Stung (31 page)

“Normal,” Mark said. “The color looks better. We have to make sure they don't freeze again.”

While Melinda, Charlie, and Janie huddled by the fire downstairs, the others headed upstairs. The kids removed the tree limb and nailed boards over the windows.

“That should keep the wind out,” Conrad said.

While Darrion and Shelly built another fire upstairs, Conrad and Mark inspected the generator. Vicki found the canned food, but it was frozen. She placed several opened cans of soup directly on the fire. When the soup was warm, Vicki brought it downstairs. Janie complained but wolfed it down and asked for more.

Melinda wore four pairs of socks and shivered under several blankets. “What's going to happen to us?” she said.

Vicki patted her shoulder. “We'll take care of you.”

Lionel and Samuel prayed for Samuel's father and Judd. Nada and the rest of her family remained behind closed doors. Late in the morning, Lionel heard a report from the Wailing Wall. The two witnesses, Eli and Moishe, had spoken out against the Global Community again.

“Woe to the leaders who make promises but do not do what they say,” Eli wailed. “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth.”

Moishe picked up the message. “This judgment shall not pass until those who are sealed are released from their bondage.”

Vicki found Mark and Conrad working on the generator. The sun was out, but the light was weak and the temperature hadn't risen much. The two blew into cupped hands to stay warm.

Mark shook his head. “This line won't thaw anytime soon.”

When they were back inside, Conrad asked about Melinda's foot.

“It blistered some more and she's in a lot of pain,” Vicki said, “but I guess that's good.”

Mark nodded. “If we can, let's get her back up here so—”

“Already done,” Vicki said. “Charlie and Janie, too.”

Vicki led them to the three, who were huddled close to the fire. Janie held tightly to Phoenix. The room flickered in the firelight.

“How much wood do we have left?” Vicki whispered.

“We've gone through it faster than I thought,” Mark said. “If we stick with one fire, we might be able to keep this room warm for another week or so.”

Judd's cell was chilly, but he wasn't affected by the cold like some of the other prisoners. They moaned and cried for more blankets. One man hadn't moved in hours. When guards carried him out on a stretcher, Judd realized he was dead.

On Friday evening Judd noticed a flurry of activity in the jail area. Several times a guard walked near Judd's cell to check on him. Finally, Judd was led to a room where Mr. Goldberg met him.

The man fidgeted with a pink piece of paper. “We have reviewed your file—”

“You have no reason to hold me,” Judd interrupted. “The potentate said followers of Rabbi Ben-Judah are free to move around.”

“The deputy commander has spoken with New Babylon about the meaning of the potentate's statement.”

“The meaning?” Judd said. “Seemed pretty clear to me. I've done nothing wrong.”

Mr. Goldberg leaned close. “You have taken my son away from me. You brainwashed him with your religion. You are a dangerous young man.”

Judd paused. Instead of hating the man, he felt pity. “My parents and my whole family were taken in the disappearances. Before that, my mom and dad tried to get me to go to church and listen to the same things your son believes. I wish I'd listened to them. I wish
you'd
listen. You don't have to be separated from your son or from God.”

A guard opened the door and motioned for the man. Mr. Goldberg left. A half hour later, Judd was returned to his cell.

Later that night, Judd noticed an older, dark-skinned man in the next cell. The grizzled man scooted his cot close to the bars and said, “American?”

Judd was cautious but moved closer. “Yeah.”

“I tell you something important. In return, you give me blanket.”

“What could you possibly tell me that—”

“You get out soon,” the man said. “Heard it from guard. But I tell you something else. First, blanket.”

Judd folded a blanket and shoved it through the bars.

The old man wrapped it tightly around him. “When you leave before, guard came. Take coat from bed.”

“They took my coat?” Judd said. “What would they want with—”

“They bring it back. Did something to it.”

Judd felt his coat. Nothing was different. “What would they have done?”

The man shrugged. “Heard something else. You must be important person.”

“Why?”

“New Babylon say you get released. Others like you.”

Judd nodded and told the old man about Rabbi Ben-Judah. The man turned and pulled the covers over him when Judd explained the message of the gospel.

“No God,” the man mumbled.

Judd tried again, but the man yelled and others nearby awoke. Judd thought about what the man had told him. If the GC had planted a tracking device somewhere in his coat, he would lead them straight to Jamal and the others. Later in the night, Judd woke the old man and proposed an even exchange: the old man's coat for Judd's. “All you have to do is keep quiet about the coat for a few hours.”

The man handed him an old coat about the same color as Judd's. Judd wrapped it around his shoulders and fell asleep.

The next morning keys jangled Judd awake. He could see his breath in the frosty jail. A guard opened the door and motioned Judd outside.

Judd stood up. “What's going on?”

“Bring your coat,” the guard said. “You're free to go.”

The guard led Judd to the front of the station, where he signed for his wallet and fake ID. Judd shoved them into a pocket.

Judd looked around for Mr. Goldberg or the deputy commander. Neither was in sight. Outside the station he quickly pulled out his ID and money and threw the wallet in a nearby trash can. If there was a transmitter in his coat, they might have planted one in his wallet as well.

Judd ran a few blocks until he came to a familiar street name. He was at least an hour's walk from Jamal's apartment building. He passed several bodies of those who had frozen to death.

Judd ducked into a crowded coffee shop and sat on a stool by the window. As he sipped a warm drink, he listened to the conversations around him. People spoke of the cold and the two crazy men here in Jerusalem. A few minutes later, as Judd suspected, GC squad cars raced past. He stood up and pushed his way to the front. Before he could get to the door, something stopped him in his tracks.

The sun.

At 10:30
A.M.
Jerusalem time, the bright, yellow sun appeared. People who had been inside for weeks ran into the streets and lifted their faces toward the sky. Crowds blocked traffic, but no one seemed to mind. The earth had broken out of its icy spell.

A monitor inside the coffee shop showed a replay of the entire conversation between Nicolae and the two witnesses. Commentators praised the work of the potentate. Judd smiled. He knew God had been looking out for him and other believers.

Early Saturday morning, Vicki awoke and noticed something different. She stumbled to the kitchen. Brilliant sunshine streamed through the windows. She let out a whoop, and the other kids came running.

Mark and Conrad quickly got to work on the generator. The others helped pull food from the frozen storage area. Melinda stayed inside with her foot still wrapped. Color had returned to her toes, and Mark thought she would be okay in a few days.

Vicki boiled drinking water and thawed enough food for dinner. She wanted to resume classes on Monday and had planned a worship service to celebrate the end of the judgment.

Vicki noticed Janie was missing. She found her walking by the river. Vicki wanted to scold the girl or punish her in some way but decided to let it go.

“I'm glad that's over,” Janie said. “Feels like spring again.”

“It's not over,” Vicki said.

“You mean it's going to get cold again?”

Vicki shook her head. “The judgments get worse and worse. That's part of what we're learning in our classes. See, God wants us to come to him now while there's—”

Janie patted Vicki on the shoulder and interrupted. “Just wait. When the guys get the computer working, I'll bet it shows Nicolae had something to do with getting things back on track.”

Judd walked into the crowded streets and made his way toward Jamal's hiding place. He watched for any sign of a Global Community squad car. Once, a siren blared behind him and Judd darted into an alley. Later, he found they were headed to an accident scene.

Judd waited near Jamal's building until dusk, scanning the street for anyone suspicious. When he was sure no one was watching, he slipped into the underground garage and found the back entrance. He knocked on Jamal's door. Someone opened the peephole and closed it. A few seconds later, Lionel let Judd in.

“Man, it's good to see you,” Lionel said, leading Judd to his room. Samuel greeted Judd.