Hunted by Jerry B. Jenkins Read Free Book Online Page A

independently and struggled to improve the world.”
    â€œWhat happens after you die?” Sam said.
    â€œNothing. It’s over. You get one chance to make a difference and that’s it.”
    â€œWith everything going on in the world, and with Nicolae executing people without his mark,” Mr. Stein said, “does it not make you consider placing your faith in the true God?”
    â€œI have faith in myself that I can improve the world. Outside of that, I have no use for faith.”
    The door opened and a man who looked slightly younger than Joel came in, breathless. “It’s about to start.”
    Joel introduced his brother, and Aron shook hands with Mr. Stein and Sam. Sam studied his face and hand and didn’t see any sign of Carpathia’s mark. Mr. Stein repeated the information about his parents, but Joel stopped him. “I want to see how they begin this. Go in the next room.”
    The window of the shabby apartment faced the stage. Joel grabbed binoculars and watched the introduction of guests as Sam and Mr. Stein went into the bedroom with Aron.
    Aron paced as Mr. Stein and Sam sat. “My parents are all right?” he said.
    Sam nodded. “Why haven’t you answered them?”
    â€œThings have been happening. I came to live with my brother here in Tel Aviv shortly after the Global Community went after those people in the desert. We have tried to exist since then, but my brother, he is not well… .”
    â€œAre you open to hearing the truth we have discovered?” Mr. Stein said.
    â€œPerhaps,” Aron said. He turned and leaned against the wall. “Ever since Joel took the mark, he has regretted the decision.”
    Mr. Stein stood. “He took the mark of Carpathia?”
    â€œYes, though he didn’t worship the image.”
    â€œListen to me carefully,” Mr. Stein said. “Your soul is at stake. Your brother has made a decision he will regret for eternity. Why haven’t you taken the mark?”
    â€œI was hungry. You need it to buy anything. But something seemed wrong about it—not just taking an identification number, but actually identifying yourself with Carpathia.”
    â€œYou were right not to take it. Now let me tell you why.”
    Mr. Stein began with an overview of how sin began in the perfect world God had created. The evil one tempted humans, and they chose against God’s way. “Throughout the Bible, Satan has opposed God. Now, in these last days, Satan is trying to destroy, just like he has always done. Nicolae Carpathia is the ultimate evil and will stop at nothing to thwart God’s plan for good.”
    â€œWhat is that plan?” Aron said.
    â€œTo save people from their sins. God sent his own Son to die as a sacrifice for you and me. If we put our trust in Jesus, the Messiah, and ask him to forgive us from our sins, God will do that. Those who were taken in the disappearances, like your sister, Meira, were ones who believed the truth about Jesus. But there is still time to choose—”
    â€œCome and see this,” Joel yelled from the next room. “Hurry!”
    Sam rushed to the front window and squinted. In the distance a huge monitor showed two men wielding swords that were as long as Sam was tall. The fight seemed staged, but the sound of the steel blades striking each other was real. Finally, one of the men ducked and made a move to his left, avoiding the razor-sharp blade by inches, and struck a blow to the other man’s right arm. The crowd gasped as the first man staggered, his severed arm dropping to the stage with a sickening thud.
    Blood gushed from the wound, and people near the stage fell back, screaming. The injured man’s sword fell, and he slipped to his knees, trying to stop the fatal flow of blood. His opponent held up his sword with both hands and the crowd cheered, encouraging him to finish the injured man.
    â€œIt’s like watching the Roman