by Len du Randt
.III.
Day of Declaration
‘The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles. Signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie’
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
‘If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.’
- Adolf Hitler
Trevor rubbed his finger over the wound on his forehead. It had been quite an intense morning for him thus far. Random people all across the city seemed to have disappeared without a trace, and those who remained were subjected to the law of cause and effect as power grids failed, taking down traffic lights, ATMs, computer servers and almost everything else required to sustain everyday living. But none of those incidents held a candle to the strangeness of someone managing to infiltrate his mind and seemingly every television station available at the very same time. To top it off, this complete stranger now claimed to have the answer to the one question on everyone’s lips: what happened, and who is responsible?
Trevor was physically exhausted and mentally unstable. His stomach twisted and turned, almost as if nature accused him, telling him that this terrible mess had somehow been his fault, and the police would soon come knocking on his door and drag him away.
‘Let me begin by saying that the chaos you are experiencing is on a global scale,’ Victor continued his speech. ‘Worldwide, millions of people have disappeared from the face of the Earth; eradicated in the blink of an eye. The cause of the senseless death and destruction that we have experienced today,’ Victor said with unquestionable authority, ‘is the result of an all out alien attack.’
Trevor sat up straight in his chair. Now this is interesting, he thought. Why didn’t I think of that? He had thought of numerous possibilities of what the cause might have been, but he didn’t for one moment think that it could have been an alien invasion. It all started making sense to him, and the more he thought about it, the more he realized that it had to be the truth.
He could see that René was going through the exact same enlightenment as he was. He had watched many movies about aliens as a teenager, but no amount of Hollywood conditioning could ever have prepared him for the reality that he now faced. He stared intently at the television. He didn’t want to miss a word that this man had to say.
‘We do not know anything about the alien race or their capabilities, but we do know that they are not indestructible. An Israeli Air Force fighter plane managed to shoot down one of their craft soon after the attack began. If we stand up and unite against this threat, if we hold hands and join forces across the world, we will overcome them. We must melt into a unity, a Federation Earth, and eliminate those that have invaded our lovely planet.’
‘Yeah!’ Trevor agreed enthusiastically. René softly squeezed his hand and forced a faint smile.
Although badly shaken up with no idea of what the immediate future may hold, she felt strangely confident that this stranger on television would save the day and make things better. He would be able to protect her from those nasty alien beings. She studied Victor’s demeanour and decided that he was the well-structured and self-composed type; the perfect person to get them out of this terrible mess.
- - -* * *- - -
Andrew stared out his window as Victor spoke, hoping to see one of the alien craft flying overhead. He never saw any, but did hear what he thought could have been their ships whizzing by. The sun’s rays struggled to pierce the blanket of thick smoke that was hovering over Earth like a huge alien mother ship from some blockbuster Hollywood movie.
‘Today has been a sad and tragic day for all,’ Victor spoke from the television, ‘and I am sure that almost everyone has lost someone dear today: a family member, a parent, a child, a friend. It has been emotionally tough for every person on Earth, but we cannot allow our emotions to overwhelm us.
‘I urge all people, the depressed, the frightened, the angry, and the confused, to not do something irrational. Do not harm others and, most importantly, do not harm yourself.
‘We have lost too many dear lives already. Please do not add to the hurt and tears of today’s tragedy. Now is not the time to mourn, but the time to stand up and stand together. Now is the time to unite and fight back, to show those responsible that, as one global nation speaking one global language, we can overcome any obstacle thrown at us as human beings. We declare war on the alien intruders, and as Federation Earth, we will be one nation with one single goal: to survive.’
- - -* * *- - -
‘We need to stay focused and organized,’ the calm and self-assured Victor Yoshe continued, ‘as there will doubtless be—for the next few days at least—food shortages. I ask that everyone able to do so, return to their homes using back roads and avoiding the highways at all cost.’
Trevor wondered how bad the carnage was. An image of the highway he was on earlier flashed through his mind and he wondered how bad the damage had been on a global scale.
‘If you are unable to return home, go to the nearest community shelter and stay there until the war is over. Those injured should try to reach the nearest clinic or hospital as soon as possible.’ Victor paused for a moment as if to place emphasis on what he wanted to say next.
‘People,’ he said, and then paused again. ‘United people of Earth, I urge you to help out where you can. We can only defeat our enemies and survive through this ordeal if we let go of our own selfish motives. Should someone knock on your door for food and shelter, offer it to that person without question. We must share what we have, or what we have will be meaningless in only a matter of days. Let go of prejudice and racial hatred, and look at your fellow human beings as family. Family should stick together.’
‘I can live with that,’ René thought out loud, not taking her eyes off the television.
‘Yeah,’ Trevor said. ‘I guess we all can.’
Victor remained silent and for a few seconds merely stared into the camera. It felt to Trevor as if he looked right at him, penetrating his very soul. It was almost as if he could see through the television and into his mind: all his secrets, all his hopes and dreams lay bare; exposed to this man.
René shifted around uncomfortably, and then Victor broke his hypnotic gaze and continued. ‘The world leaders who have survived and are accounted for had already given me their full cooperation, and will be deploying their soldiers and fighter craft for full scale tactical warfare against the alien invaders. People are asked not to approach any soldiers, military vehicles, or wreckages of the alien craft.
‘You are asked to stay indoors until everything has been cleared out. Until this war is over, all world issues will be addressed and resolved by the European Empire. I thank you for your understanding and assistance. We are all experiencing a terrible trauma; but we are going through it together, and together we shall prevail.’ He gave a firm nod as he finished. ‘Thank you.’
- - -* * *- - -
Tears stung Malcolm’s eyes as he held Mary tightly in his arms. He wanted to be in control of his emotions. He wanted to be a pillar for his wife to lean against in a time like this, so he cried silently, without her knowing it.
‘It’s going to be all right,’ he said as the knot in his throat pulled tighter. He struggled to find the right words. ‘It...it’s going to be okay.’
His words had comfort, but lacked believability and reason. He just wanted his daughter to be with them so badly that he was willing to say anything to give them just that one glimmer of hope.
Timothy just sat there, staring at the wall with a blank expression on his face. He was still in shock and didn’t know how to express his feelings. His heart felt heavy, weighed down by tears, but his mind forced him to maintain control. He felt sick to his stomach, and turned around expectantly when he thought he h
eard something behind him. It wasn’t his sister, but instead, only some old furniture creaking. Inner conflict raged inside him as his heart waged war against his mind. He wanted to mourn the loss of his sister so badly, but at the same time, couldn’t help but be intrigued about this Victor person that had gained unauthorized access to his mind. He wanted to find out more about the man.
Malcolm wrapped his free arm around Timothy’s shoulder and pulled him closer. Together the three of them just sat there, Mary’s occasional sobs being the only sound breaking the overwhelming silence.
- - -* * *- - -
‘Trev,’ René said, biting her lower lip softly.
‘Yeah?’
‘Um...would you mind if I stayed over at your place?’
Trevor looked up. ‘I’m sorry. You want to what...?’
She saw the hesitation in his eyes then quickly added, ‘Just until all this is over. I just don’t want to be alone right now.’
Trevor thought about the answer, weighing all the options while wondering how much of his personal space this woman might take up.
‘I promise that I won’t...get in your way.’ The last words were choked as she broke down and cried again.
‘Okay,’ he said and took her in his arms. ‘You can stay with me until all this is sorted out.’
He would never admit it, but he too didn’t feel like being alone right now. ‘I’m quickly going to my brother’s flat from here. Go get your things and come over to my place as soon as you’re ready. Bring enough food with you, though. I don’t know how long it will be until we are allowed to go shopping again.’
‘Oh, thank you,’ she sobbed and hugged him tightly.
‘Don’t mention it,’ he said, wondering how long he would really have to share his apartment with this woman that he only knew from some casual tea time chit chat. He secretly hoped that this Victor character knew what he was doing.
- - -* * *- - -
Getting to Norman’s apartment was no easy task, but after careful manoeuvring and using desolate back roads, Trevor eventually made it. He knocked, and when no one answered a minute later, he used his spare key that Norman had given him a year ago to get into the apartment.
‘Norm...?’ Trevor asked as he pushed open the door.
No reply.
Trevor walked slowly through the apartment and called out to Norman each time he entered a new room. There was no one in the apartment, yet all the signs pointed to the fact that Norman had not left. There was the unmade bed—very unlike Norman—the full bathtub, the unused toothbrush. What finally convinced him that something was amiss were Norman’s car keys on the table.
Trevor switched on the television. GMN was covering the worldwide mass hysteria. He headed to the spare bedroom that Norman had rigged as his ‘home office.’
On the table were bills and letters, but the only thing that really caught his attention was a book. He picked it up and lightly ran his fingers over the embossed title: The Great Third War and the Rise of the Antichrist
Trevor opened the book and saw that Norman had written a message inside the cover. It was addressed to him:
Dear Trev,
Happy Birthday! I know that it’s not much, but the eternal value of this book could mean a lot more to you than anything else on this planet. I sincerely hope that you enjoy it and find it as informative as I have. It’s only a matter of time before the things in this book will come to pass. I wouldn’t want you to be unprepared.
Hope you have a good one!
Love,
Norm
Trevor looked at the date that the message was written. It was a week before his twenty-fifth birthday; a day before he told Norman that he was an atheist. No wonder Norman didn’t give him the book. He most probably reasoned that Trevor would see it as a personal attack against his newfound beliefs.
‘Wise choice,’ Trevor said as he flipped through it. He tried reading bits and pieces as he paged through the book, but the Dragons and Beasts lingo only added to his pounding headache. He couldn’t understand a word of what the book was trying to tell him.
‘I’ll just keep this for later then,’ Trevor said and placed the book in his jacket pocket. He switched off the television and scribbled a note to Norman. He was about to leave when the telephone rang.
- - -* * *- - -
‘Norm?’ Trevor said but frowned when he realized that Norman wouldn’t be calling himself.
‘Uh, no,’ a voice said on the other end of the line. ‘Who is this?’
‘Who are you looking for?’
‘I’m Andrew. I’m looking for Norman.’
‘Andy,’ Trevor said. ‘It’s me…Trevor.’
Andrew remained quiet for a moment. ‘Hey Trev. Is Norman there?’
‘Nope,’ Trevor said. ‘I’ve searched this place. Nothing.’
‘Do you think he is okay? I mean...with everything that’s happening?’
‘That’s why I’m here,’ Trevor said. His head still throbbed from the deep cut above his eye.
There was a moment of silence before Trevor spoke again. ‘Listen, bud, I have to go now. Do you still have my number?’
Andrew confirmed.
‘Great. Call me at home in a few days once everything has settled, okay?’
‘Will do,’ Andrew said. ‘Will you let Norman know that I called?’
‘I left a message for him. If I do hear from him, I’ll let him know.’
‘Thanks, Trev. Good luck.’
‘Thanks, Andy. You too. See you later.’
Trevor hung up. Where are you, bro? He thought as he rubbed the cut on his forehead. He hated himself for not speaking to his brother again since he had left his apartment that evening. There were still so many things that he wanted to say; so many things that he still wanted to do with his brother, and now might never be able to.
A flicker of hope flittered into his eyes as the thought crossed his mind that Norman might not have been a victim at all; that he was somewhere at a community shelter, helping the badly hurt people. Maybe he had been hurt himself, and thus unable to contact Trevor. It wasn’t a bright flicker, but it was still a glimmer nonetheless, and he would hold on to it until facts proved otherwise. After one final glance he locked the door as he left the apartment.
- - -* * *- - -
The streets were eerily quiet as Trevor weaved the motorcycle between rubble, car wrecks, dead bodies, and looted buildings. He only passed two cars heading in the opposite direction on his way home. The rest, he figured, were either still hiding out, or making their way on foot.
The looters had actually listened to Victor and had stopped their violent outbreaks.
Another notch for the unknown man with the amazing super powers, he though as he rode past a burnt-out appliance store. Trevor looked at the skies. The smoke of cars and burning buildings still hung over the Earth like a looming cloud of doom, but at least breathing was easier. He coughed violently as he inhaled a wisp of sulphur. Somewhat easier, at least.
Trevor looked at what remained of the buildings around him, and for a moment, it felt like he was caught in one of those futuristic apocalyptic movies. He shuddered at the thought and pulled back on the throttle.
- - -* * *- - -
It took some effort to get the bike into the elevator, and even more so to get it out again. He pushed it into his apartment and found a suitable spot for it. He didn’t want to park it downstairs for fear that someone else might lay claim to it.
Trevor took a hot, relaxing bath, and then got ready to prepare dinner. René would be there soon, and he wanted to have the food ready by the time she arrived. The apartment had an open plan kitchen, so he was able watch television while he worked.
Like Norman, he also made a mean roasted chicken. But he was no Norman, so for a first-impression dinner, he opted for grilled steak with a thin layer of molten cheese and some jacket potatoes.
GMN was covering the alien attacks and the path of destruction left in the wake of the
war. The global news channel aired amateur video footage that someone had submitted of what appeared to be an ‘alien craft’ being shot down.
‘No one that I have spoken to have actually seen any of the alien beings yet,’ a field reporter yelled into his microphone, ‘but authorities have notified us that these creatures look almost exactly like us. Aside from sharing our facial features, they are considerably taller than us, with long, silver-blonde hair. The only noticeable difference, other than their exceptional height, is that they have six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each of their feet.’
Trevor still found it hard to grasp the reality of the situation. It was ironic how Norman, who never believed in aliens, most probably ended up as one of their primary targets. If you were a victim, I sure hope your God can explain this to you, bud, Trevor thought as he flipped through the channels.
There was a cheerleading chick-flick on one of the movie channels, and he was back on GMN before the girl in the extremely short dress could finisher her, ‘Gimme a—’ cheer.
GMN reporter, Connie Jacobs was in a studio, interviewing a bald, spectacled man about the alien attacks. ‘Well,’ the man said thoughtfully. ‘The signs have always been there: the Crop Circles, Roswell, the Pyramids, The Face on Mars, and even Stonehenge. I guess that, despite some Hollywood horror movies, we have always assumed that if there was actually intelligent life out there, it would be friendly.’
‘You guessed wrong, buddy,’ Trevor said to the bespectacled man on the television. The steak was starting to grill nicely, and he hoped that René would be impressed.