The Scarlet Plan

by Rick W. Warren

  “Not when I’m with you.”

  Send the guys a message.

  They both froze as the thought ran through both of their heads.

  “What message?” Aaron asked out loud.

  Under the tarps.

  “Under the tarps?” Emma asked. “What tarps? What does that mean?”

  Send it now.

  Aaron immediately got out his cell phone.

  “Are you going to text them?” Emma asked.

  “I can’t,” Aaron said. “They don’t have cell phones yet. Josh was the only one who did and Damon has it. I’m going to send them a message through Facebook.”

  Aaron brought up the Facebook Messenger app and found Josh since he knew they were all over there. As quick as he could, he typed: Under the tarps.

  “What do you think is going on,” Emma said as a look of worry formed on her face. “Why the urgency?”

  “I don’t know, but we better get going.”

  They turned towards the front door to see that it was open. “I thought I closed it,” Aaron said.

  “You did,” came a voice from the foyer that froze them both in their tracks.

  Standing in front of them was Damon Marshall.

  7

  Convert went out to the driveway and got into his truck. It was noon and Aaron and Emma should have been here by now. It all began to make him extremely nervous. He hadn’t bothered calling because he didn’t want to overreact, but now he was worried. He grabbed his cell phone and hesitated. Maybe he was crazy. Maybe they would be here any minute. He sat there in his truck and waited. Every minute seemed like an hour and after five of them he couldn’t wait any longer. He scrolled through his contacts until he found Aaron Clark and pressed ‘send’ on his phone.

  After two rings, Convert heard it pick up. “Hello, James,” came a voice that was not Aaron’s.

  Convert’s blood went cold as he realized who was on the other line. All of their plans were busted already. He never thought the day would start like this. “Hello, Demon,” he said.

  There was a pause on the phone and then laughter. “So you know who this is. Not bad. I’m impressed. You know, there was a time I hated that name, but now I embrace it. It fits me just right. I hear that you go by a new name now too… Convert. I like James better. I like the Madman. It’s a shame you gave all that up.”

  “Where are Aaron and Emma?” Convert said through clinched teeth.

  “Oh, they’re fine,” Damon replied. “I’ve got them in the back of my van. I came for Emma, but I’ll take the boyfriend too. You should know more than anyone that messing with me always has consequences.”

  “What did they ever do to you?” Convert said as his anger started to rise. This should have never happened.

  “They got too close. We have eyes everywhere. Of course, you are too stupid to realize it.”

  “What are you going to do with them?”

  “Whatever I want.”

  “Take me, not them!”

  “You think your strength will save them? Or maybe your God? You’ve already lost.”

  “I’m coming after you, Demon! If you harm them at all, it will be the last thing you do!”

  “Actually, I’m just delivering them. Others will harm them.”

  “You will not get away with this!”

  “I did already. Just ask Jack.”

  Convert had to stop himself from ripping off the steering wheel. “I will not stop until you face justice for what you did. Jack McKenzie was a good man and didn’t deserve to die by the likes of you!

  “I know. That’s what makes it even better. How’s your God of justice doing? He hasn’t stopped me yet!”

  “Let’s do this. You and me. Or are you just a coward who attacks innocent people?”

  “I’ll be at the McKenzie barn if you want me, but it will be on my time table not yours.”

  “No way! I’m coming now!”

  “Then your friends die now and I come for Marie next.”

  Convert paused. Aaron and Emma were alive for now and he couldn’t jeopardize that. As for Marie, he would die before anyone touched her. “What time then?” He said as his voice shook from anger.

  “5:30. And you come alone.”

  “I don’t need anyone else.”

  The phone went dead.

  Convert sat in his truck as his body shook from the adrenaline. He had to wait until 5:30 or they died. It was like an eternity. What would he do? What could he do? He had to tell Marie. He never thought things would come to this.

  Convert walked into the house through the side door and into the kitchen. He came in to see Marie sitting at the dining room table with a cup of coffee and an envelope in front of her. She had been waiting for him.

  “Marie?” Convert said.

  “Sit down, dear,” she said.

  “He has Aaron and Emma.”

  “I know,” she said and she slid the envelope towards him.

  Convert picked it up. On the front of the envelope was the name ‘James’ and it was written in Jack’s handwriting. “What is this?”

  “Jack had a message for you for when the time was right. That time is now.”

  With trembling hands, Convert peeled open the sealed envelope. It was Jack’s handwriting and it was written to him. The first line began: “By the time you see this it will be the morning of Halloween and it will seem like everything has fallen apart. Don’t worry; there is hope ahead…”

  Convert’s snapped his head up and looked at Marie. “How can this be?”

  “Just keep reading,” she said.

  8

  Dear James,

  By the time you see this it will be the morning of Halloween and it will seem like everything has fallen apart. Don’t worry; there is hope ahead. All is not lost. This is the way it has to be for everything to work out in the end.

  I can imagine the shock on your face as you read this. By the time you see this, I will have been dead for two weeks and your life has been in a whirlwind since it happened. There is so much I want to say that it is hard to know where to start. I guess the easiest place would be from the beginning.

  A month ago, Marie and I had a visitor come to our front door. I thought he was the pizza guy at first, but I was mistaken. It was a man we had never met, but was strangely familiar. We invited him into our home because we felt we should and he came with a message for us.

  He came to tell me that my appointed time had come and that I would be killed on Friday night, October 16th. We were shocked and saddened of course to hear this, but at the same time we felt an unusual peace because somehow we just knew that it was God’s plan.

  I’m telling you this because I want you to know that all that has happened is not an accident. The man revealed to us that there exists an ancient and evil group known as the Scarlet. The Scarlet has existed for millennia. They have existed in the shadows and their purposes have always been in rebellion to God. They ultimately wish to rule the world and yet they are dangerously patient. Every new generation learns from the one before. They accumulate wealth, influence, and power. They could be anywhere, and like a snake, they are coiled to strike. The Scarlet has a plan for Galesburg. They wish to destroy it. To them it’s another experiment and they learn from everything they do so that they can move on to bigger and better things. Galesburg is a stepping-stone and it’s a stone they wish to crush. I’m an obstacle to that plan and that is why they will take me out.

  You may wonder what obstacle I am. I wondered the same thing, but the truth is that I underestimated the power of prayer. With the Scarlet, everything is power and amongst the people of Galesburg, I am known for prayer. Think of the countless prayer walks we have had.

  My prayers posed a threat to them. They aren’t atheists. They believe God exists and they know He has power. The differe
nce is that they think they can beat Him. They think they can gain greater power than His. They think just like the demons do and that shouldn’t surprise us because they are demon led as well.

  There are three men in particular who are in charge of the plan. They are known as the Thinker, who is the architect of everything, the Actor, who is the one that operates in public, and the Cleaner, who does all of the dirty work including murder. When they kill me they will think everything else will be smooth sailing, but that is only because they don’t know about the threat you and your friends will pose to them. Their plan is to hunt me down, but I will actually go to confront them.

  I know that my death will initiate your gifts. You will receive strength like Samson, Aaron and Emma will gain insight into things like Elisha did, and the high school guys will receive dreams like Daniel. God has done it before and for a time such as this He’s doing it again. When it’s all over, the gifts will go away, but until then you have to fight back against the Scarlet.

  I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you this face to face, but I was instructed not to. To be very honest with you, it has been difficult knowing these last two weeks that I will die the day after I write this letter to you. Marie and I have been privately grieving together knowing our time here is coming to an end.

  Life has a completely different perspective when you know your time is near. You quickly understand what is important and what no longer matters. It’s little things like watching a TV show knowing that I’ll never find out what happens in two weeks and then realizing even more so that it doesn’t really matter. Instead, I have spent the last of my time with you and Marie. I spent it laughing with the people I love. God is so good and I’m so glad He brought you home to us.

  Please take care of Marie. I know you will. Let Aaron and Emma know that I couldn’t be happier for them. Take care of yourself too. I couldn’t be prouder of you. You truly are my son and I love you. Now go save your friends and don’t let the Scarlet get away.

  The remnant remains…

  Jack

  P.S. I wanted you know something that the man told me alone before he left. As you know, Damon Marshall is the one who will kill me. He is the Cleaner. He was also the one who killed Ralph. He started the fire, not you guys. He watched both of you in the garage and waited until we were all asleep. He is evil to the core and he has to be stopped. You can do it, Convert. You can stop him.

  I will say hello to Ralph for you. We will all be together again someday and this time it will be with Jesus forever. Never give up! If God is for you, who can be against you? Stay strong!

  9

  “You guys got here quick,” Jack said as he opened the door to see a man standing on his front porch. “How much do I owe you?”

  “Hello, Jack,” The man said smiling. “I’m sorry, but I’m not the pizza man. I was wondering, though, if I could come in for a moment to speak to you and your wife?”

  “What is this about?” Jack said puzzled. It certainly was weird to see this gentleman that he had never seen before asking to come inside. The strangest thing, however, was that there was something familiar about him. “Forgive me, but do I know you? Have we met before?”

  The man’s smile was warm as if he had been expecting this reaction. “We have met before, but in a different way than you think.”

  “Are you a salesman or something?”

  “No. I’m just a messenger and I’ve been sent to give both of you an important message. Can I come in?”

  In his many years as a pastor, Jack had encountered a countless number of people so it made sense to him that he didn’t recognize this man. However, as strange as it seemed, he did not feel threatened. Rather, it felt as if he was seeing an old friend.

  “I won’t take much of your time.” The man said. “I understand the unusual nature of showing up like this, but I wanted to speak to you personally and unfortunately time is short.”

  Jack normally would have been a little hesitant. He had seen a lot in his years and he had certainly heard a lot of lines from a lot of people. With this man, however, things felt different. He didn’t feel threatened. “Well, come on in.”

  They walked into the living room where Marie was captivated by Jeopardy. At first she didn’t notice that Jack had a guest. “Hello, Marie,” the man said.

  Startled, Marie looked up. “Oh, I’m sorry, Jack didn’t tell me someone was here. Forgive me, but I can’t recall your name. We must have met because you knew mine, but I don’t remember yours.”

  The man chuckled. They both had asked him for forgiveness for not knowing him. They were both so much alike. “I have never told you or your husband my name. As a matter of fact, this is the first time either of you have seen me face to face.”

  Marie looked at Jack, who was standing next to the man, with genuine confusion. This wasn’t a normal conversation and this wasn’t a normal person. A trickle of anxiety began to form inside of her and yet it was as if he knew it.

  “Please don’t be afraid. I am a friend and I am here to give you a message. I know this is awkward, but it is better if I get straight to the point. I have been sent because very important things are about to happen.”

  Jack looked at Marie. This was highly unusual and yet he felt no threat. Marie felt the same way. “Please,” she said. “Come have a seat.”

  They went into the dining room and sat down at the table.

  “Would you like something to eat or drink?” Marie asked.

  “I’m fine, Marie, but thank you,” he said. “You have always been hospitable.”

  “What message do you have to tell us?” Jack said a little eagerly.

  “I’m here to give warning about a terrible evil that is coming to your town. In truth, it has been here in for a while now, but they have only been in the planning stages. On Halloween, however, they plan to bring a chaos and destruction that Galesburg has never seen. Lives are in danger and terrible things are going to happen.”

  “What things?” Jack asked. “Who are these people?”

  “They are known as the Scarlet and they have existed not for hundreds of years, but thousands. Since the Tower of Babel, there has been a group of evildoers who live in complete and total rebellion to God Most High. From generation to generation the Scarlet has lived in shadow, but has given great influence to leaders and nations all over the world. Their ultimate goal is to one day take over everything to rule supreme and their time draws near. There may only be a few generations left until their goal is fulfilled. Today their influence is stronger than ever and their wealth and power grows. They are getting bolder in their activities and Galesburg has been marked as one of their targets.

  “Why Galesburg?” Jack asked.

  “Galesburg is a test,” the man replied. “What they do here will teach them how to do things better on a grander scale. Some of the Scarlet have personal ties here and they are taking joy in seeing this town’s destruction. Three men are coming in particular. The council of the Scarlet will send them. They are known as the Thinker, the Actor, and the Cleaner. These three have been working behind the scenes for a while now in preparation for this. The Thinker is the brain of the operation. He’s the one in charge and is rarely seen. The Actor is the visible one and he has been manipulating people to their side and for their purposes for a long time now. You have no idea how far their tentacles reach into this town and many others. The Cleaner is their muscle. He intimidates some while he murders others. When there are obstacles to their plan, he removes them. They will carry out their Scarlet plan and the result will be horrific for this community.”

  “So are we meant to stop it then?”

  “No. Their plan will succeed to a degree. It’s too late to stop what has been put into motion. Much will be destroyed.”

  “What do you mean?” Jack said alarmed. “Nothing can be done?”

  “Something can be done. That
is why I am here. The ones who carry out this plan must be caught. They have operated in shadow for too long and now it’s time for them to pay for their sin.”

  “The whole Scarlet?”

  “No, just those involved in this city.”

  “Why only this city?”

  “Because you prayed.”

  Jack was caught a little off guard. “I have never heard of the Scarlet until now. How could I have been praying about this?”

  “Everyday you have walked the streets of Galesburg in prayer. You have prayed for the souls of this community repeatedly. The Scarlet will go on, but they will pay for coming here. Your prayers have preserved this city.”

  “If that’s the case then, why will anything happen at all?”

  “Because in two weeks the Scarlet will kill you.”

  Jack sat in shock as Marie brought her hands up to her mouth. She had sat in silence up to this point, but the shock of this news brought tears to her eyes. “Jack is going to die?” She said.

  “Yes,” he said gently. “Jack is an obstacle that the Scarlet must remove in order to carry out their plan. They understand power. They acknowledge that God exists and even that He is powerful. However, they are demonic and they trust in the power of evil to someday prevail. They are fools, but they are dangerous fools. They are evil, but they are brilliant as well.”

  “Why Jack, though?” Marie said. “He has done so much good and continues to do so. We have been through so much already. Why does Jack have to lose to this evil? How do we know that what you are saying is even the truth?”

  “Jack,” the man said. “Reach into your pocket and pull out your change.”

  Jack looked at him confused but did what he said. He reached in and grabbed the coins.

  “It’s forty seven cents,” the man said as Jack opened up his hand. The man was right.

  She grabbed Jack’s hand and began to cry. Jack took his arm and put it around her. They were heartbroken and the man knew it. Without speaking, he got up from his seat and walked over to them. He placed a hand on each of their shoulders and prayed. Jack and Marie began to feel comfort and peace. Most importantly, however, they felt understanding.