Free The Camouflaged Cross: Tales Of Christian Preppers In The End Times (Just Run Book 1) by Cal Wilson

is, and here we are. Any Pre-Trib people still around right now are probably getting quite a shock.”
     
    “Yep.”
     
    “It was just wishful thinking.”
     
     
     
     
    *****
     
     
     
    The two hiked some more in silence for a while. “I’m just not used to being this close to dying,” Kathy looked back at Peter. “That really changes things.”
     
    “Well, I have come to terms with it.”
     
    “Yeah, that’s probably the way to handle it. Just accept it.”
     
    “No, I mean… well, I wasn’t going to say anything, but I could have something wrong with me right now. Either some kind of stomach disease or gallstones, or who knows. I don’t know, but I have been having these sharp pains in my stomach area. Kind of on the side over here.” He gestured to his right side. “I went to see Lois, you know, the nurse, and she said I might have something serious.”
     
    “No way.” Kathy stopped and turned around.
     
    “Yes.”
     
    “Stop it. Lois just told you that and left it at that?”
     
    “Well, Lois is a nurse, and in fact she used to teach nursing. She knows this stuff. But it’s not like we have a surgeon out here. That would be nice, but that’s just the way it is. And I would rather know what is wrong with me, and Lois told me what she thinks. That’s all.”
     
    “How can you say that and, well, it sounds like you don’t really care? Aren’t you concerned?”
     
    “Of course I am. But the thing is, I am totally at peace with it. I may be dying of something, and I am OK. Sure, I worry about the pain. If this is some kind of cancer, I have heard cancer can be a painful death. But we are all mortal. We will all die of something. And for those who don’t die, their time here is limited anyway.”
     
    Kathy resumed her hike. “Well, that’s terrible. I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll pray for you.”
     
    “Thanks.”
     
    “Are there any pain killer pills up here?”
     
    “Lois said she might have some morphine. That would be nice. And I guess anything is possible. Hey, watch the root sticking up. It’s straight ahead. But look,” Peter paused to catch his breath. “If you believe, as I do, that we really are in the End Times, I mean really believe it, then the clock is ticking for all of us. Even if I have something serious, I could still outlive everyone here.” He paused. “Or we could all be raptured and it doesn’t matter.”
     
     
     
    ****
     
     

CHAPTER 9
     
     
     
    Jesse and a couple of the men had returned to chopping and splitting wood. Several other men were standing nearby, holding rifles. “Jesse, come in,” could be heard over the walkie-talkie in his pocket. Jesse reached in his pocket and pulled out the walkie-talkie.
     
    He pressed the microphone button. “Yes, Tracy. What’s up?”
     
    “We have a hiker here. It’s Wallace. And he wants to come up to the camp and donate the fish he just caught in the lake.”
     
    “The lake? Are you kidding? That must be 15 miles from here.”
     
    “No, I’m serious. I’m looking at Wallace right now, and the fish he caught. He has some good fish. One of them looks like a 10-pounder.”
     
    “12!” Wallace could be heard correcting Tracy, then he chuckled. “Check that. One of the fish looks like it weighs at least 12 pounds.”
     
    “And he wants to donate them to us?”
     
    “Yes, he says he will donate the fish to us if he could use our shower and clean his clothes.” Tracy paused. “He could also use a shower; I can vouch for that.”
     
    “Oh, I’m dying here! You’re a riot!” Wallace could be heard saying to Tracy.
     
    “OK Tracy, send him up,” Jesse said.
     
    “Alright, but you might not see him. He is dressed in camo and he blends in pretty good.” Wallace could be heard behind Tracy, laughing.

    Jesse put the walkie-talkie back into his pocket. “Just what we need up here,” he said to himself. “A character.”
     
    Wallace was a giant man, almost six and a half