Surely now, Tori would decide to not proceed any further into Atlanta.
That’s when they saw Sara, standing just yards away, staring at the crucified man, a look of abject horror on her face.
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Revelation 13:15-17
Chapter 23
Tori did her best to console Sara, but the girl was beyond any human comfort. So, she prayed for her, over her, laying hands on the poor woman, doing all she could to eject the spirit of fear and allow God’s comfort to flood her. Finally, her trembling ceased, her lip stopped quivering, and her tears stopped flowing.
“I can’t…I can’t…” she kept saying. “They’ll do that to us.”
Tori wished she could assure the girl that wouldn’t happen, but in the Tribulation many of God’s saints would die for their faith. The book of Revelation described countless multitudes who’d been beheaded standing before the throne, demanding justice.
“Whatever happens, Sara.” Tori grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. “God will be with us. He will never leave us, and He will see us through. Any momentary pain will soon be forgotten in light of the joys of heaven.”
The girl nodded, but tears started to flow again nonetheless, making Tori doubt about going further into Atlanta.
Yet, at the Holy Spirit’s leading, onward she went, feeling like a shepherd leading the sheep to the slaughter.
Aaron took over comforting Sara while Brianna walked beside Tori. Behind them, Thomas held Carla’s hand or rather, Carla held his hand as she happily strolled along, humming praise songs, and completely oblivious to any danger at all. Ah, to be an innocent child again.
The deeper they went into the city, the noisier and dirtier things became. Human excrement littered the streets. Garbage mounded in piles or drifted about on the wind. And the stench. Like nothing Tori had every smelled. It wasn’t just the odor of sewage, garbage, and human sweat, but there was an added stink of rotten eggs, almost like sulfur.
The spiritual scent of evil.
The people who walked about barely glanced their way, and when they did, it was with hatred. Tori couldn’t help but notice that their movements seemed almost robotic, their eyes devoid of life.
More than once, she wanted to turn back.
More than once, she asked the Lord if she was on the right track.
Up ahead, skyscrapers came into view, reaching toward the gray sky as if seeking some meaning to the madness below.
“What the heck is that?” Brianna gestured to one of the buildings…no, not a building. It moved. It spoke. A giant?
Heart seizing, Tori inched forward, edging around a tall office complex to their right.
She halted. Terror fired across every nerve.
There, standing at least a mile away was a giant Immu Aali. He rose far above all of Atlanta’s skyscrapers as he gazed down upon the people and smiled.
Smiled?
Sara screamed.
Brianna grabbed Carla and drew her close.
With arms outstretched, the giant statue—or was it a hologram?—spoke in a voice that thundered so loud, it shook the ground beneath them.
“Be at peace, my children. I am your savior. I am your god. Bow to me and receive my mark, and you will live forever!”
Tori wanted to shout,Blasphemy! Instead, she pressed a hand over her stomach and bent over as a burst of nausea churned in her belly.
Rushing to her, Thomas gripped her hand. “Are you all right?”
