by Mark Goodwin
The Global Republic reporter briefly paused from covering the tsunami to talk about the blood and fire which had rained down across the Americas. “No official statement has been issued by the GR as to what may have been the cause of the atmospheric anomalies which resulted in the thick red liquid coming from the sky, followed by fire falling like rain. However, scientists are certain that the red rain, which many citizens described as blood, was caused by a buildup of air pollutants over many decades. Likewise, the fire is also thought to be from those same pollutants catching ablaze. Nevertheless, they have yet to identify what could have caused the spontaneous combustion of the pollutants in the air.
“The GR Department of Health and Human Services has issued a ban on drinking water from lakes, stream, and rivers. The effects of the crimson-colored pollutants on humans and animals are unknown at this time. Health administrators are urging citizens to avoid all contact with the polluted water and drink only stored water or water that is coming from a deep underground source such as a well, aquifer, or spring. No estimate has been given as to when we can expect the phenomenon to dissipate.”
Everett and the others continued to listen to the news updates on the approaching tsunami for the remainder of the day. Besides eating, playing cards, and sleeping, there was little else to pass the time.
Everett awoke the next morning and quickly made his way to the opening of the cave. As he headed toward the exit, he directed his flashlight toward the roof of the cave. “No smoke. Maybe the fire has burned out,” he whispered softly to himself.
When he reached the cave entrance, he found Elijah sitting outside on a rock, reading his Bible in the morning light. “Good morning, Elijah.”
The prophet glanced up only for a moment. “Good morning.”
Everett surveyed the surrounding mountains. The landscape was black and charred. Smoke wafted up from the ruins of the forest. Very few of the burned-out trees had limbs. None had leaves. Most were little more than charcoal stumps. The blood was gone. So was everything else. The earth itself had served as an altar upon which God had provided his own blood sacrifice for a burnt offering. The inhabitants of the earth had rejected the atoning sacrifice of the blood shed by the Messiah, so in its stead, God had laid creation upon a consuming fire.
Elijah looked up from his Bible. “A third part of the trees and all of the grass were taken in this judgment. The Atlantic has turned to blood. All the creatures of the forest have been taken as well as all living things in the Atlantic.”
Everett listened to the old man. Chills ran up his spine as he looked upon the destruction. The world had been laid waste, and there were still years to go before the end would come. Everett looked up at the sky. It was gray with smoke. Bits of white ash fell like snow from above.
Elijah stood. “Let’s get the others. We should see what is left.”
Everett nodded. “Judging from what I’m seeing, I don’t have very high expectations.”
Elijah led the way back into the cave. “Yes, but you never know what small mercy the Almighty may have granted us. The least little thing could be a tremendous blessing in such a world as this.”
Everett and Elijah reached the cathedral.
Courtney was rolling up her sleeping bag. “Is the fire burned out?”
“Yeah.” Everett sighed.
Kevin and Sarah were still in their sleeping bags but they were awake.
“What does it look like out there?” Sarah asked.
Everett shook his head. “Another planet. I don’t know. More like the ancient ruins of something that used to be a planet. The sky is gray, the earth is black, and there’s nothing but smoke and ash swirling around in between.”
Courtney sighed. “I don’t even want to see it.”
Everett looked at Kevin. “Elijah wants us to go check out the damage.”
“That sounds futile.” Kevin sat up.
Everett said, “You’re probably right. You and Sarah can stay here with the animals and keep watch if you don’t want to go. Somebody has to stand guard over the cave anyway.”
Kevin stroked his beard. “Sure you guys will be okay?”
“I’m sure. I can’t imagine any threats would have survived that catastrophe,” Everett said.
“Take rifles anyway. And be safe. There’s probably a lot of smoldering trees and limbs that could come tumbling down with no warning,” Kevin replied.
“Thanks.” Everett grabbed his HK and waved as he, Courtney, and Elijah headed toward the exit.
Courtney immediately tied a handkerchief around her face to filter the residual smoke when she came out of the cave. “It’s awful.”
Everett nodded and followed Elijah down the hill toward the creek.
As they made their way down the incline, Elijah pointed toward the stream. “The water is still tainted, but it appears to be clearer than it was Sunday night.”
Everett looked down at the brook. The water was muddied with ash and soot. It had a deep red tint. “So you think it will clear up?”
“Perhaps.” Elijah continued along the path toward the trucks.
Courtney pointed ahead. “There’s a burned-out tree trunk laying across Kevin’s truck.”
Everett picked up the pace so he could get a better view of Elijah’s truck. He couldn’t see any apparent damage, other than the cracked glass and dents from the hail. He was the first to arrive at the vehicle. Burnt twigs and small limbs which had been swept downstream by the creek were lodged against the bottom of the truck and were damming up the flow. Everett walked out into the water and began clearing away some of the debris so the water could move past. Ash and soot covered the vehicle. He wiped the window off with his hand and looked inside. “No fire damage inside the cab.”
Elijah waded out to the truck and got inside. The engine cranked right up. The old man rolled down the window and looked out to Everett. “It still runs.”
Everett examined the banks of the creek. Elijah’s truck was blocked by Kevin’s, which wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Most of the brush that had blocked the banks before had burned away, but the banks were too steep to drive out of. “We’ll have to dig out that bank and form a ramp.”
Courtney stood at the water’s edge. “I’ll run back to the cave and get a couple of shovels.”
“Be safe!” Elijah cut the engine.
Everett and Elijah cleaned the glass of the old truck with an old rag and water from the creek while they waited for Courtney to return.
Once she was back, the three of them took turns working on the bank of the creek so the truck could pull out of the water. The project was completed after about an hour and Everett guided Elijah as he drove up out of the brook.
“Get in. Let’s see if there is anything left of our homes.” Elijah waved for Courtney and Everett to get inside the vehicle.
The two of them laid the shovels in the bed of the truck. They climbed in the cab, and the three of them headed over the mountain to the location of their former homes. Elijah drove slowly, being careful of the rough roads caused by the Great Quake. As they pulled around the curve near his cabin, the old man sighed. “Dear, dear. There’s my chimney.”
Courtney was sitting in the middle. She put her hand on Elijah’s arm. “I’m so sorry, Elijah.”
“Yes, well, this world is not our home.” The tone of his voice betrayed his attempt to stay positive.
“Look.” Everett pointed. “Your old potbelly stove is still there.”
Courtney’s voice was excited. “Your barn! It’s still standing!”
Elijah pulled into his drive and drove up to the small barn. It was darkened by smoke and soot, but it was still standing, indeed. Elijah got out and raced to the doors. The sound of goats bleating rang out from inside. Elijah opened the doors. Several chickens and the remainder of his goats came out. “Look at the lot of you.” The old man laughed. His jolly disposition soon faded. “No matter. They haven’t anything to eat. Perhaps it would have been more merciful ha
d they not survived.”
Everett furrowed his brow. He scanned the scenes of destruction all around. “Elijah. Nothing survived the fire. Every tree, every bush, all the animals of the forest, they’re all gone. Don’t you think these animals being alive is a miracle?”
Elijah inspected the goats, one at a time. “Perhaps.”
Everett asked, “Then don’t you think God could provide something for them to eat?”
Courtney chimed in. “Yeah, would he save the chickens and the goats, just to let them starve to death?”
“We shall see.” Elijah seemed to be discouraged by the entire situation. “Let’s drive down the mountain and see what has become of your home.”
As they were getting back in the truck Elijah said, “You know, sometimes faith is being able to accept the tribulation of this world. If you expect God to be your genie in the bottle, you’ll be sorely disappointed.”
“But you were on the mountain with Jesus.” Everett looked out the window at the forsaken moonscape. “I guess I expected you to be more . . .”
“Optimistic?” Elijah slowed down to cross a deep crevice in the roadway. “Let me ask you something. What is the first thing you remember from your childhood?”
Even coming from Elijah, Everett thought this line of questioning to be rather curious. “Hmm. I remember a birthday cake. I was really young. My parents were still together. I must have been three, maybe four.”
Elijah asked, “What was the icing on the cake? What kind of cake was it? How many candles did it have?”
Everett shook his head. “I don’t know. It’s a very vague memory.”
“Okay then. Now you know the clarity of my memories from the other side of the veil. I am a man, just like you. Yes, God speaks to me. Very directly at times. But at other times, he is silent. Don’t assume I have a crystal ball. And as for the prophets, many have suffered greatly. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. So, am I optimistic? Yes, for my eternal reward, indeed, I am. But for this world, pardon me if I am somewhat apprehensive from time to time.”
Courtney winked. “You’ve always had a little trouble with that, though. Right?”
“What do you mean by that?” Elijah asked.
“In the Bible, after you killed the prophets of Baal. Jezebel threatened you. You got a little apprehensive,” she said.
Elijah scowled. “Do not think it such an honor to have your mistakes recorded in the one book preordained to withstand the winds of eternity.”
Courtney put her hand over her mouth. “Elijah, no! I didn’t mean to insult you. I’m so sorry.”
“You are forgiven. Let us speak no more of it.” His face still held a surly expression.
Everett’s heart sank as they pulled into the drive where his cabin had been. “It’s gone.” He opened the door and walked by the burned-out shells of the Camaro and the BMW. Both were sitting on the ground as the tires had been completely incinerated.
“Smoke and ash.” Courtney followed Everett out of the truck. “There’s nothing left.”
Everett groaned.
Elijah came and put his hand on his shoulder. “Sometimes faith is being able to accept the tribulation of this world.”
Everett stood staring at the ash heap where the cabin had been. His home had been destroyed as a child, by divorce. Then, he’d moved on and made his own home, at his apartment in Ashburn. That home had been destroyed by the collapse. He’d moved on again. He’d married Courtney. Over the past three years, they’d made a home out of the cabin. And once again, his home was gone.
Courtney buried her head in his shoulder to cry. He held her tight. Everett turned to Elijah. “But what about the curses of Egypt?”
“What about them?” Elijah asked.
“God separated Goshen from Egypt. The plagues that devastated Egypt had no effect on the Israelites living in Goshen, just a few miles away. Couldn’t God spare us from all this calamity that he’s pouring out on the earth?”
Elijah looked at both of them with compassion. “He has already made his separation between Goshen and Egypt. His children were caught up in the disappearances. You were given a second chance. Your souls have been spared from eternal judgment. You must be grateful for that. But for this time of tribulation, you will have to endure. I am sorry.”
Everett kicked a smoldering piece of wood near where the cabin had stood. He looked across the ashes to see if he could recognize anything. The chimney still stood, and the safe was lying face down. Nothing else looked the least bit familiar. “I guess we should get back. We can’t salvage anything.”
When they returned to the cave, Kevin and Sarah were setting up the solar panels, near the mouth of the cave and positioning the battery bank, charge controller, and inverter just inside.
Kevin looked Everett in the eyes. “Nothing left, huh?”
“Elijah’s barn. The goats and chickens survived,” Everett looked at the folding ladder which was standing alone on top of the hill above the cave entrance. “What’s going on with that?”
Kevin pointed to the antenna sitting atop the highest rung of the ladder. “I’ve got the radio set up.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m going to try to make contact with Tommy at 11:00.”
Everett nodded. He had little expectation of them still being alive, much less having communications capabilities. “It’s worth a try I guess.”
Sarah handed a wire to Kevin. “Anytime the panels are out charging, someone has to be on the lookout for choppers. A reflective surface up against the charred landscape will be visible from miles away, given the angle. The same goes for the ladder and antenna. Of course, we’ll only have that out when we’re trying to communicate.”
Everett nodded. “It would be good to have some camouflage that we could throw over top of the solar panels in case we had to hide them in a hurry.”
“We’ve got some extra sheets.” Courtney crossed her arms. “But I don’t know what colors we have to choose from.”
Everett helped Kevin get one of the panels positioned toward the sun. “Good idea. Any color would be better than shiny silver.”
Elijah pulled his pocket watch out. “It is five minutes before 11:00. Perhaps we should begin trying to reach your friends.”
“Okay.” Everett went inside the cave to find the radio. The area where Kevin set the components up had less than three feet of overhead clearance. The team didn’t have enough cord and cable to run the radio all the way back to the cathedral.
Kevin followed him in and reclined into a comfortable position near the radio and switched on the unit.
Everett pressed the mic button.
Courtney and Sarah gathered around to listen. “This is Undertow calling Mountain Saint.”
Everett looked at his watch. “We’ll give them a couple minutes then I’ll try again.”
At 11:00 AM on the nose, Everett repeated his call. “This is Undertow calling Mountain Saint. Come in Mountain Saint.”
“This is Mountain Saint. Go ahead Undertow.”
Everett was surprised to hear Stewart’s voice. “I’m glad to hear you’re still alive.”
“We were prepared for the blood and fire. Preacher warned us what would happen.”
“And what about our friends? Did everyone make it?”
“We’re all accounted for. A couple of the folks had some smoke inhalation issues, but most of that seems to be clearing itself up. Hold on, someone wants to talk to you.”
Tommy’s distinctly low voice came over the radio. “I must say, I didn’t know if I’d ever hear from you boys again. But I’m glad you’re still alive. Did you all make it?”
Everett replied, “We’re all still here. I guess it’s safe to say the dance is canceled.”
“No, sir. We’re getting everything ready as we speak.”
“Oh?” Everett was sure the GR compound in Winchester was taken out by the fire. He wasn’t sure how to ask for further clarification without giving up the code.
Tommy continued. “I reckon the fellas over at the dance hall must have had some idea about what was comin’. The dance hall sure ain't what it used to be, but it’s still standing. We all feel obliged to go over there and give them a hand if you know what I mean.
Everett knew precisely what he meant. By give them a hand, Tommy meant to finish them off while they were still struggling to get organized. “Yeah. I do.”
“And you understand the wisdom of helping them out right away. They’re in a mess over yonder. They sure could use some good ol’ mountain TLC about now.”
“So the Dance is still on schedule?” Everett asked.
“If we could help them out getting the dance hall ready the day before it would be even better. Y’all get on over here that mornin’ early. I’ll have Lloyd pick you up about 8:00 AM. Be rested up and make sure you bring your clothes for the dance.”
Everett kept his finger off the mic button. He looked to Kevin, Courtney, and Sarah. “The original plan was for Thursday. If he is going to attack a day early, that means tomorrow. Can we be ready to roll out?”
Courtney looked at Sarah. “We’ll have to cancel our luncheon.”
Sarah laughed. “Stop it.”
Kevin nodded. “Tell him we’ll be there.”
Everett keyed the mic. “We’re looking forward to it.”
“Alrighty. I’ll see ya then.” Tommy shut his radio off as evidenced by a short burst of static on Everett’s end.
CHAPTER 5
And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
Daniel 11:32-33
