Salvation | Book 1 | Salvation

by McNeil, Nick

  “Now, my children, rise.” The Sons rose at Gideon’s command. “And wait for me on the surface of the land. The Lord’s prophets, please wait behind, for God has delivered us a special message.” The followers all marched together toward the back of the sanctuary. They progressed through the tunneled staircase and flowed into the cabin where Ezekiel had originally entered the Sons of Salvation’s home. Gideon’s followers paraded out of the cabin and gathered outside. Ezekiel, Aaron, and Elijah waited behind and stood around Gideon. A few of Gideon’s guards hung back as well. “We have lost our founding father to the darkness of the world, and we must bring him back. God chose Abraham and Sarah. No one else.”

  “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” Elijah puffed out his chest.

  “Elijah and Aaron, I need your help more than ever on this task. I am not the Lord, and I cannot lead three hundred men by myself.” Gideon squeezed each of their shoulders with one of his hands. “I had commanders before, and I need them once again.”

  “Are three hundred men really necessary to retrieve a few people?” Ezekiel asked. He tried to hide his fear. Aaron and Elijah stepped toward Dinesh’s father.

  “No, it is okay.” Gideon walked between Ezekiel and the two other prophets. “The Lord informs me of all, Ezekiel. You know our lost prophet, don’t you?”

  Ezekiel’s bottom lip quivered.

  “You know the Jones family. In fact, your old son was good friends with Abraham’s son. Isn’t this correct?”

  Ezekiel took a long blink. A tear rolled down his cheek. “That’s correct.”

  “As you said before, the last place you saw your family was with them. So you are worried we may harm your family when we try to retrieve Abraham and Sarah.” Gideon stepped closer to Ezekiel. “Do not worry. We will give your family a chance to join us. If they refuse”—he was close enough for the wind from his breath to brush against Dinesh’s father—“then only the Lord can decide their judgment.” Gideon took a step back and turned toward the exit of the sanctuary. “Stay here, Ezekiel. When you have earned the mark of my heart, then it will be time for you to join us.” Two guards approached Ezekiel and clenched his arms. “Eat. Get some rest. God has amazing and very important plans for you.” The old man pranced out of the woodland sanctuary and toward the surface, Elijah and Aaron trailing close behind. The three men stood inside the cabin before addressing the Sons outside.

  “We have the buses ready, sir,” Elijah informed him. “It is about half a mile to the road where they await.”

  “The Lord is pleased.” Gideon’s eyes fixated on his people outdoors.

  “Once we arrive, it is about a two-mile hike inland,” Elijah continued. “We have food for the people to eat on the ride there. I figured it would be good for everyone to be filled with the body of Christ before we proceed with the Lord’s work.”

  “The drive should take about six or seven hours. I imagine we will move a little slower than in the older world. However, I don’t imagine we will face much interruption.” Aaron jumped into the conversation. “We have over three hundred armed soldiers.”

  “Careful with your wording.” Gideon turned his head and faced the two prophets. “When we arrive, do not worry about casualties, on any side. Retrieve Abraham, his wife, and his children. Be sure they are not harmed. He will not cooperate with us again if they’re dead.”

  “Do we know yet why he has forsaken us?” Elijah inquired.

  “Only the Lord knows,” Gideon answered. “But I do plan to find out. Let me address my people, and then we will be on our way.”

  “Wait.” Aaron reached out. “Do you think anyone will notice?”

  “I cannot read your mind, young prophet.” Gideon cocked his head.

  Aaron dropped his arm and stepped back. “That it’s midnight and not the middle of the day.”

  “You speak madness.” Gideon chuckled and looked to Elijah for confirmation of Aaron’s delirium. “Please be sure you eat and drink something before stepping off the buses, our prophet.” The old man walked outside and stretched his arms as high as he could. “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are,” he cried out to the masses of people. “Northward, southward, eastward, and westward, for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.” Gideon strode forward, and his people split like the parting seas. “This land is only that of God’s children. All others are to face judgment. The rapture is now. And you are the swords and fire of God.” He cleared his throat. “For the Lord will execute judgment by fire and by his sword on all flesh, and those slain by the Lord will be many.” He reached the end of the crowd and kept his back turned. He bowed his head. The birds were asleep and the morning dew still had not rolled in. Gideon twirled around. “What you do this morning is not sinful but the direct wishes of God. Do not doubt what is asked of you, but rejoice that you have been chosen to do so.”

  The crowd chanted and stomped their feet. They pumped their guns above their heads, whistling and screaming at the top of their lungs. The composed and elegant-natured community that existed underground was no more, and only savages existed above land. They hungered not for blood, revenge, or any personal motives. Their only purpose was to prove their loyalty.

  “Follow me. Escorts await us, and together, we will save our lost prophet, the founding father of the covenant. We must bring Abraham back home.” Gideon grabbed his rifle that was slung on his back and gripped it tightly with both hands. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him.”

  West Pines, Washington

  5:00 a.m.

  Cheltenham snored loud enough to be heard outside the bunker. It was a wonder that his own snoring didn’t keep him up at night. He slept on his side with his legs tucked in and the comforter all the way up to his chin. A notification noise came from Amadeus’ computer. He sprang awake and fumbled his way to the computer. He ran his arm around the surface of his desk until he found his glasses. Right when he put his frames on, he tapped repeatedly the volume button, turning down the sound on his computer. A direct message from Jake was unread.

  Jake: Hey, C, are you awake?

  Cheltenham: I wasn’t. But I have become a light sleeper these days. What’s up?

  Jake: Is Alvin around? I’ve uncovered something pretty big.

  Cheltenham: He’s not. I had him and his buddies sleep outside.

  Jake: Okay, good.

  Jake: By chance, does Alvin have a heart-shaped tattoo under his eye?

  Cheltenham: Jake, you idiot. How do you know I’m not Alvin?

  Jake: ???

  Cheltenham: You did nothing to verify it was me. You could have been about to expose dire information about Alvin. What if he felt betrayed and inclined to take me out or something?

  Jake: You don’t even know what I was going to say?

  Amadeus leaned back in his chair and rolled his eyes. He ran his hands down his face.

  Cheltenham: You are right. I did make an assumption. What were you going to share?

  Jake: If he does have a heart-shaped tattoo, I think he may be a part of a dangerous terrorist organization. The same one that caused this entire catastrophe.

  Mr. Cheltenham fell out of his chair. He hyperventilated as he crawled across the floor. He rolled onto his back, his chest pumping in and out. His skin turned pale as sweat ran down his face and his hands turned clammy. “You are not going to get kidnapped and taken into a cult. You are not going to get kidnapped and taken into a cult. You are not going to get kidnapped and taken into a cult.” He placed his hand over his heart and took long deep exhales in an attempt to control his breathing. His heart rate slowed. Amadeus crawled back to his chair and typed away.

  Cheltenham: That is exactly the type of information I was talking about. Also, yes. He does have a heart-shaped tattoo on his face. He also told me his real name is Ezra, not Alvin.

  Jake: C! Are you safe? Reports from all over are confirming the same thing.
These men have heart-shaped tattoos and basically pillage anything in their path. They’re murdering every woman they see and kidnapping any man who doesn’t fight back.

  Cheltenham: I am pretty safe down here. But I feel if he were inclined enough, he could possibly break in. And what do you mean all over?

  Jake: I mean I know of at least 12 cities that have reported seeing people from this group.

  Cheltenham: How can you confirm that?

  Jake: I heard it from my online friends. People just like you. Sure, they could be lying, but I mean, when you tell me you’ve seen men with this tattoo, I believe you. I’d say my sources are that reliable.

  Cheltenham: You heard it from so many people that it is most likely true. I just don’t understand how they can be all over the country. How can something this large be orchestrated?

  Jake: There is one thing I am still puzzled about.

  Cheltenham: There is a lot I am still confused about…

  Jake: Ha, same here. But something majorly bizarre to me is why does Alvin/Ezra want to track down Abraham? Either they’re from the same organization, or two different terrorist groups attacked at literally the exact same time.

  Cheltenham: Unless this group with the hearts was always waiting for the end of the world. And now is their time to shine.

  Jake: That is possible. But I feel it is pretty unlikely. That would be a lot of planning for something that isn’t guaranteed. I really think they are from the same group. I just can’t figure out why Alvin would need to track Abraham Jones down.

  Cheltenham: Abraham seemed pretty persistent on going to his bugout location. He must have gone rogue or something.

  Jake: That is the most likely scenario until we uncover more data.

  Knocking came from above ground. “Wakey, wakey,” Ezra shouted. He pounded a few more times on the metal bunker door. “I told ya we were gonna get started nice and early today, bud.”

  Amadeus panted and his hands shook.

  Cheltenham: He’s banging on the entrance to wake me up so I can go with him to get Abraham.

  Jake: You can’t go.

  Cheltenham: Thanks for the advice…

  Jake: Does he know the coordinates? If not, just give them to him and tell him you can’t go.

  Cheltenham: That’s your plan?

  Ezra persistently knocked on the shelter entrance. “Come on, Amadeus. I know you can hear me, pal. Today isn’t the day for sleeping in. Open up and I will cook you some breakfast, make you some coffee. Would you like that?”

  Jake: I’m not the one who invited a crazed cult leader into my home.

  Cheltenham: We don’t know that he’s a leader!

  Cheltenham: I swear to god, I’d better not die today.

  Amadeus pushed against his desk, sliding his chair away from the computer monitor. He grabbed a handgun from the wall and stuffed cartridges into the magazine as he walked toward the entrance. His gun hand trembled. “I’m not going,” Cheltenham blurted from the bottom of the ladder.

  “What do you mean you’re not going?” Ezra’s voice sounded muffled through the thick metal door.

  “If you don’t have the coordinates, then I can give them to you,” Cheltenham shrieked. “But you’re going to have to do this mission alone. Count me in for next time.”

  Ezra stepped away from the bunker door, one hand on his hip and the other over his mouth.

  One of Ezra’s escorts approached him and talked low enough that he wouldn’t be heard from inside the bunker. “We can’t forget what Gideon told us. If Abraham doesn’t cooperate, or if something happens, then we need a backup.”

  “I know what Gideon said.” Ezra talked through his teeth. “But we can’t blow this. If something happens now, and then later we also can’t recover Abraham, we are pretty fucked.”

  “Then we just be very careful about extracting him,” the man followed up.

  “I was in there. He is heavily armed.” Ezra wanted to yell, but did his best to keep his voice low. “I don’t think he could shoot us, but this guy could absolutely have some grenades or something insane.”

  “Then what do you propose we do?” Ezra’s lackey continued to probe.

  Ezra stepped toward the man, nearly bumping chests. “I have the coordinates, and I have shared them with Gideon so that he knows we have been productive during our time away. We will go and get Abraham. Whether we are successful or not, we will then come back here for Cheltenham. We will then bring both of them to Gideon, and the Lord will reward us greatly.”

  The man nodded. “Understood. Great plan, sir.”

  Ezra walked back to the bunker. “Is there nothing I can do to get you to come with us? Or at least let me come in so we can talk for a moment?”

  “No. I’m good,” Amadeus shouted back.

  “Okay, buddy,” Ezra snarled in anger, but was sure not to let a sound slip that Cheltenham could hear. “We shouldn’t be too long. We will be back late tonight to check in. If you aren’t around, I will catch you online in a couple of days.” Ezra received no response back.

  Cheltenham sighed and sprinted back toward his computer, placing his pistol on the end of the desk.

  Cheltenham: He left for now, but he said he’s coming back tonight.

  Jake: Do you have anywhere you can go? You can’t be there when he gets back.

  Cheltenham: I have one place. But to be honest, I am not sure how welcome I will be if I arrive.

  Jake: Do you have any other options?

  Cheltenham: If they really wanted to, they could rip the door off this place with a Ford. So, no, I don’t have any other options.

  Ezra kicked a pine cone across the ground and bumped shoulders with one of his followers as he made his way back to his truck. He hopped in, fired up the engine, and stuck his head out the window. “We have located the lost prophet.”

  Pierce County, Washington

  6:00 a.m.

  Gideon sat in the front row of the bus, just behind the driver. Elijah sat next to him. The vehicle was an old school bus, painted white. The inside was worn down and stuffed to max capacity. Three other white buses trailed behind. “We are close, are we not?” Gideon asked the bus driver.

  “That is correct, sir,” the driver replied. “We are about thirty to forty minutes away.”

  The sun’s light was shining, but the star itself was still behind the surrounding woodland canopy. The roads were narrow and surrounded by trees. The streets were designed to be two way; however, if Gideon and the others encountered another bus, both vehicles would not fit. Gideon used one hand to hold onto the bus seat for balance while using his other to hold the bus’ intercom. “Our time of saving is upon us. Soon, we will be with our founding father once again.” The conversations died and all attention was focused on Gideon. “He is lost, but we have found him. He will be scared, so we must comfort him.” Elijah held a walkie-talkie up to Gideon’s mouth. The two-way radio sounded off to another person on each of the buses, who then played the walkie-talkie into the bus’ intercom. This allowed Gideon to speak with all four buses at the same time.

  “Sir, we have a problem.” The bus driver interrupted, but not loudly enough for the whole caravan to hear. He pointed at the road ahead.

  Gideon peered out the windshield. An M1A2 SEP battle tank, accompanied by two high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles, approached them. The vehicles traveled slowly, as they were accompanied by just over a dozen foot soldiers. “I will speak with them,” the old man declared.

  “Let me come with you,” Elijah demanded.

  Gideon patted Elijah on the chest. “No, no. They will be less threatened if they’re talking with just an old man.”

  The buses stopped a hundred yards away from the army platoon, and Gideon stepped out. The army halted and let Gideon approach.

  “That’s close enough,” the second lieutenant shouted. A young man hopped out of one of the multipurpose vehicles; his maturity didn’t match his age. He had grease marks across his face, a
nd his clothes were dirty. “That’s a lot of cargo you’re carrying.”

  “I would hardly call passengers cargo.” Gideon planted his feet on the ground and folded his hands. “But, nonetheless, I am traveling with quite the company. If you’d like, we can pull right on over to the side and let you all pass. I doubt the road will let both of us pass at the same time.” He laughed.

  “Where is it that you all are headed?” The second lieutenant continued walking until he found himself within arm’s reach of Gideon. He looked the old man up and down. “There must be a pretty big event going on.” He looked back at his platoon. “I’m not sure how we didn’t hear about it.”

  “Ha!” Gideon grabbed his stomach. “We are simply relocating. It’s tough to stay in place these days.”

  “I’m only giving you a hard time, sir,” the second lieutenant cracked. “We will pull over and let you all pass, no problem.” The man’s smile turned into a glare. He tilted his head and squinted his eyes. “But really quick.”

  “Sure.” Gideon beamed.

  “We have gotten some reports of men in hunting gear ravaging and looting homes and small communities.” The second lieutenant flipped the safety off on his assault rifle.

  “Reports?” Gideon stepped back. “I didn’t know the army was still active throughout all of this.” He nervously chuckled.

  “We are still taking commands. Things have become more difficult for us; however, the United States Army is still in full operation.” The army lieutenant stiffened up. “You never answered my question.”

  Gideon looked back at his buses full of followers. “We have heard no such reports. But I certainly do thank you for trying to keep us all safe despite the recent mishaps.” He clapped his hands. “I am sure you have somewhere to be. I will have my people move out of your way promptly.”

  “That’s interesting.” The young lieutenant placed his finger on the trigger. “Because one thing was very consistent from every report we received, and that is the men all had a heart-shaped tattoo under their eyes.” The second lieutenant took aim at Gideon. “Exactly like the one you have.” His soldiers drew their weapons.