Deceived by Jerry B. Jenkins Page B

of their minds. The Christian radio station Kyle was listening to played a few more songs, and then it went dead. I didn’t know whether God would forgive me or if I’d missed my chance. It wasn’t until I read a guy’s Web site a while later that I knew the truth that God did forgive me and had made me a tribulation saint.”
    â€œDid any of your friends pray?”
    â€œNobody in the car that night. I found some relatives who weren’t believers and told them. That’s how we all came to the house.”
    Vicki loved hearing these kinds of stories. She told what had happened to her family and Chad listened closely. When Vicki yawned an hour later, Chad scooted closer.
    â€œI’ll get you back to the house, but I need to say something. I know I’m being bold, but the way I see it, we only have about three and a half years before Christ comes back. I’d like to get to know you better.”
    â€œI don’t know what to say.”
    â€œShelly said you had a boyfriend but that he’s away.”
    â€œHe’s not really my boyfriend. We’ve known each other since the disappearances, but I don’t know where our relationship is going.”
    Chad packed their things in the basket, and they walked down the hill to the dirt bike. Vicki put a hand on his shoulder. “Thanks for talking about Natalie. I feel a lot better.”
    Chad smiled. “I don’t know what you’re planning, but I’d be more than glad if you guys want to stay with us.”

12
    JUDD knelt by Lionel in front of the tiny camera mounted on the computer on Z-Van’s plane. They were only a couple of days away from Nicolae’s appearance in Israel, and Judd knew from the Bible and Tsion Ben-Judah’s writings that things would get very bad very quickly. They both smiled when Darrion appeared on the screen, wiping her eyes and yawning. Charlie sat in the background petting Phoenix.
    Darrion told them what the kids had been through. Judd gasped when he heard about what had happened in Iowa. He put his head in his hands when Darrion broke the news about Natalie. Though he had never met the girl, she had been part of the Young Trib Force. Darrion told Judd that they hadn’t heard any more about Jim Dekker and Pete Davidson.
    Judd ran a hand through his hair. “Where are Vicki and the others?”
    Darrion told him and gave him the number in Iowa. “I know they’re trying to get back here, but I think they should stay where they are if they’re safe.”
    Lionel waved at Charlie, and the boy moved to the camera. “I heard you had a pretty close shave with the GC.”
    Charlie smiled. “Vicki came to get me. But if it wasn’t for Natalie, I’d probably be in the head chopper right now.”
    â€œWell, we’re glad you didn’t have to face the head chopper,” Lionel said.
    Darrion asked where Judd and Lionel were and Judd told her. Darrion shook her head. “At least you guys know how to ride in style.”
    â€œWe’re headed to Israel in the next couple of days with Z-Van and his crew,” Judd said. “We’re going to join Sam and Mr. Stein, watch the festivities, and try to get back home from there.”
    â€œBe careful,” Darrion said. “The GC is really cracking down here. When the public starts taking the mark, things will get ugly.”
    Judd and Lionel prayed with Darrion and Charlie a few minutes, then said good-bye. Judd moved to the back of the plane. He knew it was still early in the Midwest, but he felt like he had to talk to Vicki.
    The phone rang twice before Shelly picked up. She seemed thrilled that Judd had called and told him Vicki was still sleeping. “She had a late night with the guy we’re staying with. He’s really cute.”
    â€œShe was on a date?” Judd yelled.
    â€œIt wasn’t like that. Vicki’s been torn up about Natalie for days, and Chad took