The Mark, Or God?

Talking Bushes

After the big explosion, I could feel the earth shake. It felt like an earthquake.

Steven Sofie, and I all fell back when they bombed our shelter. Food, water, and broken pieces of wood flew up in the air and landed on us. I went unconscious.

Later, I woke up, but I could here people talking. They were men voices.

"Get Sofie and leave the rest of these Christians to die," Fredrick said.

"But sir, the captain wants you to bring all three of them to him. If not, you could go to jail or-"

Fredrick grabbed the soldier by the suit and yelled, "Do as you are told or I will kill you!"

Fredrick threw the soldier down to the ground roughly and picked up Sofie. I could tell she was still unconscious.

She looked like a rag doll, but her face looked peaceful. It was as if she wasn't afraid to be tormented. It was as if she was ready, ready to go to heaven.

As they left, I slowly got up. Boards and pieces of food were on me. Cuts were all over my body.They stung so bad, I could barely move.

I looked around. I couldn't find Steven anywhere. All I could see was wood and fire. All I could do was dig. Dig like I never dig before. I started at a part where there was a big section full of wood.

Fire was all around me. The smoke was unbearable. Suddenly, there was a shoe. Then another.

Oh God, please let Steven be alive.

There was some movement. I got excited that I dug some more. Then, Steven shot his head up.

I screamed. So loud that Steven started to scream.

After a while, I started to laugh in relieve. I was so relieved that I hugged him. I couldn't believe that we both made it through the explosion. Well at least, all three of us.

"Oh Steven, I'm so glad you are alive.I have some bad news though," I started off.

Steven looked worried. "What happened and where's Sofie. Is she alive?"

I took a deep breath and said, "Yes, she is alive but she's not here. Steven, Sofie was captured not long ago by Fredrick. I don't know where they took her, but we have to find her. It's our only hope," I finished.

Steven immediately got up and started to pack. He looked angry and mean looking. I never knew anyone like that, but I understood what he was going through. All of my friends were happy people, kinda like hippies.

I got up too and packed some things. I got some food, at least what was left of it. I also packed water and a first aid kit. To me, my health is more important than anything else. To Steven, food makes him satisfied anytime.

Before I put my first aid kit into my backpack, I took some alcohol and put it on my wombs. It stung my body so bad, I started to cry. There was a big cut on my arm, so I put a bandage on it.

"Are you ready, Steven?" I asked.

He threw a thumbs up sarcastically and we climbed out of the blown up shelter.

Outside looked so different from before. The sky was dark and grey. I didn't know how long I was unconscious, but it didn't seem like a long time.

I looked around. There were no more birds singing. It didn't look green anymore. It didn't look beautiful anymore.

"So, where do we start?" I asked Steven.

He shrugged. "I don't know really. I'm sure they took her to their headquarters."

I started to get frustrated. How were we ever going to find her?

"Well, where is that, Steven?" I questioned, a little rudely.

He threw his hands up and fell on his knees. He started to cry.

"Why Lord? Why Sofie? Why not me? Help us through this. Please! I don't know what I would do without Sofie!" Steven cried.

I started to cry too. I understood how he felt.

Before the rapture, I had a boyfriend. His name was Nathan. He wasn't allowed to have a girlfriend, even though we weren't really that young. We had to keep it a secret. Then, he got raptured. He was my life and me being left behind broke my heart.

I went up to Steven and tried to comfort him. "I'm sorry Steven. I know how you feel. Headquarters shouldn't be that far," I said, trying to cheer him up.

He lifted his head up and hugged me.

"Thank you, Tara," Steven said, brushing my hair with his hand.

Soon, I heard a rustle in the bushes. I quickly turned my head.

"Steven, did you hear that?" I whispered.

He nodded. His face looked alarmed. His eyes were wide.

"Who are you? Come out. Don't be afraid." I told the bushes.

Steven shot a look at me. Then, he hid behind a tree. I walked back, thinking about joining him behind that tree.

"I can help you. I don't have the mark. I am a Christian," The bushes replied.

Who is this man, and why would he want to help?

I tiptoed toward the bushes. I turned my head. Steven was in sincere praying. I rolled my eyes.

"Don't come any closer. Allow me to come out," the man in the bushes said.

Suddenly, a tall man creeped out from the bushes. He was Asian, his hair was slicked back. He had a small beard with no mustache. He reminded me of a surfer. He looked was really handsome, more handsome than Steven.

"My name is Tara Martin and this is Steven Thompson. How are we supposed to trust you?" I asked, in a curious manner.

The man then showed us his right hand. There was no mark! Then, he took off his hat and there was also no mark. He pulled a gold cross from under his suit.

"I always keep this with me wherever I go. My mother gave this to be before she was raptured. Look, I only joined them because I wanted to stay alive. I saw what happened to your friend, or in this case, girlfriend," he said, quickly looking at Steven.

Steven shot an evil glare at the stranger.

"But I want to help, and I know where she is. Please, I'm begging, let me help," the gorgeous stranger begged.

I smiled and took out my hand for him to shake. "Well, I'm sure you will give us much help. Welcome aboard, guy who I don't know your name."