The Enemy Closes In Read online

  “You are special. You’re God’s child.”

  “Puleease,” she said with scorn.

  “You are! And he’d do anything for you.”

  “Right, that’s why he gave me a couple of loser parents.”

  Zach shook his head. “I don’t have an answer for that. But I do know he gave you the most important thing he had.”

  “What’s that?”

  “His life. When he died on that cross.”

  Ashley snorted in disgust.

  “I’m serious. When Jesus was up on that cross dying for all the wrong you and I did … at that moment, he considered us way more important than his life. Think of that. God thought you were more valuable than his own life.”

  Ashley tried wiping away her tears, but they came faster. Even if she wanted to answer, she couldn’t.

  Unsure what to do, Zach pulled her into his arms. She didn’t resist. As he held her, he felt her body tremble. She was sobbing. How long they stayed that way, he didn’t know. But he did know when the door opened and light spilled on them from inside the house.

  “Well, well, lookie here.” Jason walked onto the porch. Some of the kids joined him. “It’s the God squad.”

  Zach stepped forward. “It’s over, Jason.”

  “And what is that?”

  “Ashley’s not staying with you any longer.”

  “Oh really,” Jason sneered. “Is that true, my dear?”

  Ashley hesitated.

  “Is it!?”

  Finally she wiped her face and gave a little nod.

  “Yes, well, we’ll see about that.” Turning to the kids on either side of him, he gave the order:

  “Grab them!”

  Chapter Eleven

  Confrontation

  Before Zach could move they were on him — Stump, X-Ray, and Big Red.

  “Let go of him!” Ashley shouted. “Let — ”

  Someone hit the side of Zach’s head and for moment he started to lose consciousness — until he heard Ashley scream. They were attacking her too!

  That was all he needed to stay awake and fight back.

  He landed a powerful punch into Big Red’s stomach, doubling him over.

  One of Jason’s thugs down. Two to go.

  He caught a glimpse of Ashley being dragged up the porch steps by Stump. “NO!” she screamed. “LET GO OF ME!”

  X-Ray, the tall skinny kid, grabbed Zach’s arms and twisted them behind his back so he couldn’t move them. But Zach could move his feet. He kicked his right foot back and slammed it into the kid’s knee.

  “Augh!” X-Ray cried.

  But Zach wasn’t done. Using the same foot, he scraped it down the boy’s shin, hopefully taking off a layer of skin, and then stomped his heel on top of the kid’s foot.

  X-Ray let go and grabbed his foot. “AUGHHH!”

  Two down.

  Letting go of Ashley, Stump leaped on Zach’s back and wrapped his arms around his throat. Zach put his right fi st into his left hand and jerked his elbow into the kid’s stomach.

  “Oaff !”

  Three down!

  He turned toward Ashley just as Jason dragged her through the door. But Zach had no sooner taken a step toward her when his head exploded in pain. Suddenly his legs had no strength, and he dropped to his knees. He looked up and saw Big Red standing over him holding a board.

  Zach fell forward, unable to stop himself. He was unconscious before he hit the ground.

  The alarm continued to sound as Mom and Dad raced through the woods. The undergrowth grabbed their legs, and branches kept slapping their faces. Now, if they only knew where they were going.

  “I don’t see a thing.” Mom gasped for breath.

  “He said the Jeep was just ahead!”

  “But there’s no road! Not even a trail!”

  Back at the compound they heard the opening of a gate and the barking of dogs.

  “We’ll never make it!” Mom yelled.

  The same thought shot through Dad’s mind, but he pushed it aside. He had to be positive. He had to be brave. Not just for his wife, but also for the kids.

  “What’s that?” he asked.

  “Where?”

  “Just ahead, up on the ridge?”

  They squinted into the dark. Maybe it was the Jeep, maybe it wasn’t. There was only one way to find out.

  “Let’s go!” Dad shouted. “Up on the ridge?”

  They squinted into the dark. Maybe it was the Jeep, maybe it wasn’t. There was only one way to find out.

  “Let’s go!” Dad shouted.

  The raced up the hill, fighting through the brush and branches. Mom stumbled once, then again, nearly falling. But Dad was there to pull her to her feet.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  She nodded, but had to stop to catch her breath. So did Dad. They leaned over, their hands on their knees, breathing in the cold, sharp air. In the distance, the barking grew louder, closer.

  He turned to her. “You ready?”

  Still breathing too hard to answer, she nodded.

  He grabbed her hand and they started back up the hill. In less than a minute they reached the top. But to their dismay there was no Jeep. Instead, they discovered a rusted-out camping trailer. “Michael,” his wife cried, “what do we do?”

  “I don’t know. The man said it was just up — ”

  “Look!” She pointed to a dirty window of the camper. Through the dirt, in clear sharp lines, someone had drawn an arrow pointing to the right.

  Dad followed it and — “There it is!” he shouted. He pointed to the Jeep parked less than fifty yards away. “Let’s go!”

  They sucked in another breath and resumed running.

  “Are you ready?” Willard asked.

  Cody stared at the phone booth. He wanted to nod, but he’d never been a big fan of suicide.

  “I’ll take that as a yes.” Willard opened the door.

  Reluctantly, Cody stepped in and Willard followed.

  Suddenly, Cody’s face was smooched up against the glass. Things had gotten very tight … and it wasn’t the teleporter’s fault.

  “Willard?”

  “Yeah, Cody?”

  “Maybe you better cut down on those cookies and chips.”

  “Wouldn’t hurt,” Willard agreed. With some effort he was able to move his hand up to the keyboard. With greater effort he raised the hand holding Piper’s email. “Okay, stand by.”

  “Willard?”

  “Yeah, Cody?”

  “If we die, you’re going to live to regret it.”

  “Are you okay?” Zach whispered.

  “Yeah,” Ashley said. She was tied in a chair back-to-back with Zach. “I’m so sorry I got you into this.”

  He wasn’t sure, but it sounded like she was crying again. “It’s not your fault,” he said. “You didn’t know — ”

  “Silence!” Jason ordered.

  “What are you going to do with us?” Zach demanded.

  “It’s not you I’m interested in.”

  Zach felt another cold chill. “Who … who else is there?”

  Jason’s lips curled into a menacing grin. “I think we both know. And if my spirit guide is correct, he should be here any — ”

  There was a knock on the door.

  Jason’s grin grew bigger.

  More knocking. “Zach?” Piper’s voice called. “Zach, you in there?”

  Zach’s heart sank as Jason signaled for Big Red to open the door.

  “What’s wrong?” Cody shouted from inside the phone booth. “Nothing’s happening!”

  “I’ll need to boost the power!”

  “What?!”

  “We’re bigger than hamsters and parakeets. Hang on.” Willard punched more numbers into the keyboard. “There that should do it. Hang on!”

  Cody waited.

  He waited some more.

  Nothing.

  More of nothing.

  “Say, Willard?”

  “Yeah, yeah, I k
now, I know.” Willard opened the door and stepped out.

  Cody sighed. It felt good to breathe again. “What are you doing?” he called.

  “I’m going to grab an extension cord and plug us into another outlet. Don’t worry, it’ll only take a minute.”

  “Take your time,” Cody said. “Take all the time you want.”

  “Zach!” Piper spotted her brother and raced into the room.

  “Piper, no! It’s a trap! They want — ”

  The door slammed shut, and Piper spun around to see X-Ray and Big Red behind her. She reached out for Elijah’s hand, but for some reason the little guy seemed unafraid. In fact, was it her imagination, or had he started to hum?

  “Shut that kid up!”

  Piper twirled around to see a skinny man with long black hair and tattoos. Immediately she knew it was Jason.

  X-Ray and Big Red started for Elijah. She stepped between them, but Big Red threw her to the side like a rag doll.

  “Leave her alone!” Zach shouted.

  “Bring the boy to me,” Jason ordered.

  X-Ray bent down to Elijah. The boy looked up at him and hummed even louder.

  “I said, shut that kid — ”

  Suddenly, the door fl ew open, slamming into Big Red’s head, knocking him across the room.

  And there, standing in the doorway, were Monica and her two goons.

  “It’s him!” Monica pointed at Elijah. “Grab the child!”

  Bruno and Silas entered, and Bruno scooped Elijah under his arm.

  “What are you doing?!” Jason shouted.

  “We’re, uh, grabbing the boy,” Bruno explained.

  “You can’t do that!” Jason yelled.

  Bruno looked at Elijah who was still smiling and humming. “We can’t?”

  “We’re on the same side, you twit. We both work for Shadow Man.”

  Monica frowned and then reached for her cell phone.

  “What are you doing?” Silas asked.

  “I’m checking with the boss.”

  Suddenly, Jason let out a bloodcurdling scream.

  Everyone froze.

  “Oaff !” Jason doubled over like he’d been punched in the gut. He tried to stand, but the same invisible force hit him again, even harder. He dropped to his knees, coughing.

  The group traded fearful looks as he struggled to rise.

  He made it back to his feet and stumbled to the closest chair where he collapsed. By now he was gasping and choking like he couldn’t breathe.

  “Please …” he cried. “Please, no, I — ” It was as if he was fighting some unknown force. And then, suddenly, he went limp.

  Everything grew quiet. Deathly quiet.

  Then, ever so slowly, Jason raised his head. Though his eyes were shut, his mouth had twisted into a strange, creepy smile. He began to speak. But, of course, it wasn’t his voice. “Well done, my friendsss.”

  Silas turned back to Monica. “You won’t be needing to check with the boss.”

  “Why’s that?” she asked.

  “He’s already here.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Showdown

  Piper stared at Jason as the voice continued to speak. “Make hassste! Bring the child to my compound.”

  Monica took a half step toward Elijah. “Yes, sir!” She threw a glance to Zach and Piper. “What about the brother and sister?”

  “My ordersss are the sssame.”

  “Sir?”

  “Dissspossse of them!”

  Unsure what to do, Piper bowed her head and began to silently pray. Dear God, help us. Please protect us from —

  “Ssstop her!” the voice hissed.

  “Her?” Monica asked. “Her who?”

  “HER!”

  Piper opened her eyes and stiffened. Jason was glaring directly at her. Actually, more like through her. She’d never felt such hatred. For a moment it made her forget what she was doing … until she saw Zach. He had bowed his head and was also praying.

  “Ssstop him!” the voice shouted.

  Monica searched the room, trying to understand who Jason was talking about now.

  But Piper knew. Encouraged by her brother, she bowed her head and continued praying — only this time, out loud. “Dear Lord. Protect us. Please help us to — ”

  “Ssstop!!”

  Hearing Piper, Zach also began praying out loud. “Yes, Lord, help us. Jesus, we ask that — ”

  At the sound of Jesus’ name, Jason’s head flew back like he’d been hit. “AUGHHH!”

  Both Piper and Zach looked up.

  “Foolsss!” the voice shouted. “You dare challenge my power!?”

  The table beside him started to shake. The brother and sister watched, speechless, as the table slowly lifted off the ground — an inch, then six inches, then an entire foot.

  Piper’s heart thumped in her chest. She was so frightened she forgot to pray.

  Next, the glass ashtray lifted off the table. It hovered a moment, and then fl ew across the room, smashing into the wall directly behind her. Piper screamed. Come to think of it, one or two of the bad guys did too.

  But the show wasn’t over.

  Jason began to laugh — softly at first, then louder and louder. As he did, doors around the house began opening and slamming. A mysterious wind came out of nowhere and, ever so slowly, Jason’s chair lifted off the ground. His laugh turned into a mocking cackle as he raised his right hand and stretched it out towards Elijah.

  Piper watched in horror as a swirling red glow appeared in Jason’s palm. It grew brighter and brighter. Slowly it lifted off his hand and floated across the room toward Elijah. Piper wanted to scream, to yell at her brother to run. But she was so frightened no words would come.

  The orb of light stopped just inches from Elijah’s forehead. But, instead of fear, Elijah looked at it with fascination. It began to move around to the back of his head, then to the front again, circling him. Then again, faster. And again, even faster. And faster … and faster.

  But Elijah showed little concern. Instead, he started humming again. This time Piper recognized the song. It was an old-fashioned hymn.

  “Ssstop …”

  A smile spread across Elijah’s face. Slowly, he lifted his arms. He closed his eyes, tilted back his head, and to Piper’s astonishment, the little guy began to sing.

  “SSSTOP THAT!” the voice shouted.

  Piper didn’t understand the words to the hymn. They were foreign, like Latin or something. But she sure understood the impact they were having on Jason. He began squirming, tossing his head back and forth.

  “SSSSTOP THAT SSSSINGING!!”

  But Elijah didn’t stop. Instead, he sang even louder. He was so happy that his face practically glowed. The red light that circled him faded, and then disappeared altogether.

  “SSSSTOOOOPPP!”

  Still grinning, still singing, Elijah finally turned to face Jason.

  Instantly, Jason’s chair crashed to the ground, shattering underneath him. The man cried out, but Elijah wasn’t finished. He started walking toward him — still singing, still grinning.

  “GET AWAY!” Jason scrambled to his knees. “GET AWAY FROM ME!”

  Elijah stretched a hand toward him.

  Jason scampered on his hands and knees to the far wall. “SSSSTOP HIM!”

  But Elijah didn’t stop

  “SSSSTAY BACK!”

  Elijah continued forward as Jason pressed against the wall, cowering. “SSSSTAY AWAY FROM ME!”

  At last, the boy reached Jason. Elijah was still grinning, but singing softer now.

  “SSSTAY BACK!”

  Slowly, Elijah reached down to the man.

  “SSSSTOP! DON’T TOUCH ME!”

  But Elijah did touch him. And Jason screamed as though he’d been burned. “SSSSTOP IT! SSSSTOP IT! Ssssstooo …” Jason collapsed onto the floor unconscious.

  Elijah quit singing and looked down at the man with a sad sort of smile.

  Everyone stared in abso
lute silence.

  Well, almost everyone.

  “Get him!” Monica shouted at her two goons.

  But Silas and Bruno simply stared at her and blinked.

  “I said get him!”

  More blinking.

  “Get him! Get him! Get — ”

  Elijah waved a hand in her direction, and she stopped shouting. It’s hard to shout when you’ve fallen to the floor, unconscious.

  “Hey!” Bruno cried in alarm. “What have you done to my Monica?” He started toward Elijah until the kid gave another wave and another body hit the floor.

  Finally, he turned to Silas.

  The man raised his hands. “Listen, I don’t want no trouble.” He started backing up. “Just let me go our way and — ”

  Elijah gave one last wave and one last goon hit the deck.

  And Jason’s guys? They were busy falling over each other while running out of the room as fast as their feet could carry them.

  Mom and Dad scrambled up the ridge toward the Jeep.

  The dogs sounded closer. A lot closer.

  They arrived and flung open the doors, causing the car alarm to chime.

  “The keys are still there!” Mom cried.

  “Thank you, Lord,” Dad said as he scooted behind the wheel. “Thank you.”

  Ashley, Piper, Zach, and Elijah raced down the porch steps and toward the diner.

  “Hurry!” Zach yelled. “Before they wake up!”

  “What went on back there?” Ashley shouted. “Does he do that often?”

  Piper glanced to Elijah and shook her head. “Never. But with him it’s always a surprise.”

  “Talk about power.”

  “It’s not his,” Zach explained. “As far as we can tell, it all comes from — ”

  “I know, I know,” Ashley interrupted, “God, right?”

  “He’s got more power than a million of those goofballs,” Zach said. He looked at her and added, “And more love. Way more.”

  Piper threw a look to Ashley. She was nodding and thinking. Definitely thinking.

  They reached the parking lot and the RV. Zach yanked open the door and was the first to enter when suddenly there was a blinding fl ash inside.

  “What happened?” Piper shouted.

  “It’s your laptop!” Zach yelled.

  “My laptop?”

  “Well, not really your laptop. More like what came out of it.”