Read Shaken for Free Online Page B

picked up the prayer through his tears. “Oh, God, we were not worthy to have had her as a daughter. But we thank you for giving her to us. Now we give her back to you.”
    â€œIf she hadn’t found me, Lord,” Kasim said, “I’d still be in New Babylon. Forgive me for rejecting your message through her for so long.”
    Nada’s mother couldn’t speak. She shook her head and wept at the girl’s side. Judd squinted and tried to speak. Mr. Stein put a hand on his shoulder. Finally, Judd managed a few words. “God, she cared so much for her family. I thank you that I got to know her.” Judd paused, then said, “If I’d only.…”
    Jamal put a hand on Judd when he couldn’t continue. The man whispered, “It’s okay, my brother. It wasn’t your fault.”
    The jailer appeared behind Mr. Stein, walking like a drunk man. He approached the group staggering and coughing, clutching his throat. Mr. Stein turned and stood in time to catch him as the man collapsed.
    Jamal and Kasim brought the stretcher, but it was too late. The jailer had been overcome by the smoke of the horses.
    Jamal took Nada from Judd and carried her body outside. When Lionel saw them, his mouth dropped open. Judd told him briefly what had happened and asked about Sam.
    â€œOver there.” Lionel pointed.
    Sam sat on the sidewalk, cradling his father’s head. The herd of horses had moved on, leaving the street littered with bodies. Lionel put an arm around Judd. “I’m really sorry about Nada.”
    Judd nodded.
    â€œI’ve been trying to get Sam to move, but he won’t budge.”
    â€œI’ll talk with him.”
    Judd sat by Sam and put an arm around his shoulders. “I prayed for him every day,” Sam said. “I thought for sure he would believe …”
    After a few moments, Judd said, “I don’t have any more answers than you. I know God’s in control, but I sure don’t know how this all works together.”
    Mr. Stein said, “We should go.”
    â€œI can’t leave my father like this!”
    â€œThe surviving GC will be back to lock down the jail,”
    Kasim said.
    Judd held up a hand. “We’ll use the stretcher to carry his body.”
    Judd and Lionel carried Sam’s father on the stretcher, and Jamal and Kasim carried Nada. They walked through streets littered with the dead. Some buildings were on fire, but there was no one to put them out. The massacre got worse as they neared Yitzhak’s home. Those who hadn’t been killed ran into the streets, wailing and crying over the dead.
    Yitzhak contacted a funeral director about the bodies. “If you want a burial, you’ll have to do it yourself,” the man said. “The Global Community says they’re going to burn the bodies to reduce the risk of contamination.”
    While Nada’s mother prepared the bodies, Judd and Lionel found a pair of shovels in a utility building. The men took turns digging in the small backyard. Judd was numb. Each shovelful of dirt was a painful reminder that Nada no longer lived. When the holes were dug, everyone gathered outside.
    â€œWe have said our good-byes,” Mr. Stein said softly. “But I need to add something. The time is coming when the Antichrist will take full control of the world system. The judgments will get worse. Before us are two people— one who knew God and one who didn’t. One who showed the love of God, who gave her life so that we would be saved. May these two lives renew our resolve to live for God. We must let nothing stand in our way in telling others the truth. Even if it costs our lives.”
    â€œAmen,” Sam said.
    â€œAmen,” the others said.
    Sam grabbed a handful of dirt and tossed it on his father’s body. Each person did the same.
    Before Judd went into the house, Nada’s mother came to him and put something wrapped in cloth