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Chapter 16

     Zane stared at the television, his eyes glued to the screen, the Holy Bible opened up on his lap. No way. That... that did not just happen.

   But it did just happen. Even the reporter was in shock as he stared at the now bloody waters. "Uh... well, ladies and gentlemen, this is quite a treat", he said, quickly composing himself. "It's not every day you see the ocean change its color. This is caused by the chemicals in-"

   The reporter put a finger to his ear, listening to whoever was speaking through the earpiece. Zane's heart nearly stopped when he saw the reporter's face go pale. No, Zane realized. It's actually happening- the water turning into blood.

   "Um", the reporter cleared his throat. "I've just received word that some lakes and rivers... even parts of the oceans around the world, have suddenly become a blood-red color. We're still getting stuff from the big guys, so, uh, stay tuned for an explanation."

   Zane couldn't take his eyes off of the screen. It's happening. Everything the book says. It's all coming to life. It's all coming true.

   Ding! went his phone. He looked down to see a message from Josh.

JoshRogersInTheHouse!!: ARE YOU WATCHING FOX NEWS?!?!?!

Zaneiack: Yeah

Zaneiack: This just became a whole new level of crazy!

JoshRogersInTheHouse!!: SRIOUSLY CRAZY!!!!!

   "What are you watching, Zane?", Mom asked, walking into the room with a giggling Lindsay in her arms. She stopped short when she saw Zane's expression. "Zane? What's wrong?"

   "Uh..." He couldn't seem to get the words out. His heart was still pounding into his throat. But she has to know, he convinced himself. She grew up reading about this stuff happening. She might have some answers. "Most of the water is turning to blood", he said, forcing himself not to stop or hesitate. "It just happened live on the news. They said they'll release more on it as they find out."

   Zane watched as Mom sat down on the couch next to him. "Well, that happens sometimes", she said slowly. "The chemicals from some algi are sometimes released, causing only certain parts of the ocean to turn a blood like color."

   Zane shook his head. "Mom, they said this just happened in different parts of the world." He picked up the Holy Bible and flipped back to chapter eight, verse eight.

"The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed." Zane looked back up at Mom. "Where... Where did you find that?", she asked. Her eyes were wide; fear painted across their dark shape.

   "On the bookshelf", Zane answered. "Mom, just last month Wormwood crashed into the ocean and turned a third of the waters bitter. And people are already getting the mark of the beast."

   Zane's mom just stared at him. Lindsay had stopped giggling and was surprisingly silent, as if she knew the seriousness of the situation. Maybe she does.

   Zane took his mom's hand into his, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Mom, all these things from Revelation are coming true. I know you used to believe it. He paused. "I think it's all real."

   Mom didn't say anything. She just stared down at the book. She gently rubbed her fingers against the thin, white pages. "I was always afraid of this part of the Bible", she said softly. "I never like reading or even hearing people talk about him... Jesus coming back." She sighed. "I never ended up dealing with it. I just ran from it. The truth. But, running from that caused me to run from the rest of what his word said."

   Tears began to stream down her dark, soft face. "I should have listened", she choked. "I should have just stuck with my convictions and just went to my parents, my pastor even. They would have known..."

   She stopped talking and broke down. Zane had only ever seen her cry once, and that was when Uncle Mike had died four years ago. She had been so upset for months; she wouldn't go out or do anything special for almost a year. Zane had been scared for her back then. He had been afraid of losing her.

   Right now, in the present, something told him that he wasn't losing her. He was bringing a part of her back.

   "It's okay, Mom", he comforted. "We know now that it's time. I still don't really understand it all, but I know that this book isn't just a book of prophecies. This is the real deal, and now we know what to expect."

   Mom pulled Zane into a hug. "Thank you", she said, crying over his shoulder. "For bringing me back to my faith."

   Zane just hugged her back. "We'll get through this. We can both talk to Dad about it tonight. I bet if-"

   Ding! Zane's phone went off. Perfect timing, he thought sarcastically. He peered down at his phone as he held his mom close. It was, of course, Josh.

JoshRogersInTheHouse!!: Check your sink NOW

   Oh no.

   Zane jumped off the couch and booked into the kitchen. He nearly slipped on the tiled floors but quickly caught himself as he lunged at the sink. He turned the knob and watched the water pour out into the drain. No, not water.

   Blood.

   Dark, smelly, blood was all that came out.

   "What's wrong, Zane?", his mom asked from the living room.

   Zane didn't answer back. He just stared at the red liquid , as it stained the silver sink. Yeah. We'll get through this, Zane assured himself. We just have to survive all the 'unnatural' disasters in the book.

   But how long will that take?