Chapter Four: Finding the way

"I tell the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned." John 5:24

Mark entered his church, expecting it to be empty. How wrong he turned out to be and he recognized a few people from the congregation gathering in the sanctuary. When he entered, they flocked to him for answers.

"Mark, Jesus came didn't he?"

"Why were we left behind?"

"I thought I gave my life to Christ, why am I not with my wife?"

Mark felt completely overwhelmed; these were the questions that he had no answers for. Making his excuses, he retreated towards Pastor Hansen's office hoping to find some solution. Sitting at the desk, he started going through the computer. He was about to give up after only finding old sermons and budget plans when he find a document entitled leftbehind.doc. Mark opened it and started reading.

"Dear friend,

            If you are reading this then millions have disappeared and no one seems to have the answers. Perhaps you grew up in this church or just happen to have wandered in. Either way, you are here searching for answers that don't seem to exist. Do not give up hope because there is an answer…"

Mark continued to read about how Jesus came back and took all the dead and alive in Christ to heaven in order to spare them from the next seven years. Mark felt a fire burn through his body as his heart opened. Now he knew that God was there and had a plan for him. Falling to his knees he cried out. "God, I do not deserve you, but yet you're there and have been all along. How could I have doubted you? Forgive me, Lord. Please!" Sobs racked his body as words failed him, but God knew his heart. Mark felt God's love pour over him and he looked heavenward. "Lord, you died so that I may live and I thank you for that gift. Please save me and use me."

Hours passed as Mark poured over all the past sermons and documents that Pastor Hansen left.

………………

Jessica sat in her hotel room, trying to get through to her family and Kyle. However, all circuits were busy. The television reported on the disappearances that were causing riots and major accidents around the world. Jessica hoped that Kyle had either been safe on the Army base or at home and not driving when the disappearances happened. Somehow, she knew he hadn't disappeared, or had he? Remembering that her father had preached about something like this, she feared that perhaps it had to do something with Jesus. If so, she was screwed. Trying her cell phone again, she dialed Kyle and listened to the ring she had been longing to hear. It rang, and rang, and finally the answering machine kicked on.

"You've reached Jessica and Kyle…"

"Damn it all!" Jessica cursed and flung her phone across the room where it hit the wall with a thunk, but thankfully unharmed. She turned her aggression onto the television.

"Why can't you tell me where my family is, huh? WHERE ARE THEY?"

She threw herself onto the bed and wept until her eyes hurt from crying. Sitting up, she grabbed the Bible from the dresser and was just about to start reading when the phone buzzed.

"Ms. Hansen?"

"Yes?"

"There's a Nicolae Carpathia calling."
            "Connect, please."

Jessica waited for the connection; perhaps Nicolae had some answers.

"Jessica?"

"Yes, Nicolae?"
            "I was just checking on you. Is everything alright?"

"I was just able to connect back to my boyfriend but there wasn't an answer. The circuits are very busy."
            "I understand. There are no definite answers to the disappearances but several plausible theories. Everything will be sorted out, trust me, Jessica."

"Of course, Nicolae."

He left his number should an emergency occurred and said that he was sure they'd meet again soon.

Jessica hung up the phone and turned back to the bed, willing sleep to come. Throwing the Bible back in the drawer with barely a glance, she pulled the covers over herself and fell asleep picturing those blue eyes that seemed to pierce her very soul.

……………..

            Peggy had made it into work that day and spent the time trying to get in touch with Jessica. The office building was practically deserted, as many were either searching for friends and family, or disappeared themselves. On what seemed like the billionth time, Jessica's cell phone started to ring.

"Jessica?"

"Mmm, yes?"

"Oh thank God you're still here. I thought you had disappeared too."

There was a slight pause. "Are you okay, Peg?"

"Not the slightest. I saw a man disappear in front of my eyes, Jessica! Just one moment there and the next…gone. My crystals don't seem to be helping with this much stress. I think I need a bigger crystal."

Jessica gave a dry laugh. "I think I may have a way home, but I'll have to make some phone calls. If you can, try and call my parents or their church. See if you can find them and try to find Kyle. He was supposed to be at work yesterday. I don't know if they would have kept them overtime."

"No problem, Jessica. Just get home quick."

Jessica hung up and Peggy started returning missed calls from other clients wondering if their cases were going to be postponed. It was going to be a long day.