Take Over Chapter 10

Take Over chapter 10

TJ lay on his stomach, overlooking the mine entrance.  From his vantage point the town was directly behind him, the mine in front and the road leading away from the mine was to his right.  He checked his watch; he had about twenty minutes before the plan went into full affect.

He had told Steve to give him forty minutes to get into position. He knew it would not take the entire time to get to where he needed to be but he wanted time to think.  He was confident in his plan, but he wanted to make sure he didn’t miss anything.  He turned onto his back, gazed into the night sky and he meditated. 

He thought about God and about his family and their current situation.  He had never had to question his faith before.  As far back as he could remember he believed in God.  He was baptized as a young child after he told his dad he wanted to be a Christian. 

He had always lived a “good life” with loving parents, great friends, and a roof over his head and clothes on his back.  Never had he suffered anything and certainly not anything like this.  Why God?  His heart cried.

  “God… I still believe. Let your will be done,” he slowly prayed.

Another thought came to him, the thought of Job and how he had had faith and lost everything.  Could I lose everything and still keep my faith? The thought horrified him.  Up until now he had no doubt that he would be reunited with his friends and family, but now he had to face the reality that, that might not be the case.  He just might never see his family again, that is until they crossed to the other side.

Looking up into the sky with tears freely flowing down his face he remembered his dad and thought, what would dad tell me right now? “Son, God is ALWAYS faithful” and that was it.  That memory helped him to make his decision.  He would believe in God no matter what and if he lost his family then he would still believe and keep on fighting.

He rose to his knees and began to pray.

*****

Kyle’s heart was pounding. He stared hard into the dark until his eyes ached. He lifted the rifle and out of the bush came a tangled furry mess of a dog. “Spencer!” Kyle exclaimed, dropping the rifle, he went to his knee and hugged his dog.

“Where have you been?” Kyle said, a little choked up, as Spencer bathed his face and hands and pretty much everything his tongue could reach with slobber.

Just then there was a large explosion and a fire ball seemed to light up the night sky.

*****

Steve was about a block away when the explosion came.  It nearly knocked him off his bike.  He chanced a look back and was amazed.  TJ had been right; he wanted to clear out as soon as he threw the cocktail. 

TJ had told him to go in and loose the gas line from the water heater.  Then when he threw the Molotov cocktail, to throw it from as far back as he could in the window and then take off.  Steve thought even TJ didn’t expect this result.  The house was completely engulfed in flames and the houses next to it began to smolder.

The sound of the blast had startled Bren.  She nearly fell out of the chair.  She ran to the window and looked into the shadowy streets.  She could see a bright orange glow from the neighborhood where Steve was working.   She turned, went back to the control for the air raid siren and pushed the button.  The slow winding howl began to fill the air. 

She made her way out of the front door and looked to her left and could see a second blaze lighting up the night sky.  She ran across the street, picked up a Molotov cocktail, lit it and hurled it through the broken storefront window of the hardware store. 

Earlier that day they had poured out the paint thinner and stacked propane bottles, then broke the window so she would have an easy shot with the cocktail, she turned back to the fire station grabbed her bike and headed toward the jeep.

She was almost a block away when an explosion from behind her filled the air with glass. She turned back and saw flames licking up the side of the store front.  She had one more to blow and then she and Steve would pull the power line, or whatever it was, and leave town. A tear slid down her face and she brushed it away angrily. I will be brave.

******

TJ was on his knees praying when he heard the sirens.  He turned to look in the direction of the town and could see the orange glow of the fires.  He picked up his binoculars and looked over the ridge to the entrance of the mine.  There was definitely some activity.  One of the guards at the door was no longer there and the other three seemed to be conversing.

“Come on,” he muttered, “this has to work. You guys have to go check this out.”

BOOM! there was another explosion.  I hope Steve and Bren got out of the way, he thought, a little nervous for their safety. As he watched the entrance to the mine a tall man, who appeared to be in charge, began pointing at the men and directing them.  Then the lights dimmed and went out.  There was a moment and what appeared to be emergency lights came on.

TJ looked again at the stern man whose face was clearly flushed with anger.  Then about twenty men came out of the mine entrance.  To TJ’s great pleasure all but two of the men got into the vehicles and sped off toward town.   There was one man left by the road entrance to the mine.

******

Kim’s cries were silent now, her mouth still moving in prayer but only groans came out and then, there was a change.  She stopped praying for a moment and was then filled with such peace and a since of God’s love she went from her kneeling to lying on her face.  

She was overwhelmed with a sense of God’s presence and joy filled her soul.  She began to laugh at first and then more tears began to stream down her face.  She tried to move but could not. 

Then the sound of many voices seemed to fill the room and Kim began to sing.