Shaken Read Online Free PDF Page B

you.”
    â€œI want to talk to Vicki. I trust her, and I don’t want to do something simply because I’m scared of dying.”
    â€œI understand. The problem is, we have no idea where she is. We haven’t been able to reach her.”
    â€œI’ll wait.”
    Darrion yelled that Carpathia was about to speak. Mark and Melinda sat just as the potentate was being announced. Carpathia looked into the camera and did his best to calm viewers.
    â€œI want to assure you that this situation will soon be under control,” Carpathia said. “We are working around the clock and using every resource to stop the fires and smoke. Meanwhile, I ask citizens of the Global Community to report suspicious activity, particularly anyone who is making or transporting toxic chemicals. Sadly, we have reason to believe that religious rebels may be behind this massacre of innocent lives. We have extended every courtesy to these people, and this is how they react.”
    Carpathia bit his lip. “Though they cross us at every turn, we have defended their right to dissent. Yet they continue to see the Global Community as an enemy. They feel they have a right to maintain an intolerant, close-minded cult that excludes anyone who disagrees with them.
    â€œYou have the right to live healthy, peaceful, and free. While I remain against war, I pledge to rid the world of this cult, beginning with the Jerusalem Twosome, who even now express no remorse about the widespread loss of life that has resulted from this attack.”
    â€œWho’s he talking about?” Melinda said.
    â€œJerusalem Twosome must be his new nickname for the two prophets, Eli and Moishe,” Mark said.
    Carpathia pushed a button, and a video of Eli and Moishe appeared. They were speaking in unison near the Wailing Wall. Words flashed across the screen underneath the video clip.
    â€œWoe to the enemies of the most high God!” they said. “Woe to the cowards who shake their fist at their creator and are now forced to flee his wrath! We beseech you, snakes and vipers, to see even this plague as more than judgment! Yea, it is yet another attempt to reach you by a loving God who has run out of patience. There is no more time to woo you. You must hearken to his call, see that it is he who loves you. Turn to the God of your fathers while there is still time. For the day will come when time shall be no more!”
    Carpathia turned off the video and smiled. “The day will come, my friends, when these two shall no longer spread their venom. They shall no longer turn water to blood, hold back rain from the clouds, send plagues to the Holy Land and the rest of the globe. I upheld my end of the bargain negotiated with them months ago, allowing certain rebels to go unpunished. Now this is how we are repaid for our generosity.
    â€œBut the gift train stops here, loyal citizens. Your patience and steadfastness shall be repaid. The day will yet come when we will live as one world, one faith, one family of man.”
    â€œYeah, one big happy family,” Darrion said. “What a loser.”
    Carpathia continued. “We shall live in a utopia of peace and harmony with no more war, no more bloodshed, no more death. In the meantime, please accept my deepest personal condolences over the loss of your loved ones. They shall not have died in vain. Continue to trust in the ideals of the Global Community, in the tenets of peace, and in the genius of an all-inclusive universal faith that welcomes the devout of any religion.
    â€œJust four months from now we shall celebrate in the very city where the preachers now taunt and warn us. We shall applaud their demise and revel in a future without plague and disease and suffering and death. Keep the faith, and look forward to that day. And until I address you again, thank you for your loyal support of the Global Community.”
    â€œWhat does that mean?” Melinda said.
    â€œTsion has taught us