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Chapter 31

   "Jim!", Annie called from her chair. "You ready to go or what, hon?"

   "I'm ready", Jim's voice answered from the bathroom. "Just fixing this tie."

   "Don't take too long", Annie replied back. She looked down at Lindsay, all dressed up in her fluffy pink dress with a small white jacket to match. "Lindsay", Annie scolded, "I had better not see you playing with your headband. I just fixed it."

   "See", Jim said, walking out of the bathroom, "all ready."

   "Good", Annie said, straightening herself out as she walked into the bathroom. "Where's Zane?"

   "He's probably fooling around with Josh", Jim answered.

   "Josh from Facebook?"

   "The one and only."

   Annie sighed. "Well, Zane had better be ready or I will personally drag him back up here to change."

   "Make sure you hurry", Jim said. "President Ben-Judah wants to see us before the picnic starts. Says he wants to talk to us about something."

   "Thanks for the reminder", Annie said as she walked back into the bedroom. Her eyes immediately fell on Lindsay. "Lindsay Kealer", Annie exclaimed. "What did I say about touching your headband."

   Lindsay just giggled, clinging to the lace.

   "You head down without me", sighed. "I'll be there in a few with Lindsay."

   "Okay", Jim said, making his way to the door. "Don't keep the president or me waiting."

   Annie chuckled. "I'll do my best, baby."

   When he had shut the door, Annie turned her attention back to Lindsay. "You'd better start cooperating with me little missy, or we'll have your daddy and the president to answer to."

Ding!

   Annie picked up her phone as she pulled the headband out of Lindsay's hands. Random_Assitance, Annie read to herself. What kind of an email name is that?  She sighed, almost amused. Kids these days. I'd better let them know they have the wrong email address.

   As she opened up the email, the first sentence caught her eye, stopping her thumbs.

Mom-

Its me Z. Sorry this is short but I don't have much time. Ben-Judah is the anti-christ. He's got a secret room where he is killing anyone who won't take the mark and worship him. DON'T LISTEN TO HIM. I'm not at the white house anymore. I escaped before he could have me killed. I'm safe. I know you know better. You know whats right and wrong. You know what to choose. I may not see you again here, but we will when God comes for us. I love you mom.

Z

   Annie slowly set the phone down. That... That can't be a coincidence. She sat down on the bed, pulling Lindsay onto her lap. At that moment, all she could think was, My baby boy. My baby boy, as she rocked she lively toddler in her arms.

   It wasn't until someone knocked on the door when Annie snapped out of her thoughts. Picking up Lindsay, she slowly made her way to the door. Please God, she prayed, let it be anybody but President Ben-Judah. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door. To her relief, a man and woman stood side by side before her. "Mrs. Kealer?", the man asked.

   Annie nodded. "Yes. What can I do for you?"

   "My name is Joel", the man introduced, "and this is my sister, Kim. May we come in?"

   "We would like to talk with you", the woman said gently.

   Annie shook her head. "I'm afraid I don't have much time to talk. I have to meet my-"

   "It's about your son", the man interrupted quickly.

   Annie automatically clung to Lindsay tighter. "Zane?", she asked.

   The woman nodded. "We assume you got his message?"

   Annie nodded. "We're here to explain a few things", the man explained.

   "About what?", Annie asked.

   "About what your son is doing now", the woman explained, "as a new brother in the faith."

   A new... Oh, of course. How could I have forgotten that term?

   "Come on in", Annie invited. "After you tell me what's going on with him, I have a favor to ask."