Christ's Return [The Rapture]

Chapter 8 / Take The Mark

**Note: The end times events portrayed in this story are based off of those predicted in the Bible. They are not necessarily in the right order and may not correspond exactly with Biblical prophecy. For further study into the rapture, I would suggest going through a published study book on Revelation.

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Please vote and comment after you read! I pray that this story will help you grow closer to God, wherever you are. (: 

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Haley's POV

Broken bodies were laying around flaming car crashes. Abandoned dogs wandered the streets, whining for their masters that would never return. Sorrow weighed down my heart as I took in the devastation across the globe. New York subways had crashed into each other, killing thousands. Presidents had vanished, and entire countries were erupting into utter chaos. My soul yearned for the millions of people left behind to join us in heaven.  

I felt a strong hand on my shoulder, and turned around to see Jesus standing next to me, his deep brown eyes brimming with sorrow. We embraced each other for a long moment. He took my hand and guided me away from the beautiful Earth-viewing lake. Whenever I could, I spend time watching the people on Earth and praying for them. I had been surprised to find out that people still pray in heaven. God is right there, so you can simply talk to him with words or silently in your heart. He isn't any closer to you than he was before, on Earth.  

Jesus led me to a comfortable bench with an astonishing view of the night sky. Billions of stars twinkled, free to shine for their Creator, unhindered by streetlights or campfires. Little planets were in view, with their rings of dust and rock visible in perfect detail. Carefree memories of warm summer nights gazing at the stars on my trampoline flooded over me. I reminisced on the quiet discussions, prayer circles and whispered conversations we'd had not so long ago. I tore my eyes away from the heavens and glanced at Jesus.  

"Take care of Summer," I whispered nervously. "I'm worried about her... Her faith is so new, and her parents..." I stared down at my hands, tears welling in my large brown eyes. 

Jesus' reassuring smile quieted me. "I am with her," he murmured, and took my hand gently. "I always was." 

I give him a small smile. I think of all the days on Earth when I'd felt lost, helpless, and abandoned... I'd had those kinds of nights often, but never told anyone. Nobody needed my extra complaining on top of their already stressful lives. I suddenly realized that my face had sunk, and I was staring at my toes wriggling in the amazingly soft grass. I slowly lifted my eyes to the One who created the world; my God, who had formed me in my mother's womb and known everything about me before I'd ever entered the world. He held my face in his hands as a wave of shame threatened to drown me. How could I have been so...stupid? God had always had everything under control, and yet I had spent so many sleepless nights just worrying. I wrapped my arms around Jesus, hugging him fiercely. As tears streamed down my face, a beautiful voice whispered to the depths of my heart, sending waves of happiness through my exhausted body. 

"I love you, Haley."

Summer's POV

Summer's tiny body trembled violently. Fear took her over, and she felt her mind beginning to slip away as she entered total-freakout mode. She screamed as the lights switched on by theirselves again and crashed into her room, barricading herself in a fortress of pillows and blankets. Her heart crashed in her chest, and her wild blue eyes darted around her dark room crazily. She could feel her blood pressure accelerating.  

Wow, now I'm worried about my blood pressure like an old woman, she thought, annoyed with herself. She wondered if Kyle was playing a trick on her. But how? And why, for that matter? Her mom and Kyle were definitely not late-night practical joking kind of people. A fresh wave of fear paralyzed her.  

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you." 

Summer jumped at the authoritative voice that seemed to resound throughout her entire room. She looked around warily, clutching her Pillow Pet tightly to her chest. A small blue glow illuminated the room, and Summer cautiously peered over the edge of her bed to find the source. A beautiful blue dove was perched on top of her open Bible, left in the middle of the floor where she had been reading. Its bottomless eyes connected with hers, and her heart was filled with security and peace.  

"Who are you?" Summer whispered. Her voice paled in comparison to the strong voice who had spoken a few moments earlier.  

"I Am that I Am," the voice replied. The soft blue aura around the bird brightened and dimmed with the fluctuations of the voice. "Look upon Me and remember what I have done. Your faith has saved you."  

"Tell me who the old man was," Summer demanded. 

The bird looked at her sadly, even though she was pretty sure it was impossible for birds to have expression. Summer gasped as her mind was suddenly overcome with visions of a horrible, ungodly creature. She squeezed her eyes shut tight, trying to block out the images. The old man's face smiled at her in her head, spiked teeth dripping with blood. His face grew more contorted than before. His devilish eyes gleamed red, and a long, snakelike tongue slithered out of his mouth. 

"Come to meee," he hissed, enveloping Summer with the long rattle snake tail that his body had morphed into. She recoiled, wanting to throw up. Just then, Tanner appeared behind the snake thing. He was beckoning Summer to come away with him, smiling encouragingly. She wavered, and cried out to her lost brother. Sensing her distraction, the snake man quickly morphed into a young teenage boy. His shaggy black hair flopped over his extremely dark eyes perfectly, and his muscular body still had a firm grip on Summer. Her attention drifted from Tanner and she sucked in a quick breath when she recognized who was holding her. 

"Jon," Summer breathed, hands twisted in his hair. She pulled back and stared into his coal-black eyes. "Wait..." she murmured. "Your eyes..." He faltered, and his eyes shifted into a beautiful dark blue. Summer's mind was cloudy. Did his eyes just change colors? Must've been her imagination. She smiled up at him sleepily, and vaguely realized her feet no longer touched the ground. How sweet, she thought. He's carrying me. 

As they walked down a huge spiral staircase, a silver glint caught Summer's eye. Jon was wearing a large silver necklace. It had an ornament with "666" embedded on it. Summer quickly snapped back to attention, and she attempted to rip herself away from Jon. His firm grip didn't budge.  

"Summer, you know you want to be with me forever," he murmured. Wait. His voice was wrong. He paused and took out a sharp needle. He reached for Summer's exposed hand.  

"NO!" Summer cried. Screams ripped from her small body, and she fought with all her strength to escape his grasp. "NO! LET ME GO!" she pleaded, tears pouring down her face. 

"Oh God, please save me..." Summer murmured, her throat scratchy from screaming. Jon's needle was about to brush the surface of her hand. 

Summer's eyes snapped open. 

She was laying flat on her floor, sweat soaking through her clothes. She sat up, hair wild, just in time to see the dove flying out her open window into the starry sky.