got her loose. She flew at me cussing and took off running. She slipped on the floor and hit her head. Knocked her out cold. I think the Lord wanted me to find her."
"That poor child." Maddie said. she stepped out of her husbands arms. She knelt down by the couch. "How long do you think he had her?"
"I don't know. But I wouldn't be surprised if he had her for years." Shade said.
"Dad, Nathan and Tori were left behind too. They are driving out. This house is too small for all of us. Do you think that Gabe and Steffi would have cared if we moved into the main house. It has more room, and they also have all their bibles and stuff. We need to figure out what happens next."
"Nathan and Tori are driving out? What about Nellie and Jim?"
Maddie told him about the plane crash.
"So the kids are driving out here alone? Lord keep them safe." Shade said.
"I think it would be a good idea to move to the main house. I don't think Gabe and Steffi would have minded. Let's get started packing." Shade said.
Matt and Maddie looked up as Shade walked in the house. He was carrying a small girl in his arms.
"Oh my goodness!" Maddie jumped up.
"I found her at Mikey's gas station." Shade said, gently laying the girl on the sofa.
"Mikey's?" Matt asked.
"Yeah." Shade said running his hand down his face. "I went to get gas after I left Henry's house."
"Henry! Did he.." Maddie trailed off.
Shade nodded.
"Oh man." Matt said.
"Anyway I went to Mikey's and filled up with gas and went in to sign the ticket and found Mikey dead on the floor. He must have slipped in all the grease, hit his head and bled to death."
"I never did like Mikey. I couldn't stand the way he looked at the little girls in town. It made me want to smash his face in." Matt said.
"I was walking out and heard a noise. I stepped behind the counter and Mikey's computer had a message on it about there weren't any little girls available because of the disappearences."
"Oh!!" Maddie looked as if she might faint.
Shade put his arms around his wife. "I heard the noise again, and it was coming from the closet. It was locked so I picked it. When I opened the door, this little girl was in there with a shackle around her ankle chained to the ceiling."
Matt growled. "If he weren't already dead, I'd kill him!" He looked at the girl on the couch, his heart aching.
"I found the key to the shackle in Mikey's pocket and got her loose. She flew at me cussing and took off running. She slipped on the floor and hit her head. Knocked her out cold. I think the Lord wanted me to find her."
"That poor child." Maddie said. she stepped out of her husbands arms. She knelt down by the couch. "How long do you think he had her?"
"I don't know. But I wouldn't be surprised if he had her for years." Shade said.
"Dad, Nathan and Tori were left behind too. They are driving out. This house is too small for all of us. Do you think that Gabe and Steffi would have cared if we moved into the main house. It has more room, and they also have all their bibles and stuff. We need to figure out what happens next."
"Nathan and Tori are driving out? What about Nellie and Jim?"
Maddie told him about the plane crash.
"So the kids are driving out here alone? Lord keep them safe." Shade said.
"I think it would be a good idea to move to the main house. I don't think Gabe and Steffi would have minded. Let's get started packing." Shade said.
- Zags
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As he stepped out of the shower he realized he still didn't feel any less depressed. He slipped into clean trousers and opened his drawer and pulled out a warm pullover his mom had bought him for his last birthday. The logo across the front read "I can only imagine" Just putting it on made him feel closer to his mom like she was right here with him. He looked at himself in the mirror. Much better than when he started. Clean shaven, hair combed, a little splash of after shave and clean clothes. He looked like a new man but he didn't feel it. He took the house keys off the hook in the kitchen and letting himself out the front door he locked it behind him and dropped the keys into his pocket. He didn't even carry his doctor bag today. He didn't feel like healing anybody's wounds today, his were still too fresh. He opened his car door and reached under the seat were the officer had left his keys. Feeling the cold metal in his hands he slipped in behind the wheel and started the engine. The drive to the collisium wasn't as bad as the drive to his parents had been last night. Emergency crews had been about the business of clearing the roads all night. Especially the downtown area where the collisium was located. Other cars were arriving as he found himself a parking space. It had only taken him 20 minutes to get there. Getting out of his car he locked the door. He could hear the sound of music. It was coming from inside the collisium. He heard a chorus of voices singing. It sounded beautiful."What is that song? I know I've heard it before, but when?" he asked himself as he entered the collisium from the south entrance. He had entered the ground level where the food was being dished out. There were hot bowls of steaming hot chili being served up with fresh bottled waters and packs of crackers. It was nearing the dinner hour and he realized he hadn't eaten since last night in his moms kitchen. He was hungry. The lady behind the table handed him a tray with a bowl filled to the top. He thanked her and turned to find a place to sit down. Starring up into all the bleachers he saw many people with their hands lifted up in praise. The music continued as he heard the words for the first time. Jesus..........Jesus...........Jesus........There's just something....about that name..............Master............Savior............Jesus...........
How many times had he heard this song in church growing up with his parents? It brought back so many memories. Why didn't he listen to his mom? A tear slid down his cheek as he found himself a seat, setting his tray down in the seat next to him. The older gentleman that he had seen on TV walked over to him and put out his hand to shake his. "God has plans for you son.I'm glad you heard Him and decided to come."
- Renee
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Announcer: Welcome to the Al and Hal Show:
Al: “Sorry about last night folks, it was a mess around here as it still is. Can anyone tell me what has happen? I heard reports that people all over the world just disappeared into thin air. Millions of them are gone, like someone just grabbed them up and the kids as well.”
Hal: “Yes we talked about it briefly last night before we lost power.”
Al: “I think everyone was talking about it. We had people that works here disappear. So strange”
Hal: “I wonder why they got chosen to go and not you and I.”
Al: “Don’t know but until I know where they went I’m glad we are right here. And that is where we will be folks until all this is sorted out.”
Hal: “Yes we will and we talked about that as well. We are going to get a bus and travel across the great US of A talking to everyone and finding out how everyone feels.”
Al: “That’s right my good buddy. Folks we want to hear for you our fans. How this has hurt you or maybe helped you. So get ready as we start packing we just might drive down your street.”
Hal: “Let’s break for a commercial then go outside and talk to some people.”
Al: “Jimmy, take us outside please.”
Al: “Hey folks we are outside the studio, as you can see there are still cars everywhere just parked here or there.”
Hal: “I heard that planes were falling right out of the sky lat night when it happened. I hope the government finds out who did this and locks them up. You know Al, I am against the death penalty but in cases like these I think maybe I’m wrong.
Al: “I agree with you but let’s find out what the Joe out on the street says.
Hal: “Look here comes a guy now. Excuse me sir, can we talk to you about what happened last night?”
Man: “Man I don’t know anything; I was home last night in bed with my wife.”
Al: “Sir how do you feel about what was happened?”
Man : “Just glad I’m alive and hope whoever took them took my boss because I don’t plan on being at work today.”
Hal: “Oh are you helping with the relief and clean up?”
Man: “$^^# no! I am looking for a TV.”
Al: “Thank you sir and good luck. How about someone else.”
Hal: “Hello miss, has what happen affected you any?”
Lady (Crying) “I can’t find my two boys. I put them down to sleep last night and when all the screaming and yelling started outside, I looked in on them and they were gone.”
Al: “Sorry to hear that, any idea where they went?”
Lady:” No… (Crying more) I tried telling a police officer but he just laughed at me saying I was not the only one and to take a number.”
“Hal: “Well luck is with you today miss, because Al and I are going to start up a fund for a reward to catch whoever took them. You can rest assure that whoever it was will be caught”
The lady just walked away crying while calling out to her boys
We are going to a commercial but when we come back we will try to get the Police Chief on the phone and see what our men and women in blue are doing to bring back your loved ones. In the mean time, remember we will be loading up on a bus and traveling out across America talking to you while collecting money for a reward to find out who did this terrible thing.”
Al: “Sorry about last night folks, it was a mess around here as it still is. Can anyone tell me what has happen? I heard reports that people all over the world just disappeared into thin air. Millions of them are gone, like someone just grabbed them up and the kids as well.”
Hal: “Yes we talked about it briefly last night before we lost power.”
Al: “I think everyone was talking about it. We had people that works here disappear. So strange”
Hal: “I wonder why they got chosen to go and not you and I.”
Al: “Don’t know but until I know where they went I’m glad we are right here. And that is where we will be folks until all this is sorted out.”
Hal: “Yes we will and we talked about that as well. We are going to get a bus and travel across the great US of A talking to everyone and finding out how everyone feels.”
Al: “That’s right my good buddy. Folks we want to hear for you our fans. How this has hurt you or maybe helped you. So get ready as we start packing we just might drive down your street.”
Hal: “Let’s break for a commercial then go outside and talk to some people.”
Al: “Jimmy, take us outside please.”
Al: “Hey folks we are outside the studio, as you can see there are still cars everywhere just parked here or there.”
Hal: “I heard that planes were falling right out of the sky lat night when it happened. I hope the government finds out who did this and locks them up. You know Al, I am against the death penalty but in cases like these I think maybe I’m wrong.
Al: “I agree with you but let’s find out what the Joe out on the street says.
Hal: “Look here comes a guy now. Excuse me sir, can we talk to you about what happened last night?”
Man: “Man I don’t know anything; I was home last night in bed with my wife.”
Al: “Sir how do you feel about what was happened?”
Man : “Just glad I’m alive and hope whoever took them took my boss because I don’t plan on being at work today.”
Hal: “Oh are you helping with the relief and clean up?”
Man: “$^^# no! I am looking for a TV.”
Al: “Thank you sir and good luck. How about someone else.”
Hal: “Hello miss, has what happen affected you any?”
Lady (Crying) “I can’t find my two boys. I put them down to sleep last night and when all the screaming and yelling started outside, I looked in on them and they were gone.”
Al: “Sorry to hear that, any idea where they went?”
Lady:” No… (Crying more) I tried telling a police officer but he just laughed at me saying I was not the only one and to take a number.”
“Hal: “Well luck is with you today miss, because Al and I are going to start up a fund for a reward to catch whoever took them. You can rest assure that whoever it was will be caught”
The lady just walked away crying while calling out to her boys
We are going to a commercial but when we come back we will try to get the Police Chief on the phone and see what our men and women in blue are doing to bring back your loved ones. In the mean time, remember we will be loading up on a bus and traveling out across America talking to you while collecting money for a reward to find out who did this terrible thing.”
- Alex
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Finding that her supervisor had already left for the day, Sarah left a note on her desk telling her she would be off the next day. She rarely used her PTO and hoped she wouldnt get into any trouble but still felt this urge that she needed to go to the collisium in the morning. She stopped by the nurses station on her way home and told the charge nurse about the note. The charge nurse would be getting off at the same time her supervisor would be coming in in the morning. Before she left she said a prayer that she would be safe on the 3 block walk back to her apartment. "Fear Not, For I Am with you." she turned to look. Again no one was there. She listened to the sounds of the night as she hurried on her way. She hadnt thought about walking after dark when she had walked to work in the day light. Sounds that she was not use to hearing on her way home rang out throughout her walk. She heard gunshots a few blocks away and as she got closer to home where all the little shops were she heard glass shattering.
She stood in the shadows and watched a man with an ax destroy the windsheilds of cars that lined the street. She was within eye sight of her building but still held back praying the man would move on so she could get inside. "No weapon formed against you shall prosper." Feeling her courage come back, she stepped out and began to walk to the building. The man didnt even see her as she reached the security of her building.
She stood in the shadows and watched a man with an ax destroy the windsheilds of cars that lined the street. She was within eye sight of her building but still held back praying the man would move on so she could get inside. "No weapon formed against you shall prosper." Feeling her courage come back, she stepped out and began to walk to the building. The man didnt even see her as she reached the security of her building.
- Renee
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Colorado Springs, Colorado
Zoe was waiting when Trevor walked into the room. "Ready?"
"Yes"
They walked down the hall and to the elevator. Treco pushed the button, and the doors opened immediately. They stepped in and Trevor pushed the button for the parking garage. They rode in silence, and the doors slid open. Trevor led her to a dark brown Range Rover. He hit the unlock button and opened the door for her. Zoe got in and began putting on her seatbelt as Trevor shut the door and walked around to the drivers side. He opened the door, got in, put on his seat belt and started the vehicle. He had backed out of his space and pulled out of the garage onto the road. There were cars everywhere. Some wrecked, some pushed off to the side of the road. "Wow." was all Zoe could day.
"Yeah. In the twinkling of an eye, the whole world changed." Trevor said.
"What do you mean?"
"The rapture." Trevor said simply.
"You think that's what happened?" Zoe asked.
"Yeah. My grandma told me about it before she died last year. She begged me to accept Jesus, but I was too busy to need Him. Big mistake."
"I'd forgotten that your grandma raised you. She died last year?"
"Yeah. Went in her sleep." Trevor checked his mirror before making a turn.
"I'm sorry."
"Thanks."
"So how have you been? Last I heard you quit medical school and decided to become a nurse instead."
"Yeah. Surgical nurse. I worked in a nursing home for awhile in college. I saw the way doctors went from resident to resident, never really paying attention to what they were saying. I realized I didn't want to be like that. I liked talking to them, helping them. So I decided to go into nursing instead. It's way more fulfilling. I like interacting with the patients."
"That's nice." Zoe said.
"I heard about your dad losing his job. I saw you one day in the mall, but you were arguing with Jade and I didn't want to interupt. Your staying with your parents now aren't you?"
"Yeah."
Trevor drove the rest of the way in silence. He pulled in front of her parents house. "Look if you need anything, just give me a call." He handed her a piece of paper with his number on it. "It's been really great to see you again. Call me, ok."
"Ok." Zoe said and got out of the car.
Trevor drove away and Zoe walked up to the front door. She unlocked it and walked inside. Closing the door, she called out. "Anybody home?" not really expecting an answer. She walked to the doorway of the living room and saw her mom's robe looking like she had just disappeared right out of it. She saw her bible on the floor. Zoe turned away with tears in her eyes. She walked to her dad's study and saw his sweatsuit sitting in the chair behind the desk. She stepped back away from the doorway. She looked towards the stairs. Tears flowing freely now, she went up the stairs, and walked to the door. She put her hand on the knob and rested her head against the door. Taking a deep breath, she turned the knob and swung the door open. Her heart lept. "JADE!!"
- Zags
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One Day after the Rapture...people haven't slept...the sound of Sirens blare non stop as emergency vehicles race to and fro....suicides, murder, looting, riots, explosions, fires, wrecks happen at a frenzied pace....
Millions have vanished leaving chaos in their wake....World Leaders hurry to convene.
Desperation fills the hearts and minds of people ...a mad rush to stockpile food and supplies has began. Survive at all cost. Fear permeates.... as not since the Days of Noah....has the world seen such travail....all their sure footing has been shaken.....where will they turn? Who has answers? What has happened? What is Happening? what is next?
A husband an wife sit in their living room glued to the TV...they don't care who is America's Idol now....or what the Dow did today..."Where are our children?" "is their cry?"..."please ..someone ...anyone tell us....WHAT IS GOIN ON?"
Millions have vanished leaving chaos in their wake....World Leaders hurry to convene.
Desperation fills the hearts and minds of people ...a mad rush to stockpile food and supplies has began. Survive at all cost. Fear permeates.... as not since the Days of Noah....has the world seen such travail....all their sure footing has been shaken.....where will they turn? Who has answers? What has happened? What is Happening? what is next?
A husband an wife sit in their living room glued to the TV...they don't care who is America's Idol now....or what the Dow did today..."Where are our children?" "is their cry?"..."please ..someone ...anyone tell us....WHAT IS GOIN ON?"
- STA
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Tallahassee, Florida
Nathan and Tori threw the last of their bags in the car. They had debated taking Nathan's Mustang, but had decided to take their Dad's SUV. It was winter and Nathan's Mustang had too much power. It didn't do well on rain slick roads, so it definitely wouldn't do well on snow slick roads. They had called Aunt Maddie, and she had told them they would be moving to the main house, and if they didn't answer to call there.
"Did you get the money out of the safe?" Tori asked Nathan.
"Yeah. You get your computers."
"Yes." Tori was a computer geek. She had two laptops. One for school work, one for games, and internet. "You get yours?"
"Yeah." Nathan hefted the computer case into the backseat. "I grabbed dad and mom's laptops too."
"Ok. I put together some sandwiches and stuff. It's in the cooler in the kitchen. That should be it."
Nathan went into the house to grab the cooler.
Tori was rearranging things in the backseat to make room, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She swung around saying, "Dude! You scared me."
"Hello, pretty girl." The man said. "Takin a road trip? Want some company?" he leered at her.
Tori looked desperately around for a weapon. "Look buddy. Just leave me alone!!"
"What, I'm not your type? You think you're too good for me?"
Nathan grabbed the guy from behind and threw him into the wall. "Keep your slimy hands off my sister!!"
"Well, aren't you the protective brother." the guy sneered.
Nathan spun and kicked the guy in the head with a roundhouse kick, knocking him out.
"You ok?" He asked Tori.
"Yeah." She hugged her brother. "I'm so glad mom and dad insisted you take karate."
"Me too. Get in. We've got a few hours until the curfew."
Tori got in, buckled her seatbelt, and watched Nathan get behind the wheel. "Nathan?"
"Yeah?" he said adjusting the seat, mirrors, and putting on his seatbelt.
"Do you think Aunt Maddie's right? About how Jesus came and took all those people."
"I don't know Tori. I don't know."
Nathan and Tori threw the last of their bags in the car. They had debated taking Nathan's Mustang, but had decided to take their Dad's SUV. It was winter and Nathan's Mustang had too much power. It didn't do well on rain slick roads, so it definitely wouldn't do well on snow slick roads. They had called Aunt Maddie, and she had told them they would be moving to the main house, and if they didn't answer to call there.
"Did you get the money out of the safe?" Tori asked Nathan.
"Yeah. You get your computers."
"Yes." Tori was a computer geek. She had two laptops. One for school work, one for games, and internet. "You get yours?"
"Yeah." Nathan hefted the computer case into the backseat. "I grabbed dad and mom's laptops too."
"Ok. I put together some sandwiches and stuff. It's in the cooler in the kitchen. That should be it."
Nathan went into the house to grab the cooler.
Tori was rearranging things in the backseat to make room, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She swung around saying, "Dude! You scared me."
"Hello, pretty girl." The man said. "Takin a road trip? Want some company?" he leered at her.
Tori looked desperately around for a weapon. "Look buddy. Just leave me alone!!"
"What, I'm not your type? You think you're too good for me?"
Nathan grabbed the guy from behind and threw him into the wall. "Keep your slimy hands off my sister!!"
"Well, aren't you the protective brother." the guy sneered.
Nathan spun and kicked the guy in the head with a roundhouse kick, knocking him out.
"You ok?" He asked Tori.
"Yeah." She hugged her brother. "I'm so glad mom and dad insisted you take karate."
"Me too. Get in. We've got a few hours until the curfew."
Tori got in, buckled her seatbelt, and watched Nathan get behind the wheel. "Nathan?"
"Yeah?" he said adjusting the seat, mirrors, and putting on his seatbelt.
"Do you think Aunt Maddie's right? About how Jesus came and took all those people."
"I don't know Tori. I don't know."
- Zags
__________________________________________________________________________
Sarah opened her front door and slipped inside with a sigh of relief and a grateful heart. "Thank you Lord for your devine protection." she said out loud as she re-locked the deadbolt on the door. It was late and she was tired but she felt a good hot cup of tea and her bible would be just the thing she needed right now. Going into her bedroom she entered the bathroom and ran a hot bath as she slipped out of her uniform.It had been such a busy day. She had been able to relate to each of her patients today. Everyone had lost someone. The sadness had been all around all day. She had told her story to a few as she had listened to theirs. One lady had just cried and cried over the loss of her children but Sarah had been able to convince her she would see them again in a few years because they were with Jesus. She had prayed with the woman and the woman had quickly asked Jesus into her heart. They had both laughed and cried together. The woman had been raising her kids on her own trying to keep up with 2 jobs to cover all her exspenses. Her baby sitter had been a sweet christian grandmother type who had treated her kids as if they were her own, taking them to church and different social events. The kids talked constantly to her about Jesus and she told them how happy she was for them but until today had never taken Jesus into her own heart. The spirit had worked so quickly through Sarah that she was amazed herself. She knew the woman was now completely alone except for Jesus and told her about the event going on downtown at the collisium and encouraged her to go and fellowship with other people. As the water in the bath began to chill she realized she had been re-hashing her whole day and was now covered in goose bumps. She stepped out wrapping a towel around her and letting the heat from the vent warm her feet. It was always so cold in the evenings in Oakland. After slipping into a nice warm flannel nightgown and making her cup of tea she settled down on her bed, her pillows all fluffed up to read more of Gods word. Praying that the words would again be stored in her memory.
- Renee
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