Season 1, Episode 5: Prayer in an Empty Room

Rohit's POV

As Rohit Sharma glanced at the other nine people that happened to be in that church basement, he couldn't help but notice that he was the only non-white person in the room. He was the only Indian.

Rohit knew that his feelings of inferiority and insecurity didn't seem to matter much at the moment. His worries about being prejudiced against because of his nationality and the color of his skin seemed to be a small issue. After all, millions of people from all over the world had disappeared. Thousands of others had died as a result of accidents that happened because of the disappearances. If Eddie Exton was right about his assumption of the occurrence of the Christian Rapture, they were all in serious trouble. Their calamity and crisis were just beginning.

Rohit had no reason to doubt now that he had to make a decision regarding Christianity. That didn't mean he was so eager to do so. He knew that if he decided to become a believer, there was no going back. His father and brother would never forgive him. But Rohit couldn't worry about what they thought. He had to be concerned if the almighty God himself would show some compassion and mercy. If all the Christians that Rohit had met in his 21 years were right, Rohit just had to acknowledge his mistakes and beg God for his forgiveness. It seemed way too simple. But with all the death and destruction that just happened, Rohit knew that nothing seemed too simple any longer.

Paul Karoski told the nine other people in the room his own story. Paul started with his background. He had been the assistant pastor at New Hope Village Church for five years. Paul was married and he and his wife, Eve, had four sons. Paul said he was horrified when he found the clothes of his wife and sons the morning after the disappearances. He told the nine frightened individuals that he was never a Christian, that he never really bought into it. He just performed rituals and read scriptures. That didn't mean he was committed.

"Of course, now I regret the choices I've made", Paul said. "I am ashamed and disappointed with myself because of my actions. I just wished I had responded to God sooner. Myself and the few remaining staff members here realized our mistake now. It's unfortunate that it took the biggest disaster in all of human history to persuade us. Now we are as committed as we possibly can be during the turmoil."

Rohit listened intently as Paul explained how he found his family.

"I was planning on watching a movie in the living room when everyone else was asleep. After I watched the film, I headed back to my room. When I got into bed, I noticed my wife wasn't in the bed. I thought at first that maybe she went to the bathroom or something. But a few minutes passed, and I knew that something was suspicious. I pulled the covers and saw her clothes. I ran to the bathroom and found nothing. I then hurried to my eldest son's bedroom and found his clothes on the bed. I ran to my second-born son's room and found his clothes on the floor-I think he probably was walking to get a drink. I found my third son's and fourth son's room to have the empty clothes abandoned. I had realized at that moment that I had been left behind."

Paul wiped some tears off of his face as he continued the story.

"I phoned the church and found out most of the staff members were gone. The lead pastor had been among those who vanished. I met up with the few staff members who had been left behind. I noticed I was the only pastor left. Well, you can all guess what happened. We all said the prayer and begged God for forgiveness. We finally cried out to him. While it didn't take away our pain, we had assurance we would see our colleagues and friends that had disappeared some day in the future."

Bill then said, "Mr. Karoski, um.."

"Call me Paul", Paul said. "I'm nobody special, just an average human being like the rest of you."

"Paul", Bill said. "So, what you're saying is that, there is still a second chance for us, even though we have all been left behind."

"Exactly", Paul said. "Let me show you a video that the lead pastor, Dale Sinclair, made. This video was produced just three months ago."

Paul then turned on a projector, which showed the video on the screen.

Rohit watched as a man, whom he assumed was Dale Sinclair, smiled at the camera. He then spoke with a determined tone of voice.

"Greetings", Mr. Sinclair said. "I am Dale Sinclair. I am the lead pastor of New Hope Village Church at Mount Prospect, Illinois. If you are watching this tape, it means that myself among millions of other Christians have disappeared from the globe. You would also know that millions of young children and babies have vanished, seemingly without a trace. Those children and all the Christians that have been taken are now in heaven. For reference, look up 1 Corinthians 15: 51-57."

Rohit wrote down those verses in a small notepad. He would be sure to look at them later.

"These people would be literally taken from the Earth. This would cause for those left behind panic and chaos. It wouldn't surprise me if people committed suicide out of trauma and fear."

Rohit was watching the tape with both uncertainty and intrigue.

"God is causing all of these terrible circumstances to occur because he wants to get your attention. There may have been a lot of things that caused you to miss the Rapture. You may have been busy with work, or none of this was of any interest to you. But with the terrible events that have happened in the world as you're viewing this tape, you can be assured you still have another chance. I suggest you take full advantage of it immediately."

Tony's POV

Tony Cataldo was watching the tape, not wanting to believe that any of the statements that Dale Sinclair was making had any accuracy or truth. But he knew that his whole family was gone. It was like he had to make a decision very soon.

Sinclair continued talking and mentioned something about a leader from Europe that would brainwash and fool the remaining population still left in the world. Tony was feeling frustrated. Wasn't the disappearances of the millions of Christians bad enough? There were more terrible things to occur? Tony could hardly hide his disgust.

Paul then turned off the tape.

"I'm sure you know what you have to do now", he said.

Tony scoffed.

"This could be a scam", Tony sneered. "You could be using this disaster and tragedy for personal gain. Just to promote your religion."

Rohit glared at Tony.

"Show him some proper respect, he was generous enough to offer help", Rohit said.

"Oh of course you would agree with him, Indian", Tony sneered at Rohit. "I'm sure you would love to join any religion that can help you through this disaster. There are plenty of religions in the world. What makes you think Christianity is the right one?"

"Look, Cataldo". Rohit said. He wasn't feeling friendly enough to call Tony by his first name. "We've all been through something traumatic. At least hear the man out."

"Whatever, Sharma", Tony said. "That doesn't mean anything."

"It's your choice to believe, Tony", Paul said. "But the fact that you came here right away after the disappearances shows me that you must have some interest."

"It's kind of hard to show any interest in a certain religion when all of its members are running around killing people", Tony said. "And Sharma punched me in the nose and started a fight with me on Flight 248."

"Well, you provoked me on Flight 248", Rohit said. "You insulted my religion and used racial insults."

"I am definitely not the first person to have insulted you because of your race and religion", Tony said. "That doesn't give you a right to start attacking people."

Paul then decided to intervene before another confrontation occurred.

"I can pray with each of you individually if you want", Paul said. "Who wants to go first?"

Bill then raised his hand.

Eddie said, "I'll go after the pilot."

Rohit said, "Then I'll go."

Zoey said, "I want to pray too."

"Fair enough", Paul said. "Bill, you can go first. You can pray in a separate room for privacy."

Tony rolled his eyes.

Bill's POV

Bill was having some mixed feelings as he walked into the room with Paul. Bill would never have guessed a week earlier that he would be doing this. But with all the disasters that had occurred, he knew he would have little choice.

"So, what should I say to God?", Bill said.

"Just be open and honest with him", Paul said. "Tell him you're sorry, tell him you need his forgiveness. Ask Jesus to come into your life. If you need me to walk you through it…"

Bill shook his head. "I need to do this on my own."

Bill then knelt on the floor, letting his tears flow.

"God", Bill began. "I know I should have responded to you sooner. I'm sorry for neglecting you all of these years and for scoffing at my wife. I'm sorry that I pursued worldly pleasures. I'm sorry that I did so many horrible things. I apologize for my wrongdoings. I beg for your forgiveness. Please, Jesus, save me. I wished I had confessed sooner."

After Bill had finished praying, he got up.

Paul hugged Bill. "Welcome to the family of God."

Bill nodded. "Praying didn't take away my pain or grief, but I feel some relief. Will I see my wife again in heaven?"

"Yes", Paul said. "Either that or you might see her again on Earth, if you survive the next seven years."

Eddie's POV

Eddie Exton watched as Bill and Paul returned to the others.

"I finally did it", Bill said. "I prayed to become a believer."

"How do you feel?", Eddie asked.

"I feel like a new person", Bill said. "A new sense of peace. Something that should have happened a long time ago."

"Eddie, are you ready?", Paul asked.

"Yes", Eddie said. "I don't want to wait any longer."

Paul and Eddie walked to the separate room.

"Do you want me to pray with you?", Paul asked.

"Yes", Eddie said. "What do I have to do?"

"Start with something like this. God, I need you. I'm sorry for the wrongs I have done. I admit I am a sinner. I need your forgiveness and love. Please, come into my life. I accept Jesus. Please forgive me."

Eddie repeated the words, feeling choked with emotion.

"How do you feel?", Paul asked.

"I think I feel better", Eddie said. "So, I'm a Christian now?"

"Yes", Paul said.

Rohit's POV

Rohit watched as Eddie walked back into the room. Paul then said, "Rohit, are you ready?"

"Yes", Rohit said. "This is something I have to do."

Tony snorted. Rohit tried to ignore him.

Rohit and Paul then walked to the room.

"I know this is something that must be done, but I feel so worried. I feel so afraid. My father and brother are devout Muslims. They'll disown me."

"Rohit", Paul said. "You can't worry to much about what your family thinks. You're an adult now. You have to make your own decisions. You can't let your destiny or soul be affected."

Rohit nodded. "Okay. Okay. I can do this."

Rohit then kneeled on the floor.

"Jesus", Rohit said. "For many years, I have heard about you. I never wanted to act upon that decision for fear of being exiled from my family. But I don't want to worry any longer. I want to come to Christianity. I want to finally be free."

Rohit took a deep breath. He was fighting back sobs.

"God, please come into my life. Please help me. Jesus, I am a sinner. I need you. God, please forgive my transgressions and wrongdoings. Please allow me into your kingdom. Please, God."

Rohit pleaded with Jesus to show him mercy and give him understanding.

"I feel so much better", Rohit said. "Does this mean I am a Christian now?"

"Yes", Paul said. "But I hope you recognize the consequences that could occur."

"I can't worry about that now", Rohit said. "Like you said, I'm an adult now."

Zoey's POV

Zoey Harper then stood up when Paul asked her if she was ready to ask God for mercy.

Zoey went to the room and then knelt.

"Not going to lie, this feels kind of strange", Zoey said.

"I know it might seem that way", Paul said. "But times have become more dangerous than ever before. We shouldn't take any unnecessary risks. We could all face death at any time. It would be best to act wisely with our time."

Zoey then took a deep breath before praying.

"God, I don't even know where to begin", she said. "I know this is what Wishy would have wanted. He tried to warn me. He pleaded with me. He begged me to see the truth. I was too stubborn to accept the truth. But now, I don't want to wait any longer. I know now I should have acted upon this sooner, and I'm sorry it took something this devastating for me to realize the truth."

Zoey swallowed before continuing.

"I confess that Jesus is the son of God. I'm sorry for my sins and for all the bad things I did. God, I admit that I am a sinner. God, please come into my life. Please forgive me."

Zoey continued pleading with God for a few more seconds.

"Welcome to the family of God, Zoey", Paul said.

"I can't wait to see Wishy again", Zoey said. "I'm glad I finally came to Christ."

Tony's POV

"Are the rest of you ready?", Paul asked Sandy, Larry, Sylvester, Kade, and Tony.

"I'm flattered by all of this, in all honesty", Kade said. "But I'm still shocked by the disappearance of my sister, Kara. I'm sure that the explanations you and the other pastor gave have the most significance. But I still need some time."

"I need some time, too", Sandy asked. "A huge leap towards the Christian faith seems overwhelming."

"Yeah, me three", Sylvester said. "I was horrified when I found Jenna's and Sal's clothes. I know, after seeing Angel's death, that time seems to be very limited now, but I still need to think."

"I'm still at a loss after finding out that my wife, Jozie, disappeared. I just need some more time", Larry said.

"What about you, Tony?", Paul asked.

Tony seemed disgruntled. "I still think this stuff involving religion sounds nuts, but I'll think about it."

"Fair enough", Paul said. "It's your choice. But I wouldn't wait too long if I were you."

Bill's POV

"Thank you so much for your help, Paul", Bill said. "I'm going to go find one of the flight attendants from Flight 248, Sally Graves. Maybe I can talk to her about this stuff and see if she'll believe."

"I'll come with you", Eddie said. "Maybe we can convince Sally together."

Bill smiled at Eddie. Two minutes later, they were both in the car and heading towards Sally's apartment.

"So, how does it feel, being a born-again Christian?", Bill asked Eddie.

"It feels great", Eddie said. "I feel completely different. This is something I feel like I should have done a long time ago."

"I wonder if Sally will feel the same way", Bill said. "I feel so guilty for laughing at my wife. I miss her so badly. My son probably misses her even more."

"You think your son will become a believer?", Eddie asked.

"It's possible", Bill said. "I really hope so. I hope that all three of us can be reunited in heaven or maybe when Jesus returns."

Bill then showed a downcast expression. "Then again, the chances of all of us surviving seven years of destruction and turmoil seem unlikely."

"Anything could happen", Eddie said, trying to make Bill feel better.

Just then Bill's car had reached Sally's apartment.

Bill and Eddie walked out of the car. Bill rang the doorbell.

"Sally?", Bill asked. "It's me, Bill. I need to talk to you."

There was no response.

"I notice the door is unlocked", Eddie said, pointing to the slightly open door.

Bill pushed the door open, hoping to find the flight attendant. What he saw took his breath away.

Sally was hanging from the ceiling with a rope tied around her neck. Bill looked at Sally's eyes, which were blank and unmoving.

Bill took gasps of air and staggered.

"We need to call the police", Eddie exclaimed. But Bill knew that Sally was already dead. The police would not be able to help her.

IN MEMORIAM

Sally Graves