Beth held the cowboy hat up to the dog’s nose.
“Find Patrick,” she whispered in its ear.
Patrick looked at the roof. “God, please don’t let the roof fall,” he prayed under his breath.
Patrick entered the temple. Ahead he saw a man in red. Another man in white was with him.
“There!” Patrick said.
Junius suddenly appeared at his side. “It’s Cosmus,” he said.
The senator and a Roman guard were shifting large rocks. A third man was trapped underneath a fallen beam.
Patrick tugged at Junius’ sleeve. “Let’s help!”
The boys rushed toward the three men.
Cosmus looked surprised to see them.
“Hurry!” the pinned man shouted.
The two boys put their hands under a beam.
Cosmus said, “Lift on three. One, two, three . . .”
Patrick used all the strength in his legs, back, and arms. Sweat beads popped out on his forehead. All four of them groaned.
Slowly, the beam rose a few inches.
The trapped man grunted. He twisted his body and rolled away from the pillar.
“I’m free,” he gasped.
The men and boys dropped the beam. Crash!
The building creaked. Patrick saw a crack shoot up the side of a column.
“We have to get out of here,” Patrick said.
Cosmus turned toward the standing guard. “Get this soldier to safety,” he said.
“And leave the treasury?” the guard asked.
“Yes!” Cosmus said. “But come back after he’s cared for.”
“I hear and obey, Senator,” the guard said, with a salute. He helped the other soldier out.
Cosmus turned to Junius. “Why are you here? Where is my wife?”
Junius bowed to his master. “My mistress went to the docks, sir,” he said. “There’s a boat for the Christians. She awaits you there.”
Cosmus looked at Patrick. “You’re the boy who helped Valen,” he said. He pointed a finger at Patrick. “You predicted this! How did you know?”
“This probably isn’t the best time to talk,” Patrick said.
“You said earlier that all will die,” Cosmus said. “Is that true?”
“Not if you listen to Junius and go to the docks,” Patrick said. “But you really have to go now.”
Cosmus looked around sadly. “My service to the city is at an end then,” he said. He turned to Junius. “Go to the senate chambers. Warn all who will listen.”
“As you wish, master,” Junius said.
Cosmus marched away without a backward glance.
Junius grabbed Patrick’s arm. “We have work to do!” he said.
Patrick tried to shake him loose. “We found Cosmus,” he said. “We have to leave.”
“Not yet,” Junius said. He pulled a knife from a sheath strapped to his thigh. He pointed it at Patrick. “You’re going into the treasury.”
The Tree
Patrick glanced up at the slanted roof. “The roof may cave in,” Patrick said. “I won’t go in.”
Junius smiled. “The temple treasury offers more riches than you can imagine. The guard is gone now. But he’ll be back. Now is our best chance.”
“Not our best chance?” Patrick said to him. “It’s yours. Money won’t help a dead person.”
“Go that way,” Junius said. He jabbed the knife at Patrick. “Don’t think about running.”
Patrick climbed over rubble and fallen columns. Ash was falling in through the gaps in the roof. The air was growing even thicker. He began to cough.
Patrick came to an area with buckets, bags, and rope. It looked as if someone had been working there. Then he came to a large hole in the floor.
“This is perfect,” Junius said.
Patrick peered over the edge of the hole. He gasped.
Below was a large room piled with treasure. It had gold and silver cups, plates, jewels, and coins. The stash reminded Patrick of a dragon’s lair.
Suddenly Junius pushed Patrick hard into the hole. Patrick fell. He landed feetfirst onto a pile of coins. Then he did a somersault and landed on his backside.
Junius tossed a cloth bag into the hole. It landed a few feet away from Patrick.
“Fill that up,” Junius said. “Hurry.”
“Why should I?” Patrick asked. He got to his feet.
“Because I said so. Or you’re not getting out of there,” Junius said.
Patrick considered his options. There was a large iron door on the far wall. But it didn’t have a handle. No windows. No way out. He was trapped and he knew it. He snatched up the bag.
Junius shouted down instructions: “That plate, the one with Jupiter’s head on it. The ring with the red gem and the coins. Grab all the coins.”
Patrick followed the orders as best he could. “Okay,” Patrick said. “The bag is full. What now?”
Junius threw a rope into the hole. “Tie this around the top of the bag,” he said. “And I’ll lift it out.”
Patrick asked, “How will I get out of here?”
“I’ll drop the rope back down,” Junius said. “I’ll pull you up.”
Patrick fumed. He didn’t believe Junius. But he did as he was told.
Patrick tied the rope around the bag. “Ready,” he shouted.
Junius pulled on the rope.
Patrick watched the bag slowly rise. It disappeared through the hole.
Junius’s face appeared. “Thanks,” he said.
“Throw down the rope!” Patrick shouted.
“Sorry,” Junius said. “Thieves are often liars.” He retreated from view.
“You can’t leave me!” Patrick cried.
Beth followed the dog. It took her to the city’s open area. She knew it was a Roman forum. But most of the buildings had fallen.
Suddenly the dog tugged on the rope. It jerked her sideways.
“Arf! Arf!” the dog barked.
Beth went where the dog led. She saw a boy up ahead. Maybe it’s Patrick! she thought.
“Arf!” the dog barked. Then it growled.
The boy carried a large bag. The dog barked again, and the boy turned. He looked straight at Beth.
Beth’s heart sank. It wasn’t Patrick.
Suddenly the dog gave a mighty jerk.
The knot in the rope collar slipped free. Beth held the limp rope in her hand.
The dog raced toward the boy. It was barking frantically.
“No!” the boy cried, “Get away from me!”
He ran with the bag. The dog got closer. The boy ran to a nearby tree.
Beth followed the dog. Why is the dog after that boy? Beth wondered.
The boy had grabbed a tree limb. He pulled himself up along with the bag.
The dog jumped at the boy. Its front paws slammed against the trunk. The dog kept snapping and barking.
“Get down, Snowy!” the boy shouted. “Get that dog away!” he said.
Beth was about to pull the dog away. But then she heard a familiar voice in the distance.
“Help!” Patrick cried out. “Somebody help me!”
Escape
Patrick still couldn’t believe he’d heard Beth’s voice.
“Help!” he shouted again.
“Where are you?” Beth called out. Her voice was closer.
“Down here!” Patrick yelled. He tried to climb the tallest pile of treasure. But the pile gave way, and he fell.
Beth’s face appeared in the opening above him. “What are you doing down there?”
“I was tricked,” he said.
Then she saw the treasure around him. “Wow! What is this place?” she asked.
“It’s the temple treasury,” he replied. “Can you please find a rope?”
Beth disappeared again.
Patrick heard barking.
Snowy peeked over the edge of the hole. She was panting.
“Hey, Snowy,” Patrick said.
Beth came back.
She dropped one end of a rope to Patrick. “I’ve tied the other end of the rope to a column,” she called down.
Patrick climbed the rope.
Beth gave him a hand at the top and pulled him out.
Snowy pranced around them, barking.
“I’m sure glad to see you,” Patrick said.
Beth smiled and suddenly hugged him. “We didn’t know where you were,” she said.
Patrick looked around. “Where is Junius?” he asked.
Beth gave Patrick a questioning look. “Is that the boy the dog chased up the tree?” she asked.
“What tree?” Patrick asked.
“Over there,” Beth said.
Patrick and Beth hurried to the tree. Snowy followed them.
Junius was gone. Patrick wasn’t surprised, but he felt sad. If Junius didn’t get on a boat, he would die.
“Who was he?” Beth asked.
“I’ll tell you on the way to the docks,” Patrick said. “We have to get out of here before the lava reaches us!”
The air was thick. Beth pulled her bandana over her face. She gave Patrick one to wear, too. It kept slipping down as he told her all about Valen, Junius, and the church.
Then Beth told him about the lightning and the car-like Imagination Station.
Snowy ran ahead of them and barked. The cousins rounded a street corner. The sea came clearly into view. Dozens of boats were moving away from shore. Their white sails dotted the water.
Then she saw the docks and gasped.
Hundreds of people were on the wood platforms. They had bundles on their backs. Some carried baskets. They were pushing and shoving and shouting.
“We have to get into that mess?” she asked.
“Besides the Imagination Station, there’s no other way off the island,” Patrick said.
“Which boat do we want?” she asked.
“I’m not sure,” Patrick said. “Let’s get closer.”
The cousins reached the edge of the crowd. The sea air was fresher, so they took off their bandanas. They pushed through the crowd. Patrick grabbed Beth’s hand and held on.
Snowy barked and growled. People made a pathway for the dog.
“I see Valen’s staff!” Patrick said. He picked up his speed. He shouted, “Valen!”
The crowds jostled them. Beth’s feet were stepped on. No one said sorry.
Patrick and Beth reached Valen. He was leaning on his staff. Beth thought he looked old, tired, and confused. He didn’t seem like the fiery preacher Patrick had described.
“There you are,” Valen said. He motioned with his head toward the crowds. “They are without a shepherd. What can we do?”
Beth looked at the panicked crowd. She couldn’t think of an answer.
“Where is the slave boy?” Valen asked.
“He ran off with his stolen treasure,” Patrick said with a frown.
“Who is this?” Valen asked with a nod toward Beth.
“This is my cousin, Beth,” Patrick said.
Beth smiled and said, “Pleased to meet you.”
Valen gave her a weary smile. “Do you know the good news, Beth?” he asked.
“Jesus is risen,” Beth said.
“He is risen indeed,” Valen said in return. He seemed to cheer up.
The volcano rumbled behind them.
“We have to leave,” Patrick said.
Valen lifted his staff and led them down the dock. “The boat is the very last one on the right,” he said.
Patrick recognized the people lining the side of the boat. Most of them were from the church. Cosmus and a lovely woman were with them. Patrick guessed the woman was Grata.
Valen raised his staff at them.
“Valen!” Nonus called out. He turned to a man with a tanned face and white beard. “Captain, you must lower the plank!”
Two sailors lowered the plank. The captain ordered two more men to keep the crowds from boarding.
Valen slowly walked up the ramp.
Patrick was about to tell Beth to get on when Snowy growled. Then there was a shout. Patrick turned.
Junius ran up the edge of the dock carrying his bag of treasure. “Wait for me!” he shouted.
Snowy snarled. She looked as if she were going to bite Junius.
Patrick pointed to the boat. “Get on!” he said to the dog.
Snowy obeyed.
The captain let the dog pass. “A dog is good luck,” he said. “Plus it will catch the rats. But we’re out of room. The old man is the last passenger.”
The last? Patrick thought. Beth and Patrick looked at each other.
“Please!” Junius shouted.
Cosmus said, “He’s a slave, captain. Forget about him.”
Junius lifted the bag. “I have treasure! Let me on!”
The captain looked interested.
“What about this boy and girl?” Valen asked. He was pointing to Patrick and Beth. “We can’t leave them.”
“Go without us,” Patrick said. “We’ll find another way.”
He looked at Beth. She looked worried. He prayed at least one of the Imagination Stations would come back for them.
Valen turned on the ramp and walked back to the dock. “I’m not going,” he said. “I will stay here to help the lost.”
Junius passed Valen on the ramp. He nearly knocked the old man over. The slave leaped onto the boat. Snowy growled.
The people on the boat cried out. “We can’t leave Valen!”
Valen waved his hand at them. “I am in God’s hands! Go!”
The captain ordered the ramp to be lifted. A few moments later, the boat was pushed away from the dock.
The church members shouted to Valen, “We’ll pray for you!” and “Godspeed!”
“Remember God’s mercy!” Valen shouted.
Patrick and Beth waved.
Junius looked smug. He held up his bag of treasure proudly.
The boat suddenly lurched. Junius stumbled and lost his grip on the bag. It fell into the water with a loud splash.
“Stop!” Junius yelled. He reached over the side of the boat.
Cosmus grabbed him and pulled him back.
The bag sunk quickly.
“My treasure!” Junius cried.
“You have your life!” Valen shouted at him. “Now treasure your soul!”
Beth nudged Patrick. “Look!” she said.
The Lava
Patrick turned to see what Beth saw. “It’s the Imagination Station!” he said.
The machine suddenly flickered and disappeared.
“What happened?” Patrick asked, surprised.
Beth gasped. She pointed to the mountain. Lava was now pouring down its side.
Beth and Patrick had to push against the crowd. People moved out of the way. They seemed puzzled that Patrick and Beth were heading toward danger.
The crowd thinned near the marketplace. Patrick and Beth found themselves on an empty street.
“I don’t know which way to go,” Patrick said. “Where will the Imagination Station pick us up?”
Beth looked thoughtful. “It dropped off at a house with a fountain,” she said. “That’s where I saw the dog.”
“I know how to get there,” Patrick said.
Suddenly the earth groaned.
A crack appeared in the street. It quickly zig-zagged along the earth. The crack split the solid ground in two.
Patrick leaped aside and fell.
Beth jumped in the opposite direction.
The volcano shot rock and ash into the air. A giant fire-rock crashed next to Patrick. He quickly rolled away from it.
He saw a candle shop. “Find cover!” he shouted to Beth. He stood up and ran for the doorway.
Beth cried out. “It’s the Imagination Station!”
Patrick spun around.
The Imagination Station stood in the street.
Beth raced for it.
Patrick wanted to get inside the machine. But there was a problem.
Beth and the Imagination Station were on the other side of a wide chasm!
“Beth!” Patrick called.
Beth had reached the Imagination Station. She turned around after she heard Patrick.
Beth gasped.
Patrick was on the other side of the crack in the street. It was too wide for him to jump over. And it filled up with lava. She could feel the heat from where she stood.
“I don’t know what to do!” Patrick said.
More lava rocks shot down from the sky.
Beth was terrified.
Then the old Imagination Station appeared. At first it was see-through. Then it turned solid.
“Look behind you!” Beth shouted.
Patrick looked over his shoulder. Then he ran to the old car.
“Get behind the wheel!” she yelled.
The door to the white Imagination Station slid open. Beth hesitated.
Patrick was facing her again. “Get in!” he called out. Then he jumped into the old Imagination Station. He grabbed the steering wheel.
Beth was nervous. They had never traveled in two different machines before.
“I’ll meet you at the workshop!” she shouted at Patrick.
But Patrick and the machine were gone.
Beth climbed into the Imagination Station and sat down. The door slid closed.
The old Imagination Station felt like riding in a car. It had wild colors spinning on the windshield. Patrick felt as if the machine slowed to a stop.
Mr. Whittaker’s workshop slowly appeared in front of Patrick.
“What a ride!” he said as he climbed out.
Suddenly Eugene was at his side. “Patrick!” he said. “Thank God you’re safe!”
“That was close,” Patrick said.
“Where is Beth?” Eugene asked.
“She’s in the other Imagination Station,” Patrick replied.
They raced to the other machine. It sat very still and dark.
“Oh no,” Eugene said.
Patrick pushed the button to open the door. Nothing happened.
“What’s wrong? Where is Beth?” Patrick asked.
Eugene groaned and said, “I don’t know.”
To be continued in book 17. Go to TheImaginationStation.com for more information!
Doomsday in Pompeii Page 5