Chapter 4: The Strength of David
“Ohhh, helllp me!” comes crying out from my kitchen. I stretch consciousness into my jumbled mind as I yawn amidst the continuous moans waking me. I stagger to my feet snatching the wall for support as I whisper in the direction of the kitchen, “I’ll be there in a second.” I straddle the wall for a few paces as I wake up. Rays of sunshine lay a railroad track directly to the jostling lump on the kitchen floorboards. I ask myself along the way, “Is it morning already?” I find it is taking me longer than I thought it would, so I whisper again, “I’m coming.” I watch the blanket covering his face slowly slide off as his inflated cheeks flap a quiet, “Katie.” I squat down over him being careful not to press his swollen injures. I put my mouth to his ear as I speak, “It’s alright friend; everything will be okay.” I notice his blood filled eyes peeking through slithers of his bulging black flesh. I cannot help feeling some of the pain he is experiencing. “Katie, my babies” he strains out in agony. I tell him, “They’re fine. Don’t worry, and don’t try and talk. You need to be still and rest.” I proceed explaining all about my chance meeting with Katie. He defies his body’s will to rest as he hinges on my every word. “I’m going to bring your family some supplies tomorrow. I’ll tell them that you will be home soon. I’ll look after your family till then.” I inform him how Katie accepted God’s gift of eternal salvation. I assure him both Jesus and I were watching over his newly saved family. He reaches up as if to hug me, but he has no strength. The only power left in him is the, “Thank you” he repeats until his mind drifts once more away.
I stand in the morning light in more ways than one. The yellow of the streaming beams suggest it is midmorning. My watch divulges my assumption to be correct. I see its 9:33 am. I splash some cold water on my face at the kitchen sink as Dave greets me with a shallow, “How was your night?” Through my towel I muffle, “Morning buddy.” Dave inquires about the condition of Katie’s husband. I inform him, “He’ll need medicine and lots of prayer to get better.” We both decide to lay our hands on the three of us and pray for healing, guidance, and continued supernatural protection; all while the big guy sleeps.
I tell Dave he needs to stay here while I go to “T” for food and medicine. “Sit near Katie’s husband, and keep him quiet. Keep him warm and attend to his needs. I’ll be back soon.” Dave replies he’s going up stairs to grab another blanket and his Bible. I grab the spare Bible from the secret supply chamber just in case God reveals another soul searching. I remove the back door barricade as Dave returns. I pan the backyard while Dave pats my back. I reply, “You too buddy,” as I exit. Dave quietly draws close and seals the door, as I bend, and then jog quickly to the backyard fence.
I listen quietly for any signs of life before jumping over the fence. My heighten senses give me the okay. I proceed up and over as subtly as possible. I land in a front leaning prone position while detecting for signs of LD. My peripheral vision notices the bloody message we left on this side of the fence last night. I grab some dirt and rub the red trails. My mind makes a mental note to clean it later today. I stand and march off towards my mission for today. I am no longer terrified walking alone, because I travel with the confidence of Christ.
A passage from the Bible fuels my conscience and strengthens me. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not yet seen.” The book of “Hebrews” is my morning breakfast, as my mind eats some of its stored passages.
This is something I’ve always had problems with-“faith.” Science does not accept this concept and ridicules those who do. I don’t know why it is so important to God we have faith, but I know it’s impossible to please Him without it. It goes against my logical nature, but I also believe in something else that can’t be proven scientifically-“love.” That is the very essences of God!
A scream off in the distance alerts me of possible LD
activity. Pressing forward, I rededicate my focus to audible and visual observation. More agonizing pain echoes from different distant clusters. It seems screams are coming from all around. I realize something is happening beyond the normal today. Commotion is raining down everywhere. “Yeah,” I confirm to myself, there’s never been this much LD activity before. I stay low and move fast towards “Project T.”
My little Flicker appears out of this pandemonium. His flame of hope lifts my spirit as he lands at the entrance of the far alleyway. I see him standing statuette on top a chain link fence. My mind asks him, “What, no pretty song for me today?” I maneuver towards my blue buddy at regular intervals of observing, ducking, and then covering. A strange tingle tickles the skin of my neck warning me somehow that something is wrong. I decide to take heed to its advice and obscure my existence. It proves to be a good decision.
One LD appears between the frameworks of fences lining the alleyway. She comes within reach of Flicker’s lifeless posture. She stops and stares at him. Her devoid emotional state seems to war with that part of her soul feeling compassion and beauty. Her face is painted with puzzlement while she peers at his petrified pose. Tenderly, her hand draws to his warm flame of hope. My spirit sorrowfully whispers, “Her soul awaits the fatal flames of Hell.” Sadness fills that void in her soul as she tries gently touching him. Flicker suddenly pricks a warning of the damnation and pain awaiting her. Anger of this revelation provokes her to swipe at him, but my Flicker flies off faster than her fury can retaliate. She retreats into her previous path of travel taking along the blood drop in her hand. I reflect, “Thanks little friend for the ‘heads up’ warning.”
The next alley is further away than it was just moments ago. I move to a secure point at the end of this alley and assume a prone position. My eyes locate her on the adjacent street as she unites with the LD precession marching away. My head slowly slides side to side pitying this dark army.
I use this diversion to crossover to the other side.
Remote shrieks far off follow me as I forage for cover. Perfect protection appears past a pile of debris. I remain on high alert to the surrounding screams, and possibility of LD, as I bend behind the pile. “Move out!” commands my mind; fighting my body’s desire to stay safely here and rest. “There’s no time to waste!” My mind keeps pushing me along from secure position to position. I finally realize there is one more block till I reach the hidden protection of “Project T.” I continue to methodically maneuver through the immediate mass of madness all around me.
A spiritual force of evil looms thick in this day’s air. I take every precaution in approaching “T”. My mind tells me this is not a good idea while circling the entrance way. My conscience reminds me of those deeply depending on my success. I race upright to the stone sacrificing its stealthy secret. “Time is of the essence” is the rationale favoring the odds of chance. I hastily perform the entrance ritual that slides the stone aside, and then leap into its light below. Quickly, I turn and grab the stone and slide it back in place. Sitting lifeless, I listen on the steps just under it. A faint frantic conversation fills the foyer as I fear the worse. The muffled words that I detect echoing are not from the outside, but rather from deep below. A “whew” of relief is forced out of my subconscious. This strikes me as very unusual; since no one should be here till tomorrow. Quickly, I go repent the secret entrance code to open the hidden chamber below. I realize during this ritual the revealing flaw to this fortress; the pastor did not make the lower chamber soundproof. The stone in the floor pops up. I slide open the chamber as five sets of dismal eyes stare quietly at me. Waves of hurrying hands yell at me to descend now. I scamper five steps down, then reach and slide this entrance stone shut.I warn my brothers’ about the sound traveling up and suggest we move further down in the chamber. We retreat to the chapel’s seclusion.
After we’re all securely inside the chapel, I ask, “Why are you all here?” Each brother tries explaining their reason as they talk loudly over one another. It seems all out war has been declared on finding every Irr
everent. My fellow brother Scotty gives an account of how his secret partner is captured by the LD. “I heard Joshua screaming as he was running towards my house. They grabbed Josh right before he tipped them off to where I live. I guess his fear of being caught got the best of him.” Scotty gives every terrifying detail as every brother intensely listens. Scotty cries in his hands suppressing his words: “The poor guy. I wanted to help Josh, but there was too many LD beating him. They promised he would take the brand or they’d cook him alive.” Every Irreverent brother here tells a similar story. Every accounting is about seeing someone they know being tore from their hiding place, or captured off the street. Brother Ken gives us the key reason for all the LD commotion.
Kenny has a friend who’s too scared to risk becoming a member of “T”. But, Ken does bring this elderly gentleman food and supplies. It seems this old man over heard a possessed posse of LD shouting orders to each other outside his hiding place. Ken tells us the old man heard, “We’ve got to find our example. He’s around here somewhere.” Ken thinks they’ll tear the town down if they don’t find him. I know now the reason for all the LD activity. They’re looking for Katie’s husband, and those who helped him escape. Fear has taken us over. There’s never been a time our faith’s been tested so much. Never before did we need so much to don the protective “Armor of God.”
Fear is the Devil’s weapon. It is the destroyer of faith. My brothers’ are shaken by what has happened. They worry about what they now face in light of this dark war. Not one here is showing concern for anything but themselves. Two brothers want to find the guy the LD are looking for and give him back to “Trinity’s” henchmen. Two other brothers want to take as much supplies as they can carry and leave town. I shake my head wondering how those brothers not currently here will decide to divide our fate.
“I am the reason,” I tell my brothers. “The LD are looking for the man I stole from them last night.” I continue to explain what happened. I tell them how they tortured him, and how they left him as an example to scare us in to converting to their theology. I explain how the LD left him for dead, but I found him and he was still alive. “I will take responsibility for him” I exclaim! “I will take the chance caring for him and his family until he’s well enough to do it himself. I am sorry for the pain this causes all of you. God has revealed His purpose for my life. It is to save everyone He brings to me. ‘As for me and my house, we WILL serve the Lord’!” My expression convicts the room to silence as each of us search our own soul to what is right. And, to what God would have each one of us do.
I go and bow before the chapel altar and pray. With open arms I prostrate and speak loudly to my God. “Jesus, please give me the ‘shield of faith’ to protect me against the evil that will attack me. Make my ‘breastplate of righteousness’ impenetrable to fear, torture, and doubt. Give me the ‘helmet of salvation,’ and the wisdom to discern and escape the Devil’s traps. Most of all dear Lord, give me the strength of ‘David’ to conquer giants that would come between us. Amen.” I feel all alone at this moment and sad for what we have become.
The warmth of the multitude covers me, as my brothers hands begin laying upon my back and shoulders. They begin quietly praying over me. Some pray for forgiveness and some for strength to go through what we face. I know in my heart these trials will perfect our faith. And, I know if our God is for us, then who can stand against us. These are the times for men of courage. These are the times to trust in God. We pray in unity, pouring out our hearts towards Heaven. I don’t feel so alone anymore.
Some of the men are too afraid to leave the protection found here. Three of the ten decide they are going to stay at least till after Sunday meeting. Two say they won’t ever go back to their homes. My agenda is to grab the medicine and needed extra supplies and get moving. I realize I still have a lot to do. I stuff it all in an old military rucksack the founder graciously left in the supply room. I find a flashlight in the bag and turn it on. I’m amazed it works. I bid my comrades’ farewell and warn them to keep their heads low and voices down.
Scotty follows me up to the main entrance while reassuring me that I have a copilot flying with me; and his name is Jesus. I give him a man hug and tell Scotty, “Thanks buddy.” I slide the stone underbelly very slowly and quietly away. I lift my head half way out and turn it to observe. I return my face slightly towards Scott and tell him, “Adios, I’m out of here.” I tap a “goodbye” pat on his shoulder as he replies, “God go with you Joey.” I “low dash” to the tree line as I hear the stone slide and click back in place. I pray for the power of invisibility that will keep me safely hid from the Demons until I get back home.
I make it behind the first old Oak in this patch of forest. I catch my breath and observe for LD activity. It is amazingly quiet. I expected the air to be filled with screams. This quiet is the quietness you hear after a sizable snow. This quietness is yelling, “Something is just not right!” Every part of me prays for divine intervention as I maneuver the alley searching for protection. Pieces of torn clothing mark the asphalt trail home.
The tattered cloth shreds seem more like a warning with a purpose than windblown random remains. Some are too high off the ground to find their way there by chance. “No,” I deduct, these bloody swatches are particularly placed for a reason. I don’t yet understand why, but I know they are bloody little flags demanding attention. I keep low and keep moving.
“Why did they do that?” I think. I occupy my mind with all the possible reason. “Is it to flush out Irreverent through fear? Maybe they are setting a trap of some kind?” I approach the street at the end of this alley and see why. There are three mostly naked chained bodies fixed to telephone poles on the adjacent street. Each is decorated with dozens of locks. Each one of these wretched souls wiggles in pain and groans in agony. Each wears a barbed wire crown. And, each looks like they were whipped with the barbwire before it became their crown. Each body is blackened by a brutal beating. Each of their hands is nailed to their pole. Each body is covered in blood. Each has a sign nailed above them. Each of these exhausted martyrs’ moan for help, or prays for death. “This is more than a warning” my heart screams! This is past even mockery. These human hostages are a dare. These chains and locks suggest to anyone planning a rescue, “This is a choice you will lose!”
I know this is a trap, but I sense there is something more. I don’t dare go any closer than I am. My spirit agonizes in the swell of compassion flowing over me. I command myself, “I must not be over taken with compassion!” I realize there’s nothing I can do right now, except get these supplies home. I hurry to get home as those savage images burn in my heart and mind.
I precariously make it to the backyard fence as my mind and heart continue to battle each other. I see there are no signs the LD have been this way-yet. I toss my rucksack over the fence, and then myself. The dimming orange yellowish light says it’s almost evening. My sturdy long shadow precedes the dancing of my sack as I race to my back door. It makes it to the house first, and then stands up at attention on my back porch. A second later I muffle through the slither opening in the door jam, “Dave, open up. It’s Joey.” I hear soft footsteps creek their way towards me. The restraining chair carefully scratches the wooden floor as it’s carefully dragged away. The removing of the security chain seems to be taking forever. Finally, Dave finishes the rigorous process as I escape the tension outside. I rub my hands all over my face as I sit on the floor next to the door. I tell him, “Give me a few seconds.”
I take a moment to reflect and absorb the security of home. I decide to take care of immediate business before telling Dave about everything that’s happen.
Dave opens the rucksack knowing there are rations inside. He lifts out the medical kit I prepared from the supplies at “T,” and then sets it next to Katie’s husband. Dave returns to the sack and grabs himself a MRE. I sit watching him rip it open. He pulls back the foil, revealing the smell of meatloaf, which he hurriedly chews lik
e a candy bar. I scoot over to the covered sleeping lump on the floor. “How’s he been?” I whisper. Dave chews out, “Oh, his name is Moses. He woke up a couple times. Once was long enough to tell me his name. He kept saying, ‘Thank you’ over and over.” I methodically pull the cover down from his face, hoping the blanket hasn’t stuck to Moses wounds. “Hi sleepyhead, I brought you some antiseptic and fresh bandages.” His swollen eye lids are froze in place leaving just a slight gap. The whites of his eyes roll down as two blue orbs follow. “I need to apply some antibiotic cream on your wounds.” He’s conscience enough to realize this is going to hurt. The expected pain causes Moses to stretch his puffed blacken cheeks into further agony. I dab clean water on his wounds, and then apply the soothing ointment which immediately softens the drawn stitches. His eyes and face are full of questions that demand urgent answers. I continue dressing his sores and tell him, “Relax buddy, everything will be fine.”
“Now, I want you to stay still while I tell you about Katie-okay? First, your family is worried about you. But, they are just fine.” Moses pleasure of this news defeats his pain as he forms a small smile of gratitude. “I’m going to see her first thing tomorrow morning, and bring them food and supplies. I’ll tell her you are just fine, but you can’t walk just yet.” I try thinking of all the things he might want to say to her if he could. “I’ll tell her you love and miss her, then I’ll give her a big kiss and a hug. Well, maybe not the big kissing part.” Moses slowly grabs my shirt sleeve as his eyes dance with tears of laughter. In this moment, I know I’ve made a lifelong friend.
“Hey big guy, I want you to take a couple pills for me. Do you think you can?” I wonder if I can force them past his swollen lips, and shove them far enough in for him to swallow? I ask, “Dave, get me a cup of water,” as I open the bag of penicillin. I try making Moses laugh a little more, hoping it will pry open his scabbed lips. “Here comes the chew-chew train.” I make the cup of water bump and bounce up and down as it dances towards his mouth. Moses strains to lift his head as I quickly slide my free hand under it assisting him up slightly. I pour a little water, attempting to lubricate his lips, mouth, and parched throat. I slide the pills in his mouth as I watch a pink stream drizzle a trail down both cheeks. Moses struggles to swallow as I watch his throat stretch. My compassion awakes inside me to see this mountain of a man reduced to his current pathetic condition. My dark compassion overtakes my desire to destroy the evil that could hurt such a big babe. I silently weep and war as I address his wounds.
“Moses, I want to tell you what else happen when I visited Katie.” I explain to him about the salvation message and God’s promise of eternal life. I even tell him about my wonderful experience in Heaven. “All these things, Moses, you can have too. It is called grace, and it is a gift from God. You just have to want it, and you just have to ask Jesus to come in to your heart. Tell Him you need Him, and you too will have the eternal promise and power that comes with it.
Katie did.” He again pulls my sleeve and tries nodding his head, “Yes.” I tell him, “That’s all you needed to do big guy” I welcome him in the brotherhood of the eternal saints. A peace, such a sweet peace, brings joy to his face, as he retreats in the comfort of anew soothing sleep.
“Dave, come in to the front room. I need to tell you some things.” As we walk, I think of how I am going to explain what happened today. I don’t know how to break it gently, so I give him all the details. He takes the news badly. He starts uncontrollably shaking, and then crying so violently it causes him to collapses under the weight of his fear. His weaken body leans onto the wall behind, and then slides down it. Dave becomes frantic after I explain what I must do. “I got to go and see how I can help those crucified Irreverent.” Dave yells, “No, no, no you can’t! We’ve got to take care of us. What happens to Moses and me when you’re caught?” I whisper, “Keep it down Dave. Do you want the LD here too? This is something I got to do. I’ve just got to try.” Something inside me won’t allow me to enjoy safety while they hang there in hopeless misery. Dave searches inside himself and knows this is right. I prepare a few things to bring with me as Dave finds my “bolt cutters” in the garage. “I got to go. Every second lost is one more eternal second for them. Pray for me buddy. Please pray for me.” I sling the newly supplied rucksack over my shoulder and decide to exit through the front door. Dave sticks the “bolt cutters” in the sacks webbing as I peer out the door. “Okay buddy, I’m out of here.” He gently shuts the door as his words slowly disappear “I’ll be praying for you Joey.”
I am praying the extreme darkness of this night will be my friend, and hoping it will hide me from the evil waiting ahead. My eyes adjust to the unusual eerie blackness as my soul continually prays for supernatural protection. My fear grows every step closer I get to the martyrs. If not for the shaking of my legs I believe my shoes would freeze to the pavement. Every part of me says to turn back. Yet, I move forward. Every thought reminds me how foolish this venture is. Yet, I go on. There is some substance amidst my prayers torturing my logic. The faint whisper inside me grows louder and louder with every step I take. I don’t know what it is saying, but it comforts me. It feels like evil has swallowed all the light in the world-this night.
Howling and moaning swirls around me, echoing a warning. But, the evil inviting me to attend this feast of the martyrs. An awful vision appears to me. It’s me hanging alongside the martyred. I rebuke it! Yet, I go on. This night’s air grows thick with a foul stench.
I fight my way to the end of this lengthy street. I’ve never been this scared. I prepare to turn left onto the street of the martyr as that whisper grows louder inside me. I step around the corner and see; not just three, but now a dozen hanging bodies filing along each side of the street. Stale blood painted on the pavement mingles with the fresh blood that drips, and drifts upon the repulsive night air. I think this must be the perfume of evil. I know life still lingers here. The living produces the sound of plopping that drips down to their living pools of blood. I go on.
I see and hear no evil as I walk down this street, but I feel its presence. I reach back and remove my flashlight from my sack. I stop at the first martyr and feel her old cold dead body with my free hand. I move to the next and see the frozen horror on his young face. His life is also gone. My boots crackle as I step on the next corpse’s dried fallen remains. Deep sorrow overtakes me, as I look at her once beautiful face. I find the next body past her is as hard and cold as pond ice. My faith grows weaker every step I take. I am reminded of the courage these souls had each step I take. All of them refused the brand. I draw from them the strength I need to go on.
I count nine empty bodies that suffer no more. I have no more tears left to give these dear brave souls. The weight of my sorrow is breaking my heart in two. Something pushes me on though.
I touch the foot of what looks like a teen age boy whose face has become old in a day. I realize he must be one of the three I saw earlier today, because they all had signs above them. The sign above him reads, “We have your young.” The heaviness of the chains and locks must have torn his right arm loose from the nail. His nail pierced hand hangs over his sacrificed harden puddle of blood below him. One of his fingers is frozen in a peculiar pointing position. He seems to be reminding me of a greater sacrifice paid long ago. I give up hope any innocent Irreverent will be alive. Yet, I go on.
My heart feels as hard as these cold corpses. I struggle to the next pole containing a grey motionless body. I steer my light up to the crooked sign just above his head saying, “They will be ours.” I bring the light down over his agonizing face. I look for signs in his face of the story it might tell about the horror of today. I jump back in astonishment. I think, “Did his mouth just move?” I stare at the corner of his mouth stretching slightly. I question if this is just a reaction to rigor mortis? “No!” my heart screams. I watch his lips open ever so slightly. I pull my “bolt cutters” quickly from my sack as I hear a slight moan from the next pole.
I flash my light to see the pale face of a woman gently lifting the heavy weight of her barbwire crowned head. I think, “Two alive, Thank God!” I frantically move in position trying to cut his restraints, but I don’t know where to start. Should I cut the heavy chains or the nails in his hands first? I just know I must hurry. I tell him, “I’m here friend,” as I think, “Please stay alive.” I find a new strength to go on. It comes from the joy of possibly saving some of these poor wretched souls on this miserable dark night.
“You fool! Do you think you can steal them from us?” This sarcastic command is screamed out from the darkness behind me. I don’t dare turn around; as my skin turns to stone. I hear evil laughter begin surrounding me. There’s a rush of Demons lining up to do battle. I don’t know why they just don’t instantly destroy me? I feel myself ready to break as I shake in my devastation. “We are legions and legions of warriors.” One advances and mightily and violently slams me to the street. Yet, I live. The whisper inside me returns as I drift into unconsciousness. Now I hear its words plainly.
“Will you stand with me Joey?” I feel His holy presence pushing back the evil. “Will you be brave for me?” This gentle firm voice enters my dazed state of mind. I think in this moment how I am nothing. “Will you fight for me my son?” I feel myself dying in the pain of my broken body. My little Flicker lands near my face as I stare at his and think, “How brave a little friend you are to come and stand with me.” His head tilts as if to ask me, “Will you?” I swell with a righteous anger that obligates me to try and get up. I think how these martyrs’ died so heroically. I struggle to whisper, “Yes, I will stand for you Lord.” I push myself through my agonizing ache up on my broken arms. I scream loudly through my pain, “Yes, I will be brave for you my Lord God!” Blood rushes out of my mouth as I spit at the evil encircling me. “Yes, I will fight for you, and even die for you, my Lord and Savior! For, you are my God!”
I watch as I stand now seeing the forces of the night. This invisible world materializes showing the evil monsters encompassing me. There are thousands upon thousands of hideous giants waiting to tear me to shreds. I feel God’s supernatural presence repair my brokenness as I see the evil tremble. My little Flicker leaps to my shoulder and looks steadily ahead. I scream once more, “Yes Lord, I will stand for you!” Flicker leans his head forward as if he is preparing to charge. He looks more like a ferocious Eagle preparing to swoop mercilessly on its helpless prey than the tiny bird he is. I stretch my arms upward and march forward into the multitude of these damned.
Flicker leaps ahead as I scream, “In the name of Jesus; I rebuke you!” I hear explosions behind me as I feel the warmth of this most extraordinary light approaching. I race towards the evil foe while pleading, “In the blood of Jesus-be gone!” I notice just the mention of His name causes this hoard to buckle in pain. A juggernaut wind passes me, knocking me to the ground. I anxiously lift myself to reenter the attack, but a friendly invisible voice tells me, “Stay down.” I lift my face and see wonderful beings appear, but only momentarily. My allies sparkle with each strike of their flaming swords, and then vanish. My furious Flicker flies a protective circle around the two souls still hanging. He shrieks a deafening roar daring these Demons to come nearer. I believe my little friend possesses the power that will send the evil ones straight to Hell. The stampeding legions retreat while screaming into the dark. The holy warriors show no mercy as each evil voice begs before being blown apart. Each dazzling swipe of their superior swordsmanship shows their slashing and shedding skills. The Angels virtually conquer the evil hoard in a minute. I hear the rush of a multitude of wings and see flashes following the foe filling the stormy dark sky. Silence approaches as my Flicker lands on the last unread sign hung on a martyr’s pole. I shine my light to its message. It reads: “We wait for you!” I shudder at those words as I realize its meaning. The war for the innocent has just begun.
All the locks and chains miraculously fall down from every martyr. A departing voice announces, “I am well pleased my son.” I turn my face towards Heaven and thank my Lord. The miracles are not yet done. I look to the lingering lady as her body bends forward. It’s as if she’s being gently plucked from the nails, slurping through her hands. She falls slowly through time into my swooping arms. It’s as if an invisible Angel hands her to me. I cradle her slumped body down to the ground, and then pluck the barbed crown from her head. I toss the crown away as the adjacent gentleman falls off and floats down to the pavement. I stand a moment in awl of what just happened. Realization slaps me with the notion that I have no idea how I’ll carry them away. Urgency tugs at me with its warning to “hurry!” I touch both bodies and pray, “Dear Jesus; I need one more miracle.”
Warmth returns to both their bodies as the grey of their skin is colored with warm pink. Life grows in their chests and wind blows in their breaths. Lacerations covering them turn to scars, as scabs disappear before my eyes. I again thank my Lord. I grab each of their hands with mine. Wiggling eye lids try to open, and each lip quivers like it is ready to speak. I squeeze my hands a little tighter attempting to wake them. She returns to the living first.
“My name is Joey, and I am your friend.” She pushes her weak body up and off the ground with her left arm, and then rubs her forehead with her right. “Where am I?” she asks. “You’re with a friend who is going to help you.” I hear a moan from alongside me. He shows signs of waking, while she attempts to stand. “Sir, can you hear me?” I ask. “What’s happening?” he asks. “My name is Joey, and I am here to help you. I need you to try and get up.” He tries to stand, but his legs wobble from weakness. “Amanda, my name is Amanda” she replies; as he tries to stand. I notice her shaking and see much of her clothing is in shreds. I pull a large black trash bag from my sack and hand it to her. “You can wrap this around you to protect you from the chill.” But, it is also to cover her naked areas, which I do not say. “I’m Randal Gather, but call me Randy-that’ll be fine.” The process of salutation returns me from the supernatural surrealism back to the mundane of this world. Suddenly, my conscience reminds me that more evil will come soon. I tell the gang, “We got to go!” Amanda and Randy follow me as I think “Project T” is our closes and safest bet for tonight. Flicker leaps off and flies away. We hurry to march out of the “valley of the shadow of death” into the outer darkness.
I whisper to Amanda and Randy, “We need to be quick and quiet while we travel.” We navigate the alley ways keeping quiet while constantly moving. My Flicker begins singing his beautiful song several blocks ahead of us. He warms our spirits and informs me the coast is clear. Flicker stops singing as he “leap frogs” in front of us to his next location. His song begins again a few blocks ahead. He continually beckons us along our journey as we only move during his song. After traveling many blocks, I see the safe haven of “T”. It’s just about a block away.
I tell the couple to keep their profiles hidden in the bushes. “Stay here until I wave you on.” This night has been filled with divine providence, so I forgo the normal entering procedures of “T”. I rush to the stone and slide the secret entrance open halfway to keep it from turning the chamber light switch on.. I hurry and jump down three steps, and then hold the stone lid in place. I wave the “okay” sign and whisper, “Come on guys.” Amanda is the first to arrive. She jumps in and stumbles down the dark stairs, unaware of their existence. I catch her fumbling body and gently nudge her down. Randy leaps in and bumps the stone lid. I fight to keep it from hitting the switch to the chamber lights. I succeed-barely! Randy feels his way down with one hand and his other rides atop Amanda’s shoulder. I give them the “shhhh” sign as I slide the entrance stone back, locking it in place. My right hand reaches the light switch and presses the system on. We stand a second allowing our eyes adjust to the light, and the security of “T”.
We stop at the end of the steps. “It’s okay to talk now, but keep your voices low. I know you have a lot of questions. I’ll try and answer them shortly
. For now, follow me.” I reveal the repentance ritual to my new brother and sister as I unlock the lower chamber’s secret. We move down the steps while I watch their faces fill with amazement. I see every brother whom remained here is asleep inside the chapel. I move past its entrance while whispering, “Let’s be quiet and let them sleep. We’ll go to the supply room.” Both their eyes seem to smile as I open the supply room door. Randy says, “Look at all this stuff. Your place is simply unbelievable.” I grab some blankets and hand them to Randy and Amanda. They quickly wrap them around their cold bare bodies. “I’ll get you some decent clothes to wear in the morning. I don’t want to move the supplies around and make noise.” I see an open box of MRE and know they’re probably starving. I hand them both a pack to eat as we each search for a spot to sit atop the stacks of supplies. I then explain what happened today. It seems neither remembers very much after they were taken away by the LD.
Amanda tells us how she and her brother were caught. I immediately find out both of them actually lived two towns away. They came here to relocate. It seems all hell was breaking out in her town. “Trinity” stopped food supplies from coming in, because they heard the town had a major underground Christian network. “Trinity” surrounded the town with the intent on starving everyone to death, thus eliminating the Christian problem. Even the LD was forced to starve as penitence for letting this happen. “Trinity” pressured the New California Guard to secure the town’s perimeter and shoot anyone trying to leave. “I saw people eating people!” Amanda cries. “It didn’t matter if they were even brothers of the Eternal Vestures in the Legion; they were eating anything they could. We Christians’ could not do such a thing.”
She tells Randy and me how the Christian clan decided to escape town in small groups. Each group would sneak out of town and go in a different direction. This would increase their chances of survival. They thought finding a town with enough food for a small group was more probable than if they all stuck together. Plus, stealing food and supplies once they got to their new location would not be as noticeable. Amanda explains they got out just in time. The LD were tearing the town apart trying to catch all the Christians. They caught a few and chopped their heads off right in front of her home. Then, they got a hot metal poker and burned a mocking imitation of their brand in their dead heads. After, they stuck the heads on poles and staked them on ever major street intersections for all to see. Amanda states, “I guess these members in the Eternal Vestures in the Legion hoped ‘Trinity’ would stop tormenting them by producing dead Christians.” She says, “Trinity” showed no mercy and the affliction didn’t stop.
The Christian clan had one last meeting at their secret gathering site. They all said their final goodbyes. Each was given equal portions of the last of the supplies before attempting to leave town. They were all given enough food to last about two days. Amanda was part of a five person group led by her brother Jimmy. “One of our group members was caught as we were escaping town. This sweet elderly lady was just too slow to keep up. We had to run across an open field to make it to the safety of the surrounding forest. The rest of us made it before the Guard noticed her. She just couldn’t keep up.” Amanda tells how one Guard grabbed the Old lady by her hair and yanked her head so hard forward that he almost tore off her scalp. This old lady never screamed. She just stared at the forest smiling. It was like she was thanking the group for taking her along, and wishing them a safe journey. Amanda cries as she explains how this sweet lady smiled before another LD soldier wacked her head off with a sword. “Jimmy, the two others, and I made it to a town ten miles away just to find the same thing happening there.”
Amanda tells how the animals in the forest constantly tried to attack them along the way. “Someone had to keep a continuous lookout every moment.” She goes on telling, “Not even the littlest of the animals were afraid of us. It’s like they went mad.” Amanda explains that squirrels would drop from the trees and bite them. Sparrows would occasionally swoop down at them. “I don’t know if all the animals have diseases or are starving, but I know none of them were afraid of us.” She also noticed how the forest is dying. “Half the trees had no leaves. and most of the bushes were dry and crumbling. There were a lot of dead animals along our way too.” I told Amanda about the Bible stating God would remove animal’s natural fear of man as a judgment on mankind. He would allow deceases to increase over the entire world. She did not know this.
Jimmy and her two friends eventually found a place just outside of this town. It was some sort of farm. A rubble pile now stands where a barn once did. The house was missing its roof, and there were dead LD inside. She tells us “The bodies were covered in sores.” They thought the fear of decease was the reason these bodies were just left alone. They came to the conclusion this might be a good place to hide. They wrapped their remains in plastic trash bags and took them away into the forest. She stresses that they buried them real deep. They finally had a place to hide, but now they needed food. It was several days since anyone had eaten. They found a few cans of vegetables inside the house stashed way back in the cupboard. They rationed them, but they only lasted two days. During this time they realized they needed to look for more food to stay alive.
Amanda tells how Jimmy decided he would venture out to look for food. She knew he’d have to go in town to find any. She also knew how risky this would be. Amanda refused to let her big brother go alone. She convinced him he needed to get enough supplies for everyone. He could not possibly carry that much by himself. He reluctantly agreed, because he was worried about the risk they’d be taking. That was the main reason she wanted to go also; she was worried about him more than her own welfare. Before they left on their mission, everyone one came together and prayed for blessing, thanksgiving, and protection. Amanda and Jimmy decided to travel as much as possible under cover of the forest. They would get as close as possible to downtown before coming out of the forest. Their game plan was to look for abandon houses and search for any overlooked food. They believed the darkness would offer their best protection against being detected. They figured if they left at sunset they could make it to town right after dark. They all shared a final meal of canned corn together. Finally, the two left for town as the sun was setting.
The forest brought them by the back of deserted department store at the edge of town. Jimmy knew this place was definitely picked clean, but he hoped someone may have overlooked a can or box of food. Plus, this place was much safer to search than going in town. Jimmy saw a roof access ladder attached to the back of the building. He had Amanda wait at the edge of the forest while he checked inside. She explains, “I waited and waited for him to come back. I got worried after about an hour. I knew something bad must have happened for him to be gone so long.” Amanda goes on to explain how anxious she became. She decided she had to go see if he needed of help.
“I ran to the back of the store and proceeded cautiously up the ladder. I saw the open roof access lid, thinking this must be how Jimmy got inside.” She starts to cry and shake while telling what happened next. “I started down the ladder inside when I heard laughing. It was an evil laugh.” Amanda followed the laughter half way down the ladder to find Jimmy being beaten. She says one man was chocking Jimmy from behind while another one was burning Jimmy with a hot poker. He was laughing as Jimmy agonized. A third man having the brand grabbed Jimmy’s left arm and broke it. “Poor Jimmy” she cries. “They were demanding to know who else was with him. But, he kept answering ‘no one’.” Amanda grabs her head and bawls her eyes out. I hurry to shut the supply room door hoping she hasn’t woken the brethren. “They also kept asking him, ‘Where is he?’, like they were looking for someone special.”
Jimmy and Amanda didn’t realize the store was really an LD trap for strangers. It seems the LD notice this place to be a regular stop for visiting Irreverent searching for supplies. The way Amanda describes the place, it sounds like they use it as a sort of headquarters. It also sounds like it is an Irr
everent jail and torture chamber. They picked the worse time to enter the trap. This was the night following my rescue of Katie’s husband. The LD want revenge, and to put the fear of EVIL in every Irreverent heart. I figure these are the reasons they hung those innocent souls on poles.
Amanda goes on explaining how she was caught. She heard a noise from above as a man came down the ladder she was on. She knew she had no place to run accept right into the hands of the evil enemy. She was punched and whipped without mercy. The worst part was they made Jimmy watch. They told her they could stop the pain if she would renounce her god and freely accept the brand of “Trinity.” Amanda remembers wishing she would die. The pain was too great for her, but she refused to give up her hope in a loving God. She thinks they must have knocked her unconscious after that. The next thing she remembers is waking with tremendous pain coming especially from her hands. The weight of the heavy chains made her hands and arms feel like they were on fire. She tried to look up and find out why they hurt so much, but lifting her head caused even more pain, and caused lots of blood to poor down into her eyes. In a brief instant, she noticed her Jimmy hanging next to her. She then hung her head down in great sorrow and defeat, crying out, “Why God have you forsaken me?” The last thing she remembers before seeing me is hearing someone speaking the words, “I will never leave you, or forsake you. You are a child of the Most High.” Those words filled her with great comfort, and most of all- hope. “These words transcend my spirit with a new strength,” Amanda states.
There are only a few hours of sleep left in this night. I tell the two how we need to recharge ourselves. I know today will be filled with many choices for us to make. We need some sleep if we are going to make rational decisions. I proceed to toss them a few more blankets, and then ask Randy if he’d tell me his encounter in the morning. We pray that God will give us His blessing of protection and divine guidance before we drift off in exhaustion. We all feel Him covering us this night in His warm peace.