Somewhat calmer Cindy sat up and wiped an already tear-stained face from another fresh round of tears. "I'm…. pregnant."

"What? You CAN'T be... I mean… you COULD be... but…I mean… you sure?"

Cindy looked at the ground and nodded her head yes. "I thought about abortion… but Libby said if she had to she'd take over the child before she let that happen. I just… Jim… we're sixteen! We aren't old enough to be parents! I don' think we can even legally get married!"

Jimmy and Cindy sat in silence for about three minutes. "I've already told Cindy that I'd watch the kid whenever she needed." Rhonda said when she noticed that neither of the kids wanted to talk about it.

"Yea… but… as stated earlier mom… I don't want my decisions to ruin your life."

"We'll figure it out… I don't know how…but we'll figure it out. I just don't get HOW…"

"Jim… you serious?"

"I mean… I know HOW… but… how could it happen to US?"

"I guess we aren't as invincible as we thought."

"When's it due?"

"Nine months from last week silly!"

"Which is?"

"Late this December."

"It a healthy baby?"

Cindy laughed. "I see someone didn't pay attention in health class." She said teasingly. "It'll be another couple weeks until we know if it's healthy of not."

"Well… let's just say there was a particular beautiful girl who was taller than me sitting in the seat in front of me."

Cindy laughed at that comment and looked back up. "We'll still be together though... right?"

"Cin… a lil infant is not going to change how I feel about you, who knows… maybe having a little baby will be a little fun!"

"I guess… so if you didn't know I called why'd you come over?"

"Because…. I missed you… and I sensed a little resistance on your part."

"Sorry."

"It's ok…I should have called."

"And I shouldn't have shut the door on you."

"Apology accepted… would it be OK to kiss you?"

"OK by me…mom?" Cindy asked knowing her mother was still just on the other side of the wall.

"I guess… if it'll cheer Cindy up." Rhonda sighed. Jimmy and Cindy turned towards each other and kissed what was probably their shortest, yet best kiss in a while.

"Wanna go over to Sheen's… he's watching the peace treaty get signed in the Middle East."

"Sure, why not! Mom, be back soon! Not like there's many places I can go… everything's shut don since the vanishings."

"Behave!"

"We will!" Cindy grabbed an umbrella and the two of them left for Sheen's house.

"Sheen, Jackie I'm back."

"Hey Jim, Sheen's in your guys' room."

"Guys?" Cindy repeated confused.

"Yea… I'm kind of moving in here instead of staying at my house with the 'Tribulation Saints.'"

"Oh… sounds like a good plan!"

"Yea." Jimmy said opening their door.

"Hey, you're just in time!" Sheen said scooting over on the bed to make room for Jimmy and Cindy.

"So what exactly is it that we are watching?"

"They are signing a peace treaty in the Middle East."

"They are?" Cindy said remembering what Libby had said.  A leader will confirm a covenant with many people for seven years. Libby's voice played over and over in her head. "How long is it supposed to last?"

"Seven years… but I doubt it will last seven hours; much less years!"

"Seven years!" Cindy exclaimed.

"Yea, but, I mean… COME ON! There Is NO way that ANYONE is going to make peace in the Middle East… ESPECIALLY when that person is asking to move the Dome of Rock." Sheen said.

"Why'd they want to move that?" Jimmy asked.

"Cause it's on top of the original site that the Jewish temple was at."

"You mean…" Jimmy started.

"He's rebuilding the temple too?" Cindy asked nervously.

"That's his plan at least."

"It's NEVER gonna work." Jimmy decided.

"Where'd this guy come from?"

"Italy? I'm not ENTIRLY sure." Jimmy guessed.

"Actually… he's located not far from the Transylvanian mountains in Romania." Sheen stated.

"Which was once part of the Roman Empire…. Was it not?" Cindy asked.

"I think so… they didn't cover that on the news though."

Cindy's head was spinning…everything that Libby or Alexa had told her recently about who to watch out for was accomplished by Natas Reficul. But that's just nuts because Libby is now a Jesus geek and it's just dumb guesses. Those scriptures she pointed out could mean ANYTHING. But… what are the odds; I mean NOONE has tried to move the Dome of Rock… OR rebuild the temple.

"We are here today at the Dome of Rock to witness a turning point in history. Never before has a single man been so set on a long-term peace treaty here in the Middle East. I happen to be standing next to the mastermind behind this 'world-peace' project. Mr. Reficul what gave you the initiative to take such a drastic plan of action?"

"Well… Paul, I have noticed through study of the United Nations, European Union, and civilizations past and present… hat all o the world fighting is almost a direct effect from the Middle East. So you see, by making a treaty that will last for only a short seven years… after the Israelis have EXPIERENCED the freedom to go to school without the threat of bombs, and seven years of mutual agreement… that after tasting that they won't WANT to go back to how were, and in long term effect could stop the wars raging in the world today." Natas was about six and a half feet tall and spoke English as if it were his native tongue. His words were precise and clear, and his intentions seemed as pure as silver that had just been purified.

"So you are saying… that if we get rid of he fighting in the Middle East; then the whole world will beat peace?"

"Well yes, and while the Middle East is settling down I have asked every country to destroy their nuclear weapons; which I must say that ninety percent of the countries responded immediately, especially after the mass disappearances. But I am not a self-centered guy... I am VERY much interested in the well fare of this world. See… by destroying that which does nothing but cause us harm we are bettering this economy. Not only by health standards…but think about it… ALL of our precious children, and quite a few adults and youth VANISHED!  Why; because we were asking for it!"

"So because of that you are asking all countries to dispose of all of their weapons?" Paul asked marveling t the way Natas talked, especially with English not being his native tongue. 

"Well no… because if I did that there is nothing that will stop peace in the Middle East. You find through study that when weaponry was not available Israelis and Palestinians would resort to other forms of violence. This simply ca not be. If we want a world of peace… a true global utopia… there cannot be violence. Therefore, I have also asked for all countries to destroy ninety-five percent of their weapons… and to donate the rest of the five percent to the European Union. This will be so that should Israel and their neighbors fight… we can stop it before it gets to big again."

"That is very insightful. One last thing… I think by now the world knows your views on the great vanishings…and that you are now a world leader… but what is it you plan to do with the E.U?"

"By no means would I consider myself a world leader, I am merely one man who has decided to do something about violence. I have not sought power… and yet I am being offered the job as president over the E.U, which is under the process of changing it's name to GPO, or Global Peace Officer."

"Wow! Thank you so much for your time Mr. Reficul, I look forward to seeing what you an accomplish."

"It is certainty no problem. And I will do what it takes to get world-peace… but I don't think that anything MARVELOUS will happen through me."

Turning back to the camera Paul addressed the audience again. "This has been Paul Baer reporting live in Jerusalem for INC news, back to you Jack."

"Thank you Paul. We will be joining you again in a few moments for the signing… and for Western News today…" Jack droned on while the kids discussed what they'd just heard.

"I still say this guy is nuts for thinking that it's possible to have peace in the Middle East." Jimmy said shaking his head.

"Yea…but you never know… did you hear how precisely he pronounced every syllable? It's almost as if he held each word and syllable as it was and knew EXACTLY what to say when… almost as e were inspired or something." Sheen said.

"I dunno… something about that guy makes me freak out…it's just not natural for someone of a different language to speak such good English. Not to mention... he wants control over all of the weapons? I just think there MAY be something more to him than just a 'global peace officer.' However… he is cute!" Cindy said. She couldn't believe how EVERYTING Alexa and Libby had told her about fit in this one random guy from Transylvania. It is peculiar I must confess.

"More to him… like how?"

"I dunno… he doesn't sound like a threat." Libby observed as she and Alexa had just watched the signing as well.

I know he doesn't look harmful… but he DID sign the treaty."

"True… what is it with western news anyhow?" Libby asked as the commercial went back off.

"Oh, the 'GPO' has designated ten 'regions' to control the news, government, and distribution of money." Alexa answered grabbing her new Bible, Dani's old one and flipping to Daniel.

"What you looking for?"

"Daniel Seven…. It says something about the Anti-Christ rulling

 "I thought it was Ezekiel."

"It's one of the two… but I'm checking Daniel first"

"Oh, ok."

"Think Cindy listened to us?"

"Probably… don't know if she accepts it... but I know she knows the basics."

"Better than nothing."

"Find that verse yet?"

"Not yet."

"Kids I'm leaving, Sheen's dad needs my help at the shop." Jackie said poking her head into Sheen and Jimmy's room.

"K mom see ya later!"

"Bye Jackie." Cindy and Jimmy each said.   

"I'm gonna go invite Libs over… I KNOW she's gotten all religious lately; but surely she still likes to just hang with me without adult supervision. Jim, you know where everything is, right?" Sheen said heading downstairs to the only phone in the house. "Libby? Oh, hi Alexa… is Libby there?"

"Hello?"

"Hey Libby, it's Sheen.

"Sup?"

"Not much, wanna come over and hang out? Me, Cin, and Jim are watching that treaty thing."

"Sure! Be right over!"

"Bye."

"God bless!" Libby said hanging up.

Sheen groaned and went to the front door to greet Libby. WHY does she INSIST on saying that… isn't like I'm going to be in mortal danger before she gets here! "Hey, you Christians believe in kissing, right?" Sheen said just before kissing her.

Libby rolled her eyes. "Next time try asking BEFORE you kiss me or whatever…but yes on occasion."

"I did ask before."

"And give me time to answer?"

"Ok, I'll remember to do so… come on!" He said as they joined hands and re-entered Sheen's room.

"And now back to Paul for a live feed of what is said to eventually boil down to a global utopia." Jack said as the TV screen switched to Israel by satellite. The camera zoomed in on the Israeli Prime minister and Palestinian leader and then finally on Natas Reficul who were all discussing something before a piece of paper was handed to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister signed the paper then handed it to the Palestinian leader. The paper was then signed by Natas Reficul as a witnessed by signature.

"It begins." Natas said plainly in 12 different languages. Then he added, "Seven years of peace… and an eternity of a global utopia."

"Seven years?" Cindy screamed at the television once again.

"That's what he says…. But come on! There is NO way that they are going to have PEACE in the MIDDLE EAST for a whole SEVEN YEARS!" Sheen pointed out again.

"Like I said…if it works that'll prove that the Jesus geeks…. No offence Libby…were wrong." Jimmy said.

"Hate to start an argument… but what about the rapture?"

"What about it?" Jimmy shrugged.

            "Well, what else do you think would cause every Christian, and every child to disappear?"

"I dunno… but it COULDN'T have been the rapture because Alexa was left behind."

"Because she wasn't for real… it was just an act."

"So…" Jimmy again shrugged it off.

Libby saw her chance so she decided to take it.  "So… God didn't fake his death… and he doesn't expect anything less from you."

"As if praying EVERYDAY at your locker isn't going to kill your social life?"

"Maybe… but to her that wasn't real…"

"Wasn't real? Explain to me why ANYONE in their right mind, who is as hot as Alexa, would COMPLETELY ruin their social status for something that is not even real!" Jimmy exploded.