Hail, Blood, and Fire
By: Shayna Nicole
Talk spread of Jimmy's being in the house and Cindy's mom dieing. In the dark, tinted light people came up from Cindy saying they were sorry about her mom, or they were praying for Jim, or they hoped Jim was ok. "Hey, Cindy, I'm Bethany." A girl with light brown hair said.
"From math class?"
"That's me. I just wanted to say I'm really sorry about your mom dieing." The burnet said jumping around. Something about her reminded Cindy a lot of Shayna. She was hyper like Shayna was, and seemed to always have a glow around her… even though it seemed fake at school… and apparently it was, seeing as she had been left behind. She was wearing her usual, jeans, and a t-shirt.
"Thanks… when'd you come to Christ?"
"Actually… believe it or not, five seconds after the rapture."
"Dang! I bet that made you feel dumb!"
"Yea… especially since I was at a church softball game. It wasn't really too hard to realize what had happened. How'd you get to know Christ? I heard you and Jimmy weren't exactly close to the Christian way of living."
"Really, were there rumors?"
"Only a few… I mean you guys were the hottest couple in the school. Which was kind of weird because neither of you are like majorly popular."
"What'd they say?" Cindy asked… all the sudden worried about what her reputation had been.
"Just that you did like everything together, and stuff like that."
"Everything?"
"Yea… pretty much."
"But we didn't! Well… up until the night of the rapture at least."
" You're kidding me? You chose the night o the rapture to… take your relationship to the next level?"
"Not like we meant to… we didn't know Christ would come back!"
"So… anyways… how'd you come to Christ?"
"Well… last Friday I had a dream." Cindy started to explain the dream and then told Bethany what had happened from then on. At the end when she reached the part about the earthquake and Jimmy going back inside she felt a really strong feeling to go check on Jimmy; but fear kept her from doing so.
"Wow… that is so incredible!"
"It was! So how many were left at the softball game?"
"Only ten including adults, and out of that ten… four of them were my family members. Now it's just me, my mom, and my older sister; my father kicked us out when he heard that we had given our lives to Christ."
"Why? Didn't he claim to be a Christian before the rapture?"
"Yes… but he decided that even if there IS a God, if he wouldn't save such a 'good Christian family' from the Tribulation; then he doesn't want to know God."
"Man! And I thought it was hard to tell Jimmy." Cindy paused at the mention of Jimmy's name, even allowing the thought that she may never see him again… even to the end of eternity… to cross her mind. The problem was that in letting that thought cross her mind, her brain flooded with different thoughts. What if he's…not living? That means my child… our child… won't have a father. All he'll be is memories. A memory… that's what my mother is now… all she'll ever be from now on.
"Cindy! You there?" Bethany screamed for the forth time.
"You totally zoned out!"
"Sorry… just… thinking."
"Look at the sky!" Cindy joined everyone else staring at the lack sky in awe. It was no later than one in the afternoon and yet it was pitch black… or at least had been. Now however, yellow and white streaks danced across the black sky as the starts fell to earth.
"It's so beautiful… yet terrifying!" Cindy exclaimed. "I just wish Jimmy was here to share it with." She muttered to herself.
Overhearing Cindy's wish Bethany wished there were something she could do. "He's probably on the other side of the house watching them from the opposite angle. And he's probably wishing he could watch it with you,"
"You really think so?" Cindy said enthusiastically. Hearing Bethany say that gave her a new hope.
"There's a chance."
Slightly disappointed at that answer Cindy mumbled "a chance… and there's a 'chance' that my mom accepted Christ before dieing."
"There is."
"I know… I just want something that I know isn't a chance. Something I can know 100%."
"Well… it's not by chance that you exist… and it's not like it was even chance that made you be left behind."
Cindy smiled at that little reminder and gave Bethany a hug, "Thanks."
"You bet! Tell ya what… after the sun comes back out I'll help you look for Jimmy. I wonder how much longer it will be dark?"
"I dunno… my eyes are starting to adjust though."
"Mine too."
"Cindy, Alexa and I were talking and we were wondering if we could use your house for the church to meet at."
"I guess you could… if it's stable enough."
"Great! After the sun appears Alexa and I are going to our houses to salvage whatever we can. You coming with?"
"Well… sure!" Cindy agreed quickly. She was too scared to find Jimmy dead and she figured it's better to find out later than now.
"Cool, we can go to your house after that!" Alexa said enthusiastically.
Eyes started to turn towards the heavens as the streaks stopped. The sky cleared in a rolling pattern. "Let's go!" Libby said shielding her eyes from the bright sun. Cindy quickly introduced Bethany to Libby and Alexa and the four girls went on their way.
Libby's house was first; it was one of the only standing houses near Sheen's house. It was split in half at one spot due to the earth creasing beneath it… but it stood strong. Libby reached the door first and Cindy led the way for the other girls because Libby had ran ahead inside straight up to her room.
As with most houses, all of the plates and silverware were broke or thrown on the floor. Furniture was moved out of place and everything was a mess… but still standing. Libby stepped around pieces of broken mirror to get to her photo book. After grabbing her photos she grabbed some clothes, books, and a few other priceless possessions and they all marched over to Alexa's house.
At Alexa's the house was partially knocked to the ground. Libby warned Alexa not to go in… and Bethany, and Cindy stayed outside with Libby While Alexa grabbed a few things, praying for her safety.
