Arrived

by Jerry B. Jenkins

  “One day you will kneel and admit that Jesus—”

  The man punched Westin in the face. Westin slumped over and Judd reached out to help him, but the officer pushed Judd away with his boot. “Cuff them! Anybody so much as breathes, shoot them.”

  Peacekeepers moved behind the group and put plastic zip cuffs on each prisoner. Judd wondered if anyone would put up a fight or try to escape, but everyone seemed to submit to the procedure.

  The lead officer spoke by radio to someone at headquarters. After a head count, he relayed how many they were bringing in and that GCNN cameras should be waiting for them.

  “You think your superiors will be proud of the fact that we were living right here under your noses?” Westin said.

  The man glared at Westin. “I promise you, today I will dance in your blood.”

  The group had all been cuffed except for Judd and Gunther when the lights went out. Literally. Peacekeepers dropped their weapons and reached to rub their eyes as headlights on the GC cars went dark. Flashlights were useless to the officers. Streetlights disappeared. Judd had seen power outages before. Once his parents had been away and the power went out while he was watching a scary movie in the basement. It had taken him several minutes to find his way upstairs, and it had terrified him.

  But this was different. Lights on phones, radios, the dashboards of the squad cars—everything was dark. The incredible thing was, Judd could still see. Everything was a hazy brown, and he could only see about twenty feet, but he could see.

  This must be what a cat sees in the dark, Judd thought.

  Some of the Peacekeepers still had their guns pointed toward the prisoners, but Judd could tell they were disoriented. One tapped his watch and punched a button, trying to see the time, but even the lighted display on his watch had gone dark.

  “This is really weird,” Westin whispered to Judd. “Can you see?”

  “I can, but I don’t think they can.”

  “What’s going on?” a frantic Peacekeeper called out.

  “Everybody hold your position and keep the prisoners where they are,” the leader said.

  “Did the lights go out or is it just me?” another Peacekeeper whispered.

  If the situation weren’t so serious, Judd would have laughed. As soon as the leader mentioned the prisoners, the Peacekeepers aimed their guns at where they thought Judd and the others were standing. It was like a military version of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, with men pointing guns in every direction.

  The leader pulled out his cell phone but couldn’t see the keypad. He reached for his radio microphone three times before he grabbed the cord and worked his way to the mike. “We have a situation here, Base, an electrical blackout.”

  A few seconds pause, then the dispatcher’s stressed voice came on. It was clear things were just as bad at headquarters as they were here. “We have power here, but no visual—” Judd couldn’t make out the rest because people at headquarters were screaming in the background.

  Gunther lifted a hand and motioned the prisoners to the right. As one they crept past the puzzled Peacekeepers. Judd stopped a few feet away from a Peacekeeper and spotted a pair of pliers on the man’s belt. He inched closer and grasped the tool, slowly lifting it from the man’s belt. As Judd grabbed, the Peacekeeper whirled around and fired. The shot went over Judd’s head and ricocheted off the burned-out safe house.

  Judd jammed the pliers in his pocket, hit the ground, and put his hands over his ears. Other Peacekeepers opened fire on where they thought the prisoners were standing, but they either fired into the safe house or actually shot each other. Judd counted three Peacekeepers on the ground, writhing in pain.

  “Hold your fire!” the leader said, pulling out his pistol and gingerly stepping forward. He felt the ground with each step, as if he were going to plunge off a cliff. “Prisoners, stay where you are!”

  Judd rolled his eyes and tried to still his breathing. The leader was only a few feet away and inching toward Judd like a blind man.

  Judd glanced at the sky. The moon had been out earlier, but now it was as if God had pulled down a shade on the heavens. Judd wondered what would happen the next morning when the sun came up. Would everyone in the world experience this?

  Someone on the edge of the line screamed, dropped his weapon, and clawed at his eyes. “I can’t see anything! Somebody do something!”

  Judd used the noise to quietly sneak away, backing down the hill toward the GC squad cars. He put his hand through an open window and pressed the horn, which sent the Peacekeepers jumping. Judd leaped behind the cruiser as a volley of gunfire came his way, flattening a tire and crashing through a windshield.

  Gunther motioned Judd over, and Judd crawled to the group and pulled out the pliers.

  “Let’s get out of here,” someone said.

  “We have to get that computer drive from the leader before we go,” Helga said.

  Judd snipped the plastic cuffs from Westin’s hands. “I saw where the guy put it,” Judd said. “I’ll go.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Westin said.

  When Judd and Westin returned, the Peacekeepers were in even worse shape. Some were on their hands and knees, trying to find their way back to their cars.

  Within a few minutes these arrogant, cocky men were like frightened schoolchildren. They flicked flashlights, fumbled for lighters, and held their hands as close to their faces as they could, all in a vain attempt to see. But nothing helped.

  Judd recalled the verses about Jesus being the light of the world and felt pity for these foolish people who had chosen Nicolae over the true God. If there had been a fire in front of these people, they would have walked right through it, so great was their darkness.

  Westin pointed to the lead officer, and Judd angled toward the man who sat mumbling on a smoldering piece of wood. He had put his pistol back in its holster and was staring into the darkness.

  Westin grabbed the gun and Judd expected the man to lunge or shout, but he just kept mumbling. “My wife. She doesn’t know where I am. We should get word to the others not to come out, not to go into the dark.”

  Judd took out his pocketknife and carefully cut a hole in the man’s right front pocket. The computer drive fell out. The Peacekeeper reached for his holster, but the gun was gone.

  “You looking for this?” Westin whispered, cocking the gun close to the man’s face. “Not dancing in any blood now, are you?”

  “Please,” the man cried, “don’t take my gun.”

  Judd picked up the computer drive and took a few steps back. Westin joined him, emptying the gun and tossing it back at the feet of the Peacekeeper. The man picked it up, pointed it at his own head, and pulled the trigger. He pulled again and again, until the clicking of the gun mocked him. The man broke down, falling to the ground and jerking with sobs.

  “These people sure are scared of the dark, aren’t they?” Westin said.

  “It’s not just the dark,” Judd said. “They’re separated from everybody else. It’s like God has put them in their own little world.”

  Judd and Westin rejoined the group, and Gunther handed Judd his cell phone. They had decided to reenter the safe house and get as many supplies as they could.

  Judd helped move food and water into the second hideout through the sewer. He was surprised to find he could see below-ground just as he could above.

  Helga destroyed the computers and cameras, saving one laptop for use in their next location. Gunther said they had a couple of options of where to go if the plague of darkness continued.

  In moving and sifting through supplies, Judd found a Bible and stuffed it in his back pocket. He had studied Revelation intensely and vaguely remembered something about darkness but couldn’t remember the reference.

  He climbed upstairs for one last look before they headed for the sewer. Gunther and a few others had rigged up some explosives to destroy the safe house.

  Judd pulled out his cell phone and dialed Vicki. When she answered o
n the first ring, he could tell by the emotion in her voice that she had been crying.

  “I can’t tell you everything right now, but I’m all right,” Judd said. “Everything’s going to be all right.”

  “What’s that noise in the background?” Vicki said.

  Judd looked at the Peacekeepers, many of whom were on the ground, screaming and cursing God. They scratched at unseen sores and rubbed their aching bodies. The pain that began as an itch soon turned so intense that the Peacekeepers crawled beside rocks or cars and tried to rub up against them for relief. Men chewed their tongues until blood ran down their chins. Some found rifles on the ground and turned them on themselves, hoping to end their agony.

  “It’s awful here, Vick,” Judd said. He explained briefly what had happened. “Is it happening there too?”

  “No, this is just supposed to occur in New Babylon.”

  “How do you know that?”

  Judd heard a click of computer keys. “Here it is. It’s in Revelation, chapter 16.” Vicki read the verses, her voice trembling. “ ‘Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. And his subjects ground their teeth in anguish, and they cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores. But they refused to repent of all their evil deeds.’ ”

  “That’s exactly what’s happening,” Judd said.

  “Then get out of there,” Vicki said, “and go back to Petra as fast as you can.”

  6

  JUDD and Westin jumped into the back of a squad car as Gunther and another member of the group got in the front. The rest of the group used the other vehicles.

  Gunther had to drive slowly because he couldn’t see very far. “Either of you know how long this is supposed to last?” Gunther said, looking in the rearview mirror.

  Judd shook his head. “A friend of mine just read me the prophecy. From the stuff it says about people suffering, it sounds to me like it could be a while.p”

  Gunther nodded. “That’s what I think. Rainer and I talked about this. We both agreed when it happened, the end wasn’t far away.”

  “What do you mean, ‘the end’?” Westin said.

  Gunther explained the prophecy about believers coming out of New Babylon. “The Lord predicts death and mourning and famine. Then it says he will destroy the city with fire. Rainer and I always thought that would be nuclear.”

  “If God’s dropping his heavy artillery, we should get out,” Westin said. “Maybe we could find a plane—”

  Gunther held up a hand. “If Judd’s right—and I think he is—we still have time to do some good here.”

  “What do you have in mind?” Judd said.

  “Radios and computers are working,” Gunther said. “We might be able to communicate with other locations and get the GC to release prisoners, maybe foul up their system. Plus, there’s a holding facility not far from here. Captured Jews are sent to concentration camps from there. Since the heat wave ended, they’ve probably brought new people there.”

  “How do we know when to leave?” Judd said.

  “The Lord will warn us. It’s part of the prophecy. I know you two want to get back to Petra, but we could use the help.”

  Westin looked at Judd and shrugged. “If we can do some damage, I’m all for it.”

  Judd glanced at Gunther. “I need to make a phone call.”

  Vicki told the others about her conversation with Judd, and no sooner had they begun their prayer meeting for him than the phone rang. It was Judd again.

  “Where are you?” Vicki said. “Tell me you’ve already gotten out of there.”

  “We’re heading for another safe house, or at least where we think one is. It’s pretty slow going.”

  “But you said—”

  “Vick, Westin’s plane was destroyed. I assume most of the GC planes were burned in the heat wave, though they probably have some stored somewhere. There’s no way we’re flying out of here today. The thing is—”

  Vicki put a hand to her chest, feeling her heart suddenly drop. “Judd, you’re not thinking of staying, are you?”

  “Just hear me out.” Judd explained what he knew about Gunther’s plan. “There’s a chance we might meet some unbelievers, those who haven’t taken the mark yet.”

  “How?”

  Judd explained the information about the holding facility. In the past few months, Vicki had heard more and more reports about rebels around the world, mostly Jews, who were transported to concentration camps rather than being put to death. The Global Community wanted to make them suffer for not taking Carpathia’s mark and for simply being part of God’s chosen people. The camps gave prisoners just enough food to keep them alive and tortured them daily. Vicki and Judd had talked about wanting to help these people, but she didn’t think they would ever have the opportunity. But Vicki’s first concern was Judd and getting him safely to Petra.

  “What happens if the lights come back on?” Vicki said. “The GC will kill you and anyone else with you.”

  “I don’t know if this is what I should do or not, but …” Judd’s voice trailed off, and Vicki heard brakes squeal. Then someone said something, and car doors opened and closed.

  “What’s happening?” Vicki said.

  “We’re at one of the mark application centers,” Judd said. “The others are going to see if they can destroy some equipment. It’s not much, but every little bit helps.”

  Vicki closed her eyes tightly. “Judd, if God’s leading you into this, you know I wouldn’t want to stop you, but I’m scared.”

  “Believe me, the last thing I want to do is risk being separated from you. I found the perfect spot in Petra. You should see it. It’s just that …” Judd’s voice trailed off again. When he could talk, he said, “I keep thinking about somebody out there crying out to God, behind bars or wherever, asking God for help, pleading with him to send someone. Maybe there’s nobody there, but while this place is dark, I feel like I need to try.”

  Everything inside Vicki screamed for Judd to get to safety, but she knew if she were in the same position, she would want Judd’s support. Finally, she said, “Go. Set as many captives free as you can. That’s what we’re supposed to be doing anyway, right?”

  “Vick, I love you.”

  When Judd hung up, Gunther and the others were returning to the car.

  Westin hopped in with a smile and slammed the door. “They won’t be doing any marking of citizens in that place for a long time.”

  “Were there any people in there?” Judd said.

  “Lots of them on the ground, screaming. Must have scared them half to death when we came waltzing in and smashed their equipment and took that head chopper apart.” Westin looked at Judd. “You square things up with the little woman?”

  Judd smiled. “She told me to go for it. When do we head that way?”

  “Right now,” Gunther said. He radioed the others, speaking in code, and told them where they were going.

  “Why don’t we just go to the palace?” Judd said.

  Gunther shook his head. “We have no idea what kind of power Carpathia might have over this plague. Let’s stick to trying to wreak havoc out here and maybe set a few people free.”

  The drive took longer than any of them expected. After three hours of navigating the streets at a slow speed, Gunther stopped outside a restaurant. “Nicolae himself is said to have eaten here with a few of his advisors. Come on.”

  Judd stepped out of the car and felt his flesh crawl. He had been to haunted houses as a kid and had heard the screams of frightened trick-or-treaters around Halloween, but he had never heard anything this eerie. People in torment had collapsed on the sidewalk. Some called from inside houses or businesses, pleading for help.

  “Oh, Nicolae, you have all power,” an older woman cried from across the street. “You bring light and peace and hope. Please, Nicolae, save us!”

  “Shut up, woman!” a young man said. He was sitting with his back against the w
all of a building next to the restaurant. “Neither Nicolae nor Fortunato can save you from this.”

  “Blasphemer!” an older man yelled. “You let Nicolae or any of his Peacekeepers hear you say that and you’re a dead man.”

  The young man scratched at a bloody scab on his neck. “Death would be welcomed right now.”

  “I’m so hungry!” the old woman shouted. “Can someone bring me something?”

  “Come on,” Gunther said. “Don’t pay attention to them.”

  “Who is that?” the young man said. “How can you drive a car when you can’t even see?”

  Gunther and the others went inside the restaurant, stepping over two bodies of people who had killed themselves. Judd stayed behind and inspected the young man’s forehead. No mark. But when Judd leaned down and caught a glimpse of the man’s right hand, he saw the clear mark of Carpathia.

  The young man took a swipe at the air, missing Judd’s head by inches. “Who are you? What do you want?” He had pulled his shirt up and was rubbing up against the coarse brick, trying to get some relief. His back was bleeding.

  “I’m a friend,” Judd said softly. “You don’t have to be afraid.”

  “Do you have a gun?”

  “No.”

  “Can you get one?”

  “What for?”

  The young man laughed wildly. “How long has it been since this darkness came? A week? Two?”

  “It’s only been a few hours,” Judd said.

  The man put a finger in his mouth and bit down hard. Blood poured from the wound and gushed down his lips. “I can’t see to take a step, and I don’t have the energy if I could. I just want to die. I know this is the end.”

  Judd stood and took a step toward the restaurant door.

  “Please, I beg you. Hit me with something, knock me out. I can’t stand this itching, and my head feels like it’s about to burst!”

  “I can’t help you,” Judd said. “I wish you’d have responded to God before it was too—”

  “God?” the man screamed. “Jesus? I hate them! I hate everyone who talks about God!”