Deleted

Chapter 20

   What do I do? Do I uninstall the app? Do I just shut it off? Should I just delete my profile?

   Zane stared down at the phone, which sat in his dark, limp hands. What could he do? What was going to happen now that the government knew he was on to them? Would they come and arrest him? Would they arrest Josh? What about my parents? And Lindsay?

   Zane soon found enough energy to turn off his phone. This whole situation could go either way. Maybe they would come after him for figuring out their secret. Or at least one of their secrets. Who knows what they've been hiding from the public. Or maybe the government wasn't paying any attention to his posts. Maybe he was just like every other profile on Facebook; just another fish in a sea of aquatic animals. Maybe... oh, who was he kidding? They had to be watching him double time now, especially since he and Josh talked about finding Erin. Is it the government, or the terrorists behind Erin's disappearance? People have been saying that the government has been spying on us for years. And they have proof that the terrorists have hacked into the security systems of banks, offices, stores, and schools.

   So who's watching us? Is it one or the other?

   Zane plugged his phone back into it's charger and laid back onto his bed. Who can we even trust anymore? The government being the bad guys is too stereotypical, but still a possibility. The terrorists have been... well, terrorizing us for several months, but then they sent out that section of Revelation on TV. And Erin reads the Holy Bible, so... so... Zane sighed and rubbed his face. Everything is so frustrating and confusing and just plain freaky.

   How can I help Erin if I don't even know who I'm up against?

Ding!

   Zane sat up and looked down at his phone. It was a Facebook alert, letting him know that someone had messaged him. It took him a minute to realized that he didn't recognize the username. So this is it, he gulped, his heart beginning to pound a bit harder again. This is how I'll know if I'm dead or not. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. He unlocked his phone and pushed on the alert. The username, ReallyFulcrum, had messaged him on the private chat room.

ReallyFulcrum: 2 Timothy 1:7 Philippians 4:6-7 Psalms 56:1-3 Psalms 34:4

   Wait a second. These are from the Holy Bible!

   Grabbing the book from his nightstand, he flipped to the each section and read each of them carefully.

2 Timothy 1:7

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Philippians 4:6‭-‬7

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalms 56:1‭-‬3

Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Psalms 34:4

I sought the Lord , and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

   Zane blinked in surprise. These are all talking about fear. Is this some kind of a code? Is somebody afraid and they're trying to tell me or-

Ding!

   Another message from ReallyFulcrum.

ReallyFulcrum: Got the word that you needed some encouragement. Hang in there, Zane. God's got His hand on you. You're going to be okay. Just keep searching for answers.

   Zane nearly dropped the phone. What... How... Huh? How did they know I was...

   Zane typed up a response as fast as he could.

Zaneiack: Who are you? How did you know I was

   Sorry, a message said, popping up in the middle of the screen. Facebook has stopped working. Please try again later.

   "Come on!", Zane exclaimed, almost yelling. "Why does this have to be so hard?"