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a piece of paper. “We’re going to join live coverage from the international headquarters of Global Community Network News.”
    The feed switched to a newscast already in progress. The anchor was better dressed than the local reporter but equally baffled at the unfolding events. “Emergency medical professionals are at a loss, frantic to determine the cause. Here’s the head of the Global Community Emergency Management Association, Dr. Jurgen Haase.”
    Dr. Haase looked composed, almost too calm for the situation. He spoke slowly and with great poise. “If these deaths were isolated, we might say they were caused by a natural disaster, a rupture of some natural gas. But they seem random, and clearly the fumes are lethal. We urge citizens to use gas masks and work together to put out the fires.”
    The news anchor asked, “Which is more dangerous, the black smoke or the yellow?”
    Haase said, “First we believed the black smoke was coming from the fires, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. It can be deadly, but the yellow smoke smells of sulfur and has the power to kill instantly.”
    â€œHas the Global Community considered the possibility of terrorist action?”
    â€œIt’s very early,” Haase said. “We’ve ruled nothing out. We do know there is a group of religious zealots who would love to create more suffering, but I won’t speculate on that. To be honest, we simply don’t know what we’re dealing with.”
    â€œGreat,” Darrion said. “Now we’re being accused of germ warfare.”
    The reporter put a hand to his ear, then read from a bulletin. “This just in. While there are pockets in which no fire or smoke or sulfur has been reported, in other areas the death count is staggering, now estimated in the millions. His Excellency, Global Community Potentate Nicolae Carpathia, will address the world via radio and television and the Internet inside this half hour.”
    â€œWhat do you think Carpathia will say?” Lenore said. Mark shook his head. “He’ll find a way to look good. He’ll probably get more people to worship him because of this.”
    The report switched to a feed from Jerusalem. Smoke rose from the old city, and fires were everywhere. Another report came from New Babylon, where Nicolae Carpathia was about to speak. People lay motionless in the street. Once sparkling buildings were shrouded in black and yellow clouds. Fire and smoke appeared on every continent, in every major city, but no one knew how it was happening. People throughout the world panicked. Airplanes filled with passengers plunged from the sky after choking pilots radioed their Maydays.
    â€œThey even have power to affect airplanes?” Charlie said.
    Melinda walked in, rubbing her eyes. “What’s going on?”
    Lenore stood and let the girl have her seat. “The next judgment is here. Nicolae’s about to put his spin on it.”
    â€œHow do you know this is from God?” Melinda said.
    Lenore showed her the passage in Revelation. Melinda read it and glanced at the television. “If this is supposed to be caused by horses, how come they haven’t shown any?”
    Mark said, “My guess is they’re not visible. But believe me, they’re real. And we don’t know how long they’ll be here. You could be in danger.”
    â€œJust me? Why wouldn’t you guys be worried?”
    Darrion turned down the volume. “When things like this happen, those who believe in Jesus are immune. The locusts didn’t sting believers, just unbelievers. It’s the same with this.”
    Melinda seemed in a daze. She stood and walked up the stairs to the balcony. Mark followed. The moon was bright, but there was no sign of horses and riders.
    â€œYou’ve heard the message every way we can think of telling you,” Mark said. “We’ve all been praying for