Chapter 8: Mighty Hand of God
I once saw a picture of a Chinese terracotta army buried for thousands of years. The bottom of this pit looks remarkably similar. I now realize the New California Guard was here. But, it rest at the bottom of this ravine. Unlike the terracotta army, this one looks like a giant hand smashed it into the ground all at once. Between the clearing clouds in the pit I am able to indentify separate formations of different military units. I’ve seen this type of battle formation before. It looks to be about a battalion in strength buried at the bottom. Whatever happened to them was so sudden it buried these soldiers in formation, and with no chance of retreat. No one had time to evade the instantaneous attack. I see shattered weapons of all sorts. There are torn limbs still holding their weapons, and small black abyss where their bodies probably once stood. I wonder if they were pushed straight down to Hell. We make it to the end of the impact crater, and I see a soldier’s squashed helmet, and part of a rifle lying on the ground. I can only imagine the imposing pressure must have just snapped the remains over here; like playing a game of “tiddlywinks.” The helmet displays a stretched “Trinity” brand and part of the New California Insignia. I stick the fragment of rifle in the ground and hang the helmet on it. My heart commands me to say a soldier’s prayer as we depart. I hear the flag of the flat helmet swaying in the wind as I silently pray, “May God have mercy on all these sorry souls!”
The sound of the helmet rubbing gradually grows dimmer as we near the edge of the store’s property line. I see virtually every tree and foliage here has been consumed by various deaths. Some look as if they shriveled up slowly, dying over time. Their trunks are like old men covered with wrinkles of worry. Others are burnt warriors from a more recent battle. And, some became instantaneous casualties that were smashed to pieces. This seems to be the perfect poster child for those opposing war.
I see a good cover spot against a fallen tree. I lean over to pull some of its broken braches away, and then sit with my back resting up against its trunk. The sun has set and we wait for the complete cover of darkness. We sit patiently and plan our next move.
I try and concentrate on the next plan of action, but my mind fights me for some urgent answers. The first has to do with the meteor storm occurring seemingly at the same instant I was to be devoured by the LD. The second is: what caused the catastrophe in the first place? Moreover, why did it happen at that precise moment? Was that what scared the LD away, or was it something I’m just not aware of-yet?
I pop my head up and scope the clearing between us and the store. Everything looks pretty silent. I hear Gary rearranging the bulge in his pockets preventing him from sitting comfortably. I try to imagine what he shoved into them earlier, as I recheck the surrounding forest for movement. I return to my sitting position and ask Gary, “What the heck is in your pockets?” He pulls out a handful of glow sticks from one pocket. There must be about seven or eight in his hand. I think of a reason he’d bring them, as my mind again ponders other questions posed to me today.
What is bothering me most is what caused the crater that killed the army. A meteor should have obliterated any evidence of their existence. The sheer heat from the impact would have turned the sand to obsidian, or glass, while frying everything inside the crater. I plainly saw structures intact that prove a meteorite couldn’t have caused it. And, the jet’s destruction still plagues me as well.
I swipe these questions off with the brush of patience, thinking time will eventually answer them all. I have a feeling the answers will be found somewhere in the supernatural. My main concern now is how we’ll get under the store’s holy umbrella of protection. If ever we face an LD assault it will definitely be between the edge of this clearing and shortly before the store. I know there are demonic eyes close by. They would like nothing more than to capture an Irreverent under the nose of God. I can feel them lurking. The darkness is quickly descending and reveals to me a possible solution.
I jokingly whisper to Gary if he might have some string in his other pocket. I need some for the diversion plan I’m thinking of. I am surprised by his answer; “Kind of.” He fumbles in his pocket filled with stuff and hands me a small roll of “baling wire.” I tell him, “Perfect, this may help buy us the time we’re going to need.” This stuff has tons of uses. It is what farmers wrap around bales of hay. It’s also the preferred tool of ranchers, because it bends and twists so easily, but it’s really strong stuff. We even used this wire in my old military unit to set almost invisible traps for our enemies. I ask him what possessed him to bring it along. He just shrugs his shoulders. I commend him, because it’s just what I need for my diversion.
“Gary, open the glow sticks foil packets and hand them to me one at a time.” I then tell him, “But, don’t break any and active them.” I uncoil a section of wire that seems to be about a hundred feet long, and then slide it through the first stick’s retaining device. I move about ten feet along the wire and twist the wire locking the stick in place. I then lay it down and roll off another ten foot section repeating the procedure. After twisting them all on the wire, which actual totals nine glow sticks, I adjust the coil so it loosely overlaps one stick on top the other. I slightly twist one loose end of the wire to the tree trunk that we’re leaning against. I twist the other end tightly on my belt and between my jeans’s. The diversion plan is now ready to activate.
I tell Gary what we’re going to attempt. My goal is to attract any enemy away from us and towards the bait. Hopefully, they’ll bite and give us just enough time to get the store. I figure we have 300 yards to run to safety. I proceed by telling Gary, “I want you to slowly and quietly move a hundred feet to my left and take cover. When I’m ready, I’ll give you a whistle. When I do, I want you to run as fast as you
can towards the store’s entrance. Don’t stop no matter what happens.” I ask Gary if he understands. He nods, “Yes,” as I prepare to pray godly protection over us. I pat his head and signal him to move out. He meticulously dances over the debris while disappearing into the dark.
I didn’t tell Gary that I’ll be his first line of defense. I pray the darkness will trick the enemy into believing there is a bunch of Irreverent running behind me. The line of lighted glow sticks is supposed to resemble a single file of Irreverent dashing to safety. Hopefully, they’ll be preoccupied with the line, but I should be the main course before Gary is.
Everything is peaceful and quiet. I remember the old cliché saying, “its quietest just before the storm.” I lean over the coiled sticks and place my jacket over it. I reach my hand in and begin breaking each one to active their green iridescent glow. My other hand presses down on my jacket to make sure no light is leaking out. After I count nine snaps, I tuck my jacket under the rolled pile to seal in all the light. I gently lift my jacket and its contents, and then softly shake the bundle back and forth a dozen times. This will guarantee that the iridescent mixture is fully saturated and at optimal lighting capacity. I set the pile back down, but on the other side of the tree trunk this time. I take a final look around the perimeter to see if any evil might be rearing its ugly head. It seems all is clear, and silent. But, I can smell the stew of trouble boiling.
I lean up until I reach a sprinter’s racing position. Very carefully, I slide my jacket from under the roll of lights, while making sure not to let any green light escape. I keep my hand grasped to my jacket collar; that I’m bringing with me. Everything is ready to go. I just need to whistle and run for my life. I take several slow deep breaths attempting to slow the nervousness of my heart, and store some extra air in my lungs for the long fast haul. My head shifts left facing Gary’s position. I lick my lips knowing this whistle has to be loud and perfect the very first time. I’m ready.
I whistle and jump the log onto the open field. I make it from “zero to infinity” in less than three seconds. The wire sings a song like someone playing a saw with a violin bow. The glow sticks bob up and down, looking like people running in
line just behind me. I reach the end of the line as my force tears the loose end of the wire off the tree. The wire holds firm to my belt as the green lanterns chase after me. The darkness hides Gary, but his thumping steps seem to be matching mine stride for stride. The gulping sound he’s making tells me he’s already out of breath. I just hope he can make it to the safety of the store.
We make it about two hundred feet before I hear what sounds like “King Kong” crashing out of the forest. By the sounds of it, it’s coming right at me from my right flank. I turn on what remains of my after burners and run faster than I thought possible. The rushing sound coming from behind me is covering twice the distance in the same amount of time that my legs can cover. I am at the halfway mark with nothing left in my fuel tank. I know in a few seconds I’ll be finished. I unfetter my sailing jacket and find its freedom gives me a little more speed. The noise tells me the size of the assaulting regiment must number in the hundreds. I can’t imagine so many could hide from my prior detection. The sound is just about on top me, and I still have several hundred feet to go.
Their monstrous green shadows have already overtaken me.
I feel the first set of terrible gnashing teeth chomp into my line. The weight pulling at it makes me dip down. It’s huge! It feels like I caught a full fledge Demon. It jerks the wire with its superhuman strength slicing my belt right off. The plan worked! I hear it tangle in the twanging sound of the wire. I reach down inside myself for just a little more juice that will allow me to put more distance between it. The stampede of thumping feet continues to rush after me. It’s like I’m trying to outrun the raging waters of a broken dam. Suddenly, the following sound changes into an avalanche of colliding booms. I determine the herd must be piling up on the first tangled Demon. I judge, I have only a hundred feet to go as more thumping begins chasing me; now from both my flanks. The bones in my legs feel as if they’re turning to gelatin. I just know I’m not going to make it. I see Gary pass me as I get ready to collapse. I reluctantly release my fears into the fog of my mind. The only thing left in me is the satisfaction that Gary is going to make it to the safe area. Finally, it ends. I trip myself in exhaustion, and bury my face in the grown. “God, help me!”
The dirt in my eyes blinds me, but I can still hear that Demon slowing. The height of his snarling tells me it is a giant. I’m not sure if its fear or my instinct to survive that causes me to dig at the dirt with my hands and feet to pull myself away. All of a sudden, I am pulled violently backwards; feeling like I’m being stretched apart. In my agony, I helplessly stare at the store that is sadly oh so close. This monster twists and squeezes my legs, tenderizing my entire body. I suffer as it laughs. I know this excruciating pain is just a taste of the torment coming. I grab at the ruts I’m making, hoping somehow to pull myself away. But, it all seems useless. I cry in the dusty dirt, as it drags me off to my demise.
“Let go of him!” a man’s voice commands, while galloping towards me. I tell myself that I know this voice. It’s my dear crazy friend Moses. I try telling him to go back, but my parched throat will only expel a couple coughs. Moses fearless command must have intrigued the Demon enough to make it slowdown. I make out Moses bouncing silhouette, which is close enough to grab. Moses screams, “In the name of Jesus, let go of him!” The mention of this holy name forces it to drop me. Moses snatches my right arm and frantically drags me in the opposite direction. I see this army of shadows behind Moses rushing towards me with outstretched arms. They are all yelling just one word, “Jesus!”
Pastor Paul jerks my left arm and races Moses toward the store. The army passes us as they shoot their shouts. I turn my dragging head to see the beast behind. My army stands firm in their defensive line, as the Demon growls furiously in pain. We make it to the point I fell previously, and then brush past it. I sense victory approaching, but I see the beast jump the line and make its final assault. My feet try to assist both brothers as they push at the dirt. Two columns of light appear as we race between them. I hear the sound of a jet and see the blinding brightness of the sun as my brothers pull me inside the safety of the protected store. The last thing I remember before peacefully passing out is the words, “To Hell with you!”
I smell coffee in this dream. I can almost taste it. I don’t want to ever wake up again. I just want to stay safe awhile in this wonderful dark dream and smell this coffee. “Hey, you awake?” I try and indentify this whispering voice, but I know thinking will force me to wake up and steal my dreamy coffee.
“Hey Joey, I made you a cup of coffee.” I don’t see Dave, but I know his voice. I wonder where in the dark he’s hiding. “Is this really a dream, or did I die?” I start remembering the feeling of being safe. I remember Moses and Paul pulling me. I remember the awful monster tearing at me. But, I was pulled to safety! I ask myself, “How can I be dead?” All this thinking is killing me. I know I just want that coffee! I remember now that my legs were hurting real bad. Maybe, the Demon tore my legs off and I bled to death? Maybe, I did die? “How is he?” Hey, I know that voice too. How did Moses get here?
This is a weird dream. Why do my legs still hurt if I’m dead? Why is there an earthquake in this darkness causing my head to shake? And, why is Moses saying, “Wake up?” Maybe I am alive? Maybe, I’m just dreaming? I feel the shaking again and hear the words, “Hey buddy, it’s time to get up.” The pain in my legs slaps me and reminds me I am really alive. I open my heavy eyes to see a smiling Moses as his hand moves back from off my shoulder. I see Dave half sitting on my cot holding a cup of coffee over my chest. I try and grab it, but leaning up causes sharp pain in my legs. “Lay back Joey, you got some really bad bruises on your legs,” Moses explains.
“Don’t worry though, there’s no permanent damage.” Dave moves the cup close to my chin as Moses helps lift my head. I feel him tuck a rolled blanket under it. “Ahhh,” I finally get my coffee.
I watch Dave flail his arms in excitement as he asks me, “Wasn’t last night amazing?” I look at Moses as he turns to walk away and ask him how Katie and the kids are doing. He stops and turns around. I see him welcome Hanna and Jordan under his outstretched arms. “We’re all fine.” Moses shoos the little darlings towards me. Their outstretched arms cover my chest in their attempt to hug me. Their cold little arms warm my heart. Jordan tells me, “I’m glad you’re alright Mr. Joey.” Hanna just bobs her tiny head into my belly. I see Katie sneak in the picture; as Moses magically grows a set of arms that rub his chest. Her head peeks around his shoulder while telling me how happy she is. “Thank you Joey,” Katie cries. I watch her tears roll down as she mutters, “We have so much to tell you, but you need to get better.” She waves the kids off me and instructs them to follow her. “Jordan, Hanna, come on, we’ll go over there and play.” I see her stare and smile, saying, “You just get all better. You hear!”
Pastor Paul maneuvers around Katie as she departs. “How are you doing Joe?” He moves closer and stops almost alongside Moses. Paul reaches his hands up from behind Moses and places them on Moses shoulders. Paul tells me, “I don’t know where you’d be if it wasn’t for the strength of this big guy?” Moses face begins to blush with and “oh, shucks-it weren’t nothing” look. The only thing I can say to them is, “Thanks guys for holding on.” Moses informs me, “Katie is right. You need some more rest. I got to let you know Joey how happy I am right now. Thanks for saving me and my family. I love you man.” This tough strong face that’s been through so much shows signs of cracking. His eyes glaze over as he retreats towards Katie.
Dave seems to be going crazy trying to get a word in. I see Paul getting ready to speak as I get ready to sip. I lift my free hand slightly to signal Paul to wait. I tell Dave to go ahead and tell us what’s on his mind. “Did you see the Angel? Did you see those LD flee when he sliced the thing to pieces? The Angel was huge. I was so scared of it, but he stopped the Demon in its tracks!” Dave fills me in with all the emotional aspects on what happen last night. I fill in the blank spots
left in my memory with his explanation. The blast of light last night was what Dave recalls as a huge fiery sword. It caused an explosion as the Angel struck the evil beast. I figure that’s the natural reaction of holy meeting evil. I see the exciting pressure discharge from Dave’s face as he finishes telling me this fantastic story. Pastor Paul patiently waits while nodding his affirmation. Dave looks to him checking to see if Paul continues to agree with his recollection of his story. Dave finally remarks, “That was awesome!”
Dave returns to his sedentary posture waiting for our reactions. Paul nods up and down as he comments, “It’s amazing what God can do.” Dave asks if I need a refill, as Paul’s mouth pauses in the open position sucking air. I hand Dave my cup and tell him, “Filler up buddy.” He grabs it and moves away. Paul asks if anyone told me what else happened here the day I left. “No,” I tell him. “But, I am sure interested to know about the downed jet and the enormous crater.” Paul sits on the edge of my cot knowing this will take time to explain.
“Well, a short time after you left here we were attacked. That downed jet you saw tried to bomb the building.” I remember a jet flying over me in this direction when I was going after Moses. Paul continues with “I heard the roar of its engines roaring nearby. I went to the top of the building just in time to watch it finish circling and head straight at us.” I shake my head knowing something fantastic is coming next out of Paul’s mouth. “The jet starts diving downwards. Then, out of the sky appear these magnificent creatures. One had eyes covering its whole body, and even its wings. It was gigantic; simply huge. The one with eyes all over it leaps above the jet, and out of nowhere his sword appears. It was so bright that I could hardly bear to look at it. The creature swung its sword and chopped the jet right in half. The front half shot straight upwards and the back half just dispersed into a rainbow of colors.” I remember concluding that the jet was sliced in two after observing the downed jet. Paul continues explaining, “It raised its sword and flung beams of light at the front half of jet causing it to crash really fast. The flinging light turned into flaming bullets as it passed through the jet. Right after it crashed I noticed the New California Army that had lined up on the edge of the store’s property.” This is the part that really intrigues me. What kind of weapon could kill all those soldiers the way I found them? Paul states, “I heard a command come over a loud radio transmission to ‘Attack’. The two remaining creatures flew fast upwards and raised their open hands towards the heavens. Then, they quickly swung both their arms, dunking this swirling void down towards the army. A second later, there was this enormous crater followed by one large boom. I couldn’t see what the Angels threw, but in a way I could.”
I ask Paul if he might know what caused the magnificent meteor shower. He tells me he found the emergency radio in the box-I discovered. During the storm he turned it on and tuned it in to different shortwave emergency frequencies. All the stations reported similar messages about the shower and its destructive power. I learn this was not a local event. Paul describes listening to places as far away as Europe and Africa, telling how they were experiencing the same catastrophic event. “I went to the roof and saw a million fireballs falling from the sky. They were exploding everywhere except right here.” I just stare at Paul in total marvel. I realize exactly everything we both have seen these last few days. It surely was the mighty hand of God.