Cindy woke up around eleven the next morning and immediately called Libs. "Hey, Libby, it's me!"
"Hey, what's happening?"
"Not much… oh by the way… I accepted Jesus into my heart last night."
"WHAT?!?!" Libby squealed on the other end.
"I had this dream…." Cindy went on explaining the dream to Libby, while Libby sat on the other side of the phone listening attentively.
"WOW… sound like a cool dream!"
"It was! I'm coming over there today, got any extra Bibles or what not?"
"Well… we are working on it… I'm sure Shay wouldn't mind if you took her old one though."
"Ok… I'll be over soon!"
"Bye!"
Cindy hung up the phone, ate a quick breakfast and ran across the street to the new Tribulation Church. She got Shayna's Bible and for the rest of the day Libby and Alexa taught her the basics and what is expected to come. After going home she shared what she had learned with her mother, went to her room and read her Bible.
"Cindy… go to sleep!"
"Ok mom!" Cindy flipped out her light, said a quick prayer and went to sleep.
"Jimmy… wake up… NOW!!" Sheen yelled in Jimmy's ear Sunday morning,
"Sheen! Can't a guy get a lil rest?"
"No… I have two important things to say!"
Jimmy sat up. "What is it?"
"First of all World War III broke out while we were sleeping last night."
"WHAT?!?" Jimmy said now fully awake.
"Second of all… look down the street!"
"Wow! Guess word travels fast." He said when he saw all the people streaming by the dozens to get into what used to be his house.
"Yea… I'd say."
"Flip on the TV… I wanna see this WWIII thing,"
"You say so." Sheen said flipping on the TV.
"Amazingly enough it was not the Israelis and Palestinians, who declared peace among themselves in the last twenty-four hours, that started this. Our sources say that it was retaliation against UWS forces that tried to bomb the EU shortly after the peace treaty was signed. As you can tell from the chaos behind me Washington DC and New York City… which should be in the corner of your screen, have been bombed twice today already. If you plan on going to any large city in the UWS we highly advise you to reschedule, and if you are within the city limits of a city that's been bombed please make every effort to evacuate as soon as possible. And now, a brief word from the GPO's top leader, and the most outstanding leader this world has ever known, Natas Reficul!"
"Thank you. I would like to remind you that because the UWS has declared war, it is considered as a threat to our world peace objective. After three bombings at GPO headquarters GPO was forced to retaliate. Therefore the overly exaggerated bombings you've heard about happening in the major UWS' cities are in fact true, but over exaggerated. This was not a desired action from the GPO but rather a forced course of action that we could not avoid and are taking every effort to make sure that the bombings are ceased as soon as possible. Reconstruction will begin immediately following the surrender of UW troops."
"Again I stress that this is NOT WWIII as some of you have been hearing. We anticipate that UW troops will surrender within the next twenty-four hours. Because this is in fact an act of rebellion, following the surrender of UW troops there will be a punishment of rations taken from the UWS. Regular rations for each country will be enough for each citizen to have two proper meals a day, the UWS' rations will be cut in half."
"This need for rationing food to the countries is due to the loss of fields through war and a sudden famine that has appeared to have struck on every continent. Do not be alarmed though. With the mass disappearances last week there are fewer people to spread the food between. Again, this is not a desired action on the GPO's part but a forced one."
"I can not, in my mortal comprehension, understand why anyone, much less an entire group, would purposely plan an attack against one, such as myself, who is so devoted to bring peace to this earth. It is as if you were to bite the only hand that feeds you."
"Once again I thank you for understanding that this was not a desired course of action and that we are doing our best to ensure that there are as few civilian deaths as possible. However, death tolls are estimated to be in the millions. For those of the opposing force that are listening, the sooner you surrender the fewer sacrifices will have to be made." Natas continued, saying the last line in a low, soothing voice… and it appeared to Jimmy that he was looking directly at him, and speaking to him.
"As far as the advancement on the changes in the EU to the GPO… GPO has given Global Peace Officer to its workers and is now referred to as GPHQ, or Global Peace Headquarters. I would like to wish all of you who are supporting the GPHQ's a good day. Thanks you for listening."
The TV again showed Paul Baer and several reports, one including a very threatening warning. "If you were considering attending one of the five suspected church services in Retroville we highly advice you to reconsider." Paul gave a few more details describing why one should reconsider, but Jimmy didn't hear.
Jumping out of bed Jimmy grabbed his jeans and the closest t-shirt, which turned out to be a Tolerant Industries, and ran out the door.
"Where you running off to?"
"I gotta get Cin out of there!"
"Jim, you're nuts! You are gonna end up dead or in a jell if you do that!"
"I can't let them take her instead! She has OUR baby!!" Jimmy said still running toward his house. Looking off his shoulder he saw a cop car coming down the interstate towards his house. Ok… don't panic… all you have to do is get in and outta there, with Cin, before the cops get there! Jimmy thought increasing his speed. When he reached house he ran in the door and immediately started looking for Cindy. This is going to be harder than I expected. Jimmy thought as he looked around what used to be the living room and saw about a hundred people quietly talking and a few prayer groups. He taped one of the older ladies on the shoulder and asked where the worship center was.
The lady took one look at Jim and assumed he was with the GPO's…. but why was he asking instead of shooting… and she didn't see a single gun on him. "Why do you want to know?"
"Because, my girlfriend is here and I NEED to find her so I can talk to her!"
"Right…and if your girlfriend is HERE…why are you wearing THAT?"
"Because…I barely had enough time to get dressed … much less worry about WHAT I was wearing!"
"And why the rush?"
"Because… in the case of cops arrive I can NOT let her or the baby get harmed!
"Follow me." The lady said sighing.
"Thank you!" Jimmy exclaimed following the lady to what used to be his own basement. Looking around he decided this would be harder than he thought, already 200 or so people either talking or finding a seat. The lady turned around to head back downstairs and Jimmy thanked her once again. Jimmy looked around the room and saw Libby up by an older man by the 'stage'… really it was just a space that had no chairs and all the chairs were facing it. "Hey Libs!" Jimmy said as soon as he got close enough to where she could hear.
"Hey," Libby said turning to face whoever was calling her name. "Jimmy, " she cried in disbelief, "Didn't expect you to show."
"Me either. Where's Cin?"
"Talking to Dale Jay over there." Libby answered pointing to the other side of the 'stage.'
"Who?" Jim asked… a hint of jealousy in his voice.
"The new associate pastor."
"Oh…" he replied, relief apparent on his face.
"Don't worry Jim… Cin is CRAZY about you, k?"
"K."
"I'll go get her if ya want."
"That'd be great!" Jim said and Libby ran off to get Cindy."
"Hey Jim!" Cindy said appearing by Jim's side.
"Hey!" He said quickly exchanging a kiss.
"What's up?"
"Well…we gotta go!"
"Why?"
"Because… they jus announced on the news that they are going to bust in on the five suspected church meetings today."
"Jim… those are just threats, they aren't going to really do anything."
"Cin… I saw the police car up on the highway."
"Honestly… there are cop cars all over this city!"
"But…" Jim tried to reason with Cindy but was interrupted by a door crashing down downstairs. A few shots were heard and people were overheard screaming, at the shock of having a friend die in front of them, almost as if at war, The other distinctive screams that could be heard were telling the GPO's that the were in fact the only ones there. A couple more series of random shooting and people falling, dead or wounded badly, to the floor was heard downstairs.
"Hurry!" Cindy said grabbing Jim and pulling him closer to herself, then jumping twice, just as a few GPO's had reached the stairwell.