Phillip Simpson - Rapture

Sam tried not to stare as he, Aimi and Hikari made their way down Main Street. Some of the townsfolk smiled or raised a hand to Hikari. Others stopped to exchange pleasantries with his master. Hikari was well known in the town through his work with the church and other charitable institutions and committees. Sam didn’t know where he found the time, but at least his master didn’t have to work. Sam had no idea where Hikari found the money to get by, and he’d never asked. The bills were always paid and there was always food on the table. That was enough for him.

Hikari always introduced these people to Aimi and Sam. He introduced Aimi as his daughter. Sam was referred to as his ‘ward’. Sam didn’t mind too much — he guessed it stopped too many questions from being asked. He shook hands when they were offered, careful not to squeeze too hard since Hikari had told him that he was far, far stronger than most men. After a muttered greeting and some curious glances, he was largely ignored. Perhaps they thought he was just another moody adolescent. The fact that he kept his eyes averted added to this impression. They didn’t have to know that Sam was reluctant for them to catch a glimpse of his black eyes.

He’d made sure that his hood was firmly in place before they left home. Even so, he felt highly conscious of it, anxious that somehow, his true nature would be revealed and that someone would suddenly point at him and scream ‘Demon!’ He saw some other teenage boys wearing them though, and although it never completely disappeared, he felt his unease gradually dwindling.

Young girls and some boys, either out with their parents or in laughing groups, often waved and shouted at Aimi. She returned the greetings with a smile or a laugh. Many of them looked at Sam with surprise. While they all clearly knew that Aimi had another teenager living in her house with her, most had never seen him. He tried to ignore the pointed stares and whispered conversation as they passed.

They continued along Main Street and turned at a side street with a street sign saying ‘Providence’. With a start, Sam finally realized where they were heading. During his night-time training, he sometimes liked to prowl along the streets when they were free of people. It gave him a sense of freedom to be able to do something that was normally denied to him.

He’d wandered through and explored most of the town. Hikari had even blessed these little adventures, saying that it was important for Sam to become familiar with his surroundings. It would give him an advantage when the Rapture came.

One street he always avoided was Providence. That was where the church was.

Although most of the population of Utah was Mormon, Jacob’s Ladder had a small but strong following of Catholics. The church was the focal point of their small community. Most people attended, and the small chapel was packed on a Sunday.

Sam was one of the few who never went. Although devout with his belief and faith very strong, the church, unfortunately, was a reminder of how he was different. Even going near it on these dark nights was enough for a feeling of disquiet to build in his stomach. Close proximity made him feel downright ill. It was a place that Hikari had instructed him to leave well alone until the time was right and after his first few distant encounters, he had heeded his master.

The church scared him. And they were heading directly for it.

As they got closer, he began to feel uneasy, the familiar twinge in his stomach growing. With a sigh of relief, however, he realized they weren’t heading straight for it after all. There was a small house next to it: Father Rainey’s house, where the priest lived with his teenage nephew.

Hikari led Sam and Aimi up to the front entrance.

Just being this close to the church grounds made Sam feel distinctly nauseous. If it wasn’t for his already pallid complexion, he would have looked more anaemic than usual. Aimi was watching Sam with concern spelt out all over her face. She knew something was wrong. Slipping one hand through his arm, she guided him up the stairs. He smiled at her queasily in thanks.

Father Rainey opened the door before Hikari could knock. The big, bear-like priest looked grimmer than usual. With a curt gesture, he beckoned them inside. The lounge was sparsely furnished with two tattered couches and two rather well-worn armchairs. Clearly, Father Rainey was not an ostentatious man.

“Take a seat,” said Father Rainey gruffly. “I’ll make us coffee.”

As they sat, the priest disappeared down the hallway. Soon, the three of them could hear the clattering of dishes. Sam felt like he had just eaten something decidedly off, but despite this, he glanced up when he heard the soft tread of feet on the carpet.

A teenage boy, probably about Sam’s own age, was standing in front of them. He was tall — almost as tall as his uncle — and solidly built. His handsome face was framed by short, curly blond hair, and his resemblance to Father Rainey was obvious.

“Hi,” he said, smiling welcomingly. “I’m Josh.”

All three of them stood, Hikari and Aimi shaking the offered hand. When he came to Sam, Josh paused ever so slightly as he looked Sam in the eye. At that moment, Sam knew without a doubt that Josh’s uncle had shared the truth of his heritage with him.

The knowledge didn’t appear to affect Josh, other than the brief pause as Josh took his hand. It was a strong, dry grip, much like his uncle’s. Josh smiled at him and was about to say something when Father Rainey reentered the room.

“Ah, I see you’ve met my nephew, Josh. Good.” When everyone was served, the priest sat back with a satisfied sigh.

“One of my few indulgences,” he said, taking a sip. “I do enjoy a good coffee.”

The others drank too — all except Sam. His stomach told him that he would not keep it down.

After a moment, the priest sat forward suddenly. “Before we begin, I want to reassure you that what is said in this room will stay in this room. Josh, as you might have guessed, is already privy to a few of my ecclesiastical secrets. In other words, he knows about you, Sam, and about my visions of the coming Rapture and Tribulation.”

Father Rainey watched Sam’s face carefully as he said this. If he thought that this would upset Sam, then the reaction he got disappointed him. Sam kept his face carefully neutral.

“Josh will never tell anyone about your true nature, Sam,” continued the priest. As if to back this up, Josh nodded. “He knows, as I do, how important your coming role will be. Trust him as you trust me.”

Despite the rumbling coming from his stomach, Sam felt like smiling. He certainly wouldn’t say that he trusted Father Rainey. In fact, he didn’t like the man much, especially after what he’d put him through years earlier. The only people Sam trusted were Aimi and Hikari. Everyone else had yet to prove themselves.

“I brought you here today for two reasons. But first I must tell you about the Tribulation and what you should expect.”

Sam sat forward expectantly. Hikari had told him about the Tribulation but for some reason, he was a bit light on details. Almost as if he wanted to spare Sam the horrific truth.

“The Tribulation, as you know,” Father Rainey went on, “is a seven year period after the Rapture. The other humans who remain will be those who do not believe — truly believe — in God. It will be a period of great suffering for the remnants of humanity. There will be earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other natural disasters; famine, and war. Up to seventy five percent of the world’s remaining population will perish. The survivors will no doubt turn on each other for what little remains. This is the world that you must survive to protect the innocent who remain.”