With the sun rising in the east, Moore headed down Route 7 in his rusty old Ford. All through Knox County, he saw life stirring as it usually did, although there was a feeling of anxiety in the air. He could feel it in his bones and it made his body ache. He knew more than what occurred than most folk did, at least in this part of Maine. People had power here, but where did that power end?
He knew he was going to find out.
He saw people watching him as he continued to drive north. Some of them seemed to shake their heads as if he were mad to be heading in that direction. It would have been safer to stay where he had been. In his home, locked up with a shotgun on his lap and ready to blast any intruder into eternity should they dare to break in. Unfortunately, Moore had a mission to see to whether he wanted it or not. Some things came to certain men for them to do. He didn’t know if it was God who brought them about or fate. All he did know was at the particular time, it fell upon him to do it.
And he didn’t want to.
When he got to Waldo County using Route 7, he began to see a change. A few vehicles were parked in the road. At first, he thought it was odd. It was like whoever had been driving them just stopped in the middle of the road. When he drove around the vehicles, he saw no one inside them. He wondered what caused people to stop their cars and leave them. There was a police car further ahead. It was off the road and smashed up against a telephone pole.
Concerned, Moore pulled to the side of the road and put the Ford into park. He let the truck idle as he slowly exited from the drivers side. He pulled out his shotgun with him. He had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. The times were evil and he decided not to take any chances.
Looking around, there seemed to be no sign of any movement. There were no cars coming, nor any people walking around. He would have thought the people who owned the vehicles in the road would be around but then again, maybe they simply took off. Maybe they were searching for some kind of refuge. After all, if he had been told the truth about what had occurred, then he wanted to find a safe hole in the ground to hide in, too.
There wasn’t a single building in sight from where he stood, although that wasn’t uncommon on Route 7. Anyone could travel along the route for several miles before coming to any gas stations or a little town. Moore’s plan was to take the road all the way to Piscataquis County until he arrived at the River Reservoir. It was where he had to get to in order to deliver the message given to him by a dead man.
He believed he was looking at another dead man. From where he stood, he thought he saw someone hunched over the steering wheel of the police car. Slowly, he made his way over to the vehicle. He realized for the damage done to the front of the car into the pole, the officer must have been going at a high speed. The pole almost appeared to be coming through the engine. Moore expected to find a dead man behind the wheel, yet when he got to the side of the vehicle he discovered it to be empty.
Moore got closer and peered inside the police car. He was surprised to find clothes in the front seat behind the steering wheel. On the floor was a pair of black shoes.
“Hmm,” he muttered, shaking his head. “I believe there might be a naked lawman running around here. People sure are strange. Hmm.”
He took another look around as he headed back toward his truck. He climbed into it and continued on his way. As he was going through Penobscot County, he saw a group of people standing around the entrance to a gas station. When they saw him coming, they scattered and ducked out of sight. He kept his foot on the accelerator and didn’t slow down at all. The gas station’s windows had been broken up and from what he could see within was a mess. The place had to have been looted.
As he put the gas station behind him, he checked in the rear view mirror. Two of the people he saw before he passed it came out of hiding to stand in the middle of the road, watching him drive away. He didn’t like that. A sense of foreboding came over him and he began to watch the road ahead of him, looking to see if there were any signs of movement anywhere. Even when the gas station was several miles behind and completely out of sight, he refused to drop his guard.
He kept checking his rear view mirror, making certain he wasn’t being followed. He hadn’t seen any other vehicles moving on the road since he left Knox County but that didn’t mean he was the only one who had a working vehicle. There could be others able to get around. If he ran into anyone, he was hoping they would be friendly.
A bend in the road was coming up directly ahead of him. As he approached it, he glanced once more in his rear view mirror. He squinted…certain he saw movement on the road behind him. He began to move the truck around the bend and suddenly slammed on the brakes.
The truck screeched on the pavement, burning rubber as Moore fought to keep control of his truck. He was attempting to avoid the vehicles in the road directly ahead of him but was going too fast. He pressed on the brake as hard as he could and tried to turn the wheel. It was no use. The truck slammed into a dark blue van even as Moore yanked the steering wheel to the left. The force of the crash bounced Moore against the wheel and it pushed the air right out of his lungs.
Trying to suck in a breath, Moore fumbled for the door and pushed it open. He tried to get out of the truck so he could stand and catch his breath. For some reason, he couldn’t breathe. He stumbled against the truck with his back to it and that’s when he saw them.
There were four of them.
They were coming out of the woods, men who looked desperate. One of them held a baseball bat and seemed ready to use it. The others appeared to be ready for anything, too, yet they were watching Moore as if they expected he wouldn’t be any trouble to them. As he continued to try to gasp for air, they moved toward him.
“Easy, fellow,” one of them said, “we just want your truck.”
And I just want to breathe! Moore thought desperately as he sank to his knees beside his truck. His ribs were in pain due to the steering wheel. He reached up and put his hand inside the truck, reaching for the shotgun.
The approaching men assumed he was trying to get back up.
Finally, Moore was able to gasp for air and as he did, he pulled out the shotgun and leveled it toward the nearest man. Taking in air was just what he needed because it was sweet relief. Unfortunately, it strengthened the pain in his ribs. He was certain he must have cracked two of them. Possibly more.
He shook his head. “I will cut you down…if you take one more step.”
The four men stopped.
The one who had spoken glanced back at those with him. “We just want your truck,” he said again.
Moore noticed the vehicles for the first time. There was a dark blue van, a purple volkswagon beetle and a grey buick all out in the middle of the road. Anyone who had a working vehicle driving north would not be able to avoid them. He realized they had been purposefully pushed there to cause the blockade.
“You boys planned this for my truck,” Moore replied. He wasn’t asking a question.
“We just want your truck,” the man said a third time.
The man with the baseball bat glared at Moore menacingly. “You can’t shoot all of us! Go ahead! You pull the trigger, whoever isn’t down will get to you. You’ll wish you were never born.”
Moore regarded the men before him. He thought of what he had recently discovered and about his past, realizing that these foolish young men had no idea what they were doing. He had to get to Piscataquis River Reservoir and he wouldn‘t let them stop him if he could do something about it. “I’m getting into my truck…now that I caught my breath and I’m driving away. Go ahead and stop me if you think you’re manly men. I’ll shoot you down if I have to and run over the rest of you if you don’t back away.”
Something struck the front of his truck, cracking the windshield and sliding across to fall on the road. It startled Moore, causing him to back away from his truck as he anticipated an attack from behind. He saw two more men coming out of the woods from the other side of Route 7. One of them had tossed a good-sized rock and it had made spider web patterns on his windshield. The two men had more rocks and were preparing to throw them.
Movement out of the corner of his eye grabbed his attention. He turned around and saw the baseball bat swinging toward his head. He didn’t have time to level the shotgun and fire it, so he did the next best thing. He used the shotgun to shield himself from the blow. The baseball bat struck the shotgun Moore was holding up in front of himself. The older man could feel the shock of the blow in his arms, yet he wouldn’t be deterred for fighting to save his own life and carry on with his mission.
The younger man raised the bat over his head, attempting to club Moore directly over his head. Unfortunately for him, Moore proved to be faster. The ex-Marine shoved the butt end of the shotgun into his opponents stomach. The air was pushed right out of the man’s lungs and his eyes widened in shock. He staggered back, dropping the bat.
Moore looked past him and saw another man charging him. Three of the other men had already used the time their friend gave them to take his truck. All three were inside the truck. The man behind the wheel was beginning to back it up.
“Come on!” he shouted out the window.
Moore wanted to shoot at them, but the man who charged at him was trying to take the weapon away from him. Moore twisted the shotgun and pushed him back, trying to make him let go. He had to do it fast because the other man had caught his breath and was reaching for the bat.
“I don’t have time for this,” Moore grumbled. So he head-butted the young man who wouldn’t let go of his shotgun.
The youngster cried out and backed away, holding his nose, which was now bleeding. “You broke my nose!” he cried.
“Come on, guys!” the driver shouted, having turned the truck around. “Let’s get out of here!”
The youngster with the broken nose turned and ran for the truck. He pulled himself up and over, dropping into the back. “Come on, Ross!” he shouted.
Ross stood there glaring angrily at Moore. It was clear he wanted to club Moore to death, yet this time he stayed back because the shotgun was pointed right at his face. It was mere inches away. Looking down the barrel of a shotgun took on a whole new meaning for Ross as his glare slowly began to show fear in his eyes. He blinked, finally meeting Moore’s own glare.
The look in Moore’s eyes said it all. He wasn’t a man who would hesitate to fire if he had to. “I want my truck back.”
Ross didn’t say a word.
“You boys managed to hoodwink a brother, so I’ll give you that, but I want my truck back or you’ll get to go to the great by and by.”
Ross still kept silent.
“Come on, Ross!” the young man in the back of the truck shouted. “Just go for it. He won’t shoot you! If he does, I‘ll shoot him.”
Moore glanced toward the truck and realized the man had a pistol pointed toward him. “That pea-shooter don’t change a thing.”
Ross took that moment to chance it. He turned and made a run for the truck. He got to it and began to pull himself up, even as the driver began to press the accelerator. The young man with the gun straightened his arm and made a face.
Moore realized what was happening. The man was going to pull the trigger. Not taking any chances, it only took him a split second to level his shotgun and fire. The young man with the gun fell back into the truck and out of sight just as Ross also disappeared from view. The truck sped down the road and disappeared around the bend Moore had come from earlier.
Silence descended upon him.
He was standing there with his shotgun. His mind played back what had just happened and he didn’t know if he had killed the young man or not. He hoped he hadn’t. Maybe he should have just given over the truck without a fight.
It was too late.
If he had hit the man and killed him, that would just be one more death on his account. Moore wasn’t certain he could live with any more deaths by his hands.
It was the early rising of the sun through his window which finally broke William Fronk’s attention away from his newly constructed computer. He had been at work on it since the vanishings and the attacks. The computer he named Portals was now fully functional. He believed he had it up and running to his satisfaction. With the power coming from the generators within the building, he could run any program he installed. He just couldn’t get online.
At least not until he was in line with a satellite.
Once he established that link with a working satellite, he would be able to get online to see what the rest of the world was doing. Unfortunately, it was a long game of waiting for him and he hated to play that game. Waiting played tricks on him.
For example, during the night, he thought someone had knocked on his door. Now with the sun beginning to rise, that knock was just registering in his mind. He went over to the door and opened it, but there was no one there.
He came out of his office and yelled, “Helloooooooooo!”
Those working in the ATD center were mostly startled by this. Erin was one of those startled. Moving away from her desk, she slowly approached Fronk. “Hello,” she said.
Fronk blinked at her. “Did you knock on my door?”
“Yes, I did…several hours ago.” She regarded him. “You didn’t answer.”
“Sure, I did.”
“No…you didn’t.”
He paused. “Aren’t I answering now?”
Erin hesitated. “Yes…but I knocked last night and you didn’t then. You must have been sleeping.”
Fronk paused as he looked at her through his thick glasses. As if coming up with a theory, he suddenly reached up and pinched himself on the left arm. “Oww!” he exclaimed. Then, he frowned. “Well, I’m not sleeping now.” Without hesitation, he leaned toward her and pinched her on the left arm.
She pulled away. “Ow! Why’d you do that?”
“To prove a theory.”
“What theory?”
“That you aren’t sleeping either. Now that we both know we’re wide awake, why did you knock on my door?”
Rubbing her arm, she tilted her head back and looked at him suspiciously. “I…Well, I lost my glasses and was told you have a collection of glasses. I thought maybe you could spare one for me.” She paused. “I mean…could I borrow a pair until I get new ones?”
He waved his hand in front of her face. “You can’t see?”
She took a step back. “I…I can’t read, if that’s what you mean. I’m far-sighted.” She took another step back. “Stop that. It's annoying.”
He stopped waving. “I, too, am far-sighted, but I see you as clear as a midnights summer.”
She paused. “Uhm…thank you…I think.”
He stepped aside and waved a hand toward his office. “Step inside and I’ll find a pair that best suits you.”
She hesitated. “Thank you, Bill.”
“You’re welcome…Erin.” He followed her into his office and closed the door. He gestured to a chair. “Have a seat.”
She sat down, glancing around at the clutter in his office. Computer books and magazines were every where she looked. She was amazed at his computer and found herself peering curiously at the wallpaper on the monitor. It was of the USS Minnow beached on the island with the seven stranded cast members of Gilligan’s Island. Their faces, however, were blurred because she couldn’t see them well enough. She wasn’t too familiar with the show anyway and wouldn’t have recognized them if she had seen them clearly.
Fronk went to his closet and began to rummage around in it, searching for his collection of glasses. Finding them, he came out and set a large, heavy storage box onto the desk in front of where she was sitting. He took out his wallet from his back pocket and then extracted a key from it. Putting his wallet back, he opened the storage box after he used the key to unlock it.
Erin looked at him, puzzled. “You collect glasses…and keep them locked in a box?”
He shrugged helplessly. “It’s…what I do.” He waved toward it. “Take a look. Take what you need.”
She moved her chair closer to the desk and leaned over the box for a better look. There were many glasses within the box. Some were in cases. Some were not. She began to look through them. She really couldn’t help it. It was strange to her that someone would actually collect eyeglasses and keep them in a box.
She turned her head to squint at him. “You…you lock them up. Glasses. You…you don’t find that the least bit weird?”
Fronk nodded his head and winked at her. “That’s just it. I do find it weird.”
Erin shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
He nodded again. “I know.”
She regarded him. “But…it makes you weird.”
“Exactly!”
She took a deep breath and decided she was better off thanking the Lord for providing her with glasses. She tried many of them on, yet some were too blurry and others made it seem as if the room were spinning around her. She found a pair of pink, star-rimmed glasses and showed them to Fronk. “You’re kidding, right?” she inquired.
He shook his head. “Ah…no.”
“Would you care to explain why you have a pink pair like these?”
“Let me repeat myself. Ah…no.”
She couldn’t stop the grin, which began to spread on her face. “Okay, but I’ll find out the story behind them one of these days.”
“No, you won’t.”
“How do you know I won’t?”
“Because I buried everybody who knows the story. So give it up, my inquisitive one. Your boots may be for walking, but my lips are sealed forever.” He smiled at her. “Why don’t you try them on?”
She frowned and put them aside. “I think not.” She continued going through his collection. As she tried out more, she said, “Can I ask you a question?”
“I will let you ask two questions,” he replied as he sat behind his computer. “You have one left.” He smiled at her.
She returned the smile. “Thank you.” Her smile began to fade. “Are you in the habit of using humor to hide your fear or are you like this all the time?”
He waved a finger at her. “Tsk, tsk, tsk on you, young lady! That was really two questions within one. Shame on you for trying to pull the wool over my eyes. Nonetheless, I’ll answer your question.” He cleared his throat dramatically. “The answer is…yes.”
She glanced at him. “Yes.”
He nodded. “Yes.”
“Yes…to what? Yes, you use it to hide your fear or yes, you’re always like this?”
“Absolutely!”
She shook her head but smiled in spite of herself. “You’re crazy, Bill.”
“That’s what I’m called. Can you see me yet? Did you find a pair that highlights my fabulous features?”
She sighed. “I’m afraid not. Nothing in here helps.”
“Interesting. None of my earlier prescriptions work for you. I’ve also collected a few of them which were laying around. Still, something in there should have been able to help.” He spotted the glasses on the desk next to her and smiled. He pointed. “Did you try them on?”
She looked at them and then shuddered. “You don’t really think I’d be that desperate to wear those, do you?”
He nodded. “Oh, if you would like to see what you’re doing, I think you'll wear them. Besides, you're a star and those glasses simply scream out, ‘I’m Erin Greye and I’m a star!’” He gestured toward them. “Can’t you hear them calling out your name?”
Slowly Erin picked up the pink, star-rimmed glasses. “Oh, God…please help me.”
“It’s not that bad.”
“They probably won’t help.” She frowned. “At least, I hope they don’t.”
“Put them on, girlfriend!”
With a sigh of resignation, Erin closed her eyes and put on the glasses. She took a deep breath, composing herself. Then, she opened her eyes. Her mouth dropped open in surprise. She could see clearly and the first thing she saw was Fronk grinning at her like a madman.
“Wow!” he exclaimed, tossing his hands up in the air. “You know…I really gotta say…” He put his hands on his knees and shook his head in wonder. “Yeah, those glasses are definitely, really you. Yep. You bet’cha. Uh huh. Really.”
She glared at him. “You’ve got to be kidding me! Out of all of the glasses you have, this is the only one…the only pair that works for me?”
Fronk snorted. Then, he laughed. “You know, God really does have a sense of humor after all, don’t He?”
“I’ve got a meeting with the Director in a few minutes, Bill. I really can’t go with these on. At least I know I don‘t want to.” She took them off and held them. She turned her head and looked out the window. Finally, she turned and squinted at Fronk. “I…I guess it’s silly being worried about how I look when…when everything is so uncertain now.”
Fronk shrugged. “You’re still you, Erin.” He lowered his voice and pretended to be concentrating his attention on his keyboard. “Don’t ever change who you are and what God has given you because of tragedy. Just let it make you stronger.”
“I’m not that strong.”
He turned away from his computer and looked into her eyes. “You are.”
Puzzled by his conviction about her, she regarded him. “How can you know that?”
“’Because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.’ 1”
“You’re my wife and you’ll do as I tell you to, or I’ll give you a beating like never before!” the man shouted, spittle flying from his lips with every hate-filled syllable he flung at her. Gripping her by the shoulders, he shook her hard. Then brought his face menacingly closer to hers. “Do you hear me?!”
“No!” she cried. “Let go of me! You can’t…you’re not supposed to be here! Let go!” She tried to reach up and dig her fingernails into his arms. Unfortunately, she couldn’t do it.
Her efforts, however, angered him and he tightened his grip on her. “Trying to get away from me, are you? Fine! If that’s what you want to do, then…Get away from me, you ungrateful wretch!”
With that, he shoved her far from him.
She fell and the floor beneath her suddenly disappeared. She found herself falling helplessly in a dark abyss. The man was gone. The room they had just been standing in was gone. Now there was nothing but darkness and falling. She screamed…
…And bolted right up on the sofa she had been lying on.
Staci took a deep breath, grasping onto the cushion beneath her as tight as she could until she realized she had been dreaming. She blinked. The sun was shining, bringing plenty of light into the office through the windows. She closed her eyes and turned her face toward it, realizing how good it felt to have the sun shining on her. She relaxed her breathing and her grip on the cushion and sat back on the sofa.
“It was a dream, Staci…” she replied softly. She ran her hands nervously through her hair. “Just a…stupid dream.”
“Are you okay?”
She looked up. Director Fuller was standing in the doorway watching her with concern. She smiled wryly. “Yes. I’m okay.” She pursed her lips. “Why do you ask? Did I…uhm, mumble in my sleep or something?”
He stepped into the room, placing a cup of coffee on the stand in front of where she sat. “No, you didn’t mumble. You screamed. In fact, you’re the second person who screamed this morning. From William I should be used to it by now. He‘s a nut case. From you…I become concerned.” He regarded her. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
She shrugged. “I’m fine. Probably just…a-a dream, which I don’t really remember anyway.” She quickly picked up the coffee to take a sip in order to hide her lie. She then pulled the coffee away and fanned her hand before her lips. “Oww. It’s hot.”
“Staci…”
“No, really, I’m fine.” She put the coffee back onto the stand. “What, uhm…How long have I been sleeping?”
Fuller sat down in the chair opposite from her. “About nine hours. It’s almost seven o’ clock now.”
“Nine hours? Really?” She paused. “I’m…I’m really not used to sleeping that long.”
“Apparently, you needed it. I can’t blame you, Staci. It’s been a week since any of us had any real sleep.”
“How could you let me sleep so long? I could have helped somebody.”
“You collapsed.”
“I did? When?”
He hesitated. “You don’t remember?”
She frowned. “Well…I remember being with Marc. He was helping me in the shelter.”
“Then, what?”
“I came here, and…” She stopped. “I don’t remember.”
“Do you remember me saying something to you about President Ballou?”
She considered the question. “Wait…yes. I think so.”
“Well, that’s when you passed out. You collapsed and we put you on the sofa where you’ve been sleeping ever since. Do you feel rested?”
“Yes, I…I do. I’m a little hungry. And I could use a nice shower rather than a washcloth and basin for once.”
“There are showers in the gym on the floor below us. With the power out, I’m afraid the only running water we have is cold water.”
“I’m used to cold showers. I used to take them all the time to get my mind off from…” She reached for her coffee again and took a sip. Slower this time so she wouldn’t burn herself.
Fuller watched her. “To keep your mind off from what?”
Staci paused. “Nothing. I’m awake now and…and I don’t intend to blurt anything else out, so please change the subject.” She looked at her coffee. “Thank you for this. Where did you get it?”
“In William’s office. He’s using power from the generators so I borrowed some of it for coffee. There’s food packs there, too. Plenty of granola bars if you like that. If you need to go and freshen up for the day, we’ll discuss our plan of attack in an hour.”
“Plan of attack?”
“Just an expression.” Then, he said, “I’m hoping you and Al both come by before the others do because I need to discuss something important with the two of you.”
“What would that be?”
“I’ll tell you when you’re both present.”
She nodded as she slowly rose to her feet. “Okay. I’ll try not to be too long.”
Taking her coffee, she thanked him one more time and left the office to freshen up. Fuller couldn’t help but wonder what she had been dreaming about and what it had to do with cold showers. Some people had dreams about their past nightmares. Was that what Staci had? He didn’t know and couldn’t know without prying. Since it wasn’t his place to pry, he decided he would find out when and if she wanted him to.
At any rate, he did have only one thing to go on. During the night as he had kicked back in his chair with his feet up on the desk, he had heard her cry out a few times in her sleep. She had cried out three different words he had been able to make out. The rest had been unintelligible. Staci had been exhausted and because of it she had verbally sounded out in her sleep.
The three words were, “no”, “please”, and “Ron”. He didn’t know who Ron was but he seriously thought if he ever met the man, he was going to introduce him to Lenox.
It was less than an hour later when Staci returned to Fuller’s office refreshed and ready to face the next challenge. She needed to continue to keep herself busy otherwise she would fall apart. It was even difficult for her to read the Bible whenever a spare moment did come to her. It was hard to consider going forward when the future was now far more uncertain than it ever was.
And then there was Michael Lenox.
She found herself in the habit of bringing him to her mind when she thought she was going to lose it. At first she fought it. When he continued to fill her thoughts she finally allowed it. She couldn’t understand why she was so fascinated with him. He kept himself away from her. He seemed to be a bit harsh and yet there was something about him that drew her to him.
Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to share what she was feeling.
When she stepped into the office, she was startled to find he was the only one there.
Lenox leaned casually against the desk, a cup of coffee in his hand. He looked toward the door when she entered and his eyes met Staci’s.
Staci just stopped in the doorway. For what seemed to be an eternity, no one spoke. Finally, she cleared her throat and said, “Hi.”
Lenox said, “Hi,” and then, took a swallow from his coffee.
Hesitantly, Staci entered the office and took a seat on the sofa. Silence descended upon them and she tried to look busy looking anywhere but at him. Lenox had thoughts of his own, which he shared with no one. He recalled many times when he had hit upon Nichole Parkhurst and been turned down each and every time. He was certain he could lay the charm on the younger sister…but for some reason he couldn’t explain, he held back from doing so with her. He knew he could use her vulnerability during the crisis to take advantage of her, yet for the first time in his life he didn’t want to.
Maybe I’m getting soft, he thought to himself as he looked at her.
“Are you okay?” he asked. “You seem…nervous.”
“What? Me? Nervous?” Staci smiled, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her right ear. “Oh…no. No. I’m not nervous. Why, uhm…why would I be nervous?” She glanced up at him. “Are you nervous?”
He shook his head. “No.”
“See? That…that’s really great. You’re not nervous. And, uhm…I’m not nervous. Nope. None of us are nervous, and that’s good.” She quickly looked away, wondering to herself why she was sounding like a complete babbling idiot. Where is everybody else? Please, someone come in here before I keep making a fool of myself!
As if in answer to her plea, Barrington, Erin and Fuller came into the office. Fuller closed the door behind him as Staci audibly breathed a sigh of relief. Lenox looked at her and she avoided eye contact with him.
Fuller moved around his desk and sat down. “Everyone just take a seat. I want to make this as quick as possible so you can get underway.”
Everyone took a seat. Lenox found himself sitting next to Staci, who tried not to notice.
Fuller regarded the team assembled before him. “To make this short as I can, your mission is simple. Keith and Jeremy will fly you to Maine in the Storm Breaker. You’ll head for a place called Piscataquis River Reservoir where the President has a private ranch. He’s in hiding there. Or at least he was when I last spoke with him. I was informed that’s where he was going. The ranch is set up in much the same way as Bunker Island is. He may be hiding in the shelters below the ranch. I want you to find him and see to his safety.”
Lenox scowled. “All of us?”
“Yes. All of you.”
“Are you serious?”
Fuller turned his full attention on Lenox. “I’m quite serious. You have a problem with it?”
“Yes, I do. Erin and Dr. Cohen aren’t field agents. Dr. Cohen isn’t even an agent. She’s a civilian.”
Staci cleared her throat. “Uhm…you can call me Staci.”
Lenox glanced at her. “Director, there could be terrorists looking for the President. For all we know, they could have him and we may have to fight to get him back. I don’t think I would like to take anyone into this place if they haven’t got the experience. Bear and I would have to watch them as well as our own backs.”
“Michael,” Fuller began patiently, “Staci is going with you because if the President needs any medical attention, she can give it to him. Erin is going because she is qualified in the task I am giving her. She’s as close to a computer expert as William is. If anyone with the President hasn’t jury-rigged a computer from scratch like William has, she can help them with that. So your job may be a bit more challenged, but I believe you’re up to the task. Get to the President and take out any terrorist you come across. Just make certain both Staci and Erin are safe.” He glanced at Barrington. “Do what you have to do. I’m praying we’ll be able to connect through the computers somehow, but of course, that depends upon connecting with a working satellite in space.”
Staci hesitantly raised a hand. “Uhm…I have a question.”
Fuller smiled wryly. “What’s your question?”
“Well…this EMP pulse…thingie…” She leaned forward. “Do we have any idea how far it spreads? I mean, is…is the entire world in a black out?”
Lenox sat back on the sofa and put his right arm over the back, stretching it. With his other hand, he took a drink from his coffee. He didn’t notice Barrington grinning at him.
Fuller shrugged. “We can’t really say for certain how much of the world was affected, but I’m willing to bet for the most part it’s just the United States of America. I’m hoping we’ll know more once William manages to get online.”
“There’s plenty of satellites out in space, Staci,” Barrington replied helpfully. “The EMP may have taken out more than one of them, which explains why Crazy Man hasn’t established a link yet.”
“Well…I’m a little nervous about what’s next, aren’t you?” Staci let out a sigh. “I mean…even if we get power again…if we ever do…Well, doesn’t the Bible say there are worse things coming?”
Lenox rolled his eyes, yet he decided to remain silent.
Fuller noticed. “We’ll talk about that later. In fact, after this meeting and right before you leave, why don’t you and Al stick around for a moment and we’ll answer that for you?”
Staci nodded. “Thank you.” She sat back.
What she didn’t realize was that when she sat back, she didn’t notice Lenox’ arm on the back of the sofa behind her. Barrington, Fuller and Erin did notice, however, and Barrington was trying very hard not to crack a smile. Erin shook her head and tried not to look at them. Lenox realized what was happening and slowly began to move his arm out from behind Staci.
She turned her head. “Oh…I’m sorry.”
“No problem,” he said.
Duh! she thought to herself. He just had his arm around me and I didn’t notice? What am I thinking? He doesn’t even know you, Lord. And what am I thinking? God, please…help me with my thoughts because they seem to be running away with me. I know I’m only human, but I don’t need this distraction right now.
Fuller paused to see if he had everyone’s attention before he continued. When he was satisfied he did, he reached for his Bible and pulled it toward him. “There’s just one more thing I’d like to do before you go.” He glanced at Lenox. “I know how uncomfortable this makes you, but if you would only indulge me for a moment I would greatly appreciate it.”
Lenox paused. “You’re not going to preach, are you?”
“I’d like to offer a word of encouragement and prayer.”
He nodded slowly. “I see.”
“It’ll only take a moment, but if you’re really that uncomfortable-”
Lenox held up a hand. “Go ahead, Director. I won’t interrupt or spoil it in anyway. Just don’t expect me to accept it.”
Staci turned to look at him. “Why are you fighting so hard against the message of hope?”
“This message of hope is not for me.”
“But…Jesus died for every one, not just for those who accept Him. He died for you, too. My sister had been telling me for years the truth about Him and…and I didn’t get it until she vanished…along with many other people. A man vanished from the rig of his truck and the rig crashed right through the foyer of the building complex I live in! I could have died. Instead, I was given a chance by God to come to Him. He’s giving you a chance, too, if you’ll only take it.”
“Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine.”
She regarded him. “You’re not fine. Nikki told me about you and she said you hide behind your tough guy, super macho walk because you’re hiding the real you.”
Lenox blinked. “Excuse me…? Nikki…?”
Barrington couldn’t help it. He laughed, as did Erin. Fuller simply smiled. It wasn’t often he was able to watch Lenox’ cage being rattled.
“Nikki. My sister.” Staci tilted her head. “Nichole. You worked with her. Or…or at least she worked in this office. And yes, she warned me all about you, mister, so watch yourself! Just know that I’ll be praying for you until you do get saved, and…and I’m going to ask Him to hound you day and night until you do!” She turned to Fuller. “I’m sorry…I-I interrupted you.”
Fuller smiled. “It’s alright.”
“Yes, it is.” Lenox rose to his feet. “Director, I changed my mind. If you have nothing else for me, I’d like to head up to the rooftop and let Ace and Rookie know we’re leaving.”
Fuller sat back and nodded slowly. “I’ve nothing else.”
Lenox nodded. Then, he headed out of the office, closing the door behind him.
Staci closed her eyes and let out a sigh of frustration. “Oh, I’m so stupid. He was going to stay and listen until I opened my mouth!”
“Knox has always been stubborn,” Barrington assured her. “It’s not your fault.”
“I like your idea of praying for him, Staci,” Erin told her. “I’ll pray the same way.”
“Right now, praying for Michael is all we can do,” Fuller told them. “He’s having his own battles right now and we need to respect that. He’s angry. This attack on our country has really taken a lot of wind from his sail because he never believed this day would ever come. When it did, he wasn’t prepared for it. Everything he believes in has been hit and he’s not happy about it. We’ll all pray for him. God may lead him to a place where he has to make a decision, but ultimately it will still be up to Michael to make the choice. We can’t push him into it. Believe me. If you push him, be prepared to be pushed back.”
He sat back in his chair, put his Bible in his lap and flipped it open to where he had placed a bookmark inside. “I want to offer some encouraging words to you before you go. We believe the days ahead of us are going to be a lot worse than what we’ve already seen. Now I’m not a Bible scholar, but I’ve found something I’d like to share with you because it was encouraging to me. I believe this book will be our greatest strength for us in the days ahead.” He held up the Bible. “There’s a lot I don’t understand. All I know is it is God’s Word and I’m going to take it literally. Before I read, I want to assure you that even though we're in this fight, the battle belongs to the Lord.” He shook his head. “It isn’t ours. It’s His and He’s already won it. We’ve just got to get through this raging war until He returns once again.”
Fuller sat back and looked at the page he had turned to. “I’m reading from I Samuel 17, verses 40 through 50.” He cleared his throat. "‘And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.’”
He looked up from the Bible. “As I’ve said, I’m not a scholar. I’m not a teacher or a preacher. I read this and couldn’t help but think of the odds David and all of Israel were facing during that time. Everyone seemed to be worried. King Saul was worried. David’s family was worried. Everyone was worried about the army of the Philistines and they seemed to be afraid of the giant, too. Yet David steps in and says, ‘I’m not afraid. Who are you to stand there and slander the Lord my God with vicious words?’” He shrugged. “Who were they? They were the enemies of God. David knew it didn’t matter in the end because he believed in his God. He knew where the victory already was so he wasn’t afraid.” He paused. “I know it’s hard now. I know I can tell you not to be afraid and it may not be enough. Just stand for God like He is standing for us and then…we’ll be okay. Be of good cheer and know that our God is doing what He set out to do. That should be a comforting thought to us.”
Erin nodded. “It is,” she said softly.
Barrington nodded. “Amen, sister.”
Fuller leaned forward. “We know it’s going to get worse. Now…I don’t exactly know what’s coming but I have some ideas on how we can know and be better prepared. Before I say anything else, I need you all to keep what is said here just between us. Is that understood?”
Staci nodded slowly, trying to comprehend the severity of Fuller’s tone.
Erin and Barrington also agreed.
“William has called us the Gatherers. That includes the four of us, William and Marc. You can add Ken and Keith to that, too. Right now, the three of you and the four I mentioned are the only people I trust. That makes eight of us who are going to be the only ones kept in the loop on what we’re going to be doing.”
Staci shook her head. “Wait…wait a minute…Kept in the loop…on what? I don’t understand. Isn’t Michael one of you?”
Barrington hesitated. “Knox and I have been friends since High School. I love him like a brother, but until he comes to know Christ like we do, we can’t trust him completely.”
“But…but he’s your friend! Are you saying he would…he would what? Turn against you?”
“The Antichrist is coming,” Fuller told her. “I’m afraid Michael could be swayed to his cause and away from the truth. That’s what we have to pray about, Staci. We have to pray that God will open Michael’s eyes before it’s too late. I’m telling you, if anyone begins to follow the Antichrist, they’re going to eventually turn on us and hunt us down like criminals.”
“I don’t want to believe Knox could turn on us,” Barrington said softly, “but we have to be ready if he does.”
Staci regarded him. “I’m sorry.”
“So am I.”
She looked at Erin. Then, she turned to Fuller. “What other things do we have to look forward to?”
Fuller paused. “I’m going to visit Al’s place with Marc while you’re gone.”
Staci exchanged looks with Barrington.
“Yes, I know about Darwyn Musad. First order of business, I want you all to start referring to him as David. If someone hears you talking about Darwyn, they might get suspicious. I’d rather you not speak about him outside of this office unless you have to, but if you do, refer to him as David.”
Staci swallowed. “My…son’s name is David. We…can always say we’re talking about my son.” She didn’t refer to him in the past tense.
Fuller smiled reassuringly at her. “That would be fine.” He paused. “Erin, when you get back, you and William are going to work on that webpage he was talking about. His campaign against the Antichrist. He hinted you might be interested in that.”
Erin smiled like a school girl. “Really?” She cleared her throat. “I mean, yes. I am interested in that. I’d be glad to help, but I’m really not as good as he is.”
“You’ll do fine.”
“Director…I have a question.”
He nodded to her, encouraging her to continue.
Erin hesitated. “May I…?” She held out her hand.
Fuller handed her his Bible.
She took it and placed it on her lap. Then, she reached into her pocket and took out the pink-rimmed star glasses. She glanced nervously about as she put them on. “I found this scripture by chance yesterday…” She came to the scripture she wanted and read out loud. “’The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.’2”
Barrington couldn’t help but grin at the sight of Erin with those glasses on. In spite of them he listened to her.
“When will the sun be turned into darkness?” She took off her glasses as she handed the Bible back to Fuller. “Are we the remnant? Are those who get saved in the tribulation the remnant?”
The Director let out a sigh as he considered the questions. Finally, he said, “I don’t really know, Erin. To be honest, we’re all new at this and have a lot of study to catch up on. I’ll look into it though. As far as the remnant is concerned, I suppose that we’re a remnant of something. I believe I’ve heard there is a remnant in Israel. I’ve heard of a called remnant. We’ll get that studied and answered for you, I promise.“ He turned to Barrington. “Al, along with everything else, we’ll also need other locations to hide people when the time comes. I don’t believe we’ll be able to use Bunker Island. Many know of its existence.”
Barrington nodded. “I’ll keep my eyes open.”
“Good. Okay, people…That’s all I wanted to discuss with you. Why don’t we pray and then, you can leave?”
The others agreed, and the first official prayer meeting of the Gatherers was just about to conclude.
1 I John 4:4
2 Joel 2:31 & 32
