Four Horsemen Cometh, And Hell Followed

by William Swafford

  Chapter Fifteen

  1

  Anderson Southern Baptist Church was crowded. New marked people were coming in everyday. There was no place left to sit.

  “Whose side will you be on?” Pastor Rodgers said. “Whose side will you be on in the final battle? Will you stand behind me as one of God’s soldiers?”

  The congregation said amen and put their hands in the air. They all knew that they were heading towards dark times. The church was their safe place.

  “How much more proof do you need?” Pastor Rodgers asked. “It’s not time to wonder what is going to happen next. It is time to listen to God and make sure that his will be done.”

  Pastor Rodgers suddenly felt something he had never felt before, pure evil. How could it be in the house of God? The temperature didn’t rise. It got cold enough to make his hair on his arms stand on end.

  “Evil is amongst us,” Pastor Rodgers said. “I know I have said it before. It is closer than it has ever been.”

  “You’re right, old man,” a voice said.

  Silence settled amongst the church. The congregation turned to see what the pastor was looking at. Robert was standing at the doorway.

  Robert was dressed in tee shirt and jeans, all black. They all could see that he was unmarked. He looked like a walking zombie.

  “Son, you can still be helped,” Pastor Rodgers said. Robert chuckled. “It is never too late. Just like the thieves who hung on the cross with Jesus Christ.”

  They all had seen Robert around town. There were some that had known him all of his life. Some had never seen him at all.

  “You’ve always been a foolish old man.” Robert took a few steps forward. “Besides… None of you have ever been worried about saving my soul.”

  “That’s not…,” Pastor Rodgers started.

  “Shut up!” Robert yelled. “I didn’t come here to listen to your bullshit.”

  Robert continued down the aisle. His face was motionless as he passed the people. Everyone watched every move that he made.

  “Matter of fact,” Robert said. He looked around at everyone. “This will be the last day anyone will have to listen to you.”

  Robert couldn’t hold back his chuckle. He never felt the way he did at that moment. His blood was running fast and felt like it was boiling.

  “This church,” Robert started. “Is now closed and you will follow me. If you don’t, you will feel hell’s fire before you meet your precious god.”

  “We do God’s will,” Pastor Rodgers said. “Our lives will cease when Our Father says its time.”

  “That’s where you’re confused,” Robert said. “You’re on the devil’s time, now.”

  2

  Terry was on her way to the Anderson Baptist Church. She was going to see if her grandma was ready to go home. She still couldn’t admit to herself that she was afraid to stay home alone. She defiantly couldn’t tell her grandma why.

  She wasn’t too far from the church when the first smoke appeared. It wasn’t a small cloud of smoke. She knew that it was some kind of structural fire.

  At first she made no connection. She just wondered where it could possibly be coming from. Once she turned onto the churches road, she had seen the fire in full force.

  “Oh my…,” She got out.

  Terry stopped the car without realizing what she was doing. Hot tears were running down her face. It had to be a dream.

  She opened up her door not knowing what she was planning on doing. She thought that she heard screaming coming from the church. She slammed her door shut and laid her head in hands to cry.

  There was no sight of what was left of the Anderson Fire Department. Terry was the only one around.

  She wanted to speed away and not look back. She just sat there and cried.

  “Grandma,” She cried.

  3

  Trevor couldn’t believe what he was doing. He was on his way to Terry’s house. He was going to spend the rest of day and probably the night with her.

  He had heard about what happened to her grandma and the Anderson Baptist Church. He felt so bad for everyone. He just couldn’t believe it.

  Terry had called and asked if he would come over. She said that she couldn’t be alone. He completely understood.

  He hoped that she wouldn’t think that it meant anything more than friendship. He knew how she felt about him. He had never been completely honest with her about how he felt.

  He lit up a cigarette as he got closer to her house. He was nervous and didn’t understand why. Everyone’s lives were changing.

  As Trevor walked up the house, Terry opened the front door. She had been waiting and watching for him. He wasn’t even given time to knock on the door.

  “Come on in,” Terry said.

  Trevor had gone inside and Terry shut the door behind him. This was new and weird for the both of them.

  Trevor could tell that she had been crying. He didn’t know what to say to her. Was there anything that would help make her feel better?

  “Just make yourself at home,” Terry said.

  “Alright,” Trevor replied.

  “The house doesn’t feel the same anymore,” she said.

  “I bet,” Trevor said.

  “Can I get you something to drink?” She asked.

  “No thanks,” he replied.

  They both sat down on the couch. Trevor was surprised by how close she had sat next to him. She kept looking at him with sad eyes.

  “Are you alright?” Trevor asked.

  “I don’t know,” Terry said. She was rubbing her hands together. “I could use a hug.”

  Trevor didn’t know what to do. He figured a hug wouldn’t hurt. He was there to help make her feel better.

  He could see the surprise in her eyes as he gone in for the hug. It was only supposed to last for a short moment. Terry just held on. It was confusing for the both of them.