Free Brian Keene by The Rising

was different elsewhere. I prayed for a ham radio set, or even a decent pair of those AM/FM headphones I see the kids wearing, just so I could know what was happening. I've had no contact with folks, and the power has pretty much been out, except for a few streetlights here and there. I heard a plane go overhead a few days ago, but that's been it."
    "The power was still on in Lewisburg. I had radio, TV, and the net. They're worthless though. There's nothing, no one. As for this being a localized event, it's been over a month. I think they'd have had troops in here by now, if that was the case."
    The Preacher thought about this, then excused himself and disappeared into a side room. Jim began to lace up his boots.
    Returning, Martin offered him Oreo cookies, bread, animal crackers, and warm grape juice for dinner. "Got the cookies and crackers from the Sunday School room.
    66 The bread and juice were for communion."
    They ate in silence.
    After a few minutes, Martin caught Jim staring at him.
    "Why?" Jim asked.
    "Why what?"
    "Why did God let this happen? I thought the end of the world was supposed to be when Russia invaded Israel and you couldn't buy anything without having a 666 on your credit card."
    "That's one interpretation," Martin nodded. "But you're talking about end-time prophecy and you've got to remember, there are many, many Page 49
    different ideas about what it all means."
    "I thought that when the Rapture happened, the dead would return to life? Isn't that what's happening?"
    "Well, the actual word 'Rapture' never occurs in the Old or New Testament. But yes, the Bible does speak of the dead returning to life, after a fashion, to live with the Lord upon his return."
    "No offense Reverend, but if He's returned, He's made a hell of a mess of things."
    "That's just it, Jim. He hasn't returned-not yet. What's happening isn't of God. It's Satan who was given mastery over the Earth. Yet even in this, we must stand firm and trust in the will of the Lord."
    "Do you believe that, Martin? Do you really believe this is God's will?" Martin paused, choosing his words carefully.
    "If you're asking me if I believe in God, Jim, yes. Yes I do. But more importantly, I believe that there is a reason for everything, good and bad. Despite what you may have heard, bad things are not caused by God. When there's a tornado, that isn't God's will. But it's his love and power that gives us the strength to carry on in the tornado's wake, And it's that same love that will get us through now. I believe we have been spared for a reason."
    67 "I have a reason, alright," Jim nodded, standing. "My son is alive, and I've got to make it to New Jersey and save him. Thanks for the meal and the shelter, Reverend, and more importantly, thanks for saving my ass today. I'd like to pay you, if you'll let me. I don't have much, but I've got some extra sardines and Tylenol in my pack-"
    "Your son is alive?" Martin repeated. "How can you be sure? New Jersey is a long way off."
    "He called me last night on my cell phone."
    The old man looked at him as if he were crazy.
    "I know it sounds crazy but it happened! He's alive and hiding out in my ex-wife's attic. I'm got to get to him."
    Slowly, Martin rose from the pew.
    "Then I'll help you."
    "Thanks Martin. Really, thanks. But I can't ask you to do that. I need to move quickly, and I don't want-"
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    "Nonsense," the preacher interrupted. "You asked me about God's will and the meaning in all of this. Well, it's His will that you received that call, and it's His will that kept you alive to receive it. And it's also His will that I help you."
    "I can't ask you to do that."
    "You're not asking me. God is." Martin stamped his foot, then more quietly, said "I feel this in my heart."
    Jim stared at him, unflinching. Then, slowly, a grin spread across his tired face.
    "Alright," he reached out a hand. "If it's God's will and everything, I guess I can't stand in the way of that."
    They shook hands, and sat back