Page 19 of A Gathering Storm

He and the men who had rescued them were in an abandoned warehouse outside of a small Iowa border town. The windows had been boarded up, and they’d set up camp in the interior rooms so that nothing inside was visible from outside.

“You can see her if you’d like.”

Seth followed the doctor into the room where Susan lay unconscious on the bed. She was so pale that he fought back tears. He loved her with all his heart and couldn’t bear the thought of losing her. Taking the chair beside the bed, he reached for her hand. Her arms were bandaged as was part of her face. Only her mouth and eyes were visible, and they were closed. In the past, as long as he could see those beautiful blue eyes, he’d know everything was going to be okay. It was as if the light of his world had gone out.

When the doctor left him alone, Seth bowed his head and prayed for the woman whose faith was stronger than anyone he knew. While he sat and waited, time passed, but he wasn’t aware of anything but his wife. The doctor came in to check on Susan and him from time to time, but otherwise he was left alone.

Somewhere along the way, he must have fallen asleep. Seth had no idea how long he’d been out, but something grabbed his attention. A tug on his hand. His eyes flew open and he remembered. Susan. She was looking right at him, those beautiful blue eyes twinkling.

“Where are we?” she asked in a voice that was barely there.

He leaned forward and kissed her. “Iowa. We crashed. You have to remain still. I’ll get the doctor.”

He started to leave, but she still held his hand. Seth faced his wife again.

“What about Abby and Brookes?” Even injured, Susan was more concerned for others.

“They’re okay. They’ve been rescued and are on their way to the compound as we speak.”

A tired smile replaced the concern he’d seen earlier. “That’s good.”

“It is. Now, let me find the doctor.” He untangled his hand and ran to the door. Liam was asleep on a chair in the hall. He stirred when Seth came out.

“She’s awake.” The doctor followed him back outside. After a cursory exam, Liam seemed pleased with Susan’s progress.

“You’re doing great. I’d like for you to stay here for a few more days. You have some serious burns on your face and hands. And there were some other injuries.”

Susan smiled at the man. “We don’t have that kind of time.” She closed her eyes. “I’ll rest for now, but then we have to be on our way.”

Though Susan was right, Seth hated moving her before she was completely ready to travel. “Rest now. I’m going to share the news with the team.” Susan had already fallen asleep. He stepped out into the hall and found Kevin waiting.

“Is she okay?”

Seth explained about his wife’s condition. “I’m going to update our people in Idaho, and then I’d like for us all to get together. There’s a lot to discuss. Would you mind finding a room where we can gather?”

“Of course. I’ll get Michael and his team ready.” Once Kevin started away, Seth pulled his phone from his pocket and called his friend, Victor.

“Brother, it’s good to hear from you. We heard about Susan. We’re all praying for her. Are you safe for now?”

He owed so much to Victor Douglas. As the former president, he’d personally withstood an attack by the terrorist group known as Legion and had been deemed a traitor. If it weren’t for Victor Douglas, Seth would never have risen to the office of president. “Yes, we are. Michael and his people have taken us to an abandoned warehouse that is secure, and Susan is being well taken care of. She’s conscious.”

“That’s good news.” Victor’s voice reflected his relief.

“She still has a long way to go, and I have a broken leg, but we’re going to try and get on the road soon. God was definitely looking out for us all.” Seth took a second to collect his thoughts. “We’ve been isolated from the news. Is anything happening?”

The length of time it took for Victor to respond was unsettling. “Actually, there’s been quite a lot. Kirkpatrick mentioned the attack on Israel, and he named both you and the Strike Force as the perpetrators. He has everyone in the world who believes him searching for us.”

This was what Seth had anticipated, but hearing it confirmed was heartbreaking. “So, we’re back to being the enemy, and this time the enemy was a lot more dangerous—one that had the backing of the prince of this world.

“What else did Kirkpatrick have to say?” Seth was certain there was more. His assumptions were quickly confirmed.

“Kirkpatrick is calling his team of world leaders the peace team.”

A scripture from the Bible came to mind. “Remind you of something?”

Victor had picked up on the same thing. “For when they shall say, ‘Peace and safety’; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”

Victor quoted the scripture from 1 Thessalonians 5:3. “Exactly. I think we can all say with a certain amount of confidence that we are getting closer to the Rapture.”

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