The Beginning of the End

by Lorana Hoopes

  “I’ll try anything,” Anne said. “Anything to get my life back. However much longer we have.”

  “You only took the first shot, right?” Gabe asked.

  “That’s right. She lost control shortly after and was never able to get the second.”

  “That’s actually good news,” Gabe said, smiling at Stanley and Anne. “It means there are fewer mRNA cells in your body, and we may be able to fight what’s there. We’re going to start with a healthy diet of only natural foods, nothing processed. Then we’ll add in Coconut and Red Palm Oil, Turmeric, and Vitamin D and E.”

  “And that will work?” The hope in Stanley’s voice tore at Candace’s heart.

  “It will certainly help,” Gabe said with a nod. “Our bodies want natural foods, and it’s amazing how much we can heal ourselves with the right nutrients. Now, how about you two get settled and Dr. Markham and I will go and get the rest of your things?”

  “Thank you.” They were only two words, but Candace could see the relief on Anne’s face and the tiny tear that trickled out of the corner of her eye.

  “That was great what you said in there,” Candace said when they reached the living room. “I didn’t know you were researching a cure for her.”

  “Well, it’s not like I have much else to do now that I’m out of work. Plenty of time to research.”

  “I guess that’s one benefit then. Does it get easier? Not working? Because it’s only been a few days and I’m going crazy.”

  Gabe flashed her a small smile. “A little, but maybe it will be easier with a partner in crime.”

  “A partner in crime?” Candace said with a laugh. “I like that. I never thought of myself as being a criminal, but I guess when you stand on the right side, on God’s side, sometimes the world will see you that way.”

  A light pink crossed Gabe’s cheeks, and he nodded before opening the door for her.

  “If I could have everyone’s attention.” The intercom crackled as Mr. Shane’s voice came over the loudspeaker. “I’m sorry for the interruption, but I have some important information.” He paused as if gathering his courage. “The first is that we have been informed that Bradley King, the student who collapsed the other day, has passed away. Unfortunately, due to NCAV restrictions, we are unable to attend a funeral for him, but we will post on the website ways to help out his family for those who are interested.”

  A collective gasp went up across the room, and Lily glanced at Katie. Though neither of them had wanted this outcome, they had suspected it might be coming. In her latest video, Raven had shared how many people had died after receiving the vaccine - a number that no one else was talking about.

  “In addition, we have learned that several of your fellow students are in the hospital. Because of this, we will be canceling in-person school for the rest of the semester and finishing online. I know that is not what you hoped when you joined us this year, but my hope is that by next semester, we will have everyone vaccinated and be able to return.”

  Everyone vaccinated? Didn’t they realize Bradley’s death was due to the vaccine? Lily thought. There was no way everyone would get vaccinated.

  “Please come and see me if you have any questions. We will grant one hour for you to gather up all your supplies, but then it is important that you leave campus.”

  Lily glanced to Mrs. Fox as Mr. Shane ended his speech. Fear and dismay swam in her normally warm gaze. “Mrs. Fox?” Lily asked, raising her hand.

  The students around her quieted down as Mrs. Fox wiped the corner of her eye. “Yes, Lily?”

  “Will they let us return if we don’t get vaccinated?”

  “Yeah, I want to know that too because I heard Bradley died from a heart attack caused by the vaccine,” a boy in the back added.

  “From what I’ve been told, the answer is no,” Mrs. Fox said, her voice marred with sadness. “The governor is pushing for mandatory vaccinations by the end of the year, so it is with a heavy heart that I tell you I won’t be returning either.”

  A chorus of confusion broke out in the room with students shouting, “What?” “No!” “You can’t!”

  Lily didn’t know why, but suddenly she felt God telling her to speak. She stood up in her chair and held her hands up. When everyone quieted down, she took a deep breath. “I don’t know how many of you lost someone in the disappearances, and I don’t know what you believe about what caused them, but I believe it was the rapture. That means we are now in the tribulation period and things are only going to get worse. I know this is scary, but I belong to a group called TruthSeekers. You can find them online. Look them up, watch what they say, think for yourself, and if you think I’m right, they’ll tell you how to find us.”

  For a moment there was silence as the room stared at her with wide eyes and open mouths. Then suddenly, the flood gates opened, and the room began peppering her with questions. The corners of Lily’s mouth curled into a soft smile. Raven had been right. They might not save everyone, but many were looking for hope and truth.

  Raven pulled her mask on as she approached the entrance of the store. She wished she could be like some of the believers she saw in more conservative states and just refuse to wear it, but here she would be refused service. And for now at least, it was important that she get supplies.

  She slowed though as the door opened, revealing a guard of some sort standing just inside. He held only a clipboard, but that did not put Raven at ease. What was going on?

  “Have you been vaccinated, Miss?” he asked as she stepped through the door.

  “How is that any of your business?”

  “I’m sorry, Miss, I’m just following orders. I was told to ask everyone who entered a few simple questions. We’re taking no personal data if that makes you feel better.”

  It didn’t. “What happens if I refuse?” Raven asked. She would go to another store if she had to, but she had a sinking feeling that even if they weren’t like this one today, they would be soon.

  “Then I’m afraid I can’t let you enter.”

  “Are you kidding me? First, you asked for fifteen days, then you asked for face coverings, then double masks, now vaccines and questions?” A few people nearby turned at her raised voice.

  “I’m sorry, Miss, I really am.”

  The man shrugged, and Raven sighed. He probably was just doing his job. He was a sheep, doing what the government told him, but it wasn’t his fault really. He had probably never been woken up. “Fine, I’ll answer your questions on one condition.”

  His brow furrowed, but his curiosity won out. “What is that?”

  “You check out my website. That’s all. Look it up, watch a few videos. You do that, and I promise I’ll answer your questions and make no further disturbance.”

  The man seemed confused, but he agreed, taking the card she held out to him and placing it in his pocket.

  “No, I have not been vaccinated,” Raven said, answering his original question.

  He marked something on his clipboard. “Do you plan to be?”

  “No, I do not.”

  With a nod, he marked again. “I am required to now tell you that this store, come the first of the year, will no longer allow entry to someone who has not been vaccinated.”

  Raven had known this was coming, but this timeline was only a few months away. “And how exactly will you know if I’ve been vaccinated? I don’t see them handing out papers when you get one, and I’m not walking around with my vaccination record.”

  “That won’t be necessary, Miss. We’ll be able to scan your arm with a blacklight and see the vaccine markers.”

  “I see. Well, thanks for the warning. After today, I’ll be sure to take my business elsewhere.” As Raven grabbed a cart and began loading it up, her mind played back over the public vaccinations they’d seen and the ingredient list she’d looked at both from Lily and later online as she researched. Neither had listed Luciferase. So were they lying to the public and deliberately failing to mention it? She wou
ldn’t put that past the government or Daman Caturix at least.

  She paused to grab vitamins and first aid supplies from the shelf and that’s when it hit her. The Band-aids. Caturix’s initial patent had been for an implant system - a patch that people could apply themselves. What if he’d put his implant system on the Band-aids they were giving people after the injection? It would be a way for them to inject people with Luciferase without anyone raising concern over it being in the vaccine. But how would he get the infected Band-aids to them and how would he know which people would be giving out the shots? Unless…

  A sick feeling settled in the bottom of her stomach as she examined the box of Band-aids in her hand. What if every Band-aid was infected with his implantation system? It would be the only way to be sure all the people who received vaccines also got the Luciferase, but it would also be a way to sneak it into people who refused the vaccine.

  She grabbed a few boxes and threw them into the cart. Gabe would be able to determine if they contained the luminescent along with anything else. She just hoped that if she was right, she would have time to warn everyone before it was too late.

  20

  Raven took a deep breath as she stared at the camera. This was probably the hardest message she’d had to deliver so far.

  “My fellow TruthSeekers, I hope this video finds you well. As I’m sure many of you have heard, the government is pushing for a vaccine mandate to be put in place by the end of the year. This means that you will not be able to shop, work, or travel if you do not have the vaccine. For many of you, I know this is a scary time. We were told these tribulation years would not be easy. My hope is that you have a TruthSeeker organization near you. We are working together to build communes for people to live in when they can no longer live in their houses. We are growing our own gardens and some of our organizations are raising animals to help supply food as well. That does not mean this will be easy, but with God’s help, we will get through it together.

  She paused. Now came the hard part. “Unfortunately, we have discovered something that is of vital importance to share with you. As you will remember, Gabe Cross and I presented about Daman Caturix and his implantation system. We did not see Luciferase listed as an ingredient in the vaccine, so we were puzzled how they were going to be able to check for vaccination. It appears that Caturix has infected all Band-aids. Those receiving the shot are receiving the Luciferase when they get their Band-aid and they don’t even know it. Unfortunately, they are also receiving a second dose of the vaccine which is probably why we are seeing so many adverse effects. I know most of you are avoiding the vaccine as we are, but the real problem is that all the Band-aids are infected, so if you use one, you are unknowingly receiving the vaccine. It is important that you immediately stop using Band-aids and find other ways to cover cuts.

  “We are working on a way to imitate the Luciferase so that we can still shop, but we are not there yet. Above all, we want to make sure that whatever we do is safe. Please continue to pray, share the truth, and keep your head up. The worst is yet to come, but it will come and what will meet us on the other side will be a much brighter future. I love you all and hope that someday we can meet face to face. God Bless.”

  Raven ended the video and sat back in the chair. For the first time in months, she wished Kat were here. She wished she could bounce ideas off her and make sure she was on the right track. It was stressful being the face of the resistance, and above all, she wanted to make sure she wasn’t leading people astray.

  “This was your destiny.”

  Raven turned to see Kat standing behind her. “Kat?” She jumped from the chair and rushed to the girl. “Is that really you?”

  Kat smiled softly. “I’m not physically here with you, but God knew that you needed comfort and assurance.”

  “Kat, I wish you were really here. I don’t know if I’m cut out to be a leader. Sure, I can talk to all these people on the video, but what happens when it comes time and we can’t shop or work? What am I going to do to help all these people?”

  “The same thing you are doing now. Giving them hope. Do you think you are alone, Raven?”

  “No, obviously I have the TruthSeekers here, but what about the rest of the state, the rest of the world?”

  Kat’s smile widened. “They have their own Ravens. God made sure that people like you would be in the right places to lead and protect the people. Did you think He didn’t have a plan?”

  Raven bit her lip. As much as she’d grown in her relationship with God, she supposed she had forgotten that He was in control. “So, I can’t mess it up?”

  “Not if you trust Him. Remember to pray about everything. Continue to build each other up and stay strong. This will be hard, but it will not be forever.”

  “Will we all make it? To the end?” Raven wasn’t sure she actually wanted to hear the answer.

  “That is not for me to tell.” Kat glanced up and then smiled once more at Raven. “I have to go, but remember to pray.”

  Raven watched Kat shimmer and disappear in front of her eyes, but the only emotion she felt was relief. “Thank you, God,” she said, looking up at the ceiling. “Thank you.”

  A knock sounded at the door, and a moment later, Gabe poked his head in. “If you’re done recording, you might want to come out here.”

  Raven nodded and uploaded the video to the website before following Gabe.

  Anne, who was improving every day with Gabe’s treatment, sat in one of the recliners. Her body still convulsed but the tremors were slower and the time between them grew each day. Stanley sat in one of the dining chairs he had pulled up next to her. He held her hand in his. Candace sat on the couch, and all three faced the television.

  “This is it, isn’t it?” Candace asked as the breaking news banner flashed across the screen before Governor Smythe’s face filled it. The tension in the room was thick.

  “Good afternoon. I come to you today to tell you that while our numbers are going down, they are not falling as quickly as we’d hoped. I know we originally stated that we would not require the vaccine in Washington state, but it is our hope that by mandating this vaccine, we can finally get back to a new normal,” Governor Smythe said as he smiled out at the camera.

  “I wish I could punch him,” Candace said as her hand balled into fists. “I wish I could wipe that smile off his face and demand that he be held accountable for all the deaths he caused this year with his lockdowns, his mask mandates, and now his pushing of the dangerous vaccine.”

  “We all do,” Gabe said, placing a calming hand on her arm. “But that’s not our place.”

  “That’s right,” Anne said. “Justice belongs to God, and He will take it.”

  “Stations will be set up at every store and business across Washington state and will be manned every hour the store is open,” the Governor continued. “Customers will be scanned with a blacklight, allowing us to see your vaccine documentation. Those without documentation will not be admitted. It is my hope that all of you will choose to do this small sacrifice for the greater good. Vaccine stations will be set up at all hospitals and pharmacies. While it will take some time to get all of this up and running across the state, this order will go into effect next week, so please do not delay in getting your vaccine. That is all.”

  The governor did not take any questions, but it didn’t matter. He wouldn’t have answered the only one that mattered anyway.

  Candace turned off the TV and the group sat in silence for a moment. “I guess it’s time then,” Candace finally said.

  They all knew what she meant. They’d been preparing for it for months, but it didn’t make it any easier. Living in the warehouse, no matter how nicely Nathan and the others had fixed it up, wouldn’t be the same as living in their own houses or living here for that matter. But it would be safer. And right now, that was what mattered the most.

  “We have a few days, maybe even a couple of weeks,” Raven said, “but I agree, we should start moving anyt
hing over we’re going to need. Obviously, space will be small, so let’s only take that which will be necessary.”

  “Thankfully, Stan and I left most of our stuff up in Seattle anyway,” Anne said with a soft laugh.

  “As did I,” Candace said. “After all, those things were just things.”

  “Agreed,” Gabe said. “To be honest, I think I might even be happier with less stuff. There’s definitely less to clean.”

  Raven knew he was trying to lighten the mood, and she appreciated it. She glanced around at her small circle of friends and smiled when she realized these people weren’t even half of the group she now called friends. The future might be unknown, but she knew that whatever happened, they could make it through together.

  * * *

  The End!

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  Want to find out what happens to Raven and the rest? Be sure to preorder Faith Over Fear now

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  It’s not quite the end!

  Thank you so much for reading The Beginning of the End! This book started so differently that it’s interesting to me to see how much it changed. I promised that I would provide links to things I discussed in here, and so I will, but before I do, I want to say that I hoped you enjoyed this story. If you did, would you do me a favor? Please leave a review at your retailer. It really helps. It doesn’t have to be long - just a few words to help other readers know what they’re getting.

  * * *

  I’d love to hear from you, not only about this story, but about the characters or stories you’d like read in the future. I’m always looking for new ideas and if I use one of your characters or stories, I’ll send you a free ebook and paperback of the book with a special dedication. Write to me at loranahoopes@gmail.com. And if you’d like to see what’s coming next, be sure to stop by authorloranahoopes.org