Hunted by Jerry B. Jenkins Read Free Book Online

few minutes.”
    Sam was shocked at the difference between the safety he felt in Petra and the evil he sensed in Tel Aviv. The few people they saw in darkened alleys and walkways moved with heads down, fear etched on their faces.
    When they reached the meeting place, a public park, Sam and Mr. Stein waited until the correct time and gingerly moved into the open. A block away a stage had been set up with lasers flashing and music blaring. Sam guessed that Aron Ben-Eliezar had picked this place because of the crowds. It would be easier to blend in with thousands than to meet in a private place.
    Mr. Stein motioned toward a small fountain, and they sat on a bench, studying the growing mob swarming toward the stage. In the distance, young people whooped and hollered, chanting Carpathia’s name and falling in front of a statue suspended above the crowd.
    â€œAron should be here by now,” Sam whispered.
    Something beeped to Sam’s right, and he noticed a small mound covered by leaves and grass. Sam shoved the debris away and found a walkie-talkie on the ground.
    â€œOkay, pick up the radio and move to your right,” a scratchy voice said.
    Sam picked up the walkie-talkie and walked toward the street with Mr. Stein. Hundreds made their way toward the stage, and Sam pulled his hat low and tried not to make eye contact with anyone.
    â€œStop there,” the voice said when they reached the edge of the sidewalk. “Look up.”
    Sam tilted his head and saw a curtain flutter on the third floor of the building in front of them. “Go to the back entrance and take the stairs. Don’t let anyone see you come in.”
    Sam and Mr. Stein followed the directions. The stairwell had a huge crack in the wall, and plaster was falling onto the steps. When they entered a hallway, a door opened at the other end. Mr. Stein whispered a prayer as they walked toward the open door. Once inside, the door closed and a thin man with a beard stepped forward. He had a bandage on his forehead, but there was no mark of Carpathia on his right hand.
    Sam introduced himself and Mr. Stein, and the man stared at them. “I didn’t know you were a kid.” The man looked at Mr. Stein. “You really know my parents are safe in Petra?”
    â€œRabbi Ben-Eliezar accompanied us to Masada before going on to Petra,” Mr. Stein said. “We have not told them we made contact with you. Are you Aron or Joel?”
    â€œJoel.”
    â€œWhere is your brother?”
    Joel moved to the front window and opened the curtain a few inches. “Don’t worry about him. Tell me about my parents.”
    Mr. Stein told him how he had met the Ben-Eliezars, their concern about their sons, and how they had tried repeatedly to contact them. Joel bit his lip as he listened, his eyes turning to the window.
    When Mr. Stein carefully described how they had believed in the message about Jesus, Joel shook his head. “That is the part I can’t accept.”
    â€œIt is true. It is why we have come all this way at such personal risk. We want to tell you the truth about God.”
    Joel rolled his eyes. “I have no need to believe in God. There is a scientific explanation for all the questions we have.”
    â€œEven with everything that’s happened?” Sam said. “The disappearances, the earthquake, the—”
    â€œPeople believe in God because they’ve been told to. They have an emotional attachment to their faith because it helps them get through. It helps them deal with their pain. I rely on myself and hard work. If a crisis comes, like an earthquake or another natural disaster, I try harder.”
    â€œAnd what if all your efforts are striving after wind?” Mr. Stein said. “What if you come to the end and find you cannot try harder?”
    Joel glared at Mr. Stein. “The only comfort we have in life is to know we have done something worthwhile. We’ve tried to think