Facing forward, she bent her head and pressed onward. One good thing about the storm was that it sent people into shelter, leaving their small, bedraggled group sloshing forward on empty streets. At first the rain felt good, like a cleansing shower, wiping away all the dirt and grime of the past weeks, but soon it turned their clothing into dead weight, making it difficult to move. Puddles formed all around them as bellows of thunder never failed to make her heart lurch.
More than once she thought about seeking shelter until the tempest passed, but it gave no indication of letting up at all. And she wanted so desperately to get to Nyla and Calan’s haven. Once there, she could rest and relinquish the responsibility for these precious people. There, she could find the strength of fellowship with other believers stronger than her. There, they would be safe, at least as much as was possible in the Tribulation.
Thunder roared again from the dark skies above them, followed by a streak of white lightning that cast an eerie glow over their surroundings—a scene out of an apocalyptic movie, destruction devoid of all color.
Sara shivered beside her, and Tori swung an arm around her, drawing her close.
“I’m soooo coooold,” she muttered.
“It’ll be okay. Hang in there. It’s almost dark, and we’ll find a place to sleep.”
“I don’t knoooow if I’ll make it.”
“You can, girl. You will.”
Aaron appeared beside them, slapping his cane in the puddles and looking like a saturated garden gnome. “Seems the storm is only around Atlanta.” Lifting his cane, he pointed to the northeast. “Perfectly clear over there. Maybe we should change plans?”
Frustration churned in Tori’s gut, even as she glanced where he pointed. Clear blue skies beckoned in the distance. But…she sought the Lord’s voice within…no, regardless of the storm, they were to head toward Atlanta.
She shook her head. “I know it sounds crazy, but we are supposed to go to Atlanta!” she shouted over the pounding rain.
Wiping the water from his eyes, he leaned toward her. “Did God really say that? Or are you only imagining it?”
Angry, she studied him, searching his eyes for his motive. Maybe his concern was purely for their safety. Still, he sounded an awful lot like the snake in the garden who tempted Eve by questioning the Word of God. And that unnerved her more than the storm. “We go to Atlanta,” she said with finality before turning her attention forward again.
After another hour, Tori led them under the awning of an office building and pulled out her map. They were a mere hour outside the outskirts of Atlanta. They could make it by nightfall, find a place to rest, and then enter the city in the morning. She still had no idea why the Lord wanted them to go there, but she continued to feel the Spirit’s strong leading, and He never led her astray.
“We’ll rest here for a moment,” she announced as everyone did their best to shake off the water, wring out their clothing, and plop to the ground to give their weary legs a break. Brianna curled up with her kids while Thomas helped Sara settle down on a rare dry spot. Aaron stood off to the side, leaning on his cane.
The clamor of the rain lessened. Droplets slowed from pounding to tapping the cobblestones in front of the building. Perhaps the storm was passing. Good.
A vision struck her hard in the gut.
A tornado—a massive dark funnel cloud larger than life. It gobbled up everything in its path, moving with lightning speed. Demonic faces leapt at her from within the funnel, grinning, cackling like witches, mocking, threatening. The tornado raced toward them. Tori’s heart seized.
The scene changed.
Callie’s tiny, frail body lay in the mud.
The vision disappeared. Pulse racing, Tori gripped her stomach and bent over.
Thomas rushed to her. “Are you okay?”
A wall of ice struck her right side. Penetrating, creating a chill that sent trembling waves through her. She glanced up and saw Aaron grinning at her with the most evil look in his eyes. Instantly, a kind smile returned to his lips.
“Tori?” Thomas pressed.
“Yes, I’m fine. Sorry. I had a vision, a terrible vision.” She looked over at Callie sleeping in her mother’s arms.Lord, no. Not Callie.
It does not have to be.
Tori pursed her lips, hoping beyond hope that was the Lord she heard.
“A vision. I don’t get it.” Thomas raked back his wet hair and studied her with curiosity.
“It’s okay.”
“The rain stopped!” Aaron proclaimed, approaching her. “What can I do to help? You carry a huge burden for us all.”
