Deceived (35 page)

Lionel noticed a line of helicopters to their left and assumed they were heading for Masada. In a short time, thousands of curious Israelis had converged on the fabled fortress.

Westin parked as close as he could, and everyone got out and began the long climb up the stone steps. As they walked, people talked about Carpathia's actions in the temple and what he might do next. Someone near Lionel questioned whether the whole crowd could be transported to Petra. Others walked in silence, seemingly drawn to the ancient site.

Lionel knew that God was calling these people to follow him, but would they be convinced?

Judd let Mr. Stein and the others walk ahead to Masada while he stayed in the car. Huge crowds moved on foot and helicopters landed nearby, filled with anxious participants. Judd was sure it would be after dark before Chaim would speak. He looked at his watch and counted the hours before Carpathia's attack.

Judd felt angry at Lionel for getting separated. He had made it clear many times that they had to stick together, and Lionel had wandered off with Sam. Judd lay down in the back of the rabbi's car and put an arm over his forehead.

Judd had no trouble thinking the worst about people. When a problem arose, he found someone to blame.
Maybe it's not Lionel's fault
, he thought.
Lionel wasn't trying to get separated. It just happened
.

Judd thought about the people he had hurt with his quick anger. He had been insensitive to Ryan Daley several times, and Judd regretted that he would never get to apologize and make things right.

As Judd listened to the noise outside, he smiled. Ryan would have loved to see God reaching more and more people around the world.

What about the others I've hurt?
Judd thought. Mark and Shelly … and Vicki.

Judd cringed when he thought of what he had said about Vicki in his last conversation with Shelly. Vicki had been out late with some guy in Iowa, and Judd had assumed the worst. Judd shook his head and rubbed his eyes. He had to stop saying the first thing that came into his mind.

The phone startled Judd and he sat up, disoriented. He had no idea how long he had been there, but the sun was going down and people were still coming into Masada.

“Judd, it's Lionel. Where are you, man?”

“I'm in a car about a mile away from the fortress. How about you?”

“I'm inside with Sam and Mr. Stein. He told me about your ride with Rabbi Ben-Eliezar.”

“Did you fly down in a chopper?” Judd said.

“Westin brought us,” Lionel said, and he explained what had happened to them. “They're setting up a small medical tent outside the fortress. Why don't you meet me there in an hour?”

Judd agreed and sat back. He didn't want to frighten Lionel with the information about the impending attack, so he decided to tell him when they met at the tent.

Vicki slept while Mark drove toward Wisconsin. She awoke several times to find Mark pulled over on a side street or a crowded parking lot making sure they didn't cross paths with any GC vehicles.

While she was awake, Vicki found herself praying for Manny and wondering how the other gang members had reacted to his message. She thought about Anita and her difficult life. The girl wasn't a believer, but she had still resisted the mark of the beast.

Vicki dialed the safe house and Shelly answered. There was noise in the background, and Shelly said the hideout seemed crowded. “The Fogartys and Cheryl have been praying for you a lot.”

“Tell them I appreciate it. We'll talk about the overcrowding issue when we get back.”

“Colin already has a plan,” Shelly said. “One of his friends has started an underground group in the western part of the state. Charlie's excited and wants to take Phoenix, and some of the others think it's a good idea.”

“Okay, but don't decide anything until we get there.”

“Oh, and Darrion said to tell you she talked with Judd.”

“Where is he?”

“Still in Israel, at Masada. And get this, he told Darrion to have you call him as soon as you get back.”

“Did she say what he wanted to talk about?”

“Nope. You should call him.”

Judd walked with a crowd of excited Israelis approaching Masada. Men spoke with disgust about Carpathia. “Yes, but I am equally distrustful of this Micah,” one man said. “You know he will talk to us about Jesus being the Messiah.”

“I'll listen to anyone if they can scare Carpathia away,” the man said. “Did you see the way Micah spoke to Nicolae?”

Thousands milled around inside the fortress, while others stayed outside. Many carried a simple meal of bread and cheese and shared with those who had nothing. As Judd came close to the medical tent being set up, his phone rang.

“Judd, it's Vicki. I heard you wanted to talk.”

Judd smiled. “Are you back in Wisconsin already?”

“Almost. Mark just fueled up and is getting something to eat. We're both pretty tired.”

“Darrion told me about your brush with the GC. Sounded pretty hairy.”

“You're saying that from Israel where Carpathia could bomb you any minute. That's the hairiest place on earth right now.”

Judd hesitated and the silence unnerved him. Vicki asked what Masada was like and he tried to describe it. “I wish you could be here. I have a feeling a lot of Israelis are going to believe once Micah—Dr. Rosenzweig— talks.”

“Is that who Micah is?” Vicki said. “I didn't recognize his voice.” She paused. “I was thinking how long you and Lionel have been over there. Do you realize when we last saw you two?”

“When you're in the middle of everything, time goes pretty fast. Then when I stop to think about it … well, it feels like decades since we've seen each other.”

Vicki gave a nervous laugh. “So, are you headed home?”

“I can't say for sure, but I've been having these feelings like our time here is about over.” Judd took a deep breath and turned from the crowd, finding a place behind the tent where no one could hear him. “Vicki, I know we've talked about this, and maybe now's not the time …”

“No, go ahead.”

“We've had our problems, butting heads and lots of angry words. I want you to know I'm really sorry for the stupid stuff I've done. I think maybe God brought me over here to knock some of the rough edges off. Lionel's been a big help with that.”

Vicki chuckled. “He's been a good friend to both of us.”

“I was thinking about Ryan earlier and how hard I was on him. You always stuck up for him.”

“You mean about Phoenix?” Vicki said.

“I was on him a lot for different things. I wish I could take all that back.”

“Ryan knew how much you cared. I'm sure of it. And while you're apologizing, I have to admit I haven't been the best friend. I was always thinking you were looking down on me because my family wasn't as rich as your family.”

“You know that stuff doesn't mean anything now,” Judd said. “When the disappearances happened, we were all in the same condition. We needed God. That was the only thing that mattered.”

“Soooo,” Vicki said. “What does this mean?”

Judd glanced at the front of the tent and saw Lionel. He waved and Lionel started over. “I think it means when I get back, we should take some time and talk.”

“Good,” Vicki said. “I hope you get back sooner rather than later.”

Judd said good-bye and handed the phone to Lionel. He talked with Vicki a few moments and hung up. “So you two are back on speaking terms?”

Judd smiled and put an arm around Lionel. He told him what Chang had said about Carpathia's plans. “I've been thinking we ought to go home.”

“You and me both,” Lionel said. “Westin talked with Z-Van again a few minutes ago and tried to convince him to head back to the States before things blow up here.”

“What did he say?”

“No luck. Z-Van's committed to a concert that'll be beamed by satellite all around the world. The GC is hoping it will encourage people in the less populated areas to come out and get their Nicolae tattoo.”

Judd looked at the massive crowd now pushing its way up the steps of the fortress. “It'll take more than a couple songs from The Four Horsemen—”

Lionel held up a hand. “Is that who I think it is?”

Judd turned and saw two women helping a man with medical supplies. Judd recognized Mac McCullum, their friend from the Tribulation Force.

Judd and Lionel yelled and rushed to the edge of the tent.

Mac smiled and shook hands with the two. He was surprised but glad they were reaching out to unbelievers. “Sorry I'm not more excited right now. We just got some bad news.”

“What's that?” Judd said.

“One of our members, David Hassid, was killed earlier today.” Mac explained that David was alone at Petra setting up their computer equipment when two GC Peacekeepers stumbled upon him. “They didn't find the equipment, but needless to say, we're all pretty upset.”

Judd's mind reeled. He had hoped the protection of God would cover all believers involved in the operation. If David Hassid was dead, that meant other believers might die.

Will God protect Lionel, Sam, and Mr. Stein?
Judd thought.
Will he protect me?

33

JUDD
and Lionel talked briefly with two women helping Mac, Hannah Palemoon and Leah Rose. Leah had come from the States to help in Operation Eagle, while Hannah had worked in New Babylon. Leah gave Judd and Lionel food, and they thanked her.

Lionel led Judd up the crowded stairway to rejoin Mr. Stein and Sam. As they slowly inched through the masses, Judd asked Lionel how they should get home.

“Westin's a man of his word. He told us he'd take us back. If anybody can get us there, he can.”

Judd's phone rang and it was Chang. While Judd talked, Lionel went ahead, taking some food to his friends who were seated on a ledge above them. The phone beeped a low-battery message, so Judd quickly told Chang what was happening at Masada. Chang informed him that Dr. Rosenzweig was there waiting for the chance to speak.

“There are no speakers or microphones,” Judd said. “How are all these people going to hear him?”

“There wasn't time to set any of that up,” Chang said. “I'm praying God will enable everyone to hear.”

“Any problems with the airlift out of Jerusalem?”

“The return runs from Petra to the Mount of Olives have been delayed slightly, but things have gone smoothly. It seems a miracle that such a massive relocation has not had one mechanical failure.” Chang paused. “I didn't expect one thing—my mother e-mailed a message.”

Judd had met Mrs. Wong in New Babylon and knew she wasn't a believer. “Has she taken the mark of Carpathia?”

“I don't think so. She said my father was upset about what Carpathia did in Jerusalem and he wondered what I would think about it.”

“Good,” Judd said. “They both sound more open to the truth.”

“Perhaps. My mother is the one who has visited Tsion Ben-Judah's Web site. She wanted to know how he could predict things so accurately.”