Free Shaken by Jerry B. Jenkins

Melinda beamed. “I asked to hear some of those messages again,” Melinda said. “I think a lot of it went over my head the first time, but now it’s making more sense.”
    Janie walked by and spotted Vicki. She yawned and said, “So, you’re back. Great.”
    Melinda stepped forward. “I did it, Janie. I finally became a believer. You should too.”
    Janie shook her head. “Just what I need. Another Holy Roller who wants to sign me up.” Janie looked at Vicki.
    â€œYou guys don’t quit, do you?”
    Vicki bit her lip and kept quiet.
    â€œYou know the mark they’ve talked about?” Melinda said. “It’s real. As soon as I finished praying, I saw it on Vicki’s forehead.”
    â€œSure you did,” Janie said. She looked at the others and cursed. “Don’t you think it’s bad enough that we get stung by the worst-looking creatures ever to fly over the earth? Now you scare this girl into joining your little religious club.”
    â€œI don’t believe this,” Vicki muttered.
    â€œIt didn’t happen that way,” Melinda said. “I asked God to forgive me, and he did. He loves you, and he wants—”
    Janie held up a hand. “Give it a rest. Haven’t you seen all the people dying around the world? You think a loving God would allow that?”
    â€œHe’s trying to get your attention,” Melinda said.
    â€œNo. He’s not there or he’d do something about all this. The only person you can trust right now is Nicolae Carpathia.”
    Melinda stood, a frightened look on her face. She went to the window.
    â€œWhat is it?” Mark said.
    â€œSomething outside … I was right. There they are.”
    A herd of horses stood on the other side of the river. The riders looked toward the schoolhouse. Suddenly, a few of the horses moved over the water.
    â€œThey’re coming!” Melinda gasped.
    Janie looked out the window. “Who’s coming? I don’t see anything.”
    â€œWe have to get her downstairs!” Melinda said. “It’s her only hope.”
    Vicki reached for Janie, but the girl jerked away. “You’re not taking me down there!”
    Melinda grabbed Janie’s arms and held them behind her. Janie struggled to get free, but Mark and Conrad grabbed her legs. Together they rushed the screaming girl down the stairs and into the lowest chamber of the schoolhouse.
    Vicki watched in horror as the horses and riders moved effortlessly across the surface of the river. It was like seeing a horror movie. The riders didn’t speak. They simply stared at the schoolhouse. The horses snorted smoke, but no fire. Vicki heard coughing and screaming below and rushed downstairs.
    â€œShe’s having a hard time breathing!” Mark yelled. “Bring some wet cloths.”
    Vicki ran to the kitchen and found some towels and ran them under the water faucet. She jumped back as a horse stuck its lionlike head in the window. It gnashed its teeth and snarled.
    Vicki took the cloths below. Janie grabbed them from her and put them over her mouth. The smoke had penetrated the walls of the house. The kids could see it, but they couldn’t smell it.
    Janie’s tongue stuck out of her mouth as she coughed. It was clear the girl wouldn’t last long if the smoke continued.
    â€œWe have to do something,” Vicki said. She rushed upstairs and onto the balcony.
    Lenore stood holding Tolan close to her chest.
    â€œThey’re huge,” she whispered, “just like you said.”
    A ring of horses had circled the house. The rider in front of Vicki was right at eye level. She stared into the horseman’s face. The being seemed angry and determined. He wore a brightly colored breastplate that gleamed in the sun. This small detachment of the demon army was there to destroy another unbeliever.
    Vicki mustered her courage and spoke. “Leave this place