Hunted (40 page)

Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory
.

“So you're saying I can be right with God and not have to worry about any of this Carpathia stuff?”

“Becoming a believer doesn't mean all your problems go away, but as the Bible says, if God is for you, who can be against you?”

“How do I do this faith thing? Do I have to jump through some hoops or memorize a bunch of stuff?”

“There's another verse in Romans you'll appreciate.” Mark called it up on the computer. “Romans 10:13 says, ‘Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' ”

“Then I want to do some callin' right now,” Clemson said.

Mark knelt on the dusty floor with the man. The others gathered around and put a hand on Clemson's shoulder as he prayed along with Mark.

“Dear Jesus—”

“Jesus!” Ryan said.

Everyone laughed, and Mark and Clemson continued. “I come to you now and call on your name in faith. I believe you died in my place on the cross so I could be forgiven. I'm sorry for rejecting you so long, and I ask you now to come into my life and save me. Jesus, I'm sorry for the bad things I've done, and I come to you like a little child, believing that what you've said is true. Take control of me and teach me your ways. You said anybody who calls on your name would be saved, and I believe it. I call on you now, in Jesus' name. Amen.”

Clemson stood and gawked at the others. “What's that funny-looking thing on your foreheads?”

37

VICKI
was encouraged by the change in Cheryl. Something had happened to the girl as she listened to Mark talk with Clemson. But in a heated meeting with Tom and Marshall, the group agreed Cheryl shouldn't return with them.

Clemson gathered a few of his things and followed the others outside. As the sun rose higher, roofs of buildings curled and fires broke out around them. Vicki saw no animals, no living people, just the rising heat vapor from the charred pavement.

Miraculously, they found the van in perfect condition and began loading Clemson's things inside. Tom had held Ryan the entire time, not even letting the boy get near Cheryl. When they were almost finished loading, Cheryl approached Vicki and asked what the group had decided.

“I don't think going back with us is a good idea,” Vicki said. “We'll head to Wanda's and see if you can stay there.”

“What if I don't want to stay with her?”

Vicki put an arm around Cheryl. “This isn't easy for any of us. Make the most of this time away, and down the road—”

“What happens if I can't get back down the road? Wanda could turn out to be—”

Tom passed, holding Ryan with one hand and holding the phone to his ear with the other. Ryan smiled and waved at Cheryl. She turned to Vicki. “I'll do anything to see my little boy again.”

“Then use this time. Let God work on you.”

Cheryl nodded and everyone got in the van.

The drive to Wanda's took thirty minutes. Vicki thought their whole ordeal was worth the look on Wanda's face when she saw Ryan. She couldn't believe how big and healthy he looked.

When Vicki had Wanda alone, she explained the situation with Cheryl, and Wanda gave a worried look. “There are people who depend on me. I'm always happy to help, but if this girl keeps me from doing—”

“I have a good feeling about her,” Vicki interrupted. “I think she's turned a corner, but she needs help.”

“I can keep her busy, but it's going to be up to her to want to change.”

They talked until the afternoon, and Vicki and the others decided to return to the cabins the next morning. As evening approached, the sun lowered, and Vicki had never seen such a sunset. Smoke from the rising fires mixed with the fading twilight and created a blend of colors that took her breath away. Fiery red clouds were tinged with purple and orange. Vicki wished she had a camera.

When they heard movement on the road, everyone retreated into Wanda's hideout and watched the coverage by the Global Community News Network. Weather authorities tried to explain the killer heat wave, but every theory given by experts made Vicki laugh. Everyone in the world knew God had caused the heat.

Leon Fortunato spoke against Dr. Tsion Ben-Judah's claims that the Bible predicted the plague. “The enemies of world peace will twist these ancient words to fit their own agenda,” he said. “His Excellency assures me that this change in weather is only temporary. And we reject reports that there is some god punishing innocent people for simply living their lives. That is not the kind of god I want to serve. I wish to serve the loving, generous god we have come to know, Nicolae Carpathia.”

“Interesting that Leon is speaking to us from some underground cavern,” Mark said, pointing out the background of the room.

Cameras picked up the effects of the devastation, since no one could photograph the actual burning during the middle of the day. Firefighters had to try and contain the damage to major cities at night and hope the next day things would get back to normal.

Judd was frustrated that he couldn't reach Vicki. The group in Ohio gathered shortly after Judd and Lionel returned from exploring and tapped into a secret feed from the Tribulation Force in San Diego.

Rayford Steele appeared on-screen. “We don't know how much time we're going to have, so we have to work quickly to take advantage of this opportunity. I've spoken personally with Dr. Ben-Judah, and he's given his blessing on our decision to go ahead with this operation.

“We'll need volunteers throughout the country to rearrange our storehouses of goods and products we trade through the International Commodity Co-op. We believe the Global Community and their followers will focus on survival, looking for relief from the sun. From what we can tell, thousands or maybe hundreds of thousands died today. In the coming days, we'd like to hear from believers and find out what help you need. Our goal is to move resources, but if we need to, we'll move people out of harm's way.

“This will not be easy, and it will be dangerous. We have no idea how long the heat wave will last. But we must take advantage of it as quickly as possible.”

Judd wrote the Tribulation Force immediately and volunteered.
I'm hoping to be in Wisconsin by the time you need me, but let me know how I can join the effort
.

Judd and Lionel met with the leaders of the Ohio group and talked about how to proceed. Later in the evening Lionel handed Judd the phone and smiled. “The bride-to-be is on the line.”

Judd grabbed the phone, and Vicki explained the situation with Cheryl and where they were. “We're going back to the campground in the morning, assuming the plague continues. What about you?”

“The leaders here have given the okay for us to head your way. They're concerned that with all the fires and debris on the roads, we might not make it in a day, so we're stopping at a midway point for the night.

“I can't believe we're actually going to see each other!”

“I just hope the plague doesn't end in the morning and we run into a bunch of GC officers.”

Judd found it difficult to sleep that night. The group posted guards at the main entrance to the hideout and kept a couple of members up all night watching the property. Judd thought it was a miracle that even with the extreme heat, the group's outside cameras hadn't been affected.

There were tearful good-byes the next morning as the sun rose.

“Red sky at morning, GC take warning,” Lionel said.

The doctor at the hideout who had helped with Lionel's arm examined it one more time and pronounced him healthy. Judd and Lionel thanked everyone for their help, and two men loaded enough supplies in the Humvee for a week. Another man made sure they had enough fuel, and the two sped off.

The fire's damage shocked Judd as he crossed the old border of Ohio and drove into Indiana. Trees and crops that had been green the last time they were there lay black and scorched. Judd had seen forest fire damage, but this seemed even worse.

Judd swerved to avoid several vehicles that had burned the day before. Even worse than the dead trees, grass, and plant life were the charred bodies that littered the roadway, and Judd saw Lionel cringe several times while they drove.

“What do you miss most about the way things used to be?” Lionel said as they neared a city.

“I miss my parents and my little brother and sister,” Judd said. “I think a lot about what they'd be doing if they were here. Marc and Marci would be in high school. But I also miss little things like going to Wrigley Field for a Cubs game or grabbing a burger at a local restaurant. I had dreamed of owning my own car and being my own boss. Going to movies—”

“Yeah, movies,” Lionel said as they passed a destroyed theater complex. “The last time I went to a theater was with my sister.”

“I know it sounds corny,” Judd said, “but I miss just going to a church service too. I didn't like them when I was young, but now I'd give anything to be able to sing together and listen to teaching without being afraid.”

“That's why I envy Sam for being in Petra. It must be one big church service every day.” Lionel stretched his arm, put his seat back, and smiled. “So, how are you going to court Vicki?”

“Court?” Judd smirked.

“Yeah, what are you two going to do, take a walk in the fire?”

“I'll admit I'm a little worried about it.”

“Why?”

“We've been apart so long, and we've both changed. Plus, the last time we were together, we fought like cats and dogs.”

Lionel chuckled. “Vicki sure got ticked at you a few times.”

“Right. And how do we know we won't keep fighting?”

“Because God's been working on you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I've told you this before. I was around you when we first started the Young Trib Force. You were … how do I say this … bossy. You knew you had the right plan, and anybody who got in your way was wrong.”

Judd smiled. “Me?”

“Over the last few months, years even, I've seen God knock some rough edges off. He's humbled you.”

“You talk like I was Frankenstein's monster.”

“No, more like Frankenstein's selfish son.” Lionel laughed. “I'm not saying you're perfect, and I expect you and Vicki are going to knock even more rough edges off each other, but you've come a long way. And I'm proud to be your friend.”

“Thanks.”

Vicki's heart nearly broke when she watched Cheryl say good-bye to Ryan. Tom let her hold the boy before they left, and Cheryl sang a song she had made up for him. Through her tears she choked out the words and kissed him on the cheek. “I'm really sorry,” she said as she handed Ryan to Tom. “Will you tell Mrs. Fogarty that—”

“You should tell her yourself,” Tom said. “Write her or call her.”

“I will. And I want you to know I'm going to get better. I've never been through anything like this before.”

Tom opened the door and carried Ryan outside. Clemson put a hand on Cheryl's shoulder and smiled, showing his yellow teeth. “I don't excuse your behavior, but the truth is, I wouldn't have found God's peace if you all hadn't driven through our town. So I thank you for your part in that.”

Cheryl nodded and hugged everyone. “I don't know what I would have done without you,” she whispered in Vicki's ear.

“I look forward to having you back, but don't rush it. Talk this through with Wanda. Let God work.”

The drive back to the campground went quickly in the daylight. Vicki wondered how many people had died in the houses that smoldered on hillsides. But she couldn't contain her excitement over Judd. She looked out the window and smiled for no reason. Marshall caught her and asked why she was so happy, but she turned and tickled Ryan in his car seat without answering.