He tried to grab me, but I slung the chair at him. He lunged towards me a third time. I fell backwards. Pain shot up my back.
“Get out!” I shouted. I regained my balance, but he was quicker. I couldn’t get around him to get to Shira. She started to cry.
His eyes spewed hatred. “Where is Nidal?”
The monster had cornered me. I backed away, but he pressed me against the wall. His breath smelled foul.
“Where’s Nidal?”
“He’s not here,” I stuttered.
The man spit on the floor. “He has to be. I tracked him.”
I saw Shira scoot off the bed and run out of the room. She left the door ajar. Thank God she escaped.
I held up my hands to shield my face. I tried to escape his grip, but he squeezed my shoulder. Now I was frozen. I had never seen such icy cold blue eyes. “I told you, he’s not here.”
Was the man trying to hypnotize me? Those eyes…
“He has to be. The implant was activated.”
The implant—was he referring to the chip Dr. Luke removed? “It’s on the table,” I managed to say.
The intruder loosened his grip and turned. “Where?”
I pulled away. “I…I left it there.” But I didn’t see it.
Suddenly Jacob appeared in the doorway. His eyes met mine, but his attention quickly turned to the intruder. I saw Shira cowering behind Jacob. The prowler ran towards the door, knocking Jacob to the floor. In a flash, he was gone. Shira ran over to me.
“I’ll be back,” Jacob said, as he stood and took off.
I heard him shout. “Grab that man!” A great commotion filled the inn. I shut the door and locked it, taking Shira in my arms.
She scrunched up close to me. I wrapped her up in the blanket and rocked her. Now that it was over, tears rolled down her cheeks. “The bad man is gone. You’re safe now.”
I noticed her right hand was clasped in a tight fist. I opened her fingers gently. To my surprise, she was holding the small computer chip.
“Honey, why did you take this off the table?”
“I wanted to look at it.”
“You mustn’t take things that aren’t yours. That’s Auntie’s.”
“I’m sorry,” she said.
Fear gripped me again. The man would be back. We wouldn’t be safe staying here. I had to get rid of the chip.
I continued to rock Shira on the bed when Jacob returned several minutes later. “Did you catch him?”
“Not yet.” Jacob glanced around the room. “Where is Nidal?”
“Daniel took him to Jerusalem.”
Jacob picked up the chair and sat beside me. “Then why did that guy come here?”
“He was looking for this.” I handed him the red stone. “He said it had been activated.”
Jacob walked over to the window to examine it in the sunlight. “It’s a chip of some kind, must be an RF chip. Why do you have it?”
“Doctor Luke removed it from Nidal yesterday.”
“Why did Daniel take Nidal to Jerusalem?”
“He wanted to spend time with him. Nidal wouldn’t tell Daniel anything he probably knew about your father. He claimed he didn’t know anything. I think Daniel wanted to take him to the temple. He’s a Muslim.”
Jacob looked surprise. “How do you know that?”
“Because two men here at the inn described him praying five times a day to Allah.”
Jacob pointed to the hallway. “Two guards took off after him, but I don’t know if they can catch him. Who knows where his star gate is.”
“Mount Herman.”
“You know for sure it’s the CERN star gate?” Jacob asked.
“He told us yesterday.”
“Maybe the globalists only have that one star gate to the first century. We should send scouts there. As I said, the gates of hell are at the base of Mt. Herman. It’s where the Watchers descended. No doubt, the Nephilim have been released by now.”
“Nidal doesn’t want to return,” I said. “That’s why he had the chip removed. They can’t track his whereabouts without the chip.”
“What activated it?” Jacob asked.
I shrugged. “Probably Doctor Luke activated it when he removed it.” I changed the subject. “Jacob, we can’t stay here. They’ll come back.”
Jacob cocked his head. “Do you still have the scroll or did he take that?”
I twisted my hands as I held Shira. “Daniel took it with him. You know, I’d given it to him if I’d had it. I don’t care anymore. All I want is for Daniel to find out about your father’s whereabouts.”
Jacob ran his hand through his hair, reminding me of Daniel. “The Illuminati have two of the three scrolls. You gave one to Scylla. The second one your father sent to the scientists in Geneva for testing. The New World Order only needs the third one.
“Why is it so important to them?” I asked.
“They don’t want any historical record of Jesus. We are nearing the start of the seven-year tribulation, and the treaty will soon be signed. The last thing they want is for your scroll to turn up in the news. The authorities are destroying Bibles and historical documents, including Jewish and Christian antiquities. New portals are opening up around the world—even in Antarctica.”
“I can’t stay here,” I repeated.
“I’ll post a guard at the door. You are safer here than anywhere else. I need to take this RF chip to be analyzed. Let’s give Daniel a day or two to find out what he can.”
“Jacob, I don’t like staying here without Daniel.”
Jacob rubbed his chin. “I know.”
“How did you know to come?”
Jacob leaned back. “Remember the first time you came to the inn?”
I nodded.
“I was sweeping the floor because I knew I was supposed to meet someone.”
That was four years ago.
Jacob steepled his fingers. “I know things without being able to explain it. God told me I needed to come to the inn.”
“I’m thankful.”
Shira squirmed out of my lap, and I let her down. I watched as she picked up the pen and paper from the floor and placed them on the table.
“Daniel didn’t tell me exactly how long he would be gone. He was hoping only a couple of days. I hate not being able to call or text.”
Jacob stood to leave. “I’m going to get someone to guard your door.” He paused. “Was Daniel going to visit Mother?”
“Yes, he mentioned he was going to see her, too.”
“We’ll find him if he doesn’t return in the next day or two. In the meantime, I’ll be praying that Yeshua will keep you safe. Let me see about a guard.”
“Thanks, Jacob.”
“Make sure you keep the door locked, but I don’t think anyone will be back. They didn’t find Nidal, the chip, or the scroll, so they’ll be looking elsewhere besides here.”
“Again, thanks for coming.”
When Jacob closed the door, I locked it, walked over to the table, and pressed my hands against it. Why did I let Daniel talk me into staying at the inn?
Several minutes later, I heard knocking. “It’s Jacob. I want you to meet Matt.”
I opened the door and Jacob made the introductions. His friend was a large black man, certainly big enough to protect Shira and me. He wore the typical garb from the first century. I extended my hand. “Glad to me you.”
“My pleasure, ma’am.”
“Matt will alternate with someone else, as soon as I get a second guard lined up for tomorrow.”
I wondered which dimension Matt was from, but Jacob didn’t offer to tell me.
Once he left, I heard Matt talking to someone in the hall. He must be from this century to know the staff. I walked over and sat on the bed. I grabbed my pen and paper that Shira had placed on the table. I knew what I was going to write.
CHAPTER 22
FIVE DAYS LATER
WE SAT IN the dining hall finishing up a bowl of lentil soup, fre
sh figs, and matzo bread. I hadn’t seen Jacob since the attack, but the guard kept a vigilant eye. I peered gloomily out the window. We had returned from collecting garden rocks. Summer would soon arrive with the hot desert winds and occasional flash flooding. Despite that, I looked forward to the avalanche of summer flowers that would follow.
I knew now why Shira had taken the computer chip. She could have used it to trade for something else she wanted. The kids traded colorful pebbles.
Yesterday was Sabbat, so we couldn’t go anywhere. I expected Daniel to return today. Impatience clouded my thoughts.
Shira had scattered several stones around the table. “Can you play with me, Auntie?”
I sighed. “Sure. How do I play?”
“Do you want to be Much-Afraid, Baruch, Lowly, or the sheep?”
“Are we going to the garden?” I asked.
“Yes.” Shira pointed with her finger. “Here is the garden, and this is the stable.”
I started to answer when I heard a woman’s voice from the foyer. “Just a minute, sweetie.”
I stood. “I’ll be right back.”
Shira nodded, moving a couple of rocks where I had been sitting.
The guard edged closer when he saw me scurrying in the direction of the check-in counter. “Is everything all right, ma’am?”
“I heard a voice I recognize is all,” I replied.
That seemed to satisfy him and he backed away.
I approached a woman standing in front of me. A nagging feeling told me I knew her.
“It’s urgent,” the woman said. “I must leave immediately. Could you relay the message to Jacob also?”
The attendant handed the woman a parchment. “Daniel Sperling is in room 104.”
She turned towards the guest rooms, and I stepped in front of her. “Do I know you? I’m Shale, Daniel’s betrothed.”
The woman’s eyes lit up. “Shale! I’m Martha, Daniel’s sister.”
My heart fluttered. Was something wrong? I fumbled for words to hide my concern. “Yes, you sold me a dress when I arrived a few years ago. You recommended I stay at Jacob’s Inn on my way to Galilee.”
Martha clasped my hands. “I’m so glad to see you—but I wish it were under different circumstances.” Her eyes darted around the lobby. “Is Daniel here?”
“No. He went to Jerusalem with a friend.”
“He already left for Jerusalem? He must have known.”
I searched her despondent face. “Known what?”
Martha hands trembled in mine. “Mother is very ill. I must go see her right away. I wanted Daniel and Jacob to know.”
“Oh, my goodness. I don’t think Daniel knows his mother is ill. At least, he didn’t tell me. I thought something had happened to him.”
Martha wrapped her arms around me reassuringly. “I’m so happy to see you. Doctor Luke told me about your betrothal. What a beautiful bride you will make.”
“Thank you,” I replied.
Martha stepped back and locked her eyes on me. A trace of worry crossed her face. “Shale, maybe we could go together to Jerusalem to see Mother.”
I didn’t give her a chance to change her mind. “Yes, I want to go with you—as soon as possible.”
“Jacob should be able to supply you a horse from the stable.”
I shot a glance at Shira. She was still moving pebbles around.
“We have a young child with us. Her parents died unexpectedly in an accident.”
“May God give you grace. God takes care of orphans.”
I reached for Martha’s hand. “I want to introduce you.”
Martha followed me to the table, and I touched Shira’s shoulder. “Shira, this is Daniel’s sister, Aunt Martha.”
Martha slid into the chair across from her. “Do you like surprises?”
Shira nodded enthusiastically.
“I have a gift for you.” Martha opened her bag and pulled out a small white toga. “I hope it’s not too big.”
Shira held it up to her chest. “Not too big.”
I chuckled. “You will look like a princess.”
I glanced at Martha. “Let me see what the procedure is for checking out. Can you wait here with her?”
Shira got up and gave Martha a hug. “Thank you.”
I went back to the attendant and explained our plans.
He shuffled some papers in front of him. “Jacob left instructions to make sure you were taken care of. Do you need a horse?”
“Yes, please.”
“Give us a few minutes.”
I returned to the dining room. “Shira, let’s put on your new tunic. Martha, I’m so glad you stopped by. I pray your mother will be healed.”
“We must hurry,” Martha urged. As we went to our room, Martha explained further. “Doctor Luke said you and Daniel were taking care of an orphan. I thought she might need something to wear.”
“I don’t have many clothes for her.”
Martha handed me a bag. “I wanted to give you a gift, too.”
I glanced down, surprised. “You have a gift for me?”
Martha smiled.
I opened the bag. Gratitude filled my heart when I saw the toga. I leaned forward and hugged her. “Thank you.”
Martha beamed.
I glanced around the room. “We probably won’t be back here any time soon.” I shared with the guard our plans. He offered to accompany us, but I reassured him it wasn’t necessary.
“Are we going somewhere, Auntie?” Shira asked.
“Yes, sweetie.” I crouched in front of her. “Daniel and Aunt Martha’s mother is ill, and we are going to visit her.”
That seemed to satisfy her. Now Daniel was all I could think about. Surely he would have told me if he had known his mother was sick. My other concerns faded as hope that Daniel had learned something about his father’s whereabouts consumed me.
CHAPTER 23
I STOOD HOLDING Shira’s hand in the lobby. Daniel’s sister had wanted to tidy up before leaving. As I peered through the portico, a haze settled outside the doorway, partially obscuring my view. For a brief moment, I imagined the door leading somewhere else. I remembered how God’s intervention and the devil’s wiles always happened at boundaries—between the seventh dimension and our physical world. I squinted, curious, but too afraid to venture outside.
I felt Shira pulling on my arm. “Auntie, I hear singing.”
I strained to hear, too, but as soon as she spoke, the haze lifted and sunshine once again beamed through the entrance.
Martha joined us, interrupting my musings. “Have they brought the horses around?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Let’s go see.”
We walked outside, and two horses stood tied to the post outside the inn. Shira’s friends were playing nearby, and I felt Shira’s hang tugging on mine.
I redirected her attention to the horses. “Look,” I pointed. “We get to go for a ride.”
She leaned on my arm impatiently.
I heard Levi’s cane tapping the stones on the porch. I turned and saw him and his brother approaching.
“Stay safe,” Levi said. “Jerusalem is extremely dangerous right now.”
My ankles locked together. That was not what I wanted to hear.
“God will protect you,” Ami reassured me. “I’m praying for you.”
I brushed my hair back from my face. I hoped I appeared more confident than I felt. “Thank you, Ami.”
Dr. Luke strolled out and joined us. “You should easily make it before sundown.”
“I’m very familiar with the road,” Martha replied. She glanced at me. “It will be nice to have my soon-to-be sister-in-law along—an unexpected surprise.”
Dr. Luke tilted his head. “If you feel you need a doctor, please send word. I can come at a moment’s notice.”
“That’s kind of you,” Martha said.
Dr. Luke reached into his doctor’s bag and handed something to Shira. She turned it over in her hand several times, admir
ing the wooden object.
Dr. Luke touched his chin. “Mary, the mother of Yeshua, gave that to me a long time ago. Yeshua once was a carpenter.”
“What’s a carpenter?” Shira asked.
“A carpenter makes things out of wood.”
I leaned over to see.
“Is it a bird?” she asked.
Dr. Luke nodded. “It’s a dove.”
“What do you say, Shira?” I asked.
Shira gently stroked the wooden figurine. “Thank you.”
A stable attendant walked over. “Are you ready?”
I glanced at the three of us. “I think so.”
He escorted us to the horses. With our togas, we would need to ride sideways. Because Martha was a more experienced rider, we had already decided that Shira should ride with her.
Dothan was on the byway between Jerusalem and Galilee. Perhaps if Daniel and I did make it to Galilee, we would come this way again, but something in my soul told me that was unlikely.
After we left the inn, it didn’t take long to reach the outskirts of the small town. Fond memories returned of when I had traveled this road with Baruch and Cherios, the donkey and the rabbit. I closed my eyes. When I opened them, Shira and Martha were trotting close beside me.
“We should have no problem reaching Jerusalem before the sun sets,” Martha assured me. “We don’t want to be on the road after dark.”
Shira had dozed off for a while, but now was awake. Her outstretched hand held the dove over her head. She waved her hand back and forth, pretending the wooden dove could fly.
Shepherds grazed their flocks between the rolling hills. Here and there, beggars lined the road. Discarded cups filled the road, a haunting reminder of the many who had died of hunger.
Traders with donkeys burdened with an assortment of provisions passed by us. I didn’t see anyone offer food to the beggars. Others pulled carts weighed down with grapes, figs, olives, pomegranates, and grain. Sadly, we had not brought any extra food to share. We, like most, had barely enough for ourselves. And without the rains that sometimes never came, there would be no harvest.
I waved reassuringly at Shira.
Martha edged closer to me. “This is the valley between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal at Shechem. God appeared to Abraham and Joshua here, reminding them of the blessings and curses of the law.”
The Prescience Page 8
