End of Days: The Hunted

Chapter 22

Mary sat on the dirty ground, surrounded by destruction and death. This is not what she expected, but then again, what did she expect of the end of the world? She didn't know anymore. No one really did. She started to cry again. Hot tears streamed down her cold, dirt-ridden face. She lost Matt, no one else did. She did. He was probably dead, or worse being tortured. The tears came down in bunches now, steadily falling down onto her lap.

Tom came over to Mary and knelt beside her, "Mary, we're going to get him back."

"He's gone!" she shouted, "We will never get him back! He's dead for all we know!"

He wiped a tear from her rosy cheek, "Mary, please. You can't lose hope. You can't. Once we lose hope, we lose everything. We will get him back. No matter the cost." he said as he got to his feet, "Even if I die. Even if Luke dies, or Rebecca or Tim. We will get him back."

Tom held out his hand to help her stand, she took it and stood shakily. She looked around and all she saw was war, chaos, destruction, and death.

Luke came to Mary and Tom with the cloth he had just received. He held it up for them to see. "That girl we rescued gave it to me. Isn't just beautiful."

"It sure is." replied Tom.

Luke smoothed out the wrinkles, "This will be our flag."

"Our flag?" Mary asked curiously.

"Yes." Luke said firmly.

The rebels crowded around a huge rock formation where Luke stood high above them. He began to speak, "This is a time of chaos. A time of war. A time where Christians are not wanted and will be destroyed just because of what and who we believe in. But we will not be put down like mad dogs. We will not bow before them and beg for our lives. We will not simply lay down and accept our deaths." he paused, "We will rise. We will fight back. We will overcome! We are not just Christians. We are warriors! Warriors for Christ! He died for us, we shall live and fight for Him! And if need be, die for Him. I will not just stand here and watch as the world goes in ruins any longer. Who's with me?"

The crowd roared and cheered.

Luke raised the new found flag, the blue cross waving in the air like a beacon of hope, "We are the Warriors of Christ. And we will not surrender!"

From that moment, I knew we were going to fight back. We no longer would just stand back and watch. Luke would lead us into something better. I don't know what, but it would be something glorious. We would get Matt back. We would save those Christians trapped and being slaughtered. But most importantly, we would show the world that Jesus was our savior. He is who gives us strength, He is who makes us who we are. Warriors of Christ.