“Don’t go,” Omer said. “I’m going to hook you up with your friends.”
Judd and the others stayed outside Pavel’s room as the doctors gave instructions to Mr. Rudja. Judd wanted to run for a doctor or get some medicine. All he could do was wait.
A few minutes later, Pavel’s father walked slowly out of the room.
“Is he . . . ?” Judd said, but he couldn’t finish the sentence.
“The doctors have him stabilized,” Mr. Rudja said, “but he’s unconscious.”
Nada put a hand to her mouth. “Oh no!”
“He may come out of it,” Mr. Rudja said, “or he could slip into a coma. They’re sending a helicopter to take him to the hospital.”
Judd felt guilty for not spending more time with Pavel. He had been so concerned about Nada and finding out about her brother that he hadn’t been there for Pavel.
Mr. Rudja put a hand on Judd’s shoulder. “Would you mind staying with him while I prepare for the transport?”
“Sure,” Judd said.
The man paused. “You coming here has been a great gift to Pavel.”
“I could have done more,” Judd said.
Mr. Rudja shook his head. “You may still have a chance.”
Late at night Mark watched for news coming from the Global Community about Johnson City, Tennessee. No news is good news, he thought. Several times Mark had written Vicki but there was no answer. He tried contacting Pete in the truck but got a recorded message.
Charlie joined Mark and the two scanned the latest news stories. Mark was amazed at how much Charlie had changed since understanding the message and becoming a true believer. He seemed more confident.
A bulletin from the East Coast GC headquarters in Baltimore popped up on the screen. A picture of Chris Traickin accompanied the flash. Underneath the photo was the word Escaped.
“Former Senator Chris Traickin, arrested for subversive activities with a group of religious rebels near Baltimore, attacked two Global Community Peacekeepers and escaped early today in a specially equipped GC van. The suspect is considered armed and dangerous.
“Officials say Traickin overpowered two Peacekeepers who were transporting him to a different holding facility.
“Anyone who sees Traickin is urged to avoid confrontation and phone Global Community officials immediately,” the report said.
“Wow,” Charlie said, “that’s great!”
Mark frowned. “It’s not right.”
“What do you mean?” Charlie said. “He got away from the GC! That’s good, isn’t it?”
Mark turned to Charlie. “Think about it. He got loose this morning and they’re reporting it now?”
“Maybe they just found out.”
“If he’d really overpowered two Peacekeepers and stolen a van, it would have been all over the news as soon as it happened. Doesn’t make sense.”
“You think they let him loose? Why would they do that?”
Mark shook his head.
“Isn’t there a chance that you’re wrong?” Charlie said. “Maybe this guy is a true believer—”
“The whole Traickin thing stinks,” Mark said. He turned back to the keyboard and quickly typed an e-mail. “Maybe Carl can find out what’s going on.”
Charlie sat back. He scrunched his eyebrows.
“What?” Mark said.
“I feel like we need to pray for Vicki.”
While Omer worked on the computer, Vicki asked his mother to step into the next room. “I know this isn’t really any of my business, but I think Omer just needs to be left alone for a while.”
The woman turned. “How could you possibly know what’s best for my boy?”
“He talked to us about what happened to him after the Rapture,” Vicki said. “I think he’s coming around to the truth.”
“If he would have realized the truth sooner, he wouldn’t have been stung by those locusts,” the woman whispered.
“I know,” Vicki said, “but if you keep after him, you’re going to drive him away. I think deep down he knows what you’re saying is true, but he has to accept it for himself. I’m afraid he’s going to hide again.”
“Where?” the woman said.
“I promised I wouldn’t say,” Vicki said.
The woman looked away. “I’ve heard him out there in the middle of the night. He must live like an animal.” She turned to Vicki. “Do you know the story of that guy in the Old Testament who went crazy and lived out in the wild?”
Vicki shrugged. “Don’t think I’ve read that one yet.”
“He had a really long name. He wouldn’t give God the credit he deserved, so God made him eat grass like a cow. He went crazy and I think that’s what’s happening now. God’s trying to get my son’s attention one more time. I just don’t want him to miss it.”
Vicki nodded. “He knows the truth. It’s up to him.”
The woman nodded and went back to the kitchen. Omer didn’t look up from his work. His mother put a plate near the keyboard and leaned close. “You’re welcome to stay here anytime you like. I’m praying for you, and I still love you.”
With that, she kissed her son on the forehead and went back to her room. Omer didn’t turn around until she had closed the door. He glanced at Vicki. “She does make a pretty mean ham sandwich. Just wish I felt hungry enough to enjoy it.”
Vicki smiled. “Any progress?”
Omer took a bite of the sandwich. “Get some sleep. If I figure it out, I’ll wake you.”
Vicki thanked him and headed down the hall.
“And, Vicki,” Omer said, “thanks.”
Judd sat by Pavel’s bed as Sam and Lionel helped get things ready for the helicopter flight. Judd picked up Pavel’s lifeless hand and squeezed it. He hung his head and prayed silently for the boy.
God, I don’t know why you would allow something like this to happen. I guess there are some things I’ll never understand until I get to heaven. You must have some kind of purpose for putting Pavel through this. I pray you’d help the doctors figure out what to do. Help his dad . . .
Judd finished his prayer and turned to the computer. In Pavel’s e-mail were scores of messages from people around the world who had written about the gospel. As Judd read further, it became clear. Pavel had led many people to the truth about God. Pavel had hardly any strength, but what he had he used for God.
Someone moved behind Judd. It was Pavel.
“Thought you could read my mail while I was out of it, huh?” Pavel said weakly.
“Let me get your father,” Judd said. “The helicopter will be here soon.”
“Wait,” Pavel said. “I want to talk.”
Pavel closed his eyes and motioned Judd closer. He spoke just above a whisper. “I dreamed last night that I saw my mother in heaven.” The boy smiled. “We ran together and laughed.” Pavel’s eyes filled with tears. “Remember when I said God was going to heal me?”
Judd nodded.
“It’s true. He’s going to give me the ultimate healing. He’s going to take me home.”
“You’re going to be okay,” Judd said. “Just rest.”
Pavel leaned forward. “The message from Dan. The sayings from the Bible.”
“You heard us talking about that?”
“Sure, I heard everything. I just couldn’t respond.”
“What do you think it means?” Judd said.
“I think Dan was trying to tell you something more. Find out where Dan lives. Go there.”
“That would almost be suicide, wouldn’t it?”
“Perhaps,” Pavel said, “but there is a reason Dan spoke in a riddle. Ask. Look. Knock.”
Judd nodded. He noticed Mr. Rudja in the next room and called for him.
“There’s one more thing,” Pavel said. “God is going to heal me soon.”
“Yeah,” Judd said.
Pavel smiled as his father hugged him and whispered something to the boy. Judd slipped out of the room and left them alone. The helicopter
came a few minutes later and carried him away.
Vicki and the others were ready to leave the next morning, but Omer was still working on the computer. His mother sipped coffee at the kitchen table.
“I thought I had it a few minutes ago,” Omer said.
Vicki put a hand on his shoulder. “We’re headed home. We’ll get in touch with our friends on the way.”
Omer looked up and winced in pain. “Once I get it in my head to fix something, I can’t hardly stop.”
Vicki typed a message to Mark and the others back at the schoolhouse. “If you do get through, send this to them.”
Omer promised and walked them outside. He showed Pete a shortcut to the gas station through a wooded area.
Omer turned to Vicki. “I’ve been thinking about all the stuff you told me about God.”
“You mean the stuff I tried to tell you,” Vicki said, smiling.
“Yeah. Well, maybe when I feel better I’ll give it another shot.”
“I hope you will,” Vicki said, “but don’t wait.”
Omer nodded. “I’ll keep trying to hook up with your friends.”
Vicki looked back as they walked into the woods. Omer stood on the front porch, waving.
22
AT THE schoolhouse, Mark continued his work on the kids’ Web site, theunderground-online.com. More and more young people wrote each day with questions and messages of encouragement. Mark took Tsion Ben-Judah’s latest e-mails and helped kids understand them. Even adults who had written said they had been helped by the site.
Vicki hadn’t checked in, but Mark hoped she was okay. He was excited to find a message from Tom and Luke Gowin in South Carolina. They thanked Vicki and the others for their teaching.
We all feel like we’re better able to stay out of the GC’s way and spread the message, Tom wrote.
Another message caught his eye. Mr. Stein wrote the kids from Africa. God is doing wonderful things here. I can’t wait to see you all in person so I can explain. As soon as I can travel to Israel or back home, I’ll let you know.
While he was reading, an urgent message came from Carl Meninger in Florida. Mark hooked up the videoconferencing feature and seconds later saw Carl. He was in his room at the GC compound in Florida. Carl looked tired.
“Everything okay?” Mark said.
“I worked all night and you’re not going to believe what I found out,” Carl said.
Carl explained that two GC Peacekeepers were stung by locusts in Tennessee. “The guys could hardly talk, but they said a red-haired girl and a big truck driver were responsible.”
“Vicki and Pete!” Mark said.
“All the believers got away,” Carl said.
“Are the Peacekeepers still looking for them?”
“I talked with one guy involved in Tennessee this morning. He said they’re waiting for some kind of secret operation, but he doesn’t know what it is. He told me they’re going to get these people just like they did in Baltimore.”
“I read about that,” Mark said.
“Here’s the weird part. You know that former senator you asked me about?”
“Traickin?” Mark said.
“Right. Well, it turns out the guy’s a fake. Somehow he got hooked up with a group of believers and he got them arrested.”
“How could he fake his mark and escape the locusts?”
“You got me,” Carl said. “And one more thing—”
“Let me guess,” Mark interrupted. “The story about him escaping is fake too.”
“Right. And if there’s one impostor working for the GC, there have to be others.”
“Which means we have to warn people about the possibility of moles like Traickin,” Mark said.
“Put it on your Web site and do everything you can to get the word out,” Carl said. “As time goes on and the effect of the locust stings wear off, the GC will arrest anyone who sides with Dr. Ben-Judah.”
“Which means you being inside the GC is even more important,” Mark said, “and even more dangerous. Any other believers down there?”
“Haven’t seen any,” Carl said. “One day they’ll ask me to bow down to Carpathia’s picture or some statue and I’ll have to get out. But for now, think of me as your eyes and ears inside the belly of the beast.”
Vicki followed Pete and Shelly as they hiked through the woods. Conrad was last in line. He told Vicki what he had learned about the Tennessee believers.
“I’d say about nine out of ten people I talked with had gone to church before the disappearances,” Conrad said. “Some of them were even regular attenders.”
“Why didn’t they believe?” Vicki said.
Conrad shrugged. “I guess you have to do more than just show up. God offers a gift, but you still have to receive it.”
Conrad asked Vicki about Omer. Vicki explained how they had met and what had kept him from believing. “Some people are stubborn. Others have pet sins they don’t want to give up. But I think a lot of people have never seen anyone have a real relationship with God.”
Pete stopped at the top of a knoll and asked the kids to be quiet. He pointed to a red truck hitched to a trailer. “That has all our supplies from Florida. I’m going to see if Roger will let us leave it here to feed the believers in Johnson City.”
“You think the GC is still around?” Conrad said.
Pete nodded. “One of the kids rode to the bowling alley and said there’s at least one van still there.”
“I wish we could get our motorcycle back,” Vicki said.
“If that’s the biggest sacrifice we make, I’ll be happy,” Pete said.
Shelly said, “Why do you think they held back? They could have sent out search parties and questioned people.”
“Roger said they stopped by his place a couple of times,” Pete said. “But you’re right; it doesn’t make sense.”
Pete led them to a back entrance of the gas station. As usual, only a handful of people were in the diner. Pete found Roger and discussed the food shipment. Roger said they would organize a group to come during the night and transfer the food to the cave and a few nearby houses.
“You’re fueled up and ready to go,” Roger said.
Vicki hugged the man and thanked him. “I hope we get back here again.”
“Me too,” Roger said. “You guys saved us. And everyone’s said good things about your teaching. We can’t thank you enough.”
Roger handed Vicki a paper bag. “You’ll find some goodies for your trip in the sack. God bless you.”
Pete told the kids to stay inside while he unhooked the trailer. He pulled it close to the trail that led to the cave and parked.
As Vicki and the others said one last good-bye, Pete hurried inside. His face was pale.
“What is it?” Conrad said.
Pete pointed toward the highway. Exiting the ramp and heading straight for the gas station was a white GC van.
Judd urged Nada to phone her parents and explain what they had discovered about Kasim. Her mother and father were still upset with her but glad to hear the news.
Judd arranged to take Nada back to Kweesa’s apartment but didn’t tell her about Pavel’s hunch. He didn’t want to upset her.
Judd knew Lionel and Sam were not only upset about Pavel’s condition, but also restless. Lionel had thrown out hints about going back to Illinois.
Judd and Nada made it through the tight security and anti-locust gauntlet at the apartment complex. Kweesa met them by the elevators and shook Judd’s hand.
Kweesa was tall with long, braided hair. She spoke with a heavy African accent and wore her Global Community uniform. She took them to her apartment and asked about the meeting with Dan Nieters.
Nada told her about the prison. “It was actually pretty disappointing. Dan started ranting and raving about God and they took him away.”
Kweesa shook her head. “I’ve heard those people can act crazy. After all Nicolae Carpathia has done, to say he is anything but God is insani
ty, right?”
Judd bit his lip. “When the GC found out about Dan, did they go through his apartment?”
Kweesa nodded. “I think they searched it.”
“Anything turn up?” Judd said.
“Not that I heard,” Kweesa said. “Why?”
“Just a hunch,” Judd said. “I figure a guy like that probably wouldn’t work alone. Is his apartment still empty?”
“I’m not sure,” Kweesa said. She went into another room to find a directory of GC personnel.
“What are you doing?” Nada whispered.
“Just covering the bases,” Judd said. “I want to make sure we don’t miss any clues.”
Kweesa returned, flipping through the directory. “Here it is. He lived in this building, only three floors below me.”
Vicki froze. They were so close to leaving and now this.
“Let’s get out of here,” Conrad said.
Pete shook his head. “They’ll nab us for sure. Better play it cool.”
The kids split up and sat in different booths in the diner. Pete hid in the office and let Roger answer the GC’s questions. Instead of refueling, the van parked so it blocked the front door.
This doesn’t look good, Vicki thought.
Locusts swarmed around the van. A man in white protective gear got out of the driver’s side and carefully stepped inside the station.
Vicki sat at the last booth, her back to the door. The man squeezed through the door without letting any locusts in.
“What can I do for you?” Roger said from behind the counter.
The man spoke through a speaker inside the helmet. “Are there any GC Peacekeepers here?”
“Looks like you’re the only one, pal,” Roger said. “You and whoever’s in that van out front.”
“I’m alone,” the man said. “I’m looking for somebody.”
“Okay,” Roger said. “Can’t say I know everybody around here. Who are you looking for?”
“Followers of Tsion Ben-Judah,” the Peacekeeper said. “I’m looking for believers in Jesus Christ.”
Judd said good-bye to Nada and Kweesa and took the stairs three floors down. Dan’s apartment was at the end of a hallway. He approached carefully, trying not to make noise.
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