Chapter Four
~/*\~ Cherry ~/*\~
It wasn’t the Kingdom hall she’d grown up in. She didn’t recognize anyone. A lot of the people there were clearly not Witnesses. The Hall was packed full when Brother Felipe stepped up to the podium. Cherry was glad for the crowd. She was terrified of running into people she knew.
Even so, Felipe took a moment to find her face in the crowd and send her a smile. He spoke into the microphone. “Good evening. We’ll be getting started in just a moment, if you can make your way to your seats.
Cherry had already found a seat near the back, and found herself watching the crowd. She knew the usual dress code at these meetings. Most of the people there weren’t dressed up, but a few were; which made it easy to identify the regular Witnesses from the people like her. There seemed to be two or three visitors to every regular; but the way they were spaced out made it obvious that almost everyone had come with a personal invitation from someone they knew.
You have stories like mine. She thought suddenly. Knowing the teachings, but never expecting to see them happen. Wondering if you’ve missed your chance. Wondering if it’s too late…
Once everyone was seated, Felipe spoke again. “This isn’t a normal meeting. There’s nothing scheduled for tonight. But given what’s happening in the news, there are a lot of people with questions. Tonight, we’d like to open with a prayer, and then discuss what the Bible says about certain events.”
~/*\~
Not that far away, Gail came into St Anthony’s Hall; with the invitation from the Coalition clutched in her hand. It was Church-owned, but not anything like a Church. In fact, it was more of a multi-purpose room, large enough for the entire town to meet in. She knew that was the point. This Hall probably hosted all sorts of Community Events. There were over a hundred people there. A lot of them, Gail recognized from the neighborhood.
The meeting was called to order, and everyone sat. On an impromptu stage, a man stood at the podium. He wore a uniform which looked like a generic cross between law enforcement and some kind of military. The podium had a flag for the Banner of the Coalition.
“Good evening.” The speaker said. “I’m Roderick, the Coalition Station Chief for this area.” He looked around at the crowd, as though assessing them all. “You’re wondering why this meeting is even happening. You’ve never had a government come to you and say ‘How Can We Help?’. They’ve only ever demanded. Only ever taken.”
There was a rumble of agreement at that.
“The Coalition was built on the fundamental truth that there must be Peace and Security for everyone.” Roderick said powerfully. “The world is now an arena where you can grow hatred in one place, build a bomb in another, and blow up totally unrelated people at will. Since 9/11, that’s been the majority of warfare. It’s no longer about huge empires and massive armies on the front lines. It’s about fostering hatred and delivering a thousand cuts, all over the place. The last thirty years have proven how vulnerable the world is to this kind of problem.”
~/*\~
“The last century has proven that the world is on a clock. Every other day, we find something else that could cause harm to the world. It’s added up now that even the most optimistic experts have lost hope.” Felipe declared. “In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus detailed the world conditions prior to his return. He also said that the majority of people would ‘take no note’ of the signs.” Felipe spread his hands wide. “You add one verse to the other, and we can expect that prior to Tribulation, the world won’t have reached apocalyptic levels, across the globe. They would be living their normal daily lives and would be shocked when Jehovah’s day comes. Clearly, we should not expect world conditions to become so bad before ‘the great tribulation’ that people would be forced to believe that the end is near.”
(Author’s Note: Part of that paragraph is a direct quotation from the August 2015 Study Watchtower Article: “Keep in Expectation!”)
“However, Jesus did give us a list of things to watch out for. Most of them have been in full swing since the 1910’s. Enough that millions have believed that the End of this System is coming.” Felipe continued. “Jesus also compared the Last Days before his arrival with the days of Noah. Nobody listened to Noah either, until the rain started to fall, and then they fled to the Ark. Too late to get aboard and save themselves.”
Cherry glanced around the audience. Nobody was making a sound. Everyone was wondering the same things she was.
“Most of those here have studied with us in the past. Many of you have even been part of the Congregation at some point.” Felipe said warmly from the stage. “Which means most of you know the basics. We never made any secret of what we expected the future to hold.” He paused and picked up his tablet. “For those of you who don’t know this part: Read with me, at 1st Thessalonians, chapter five, and verse 3.” He gave the audience time to find the scriptures in question. ‘Whenever it is that they are saying, ‘Peace and security!’ then sudden destruction is to be instantly on them, just like birth pains on a pregnant woman, and they will by no means escape.”
As she read it, Cherry felt an almost nostalgic thrill run through her. She’d heard those words before. They were the reason she’d been growing worried. She’d never actually found them in the Bible again.
“So, let’s break this verse down a little.” Felipe said kindly. “For a long time, we assumed this ‘Cry’ would be a Precursor to the Time of Tribulation. But as the verse says: ‘sudden destruction is to be instantly on them’.” He paused. “‘Them’ is an interesting point. In fact, in 2026, a consideration of that verse changed the map a little. Because, after all: ‘Them’, in this case, are the Nations. And as we know, the first thing to go will be the world’s religions; and the National Powers last. We therefore have two possibilities. Possibility one: That proclamation will be made before the destruction of false religion. Possibility two: That proclamation will come after the political elements have completely destroyed false religion. We will have to wait and see what happens. Bible prophecies are often fully understood when they are being fulfilled or after they have been fulfilled.”
(Author’s Note: Felipe’s reasoning above is largely quoted directly from a ‘Questions From Readers’ article in the February 2026 Study Watchtower. It changes our understanding of the timeline of events. For a long time, it was believed that the ‘cry of Peace and Security’ would be a precursor to Tribulation. But that thinking has been revised, for the reasons above.
This put me in an awkward spot, as my previous writings set during Tribulation had universally set the timeline to have the ‘cry’ come first. The new understanding doesn’t say that’s wrong, but it does make it clear we don’t know for sure. As of this book, the exact sequence of events is now my own invention. Which isn’t that much of a problem, because so is the Coalition. So are all the characters in this story.)
“So, the question you are surely asking yourselves now: Is this it?” Felipe summed up. “The UN is declaring a new age of Peace and Security. The Nations have given their legal, political, and military support to the Coalition. Certainly, this appears to fit the prophecy.”
The energy in the room changed. Everyone was waiting to hear an answer to that question.
“And the answer is: We don’t know for sure. We never have. The Nations have given their authority to the UN. The ‘Cry’ has begun, but as we said, it might be the Prophetic ‘Cry’, or it might just be the first in a series of such declarations. What we can say for certain, is that all the pieces are in place. All the things we were waiting to see have come to pass. The Nations have now given their authority to the UN. The only thing left is the Main Event itself.”
Cherry felt the room quiver with energy. It wasn’t the answer she wanted to hear. But it wasn’t the answer she really feared.
~/*\~
“I understand if some of you are… unsettled.” Roderick said seriously from the stage. “Change is scary. Especially for people who don’t want things to change. Well, I’m here to tell you: There’s no more time for that. The earth is getting smaller every day, and the crazy has been building up in response. Finally, the world isn’t big enough for there to be any room for fear. So the world has to change. And the Coalition is going to change it. And we’re going to start down here in the trenches with you.”
Roderick’s speech had energized the audience, but the possibility that he might be on the level was so outrageous there was a beat of silence.
But they got over it, and the crowd was suddenly willing to… hope. Hope that this might be it, and their lives might get better.
Someone stood up and spoke, a note of desperation in her voice. “Sir, I can’t afford food for my children. Fixing world politics and terror groups is good for the world, but is it going to make food any cheaper at my local market? Or is this just another tax we gotta pay?”
Roderick spoke without hesitation. “The power of a global authority is that we can make use of global resources. We’re finding all the surplus food production, and sending them to areas of most need immediately.” He gestured to the other side of the Hall. “I am also authorized to give anyone who wishes membership in the Coalition an immediate job. If you’re going to be part of the solution, it’s only right that you get paid for doing your bit.”
This news was met with a round of applause. There were several in attendance who were out of work.
Another voice spoke up. “Sir, there’s a drug dealing operation eight blocks from here.”
That’s Jamel. Gail thought in awe. Did he just rat on his dealer?
“We’re aware of it, son.” Roderick said gravely. “Have you gone to your local law enforcement?”
“I can’t do that.” Jamel confessed. “Because…” He choked back a sob. “Because I’m one of their customers. I was hoping if someone shut them down, then maybe I could finally stay clean for more than a week.”
Roderick nodded from stage, sounding sympathetic and personal, even though there were a hundred people watching. “They seek you out, don’t they? When you try to break free, they show up at the worst possible moment and offer you more.”
Jamel nodded.
Roderick spoke kindly. “You’ve made the most important step, young man. You’ve shown them for what they are.” He spoke to the rest of the room now. “You see? This young man is a perfect example of what The Coalition is all about. If he turned to local lawmen, they’d be bound by their local rules; and they’d put this man in jail for buying and using. Never mind that he’s as much a victim here as anyone else. Other parts of the world have protections for people who come in and confess to their addictions. In other nations, this man would be given the help he needs, and so would all the other customers who are kept trapped by the Dealers who peddle their poison.”
Hushed silence.
“The Coalition can bring the best of the world and its policies here to your very street. That’s why this meeting is being held right now. Because you know what’s bringing hell down on your own lives. A million people being fed and protected from drugs is a statistic. In this room? It’s people.”
This set off a rumble of agreement that only grew, and grew.
“No more Red Tape. No more compromises. No more hand-waving and looking the other way because ‘it’s the law’. Technicalities don’t matter to anyone who’s in the right.”
~/*\~
“Jehovah God is not a lawyer.” Felipe said firmly from the stage. “He does not govern by technicalities or judge us on minutiae. His Judgement is the same. For a long time, we thought that the start of Tribulation was the end of the ‘Good News’. The end of hope for those ‘outside Noah’s Ark’, as it were.” He glanced over the audience, most of which were suddenly sitting at attention. “I’m looking around, and I’m seeing a lot of people who are worried about that.”
There was a murmur from the audience. Cherry felt her own heart give a sudden thump.
“That was an answer that didn’t really seem to fit.” Felipe continued. “For example, Jesus never demanded that people believe in him before being healed. That’s the kind of dodge that televangelists use.”
As tense as they were, that brought a chuckle from some in the audience.
Felipe spoke warmly, happy to tell them all this part. His eyes flicked to Cherry, and for a moment, he seemed to be talking directly to her. “When ‘Babylon the Great’ does fall, how many people across the world will remember that we have been preaching about it happening? We’ve been telling anyone who will listen that today’s headlines were coming. What about tomorrow’s headlines? Might some who see the fall of Religion have a change of heart? Such an outcome would be similar to what occurred in Egypt, back in Moses’ day. Recall that ‘a vast mixed company’ joined Israel in the Exodus. Some of these individuals may have started to develop faith when they saw that Moses’ warnings about the Ten Plagues came true. If a similar development should occur following the destruction of Babylon the Great, would we be disappointed that people were able to join us shortly before the end comes? Of course not! We want to reflect the personality of our heavenly Father.”
(Author’s Note: The above paragraph is a direct quotation from the May 2024 Study Watchtower Article: ‘What Do We Know About Jehovah’s Future Judgments?’)
Hearing this, someone started clapping. Feeling something inside her relax and tense up simultaneously; Cherry joined in. Most of the audience did the same; and Cherry knew they all had the same worries she did.
“That said, there are plenty of things we don’t know about. Because God is not a lawyer. He governs by principle. Loving principle.” Felipe spread his hands wide. “More than fifteen thousand babies are born per hour, across the world. What will happen to them? We don’t know. Roughly half that number die every hour, from natural causes, or violent ones. When is it ‘too late’ for them? We don’t know. And what about the people who never get a chance to hear the good news? They’re out there, somewhere in the world. We don’t know about that either.” Felipe let that sink in. “When we say ‘take a leap of faith’, we don’t mean ‘stop asking’, or ‘just do as you’re told’. Blind faith is not what being a Christian is about. Taking a leap of faith is accepting that God has this under control. To use the example of Noah’s Ark; God shut the door. Noah didn’t know when it would happen; only that it would happen soon.”
This is it. He’s building up to something. Cherry thought.
“So. Let’s talk about the people in this room. I’m seeing a lot of familiar faces. Some that haven’t been back in years. A lot of you are new.” Felipe said, letting out a breath. “We want you all to know that there’s no reason you can’t all become followers of Jehovah. It’s not too late. Not for you, or for anyone else. I can see some of you looking at the exit; uncomfortable with what’s being said. I’ll admit; this is one of the heaviest topics in the Bible. No collections are being taken, no commitments are being demanded of anyone. Becoming a follower of Jehovah God is not an idle thing. It’s a promise you make. One that comes with responsibilities.”
Cherry heard someone behind her scoff. It was clear someone in the audience wasn’t convinced.
“If this is it, then there’ll be even more world-shaking events ahead. But that’s no reason to wait and ‘make sure’. It’s only going to be harder to become a Believer from here on out. The Bible describes faith as a suit of armor. No soldier waits until the battle is joined before he gets his armor on.” Felipe said with a smile. “One question the Elders have been hearing all week is: How scared should we be?” He paused to let that sink in. “The answer is: Not at all. This isn't a warning about Doomsday. This is the start of something wonderful.” He gestured to someone at the back of the Hall, and the screens at the front of the Hall lit up with beautiful artists' renderings. Felipe let them look for a few minutes, before he started to narrate them. “For more than a hundred years, the Witnesses have been proclaiming that God would bring about a Kingdom. One that would wipe out sickness, and war. One that would undo death and old age. Where the blind would see, and the lame would get up and dance.”
The art had been updated since Cherry was last there. Some of the depictions of Paradise were videos now. Tearful reunion scenes in a beautiful garden.
“And if any of these sound like platitudes or fairytales, please remember that the first stage of these promises are found in this morning's headlines.” Felipe summed up. “The miraculous signs have already started!”
My dad said there was almost no chance of human rulers giving their power away on their own. Cherry admitted to herself.
“Some of our regular attendees are scared that the world is going to fall down on our heads. Others are scared that they waited too long, or haven’t ‘done enough’.” Felipe lifted his bible again. “Well, nowhere in the Bible did Jesus tell his followers to be fearful. In fact, let's take a look at what he did say, at Luke 21:28.”
This was a verse that Cherry did know. She had found it in her frantic studies since her father’s visit. But she opened her Bible app, and turned to the verse with him, ready to read it again.
“But as these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near.” Felipe read. “So. We’re left with a simple question: What will you do now?”
~/*\~
“So. Now we put it to you.” Roderick said grandly. “Where would you like to start?”
There was a moment of dead silence, and then everyone jumped up, almost in perfect unison. There were a hundred people raising their hands. Gail found she wasn’t waiting. She was jumping up from her seat and sounding out. “The slumlords.” She shouted.
There was a swift and complete silence. More attention than Gail expected there would be. Is it possible this is a bigger problem than even I thought?
Roderick met her gaze from the stage head on. “Oh, yes?”
Gail found everyone looking at her, and she wanted to sit down. But she didn’t. A frustration that had been building with every added inconvenience and every new layer of expense was suddenly pouring out of her. “A few months ago, my landlord jumped the rent up. I live in a $#!(^*)& apartment complex that would fall down if the wind ever kicked up a little harder. The tenants couldn’t afford the hike. Half of them are moving in with relatives. Others are living on the streets. I have to timeshare my own bed with others to avoid homelessness. The lawyers say he’s within his rights, and ‘technically, he’s living up to his end of the rental agreement’. An agreement that has been changed a dozen times since I moved in without anyone telling me until after the fact.” She spread her hands wide. “He’s not breaking any law, but he’s making life worse for hundreds of people, so he can have a little more money.”
Roderick was actually smiling. “That make you angry?”
“Furious.” Gail said bluntly. “Not so much because he can do it, but because nobody cares. And because anyone I might turn to? They’ll say it’s my fault for not working hard enough. Believe me, I’m working harder than he is.”
“We all are!” Someone shouted. There was a roar of agreement at that. It actually rang off the walls for a long minute.
Roderick was still smiling. “So. The Coalition has its first test in this neighborhood. Are we going to put our money where our mouth is? Or hide behind ‘legal technicalities’, to let others make the world worse?” He was talking like it was a rhetorical question, but they all knew it wasn’t. It was exactly what he had been talking about all night. He never took his eyes away from Gail. “You want to come along? See what the Coalition can do?”
Gail was startled by the question. She never thought someone would ask her directly. “Really?”
“You want to fix the problem, you have to be part of the solution.” Roderick gestured at the other end of the Hall again. This time Gail looked, and found a recruiting booth had been set up. “You can come with us right now, and we can do some good in your community.”
Sudden silence. Everyone was looking at Gail now, to see what she would do.
“Global problems have local solutions too.” Roderick tempted from the stage. “We have to fix each other’s problems. Even the ones we’re too close to. International authorities don’t have a side in local fights… Until now. The Coalition can get things done. You tell me: You think this problem needs fixing? Because we’ll help you fix your problems. Who will you help with theirs?”
~/*\~
Gail adjusted her new badge. The Coalition Delta was heavy on her lapel. The weight was almost reassuring, but she was so aware of it all the time.
The Coalition had signed up a number of people at the Meeting. Roderick had made it clear that most of them would be support staff. After all, it was an international body. There would be plenty of supportive roles needed.
But the opening meeting had provided a list of grievances. Things that were objectively wrong with the world. Things that nobody had the resources, or the time, or the interest to deal with. Roderick made a list. Three or four of them were immediate.
The people who had contributed things to the list were invited along as soon as the meeting broke up. Half a dozen trucks, parked behind the Hall. Most of the audience, Gail included, took up the invitation.
It was a whirlwind night. Gail had stopped in at the meeting on her way home from work. She hadn’t intended to stay for long. She really hadn’t planned to give the Coalition a target; let alone her own scumbag landlord.
And yet, the trucks were rolling. She was sitting in one of them, looking out at the familiar streets she’d walked her whole life. She hadn’t actually known her landlord’s address. None of them had. The Coalition had found it instantly. There was no warrant. No red tape. Roderick was in the front seat, making a phonecall.
And what felt like seconds later, the trucks had stopped, arriving at a large, well furnished house with an immaculate garden, and two car garage.
Gail knew the neighborhood. There was usually more actual money in these expensive suburbs than would be found in the stately, prominent homes. The high-powered doctors and lawyers with their luxury penthouses were always working. This area was the sort of place where ‘comfortable’ people could laze by their own swimming pools all day.
Gail felt a wave of hate roll through her. He was squeezing pennies from hundreds of people, and living comfortably by ignoring their pleas for home repairs and relief.
The ‘audience’ had changed. They were now witnesses to the actions of the Coalition. The trucks emptied, and people came gathering on the front lawn of the house. The curtains moved in one of the upstairs windows, and Gail felt a cold flush go through her. Whatever was going to happen, it was going to happen now.
Roderick stepped forward. He had a dozen men in Coalition uniforms flanking him. “Everyone stay back, and watch carefully.”
One of the crowd, Gail found herself scanning the whole property. She felt like a commando. What are his escape routes? Does he have a weapon? The Coalition guys are armed. What do they plan to do with those guns?
What do I have, if this turns into a free-for-all? She started searching her pockets, her backpack…
Roderick stepped to the front of the audience, and held up a megaphone. “Attention, Norbert. This is the Coalition. You stand accused of profiteering. Our sources say that the local authorities have given you tacit-permission, due to legal technicalities. You are no longer subject to local authorities. Your exploitation of the less fortunate is no longer tolerated. Exit the house, or we will come in and get you.”
The announcement set off a roar from the people who had come along. The neighbors were turning out of their own homes to watch with grim anticipation.
Bread and Circuses. The thought came to Gail. Deep down, everyone wants to see a public flogging.
Over there. The thought came to her, and she looked, wondering who had spoken.
She saw a figure wearing a hoodie, head low, and turned away from the crowd, over near the fence. Gail fixated on him, not entirely sure why. It was something in the way he was turned away. Something in the way he was hiding his face.
“There!” Gail yelled, understanding before it was a conscious thought. “He’s there!”
Enough people heard her voice, enough people saw the Coalition logo on her lapel. Nobody stopped to ask. They just obeyed.
Nobody’s ever just taken my word for anything before. Gail noted somewhere. The badge means respect. The badge means compliance.
The suspect she had pointed out was caught by the crowd, his face uncovered. Sure enough, it was Norbert, trying to sneak out of the building before they came in.
“Roderick! He’s here! We caught him! WE DID IT!” Gail nearly howled.
~/*\~
Cherry was lying awake, reading her Bible for the first time in years. She could feel her questions sliding slowly into a prayer; half-formed.
As she usually did when questions became too much, she resolved not to think about it, and get some sleep.
But sleep eluded her. She couldn’t switch off her brain. What if this is it? What if it’s not too late for me? What if? What if? What if?
Then the front door opened. Cherry listened with half an ear, and noticed she didn’t hear it close.
Since she wasn’t even close to sleeping, Cherry got up to check.
Gail was back. She had walked in, dropped her jacket on the floor, and walked straight to the refrigerator. She was gulping down orange juice, direct from the carton. Only after she drained it dry did she seem to breathe, then notice that the refrigerator was open. She closed it. Noticed that she left the front door open, and went back to shut it.
Cherry stayed in her bedroom doorway, almost hiding behind the door frame. Gail’s face was alight with a kind of manic fire. There was a bright energy in her eyes that seemed hungry for something. And her sleeves had blood on them. “A-Are you okay?”
Gail jumped, startled from her thoughts, whirling to look at Cherry. “I’m great.” Gail said with enthusiasm. “I thought the Coalition was all talk too, babe. But we were wrong. They’re legit. The world is actually getting better. Finally, we’re actually doing something about it.”
SLAM! Gail had thrown the front door shut, then noticed she left bloodstained fingerprints on the door. She looked down at herself for the first time, then returned to the kitchen sink.
Cherry said nothing, watching with uncertainty as Gail washed some of the blood off her hands. She didn’t have any scrapes or scratches. None of the blood was her own. “What happened?”
Gail burst into giggles. “I was expecting some lame perp-walk. He’d get a ticket, or a slap on the wrist. But the Coalition’s guy left it up to us. Said he would clear it, if enough people were in agreement.”
“Left it up to you.” Cherry repeated, feeling a chill. “What does that mean?”
“Well, we don’t have to worry about the rent for a while.” Gail grinned like a deranged shark.
Outside, there was the staccato sound of gunfire in the distance. Cherry jumped. “What’s that?”
“There’s a drug lab set up in an old shed about six blocks from here.” Gail said brightly. “It came up at the meetings. That was the next item on the checklist.” She grinned wildly. “How cool is it that people agreed our landlord had to go before the drug-dealers? He was hurting more people than actual criminals.”
Cherry said nothing, unsure of how to respond, while Gail laughed, sounding unhinged. “We’re doing it! The world is actually waking up and doing something!”
~/*\~ Iyara ~/*\~
Farzin had left, and Rahab went to her Common Room, and sat by her window. The sunset was glorious, from her view on the wall. The fields were lit up, and the clouds above shone in brilliant shades of red and gold to match anything the fields could offer at harvest-time.
Rahab often looked out over the world beyond Jericho from this window. Today she barely saw it. She was lost in her own thoughts, more concerned than she’d ever been.
“Holy God, above all other gods.” Rahab said quietly, praying. “I don’t know who I’m praying to right now. My mother told me once that a people’s nature is decided by their leaders. Seeing what happens to people in the Temples of Baal and Molech have me convinced that these gods are… not here to help us. I don’t know who else is out there, but I turn to you now.” She licked her lips, trying to phrase it. “I don’t want my sister to take up my trade, even in part. Not if there’s a better way. But with each day that passes, it becomes more inevitable. It’s a job that nobody will condemn her for, but she will never escape.”
She heard her sister returning, and hurried her prayer along before she was disturbed. “Please, any God who is listening, if my sister matters to you, if I matter to you at all, then show me what to do, and I swear, I will do it!”
Knock knock.
“Amen.” Rahab sighed under her breath as she went to the door and let her sister in… and found she had brought company. Two men, neither of which Rahab recognized. Two strangers, together? Travellers. Possibly foreigners.
“I saw the cord was down.” Iyara said quietly.
Rahab’s eyes were still on the two men she had brought. In her business, reading people at a glance was a basic survival tactic.
“They’re just looking for lodging.” Iyara lowered her voice. “Nothing else.”
Rahab understood and put on her best ‘service’ face. “Welcome to my Inn, gentlemen. I can’t promise anything fancy, but we can provide a warm bed and a good meal.”
“Oh, thank you; but we’ve already eaten more at the Tavern tonight than we usually do in a week. Rest is far more important to us.” One of the men said with a friendly smile, as Iyara led them in, and escorted them to the free rooms upstairs.
Rahab could tell the words were genuine, but his smile wasn’t. “Perhaps some wine?”
“That would be appreciated, thank you.”
~/*\~
The two guests reclined in the common room, downstairs from the bedrooms. Rahab brought them wine, and water to wash the dust from their sandals. As the lowest ranked in the room; Iyara got that job.
Rahab was a master hostess. She never asked them anything too specific. Their cups were never empty, but never full enough to pressure them into more drinking. She offered to play some music for the two of them, but they politely declined.
In spite of their words of tiredness, the two men were full of questions. About the harvest, the history of the town; the trade routes to other cities.
And finally, Rahab realized why. Iyara saw the moment her face changed, and Rahab rushed to distract her before she asked. “Iyara, why don’t you tidy up, while I show our guests up to their rooms?”
Iyara nodded, suddenly unsure of what was going on. As Rahab led the two men upstairs, Iyara glanced around, and started cleaning up a little bit. Empty wine amphoras, mussed cushions and pillows at the table. The signs that Farzin had been here before, while Iyara was out at the Tavern.
Rahab returned, collected the last of the plates and amphoras, and led the way into the kitchenette. It was part of the main room, but private enough for the two sisters to have a quiet word. “While Farzin was here, he mentioned that the City Guards have been informed that there might be spies in town.” Rahab said quietly.
And her younger sister suddenly understood in a flash of insight. “I didn’t realize.” Iyara whispered, aghast. “I saw them in the Tavern. The guards were searching the place. They didn’t try to leave. The guards saw them both and never even approached them, I didn’t think…”
“It’s fine.” Rahab assured her.
“No, it’s not. I’m sorry, Rahab. If I’d realized sooner-”
“Iyara, if they hadn’t come here, I would have gone looking for them.” Rahab said in a calm, reasonable voice. A tone that was totally out of place with the words she was saying. “Now, we have guests. Go to the well, and draw some more water. I wasn’t expecting two new visitors to wash up here tonight.”
Is that true, or does she just want me out of the Inn? Iyara wondered wildly. Either way, she knew she had to go. She recognized her sister’s look. Whatever was going to happen next, Rahab clearly wanted privacy.
~/*\~
The City’s water supply was guarded, as a matter of necessity. They had to make sure it wasn’t polluted by any waste, or any animals. It passed through the City’s fortifications, fed from the mountains. Iyara had been hauling water since she was old enough to walk with her mother, and knew how to carry the heavy jugs comfortably.
“Better get home quick, young lady.” One of the guards told her as her jug was filled. “The Gates to the city close in a few minutes. Most people don’t appreciate being on the wrong side of them when there’s a curfew.”
Iyara understood. When the Gates were closed, nobody got out. Even when they weren’t in danger, it would be a trap for the people on the wrong side of the wall. The walls of a city were meant to keep enemies out. When there was a curfew, or guards hunting spies, suddenly the walls kept people in.
(Author’s Note: On the subject of ‘Jericho’, the Insight Book says that after the Promised Land was captured, the land became part of the Tribe of Benjamin. And while there was soon a settlement there, the Insight Book says: ‘not until Ahab’s reign did Hiel the Bethelite actually rebuild Jericho.’
The article also says that many years later: ‘After Jehovah took the prophet Elijah away in a windstorm, Elisha remained at Jericho for a time and healed the city’s water supply. The water of ʽAin es-Sultan (traditionally, the fountain that Elisha healed) has been described as sweet and pleasant and irrigates the gardens of modern Jericho.’
Secular sources say that this ‘spring’ that still provides the modern day settlements with water was also accessible within the walls of Ancient Jericho, giving them an advantage in a long siege. Also, the words used to describe water supplies in this part of history are ‘wells’, ‘cisterns’, and ‘springs’; all of which are very different in appearance and use. Since this isn’t a major plot point, and isn’t mentioned in the Bible record of Rahab at all, I have been vague on how Iyara is collecting the water supply; but kept the source within the walls. One thing that seems clear is that Jericho was not rationing anything for a potential siege, or drought.)
Even so, Iyara was dreading the stairs back up the wall. There were platforms on rope pulleys for lifting up heavier burdens, but there wasn’t one anywhere near Rahab’s Inn. She knew the climb back up would be slow this time, with the water to haul. Part of her wondered if that was the point. If those two men really are the ones that the guards are looking for, Rahab might want me out of the way…
As she hiked the stairs she put her head down to focus on balancing the jug. As she reached the top of the stairs, she took a long moment to catch her breath; and she raised her eyes, to see Rahab’s Inn further along the wall, and she saw Guards at the door. They were carrying spears and torches. The door was wide open between them. They were already inside.
The City Official who announced the curfew in the Tavern was waiting at the door, standing ramrod straight. He saw Iyara coming along the wall and held up a hand to her. “Halt. This Inn is being searched by order of the King. You cannot enter.”
Farzin was there, flanking the Official. He looked nervous, but he was hiding it. “Sir, this is Iyara. She is the sister of Rahab, who owns this Inn.”
Be careful. The thought came to Iyara. Farzin will be protecting himself, too. If they find anything in there, the City Official will demand to know who else is involved, and that puts Farzin in danger.
“Please, sir. Can I at least take the water in?” She asked, playing more helpless than she was. “It’s so heavy. I understand you can’t let anyone out during the search, but you can let me in, surely?”
The Official was about to say no, when Farzin spoke up. “Sir, I can escort her personally until the search is over. It might help ‘motivate’ Rahab to tell us everything she knows if her sister is in our custody, right in front of her.”
The Official considered that, and gave a nod.
Farzin escorted Iyara inside. There were guards searching through the cupboards, the bedrooms… The Inn wasn’t large enough to have a lot of hiding places, but they were turning out all the storage places, ripping through everything Rahab owned, looking for anything they could prosecute her for.
Rahab was sitting against a wall, looking poised and cool. It was impressive, considering she was surrounded by guards, who were actively trying to intimidate her. Rahab’s eyes flashed just for a second when she saw Iyara being escorted in, held tightly by Farzin. He walked Iyara to the opposite side of the room, where the two sisters couldn’t hear each other.
“We know they were here, Iyara. Two Hebrew men, who have come to spy out the City.” Farzin said seriously. “We have a witness that says you were the one that recommended this Inn to them.” His tone shifted to threatening. “All I have to do is mention that little fact.”
Iyara met his gaze head on. “All I have to do is tell them you were Rahab’s last ‘client’ for the night. If the Spies were here, the King would want to know who else was involved.”
The Guard was twice her size, looming over her. She forced herself to stare back, wondering if he could hear her heart race. They stared each other down like wolves for a moment.
Farzin lowered his voice further. “Rahab tells us there were only two guests tonight, and that they changed their mind about staying when the Curfew was announced. She says they left before the Gates could close.”
There it was. He was giving her Rahab’s story, and it had carefully omitted any mention of Farzin being there tonight. He was protecting himself, and giving her a way to protect Rahab in return.
“Yes.” Iyara said quietly, unwilling to give him more than that and risk upsetting the deal.
Farzin gave her a look that said ‘stay still and stay quiet’, before he hurried to the door, gesturing for some of the other guards to follow.
Rahab was close enough to hear Farzin talk to the Official. “Sir, both women confirm the same story, independently of each other. They agree the two men were here earlier tonight, but they decided against staying when they heard of the curfew. They left just before the Gates could be closed.”
“You believe them? The other man asked.
“I gave them no chance to confer with each other. Our search hasn’t found anyone else in the Inn tonight. Rahab gave us a direction. If they did make it out before the Gates closed, then the longer we spend here…”
“Agreed. Gather the men. We’ll need horses to make the chase! Send a runner ahead while we prepare. The Gates are already closed; and I don’t want it slowing us down.”
~/*\~
The guards were out of the Inn within minutes. Iyara felt like the place had been struck by lightning. They had boiled their way in, torn half the Inn apart, and then rushed out again just as fast.
Iyara found she was trying to catch her breath. “A-are (Ahem) are you okay?” She asked her sister.
Rahab took a slow, deep breath and let it out. “It was bound to happen sooner or later.” She said firmly. “That’s the thing about this life. There’s no loyalty to people you pay for.”
Iyara shivered. She’d known, objectively, that this was true; but she’d never seen it before. If it had come down to it, Farzin would have killed them both before getting himself in trouble. The fact that he was a regular visitor to Rahab’s Inn, and likely her bed, wouldn’t stop him. “Where are they, though?”
Rahab didn’t answer out loud, instead sending a look upwards. Iyara followed her gaze to the roof, and understood. “What do you plan to do with them?”
Rahab ignored the question, and made her way around the trashed room, picking up various articles. “I need you to go back to mother and father. Right now.”
Iyara started. “You want me to travel the roads, alone, after dark?”
“Yes, I do.” Rahab said seriously. She went to her cupboard, and pulled out a travel bag, collecting her tossed possessions and packing them into it. “Food, water, and two blades that you can keep concealed in your clothes.” She pushed the bag at her sister; and returned to the cupboard.
“That guard just said the City Gates are already closed! How am I supposed to get out of the City in the middle of the night?”
Rahab had produced the answer already, pulling out a long coil of rope. She tied one end around the stairwell to the upper level, and tossed the rest of the coil out her window, letting it unwind. “Go, now! Get away from Jericho, as fast as you can.”
Iyara was more amazed by her sister with each passing day. Rahab had apparently had an escape from the City prepared long in advance. The rope was dangling down the City’s outer wall. “If there’s danger, you have to come with me!” She hissed.
“I’ve got guards that know me. But if the Invaders are spying on this city…” Rahab lowered her voice further. “I will come after you as soon as I can. I just have to make sure there’s nobody chasing after us.”
Iyara understood. The guards had already searched her home, but the spies were still there. If Rahab was caught with them in her house, she was finished... Which is why she was giving her younger sister a head start.
And with this realization came another hammer of guilt. “I brought them here!” Iyara rasped in horror. “I brought them here. Told them they’d find lodging with us. Told them I’d be-” Her face crumpled. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“We aren’t caught yet.” Rahab caught Iyara’s face between her hands and made her look her in the eyes. “You understand? We’re ahead of them on this. Until I’m sure it’ll stay that way, I need to know you’re out of danger. I told the Guards to look one way, so you go the opposite direction; towards home. Go home to father. Tell him to expect me soon. If I can’t make it, I’ll send a message, I promise.” She led her sister over to the window. “Anyone else in town see you with our guests?”
“Just Isidro and his wife.” Iyara reported. “He said he recognized their accents.” Her face changed. “In fact, he’s probably the one who turned us in!” She started getting angry. “He’s been a friend, and a business partner of our family for-”
“I can handle Isidro.” Rahab said, unconcerned.
“Under other circumstances, I would make a salacious remark.” Iyara slung the bag over her shoulder, and hid the blades where she could get to them quickly. The rope was finely woven, more like a coil made of linens, rather than anything they’d use on animals or warehouse goods. It made her think of the flax drying on the roof, and the two men hiding among them.
Rahab gave her a tight, but short hug. “Go quickly. The guards are still searching the city, and they won’t be looking outward too carefully. Don’t light a torch unless you really need one.”
Iyara nodded, and kissed her sister on both cheeks, scared for her. She took a shuddering breath as she looked out the window. It was a long enough drop that she actually missed the stairs for a moment. I can’t say no. I started this. I’ll get her out of it by being brave for the next few minutes.
Steeling herself, she swung her legs out the window, and climbed down the rope. Gravity seemed a hundred times stronger suddenly, and the ground so much further away. She kept her eyes on Rahab’s window as she half climbed, half-slid down the rope.
The second she touched the ground, she nearly fell over backwards, but the rope flew upwards, back towards the window. In seconds, there was no sign of anything being there. The light in Rahab’s window went out.
Praying to any gods that might be listening, Iyara ran to the fields, and ducked into hiding among the crop. There were no shouts, no calls for her to halt.
Keeping her head down, she began picking her way through the field carefully, staying out of sight.
~/*\~ Cherry ~/*\~
Gail came awake at the smell of breakfast, looking haggard. “Whoa.” She groaned as she half-fell off the couch, staggering towards the kitchen counter. “I crashed.”
“Yeah, I didn’t dare come out of the bedroom.” Cherry admitted, pouring the coffee for her. “I don’t know what you were on, but you didn’t slow down until about 4am.” She sipped. “It was kind of scary, to be honest.”
“I wasn’t on anything.” Gail insisted. “The sheer adrenaline high was enough.” She held her coffee like it was worth more than her life, and sipped deeply. “No. Not just adrenaline. It was…” She didn’t know how to put it into words for a moment. “All my life, I’ve been watching the news get worse and worse, and I keep saying ‘someone has to stop this’. Last night someone stopped something. And of all people, it was me.”
Cherry hadn’t taken her eyes off Gail once. “Felt good?”
“Best feeling in my life.” Gail said honestly. “I gotta do it again. I have to do… more.”
Cherry nodded slowly. “When do you go back to work?”
“Not until this afternoon. And I plan to quit that job and work full time at the Coalition Offices. Money’s better anyway. You?”
“I called in sick.” Cherry said. “There’s something you need to know about. And if I’m right, then this is going to be a problem soon enough, and if I’m wrong, it won’t matter.”
“I’m intrigued.” Gail commented, nonplussed. “Right or wrong about what?”
Cherry started to speak… and promptly chickened out. “Y’know what? Let’s have breakfast first.” Oh, I have got to get better at talking about this.
~/*\~
With breakfast eaten, the two of them sat down and started to talk. She told her roommate about her visit from her father, and how the world events had somewhat reawakened her long dormant faith.
“So, you’re going back to your old church.” Gail summed up, not entirely sure why this was such a big deal.
“I… I don’t know.” Cherry admitted. “It’s hard to put into words, but… I read this quotation once: If God is not real, then nothing matters. If God is real, then nothing matters more.”
“People have been betting on an afterlife since we figured out what death was, babe. That’s not an original problem.” Gail told her.
“I know. But the religion I was born into? It’s not ‘mainstream’. In fact, it has some pretty harsh words to say about the other religions. Of all the faiths out there, Jehovah’s Witnesses get most of their numbers by converting people from outside the faith. From the cradle, I was trained in how to convince someone to look at their beliefs critically, and find proof in scripture.”
“Ah. And then you did it to yourself?” Gail guessed.
“I just wanted to be sure.” Cherry sounded helpless. “I still do. I want to be right with God, but I just… want to be certain. Your soul is a big thing to offer to someone.”
Gail was looking at her sideways. “Well… I’ve never dealt with any of these questions. To be honest, I figured they didn’t have any answers. When I was a kid, my momma told me that if you do good things, you go to heaven, and when you do bad things, you go to hell. But then I turned fourteen and realized life was more complicated than that. When someone does something good, it’s usually bad for someone else; so how can you win?” She looked back at their shared room unconsciously. “When I set up a webcam and started paying my rent that way, I figured ‘good and bad’ were for people who could afford to care.” She set her jaw a little. “What would your father say about my side hustle, I wonder?”
Cherry had no answer to that. “Anyway, I’m not saying I’ve gone back. I’m just saying, I have questions again. The last week has shaken up everything else on Earth, why not me?” She turned a little in her seat, to look her friend in the eye. “I went back to find out if it was ‘too late’ for me to go back to my family. They say it isn’t. But they also point to the Coalition as being the fulfilment of a Bible Prophecy. One that starts with ‘Peace and Security’, and ends with Judgement Day.”
“Cherry, I don’t know anything about the Bible, so I can’t answer you on that.” Gail said, recognizing that they were getting to the point. “But when we took down our #$*&% landlord last night? People cheered. Because we know those are genuinely bad people, who have been getting away with it for too long. Religion might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but at a legal, institutional level, we can tell the difference between terrorists and bible studies.”
“The Coalition is international. Some countries go after people based on religion, for no other reason than that.”
“Yeah, but the point of the Coalition is to fix the world’s problems. Not to spread prejudice globally.” Gail assured her. “You’re worried that global cooperation means the End Times are here? There’s no reason for the Coalition to go after… well, God.”
“Gail, I’m saying that there doesn’t have to be a logical reason. My mother was telling me stories of ‘Peace and Security’. I didn’t want to hear it then, but it happened. Who would have predicted something like world peace might actually be declared? Even six months ago, would we have thought today’s headlines were possible?”
“Isn’t that a good thing?” Gail pressed.
“For now, it could be a good thing. But…” She sighed. “I guess what I’m saying is: I used to believe in something. Maybe I still want to, even if I didn’t do anything about it for a long time.”
“I’m not about to tell you off for ‘finding faith’. Especially when you were so cool about your boss asking you about ‘Cammie Smith’.” Gail nodded. “But here’s the thing: The reason you’re afraid to tell me all this, is because if your momma’s stories were right, then the end of the world is coming.”
“The Jehovah’s Witnesses aren’t a Doomsday Cult.” Cherry shook her head. “Even when I left them, I never saw anything to suggest that. Quite the opposite, really. They’re totally focused on what comes after the End.” She reached out and took one of Gail’s hands between her own. “Look, I’m not asking you to join up, I’m not asking you to do anything. I haven’t decided yet either. This is… I don’t even know.”
“I do.” Gail said plainly, and demonstrated the point by knocking on the armrest under her free hand. “It’s your first attempt at ‘witnessing’.”
“I guess it is.” Cherry agreed. “Look, can we agree that actually predicting the future is a major ‘sign’ of a faith being ‘right’?”
“I suppose so.”
“Can we agree that having the governments of the world agreeing on something like destroying mainstream religion is unlikely to happen on its own, out of nowhere?” Cherry offered.
“I’ll agree to that.” Gail nodded with a smile, and then she froze. “And I just realized the real reason you’re talking to me about this.” She wasn’t smiling anymore. “Because if you’re right, and the Coalition does turn on religion… then that’s your ‘smoking gun’ proof, and you’ve got your faith back. In which case, you’re worried I’ll be the one to turn you in.”
“If you’re ordered to do it, you’ll have a choice to make.” Cherry offered. “And if the ‘attack’ doesn’t come, then it means this will never be an issue. If it turns out that I’m just being superstitious, then I hope you’ll be merciful. I just want to state, for the record; that if what I’m describing does happen? It’s not likely to be a coincidence.”
Gail just looked at her, not sure if her friend was accusing her of something, not sure how she felt about the implications. “I concur.” She said formally.
Cherry struggled not to show any reaction to that. The formality meant she’d offended her friend. Of course you did. You just accused her of being ‘anti-god’, by profession. A job that she was dancing about for most of the night.
“Anyway.” Cherry tried again. “I’m not saying I believe any of this yet. I’m just saying, if it happens…” She trailed off. Her attempts to soften the blow weren’t working. “Back in high school, there was this nerdy kid who loved ‘doomsday’ stories. Movies, games, books… He had this notebook, where he kept a list of what to do in the event of the apocalypse. Zombies, alien invasions, nuclear war. He had one page devoted to the Rapture. I asked him if he really believed any of those things would happen. He said ‘Better safe than sorry’.”
“About zombie uprisings and alien invasions?” Gail retorted, and Cherry could see the smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
“If Zombies actually rose from their graves and started attacking people, you wouldn’t mistake it for anything else.” Cherry offered. “If spaceships appeared in the sky, and started vaporizing cities, you’d know what was happening. If the Coalition ever outlaws religions across the world, now you know what it means.”
“Ever heard of ‘Pascal’s Wager’?” Gail asked, when her phone chimed. She checked the screen automatically. “Next time. Apparently, I’m being called in.”
~/*\~
The Coalition Offices had taken over the same Hall they’d held their first meeting in. Their opening actions in the neighborhood had gotten a lot of attention, and the recruitment line was out the door.
Already wearing the colors around her arm, and the logo on her lapel, Gail ignored the main doors and came in the side, towards the Office Space. Roderick was there, in the main office. “Does this mean this is no longer Saint… whoever’s Hall?”
“It’s now the local Coalition Office.” Roderick agreed. “You did good work last night. I hope you plan to stay on?”
“I would like to, yes.” Gail agreed immediately. “I don’t know what I’ll end up doing, but I have some admin skills from when I used to-”
“I had something else in mind.” Roderick cut her off. “Obviously, the Coalition is expanding, and I’ve been directed to find people who can provide intel on local problems, the local community… I’d like you to be one of them. It would mean taking on a leadership role, at least in this area. Local for now, but we’re a global organization, so there’s plenty of room for advancement.”
“Me?” Gail couldn’t believe it. “I’m a sales girl.”
“Last night, you were a probationary member of the Coalition, and within an hour, you took down a man who made life worse for hundreds of people.” Roderick said plainly. “This isn’t unprecedented. Draftees get picked from all walks of life, but once they’re in uniform, they have a chance to do something that matters with their lives.”
“Something that matters.” Gail repeated. Her eyes flashed bright and hopeful for a second, before they dimmed. If he knew about my other job…
Roderick reached into the cabinet beside his desk and drew out a uniform, neatly folded, wrapped in plastic; never been worn before. “What do you say? You want to come on board and help us out?”
Gail blinked back tears. She hadn’t received such approval from anyone before. She straightened her spine and immediately gave a crisp salute. “Yessir!”
~/*\~
There was less paperwork than Gail had ever experienced while taking on a new job. The authority that the Coalition had seemed all-encompassing. Within a few hours, Gail was back at work, out in the community, in full Coalition uniform.
Her first assignment wasn’t that far from the Diner where Cherry worked. She’d briefly met some of the homeless that ate the Diner scraps, but she had no idea there were so many more just a few streets over, out of sight from her main routes through town.
Out of sight, out of mind. They know it better than anyone. Gail thought with a wave of shame. She followed along, and found more people than she expected, gathered together around a table behind a van. Someone was pulling trays of food out of the van and ladling out bowls of food for the local homeless.
Gail walked up to them and flashed her new badge. “Morning.”
Some of the homeless started to scatter and run at the sight of a uniform. The people who had brought the van full of food shouted for them to wait, and not to be scared. “This is legal! We have permits!”
Gail held her hands up in surrender. “I’m not here to shut you down, or arrest anyone. I’m a provisional Operations Officer for the Coalition. I want to know how we can use our resources to help people directly in this area.”
“Can you make the weather warmer, or create homes for about seventy people?” One of the Good Samaritans asked blandly.
Gail looked around. “I only count about twenty.”
“Seventy total, in all the places we bring food to.” The Van driver added. He hadn’t stopped making sandwiches the entire time.
Gail felt her heart give a thump. Can I actually do this? Do I have the authority to do this? Aloud, she took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady. “Let me make a call.”
~/*\~
Less than two hours later, Gail watched as the buses rolled out, each one filled with homeless people, plus a few volunteers providing clean clothes and sandwiches for them while they made their way on to the next stop.
“Where are we sending them?” Gail asked Roderick. “You never said.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Roderick said shortly, before he winced. “Ooh, that sounded nefarious, didn’t it? We’re routing them to another division. There’s a temporary shelter there until we can get something more permanent set up here. Your landlord was one of a half-dozen slumlords that owned hundreds of buildings barely above ‘condemned’ status, and we have to knock’em down and rebuild them into something up to code.” He checked his device. “Actually, we need someone to handle that. The people currently living in these ‘below code’ buildings? We have to get them out before we can renovate and repair them. Can you handle that?”
Gail froze. “I joined you the other night and told you that my landlord was gouging us. Now you want me to turn out a bunch of apartment buildings just like mine?”
“I’m not telling you to turn them out onto the street. You have the authority to make use of property. Find one that can take them in.”
Gail blinked. “Where should I start looking for something like that?”
Roderick shrugged. “Surprise me.” He told her coolly. “Be creative. Who knows? Maybe they can all be put to work for us now. If we’re taking over their expenses and rentals, it’d only be fair.”
Gail nodded. “Why not? I took that deal.” Her phone rang just then, and she checked the screen. “I have to take this.” She headed away from Roderick enough to give her some privacy. “What’s up, Cherry?”
Cherry sounded worried. “The Diner just closed down. Eugene said between shipping costs, and the Coalition Operations, he just can’t stay open.”
“Just between us, I’ve been hearing that fairly often, in my new job. A lot of food prices are skyrocketing lately, and the smaller business can’t keep up.” She made her voice sound calming. “I’m told it’s just temporary. The Coalition is going to take control of the global markets at some point, to stabilize prices across the world.”
“Well, in the meantime, I’m out of a job.”
“Don’t worry. You were there for me when things got tight, I’m not turning you out.” Gail promised her. “My new job can cover both of us, and includes a food allowance. We won’t go hungry.” Her phone chimed. “I have to go. I got another call.”
“Well… okay. We’ll talk tonight?”
“I promise.” Gail said soothingly, and disconnected, checking her phone screen. She hurried back to her new boss. “We have another alert.”
Roderick nodded. “Let’s move.”
~/*\~
~/*\~~/*\~~/*\~
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