Through the Flames by Tim Lahaye, Jerry B. Jenkins Read Free Book Online Page A

fill of the death and maiming of their most promising citizens in the prime of their youth.
    “From lands distant and near they have come: from Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria. . . .” He continued, his voice rising and falling dramatically with the careful pronunciation of the name of each member country of the United Nations. Judd heard a passion in his voice, a love for these countries and the ideals of the UN. Carpathia was clearly moved as he plunged on, listing country by country in alphabetical order by memory.
    Judd noticed the other three kids were as riveted by this as he was. At the UN, people began standing and clapping with the mention of each new country name. More than five minutes into the recitation, Carpathia had not missed a beat. He had never once hesitated, stammered, or mispronounced a syllable. When he got to the U’s and came to “The United States of America,” Judd applauded, Vicki smacked her hands together once, Lionel raised a fist, and Ryan said, “Yes!”
    By the end of his list of nearly two hundred nations, Nicolae Carpathia was at an emotional, fevered pitch. Delegates and even the press stood and cheered. The tape ended and TV viewers were switched back to CNN news where the anchorman sat shaking his head in amazement. “Talk about a man taking a city by storm,” he said. “They’re already calling him Saint Nick, and he’s the toast of New York.”
    “The Antichrist, whoever he is, will have to face this guy sometime,” Vicki said. “I’d like to see that.”
    “Me too,” Judd said. “Wonder how he missed the Rapture. He sure seems like a Christian.”
    “I never cared about politics before,” Lionel said. “But this man is something else. Just hearing him makes me want to find my uncle, and right now.”
    “I’ll help,” Ryan said.
    “We all will,” Judd said.

FIVE
Finding André
    L IONEL Washington didn’t really want everyone else’s help, and he told them that. “Talia is André’s old fiancée. I didn’t know they were back together, but if they are, maybe she’ll tell me something.”
    â€œYou don’t want us to go with you?” Judd asked. “I could drive you.”
    â€œI’m going to ride my bike. You guys don’t need to get in trouble with these people.”
    â€œWhy don’t you go during the day?” Vicki said.
    â€œYeah,” Judd said. “It’s dark. How do we know when to come looking for you?”
    â€œI’ll be fine.”
    â€œDon’t even say that,” Vicki said. “You heard what almost happened to Ryan.”
    â€œIf we don’t hear from you by eleven,” Judd said, “we’ll come after you.”
    â€œI have no idea where I’ll be. André’s not going to be at my house.”
    â€œWhat are we supposed to do if we don’t hear from you?”
    â€œI’ll be fine, all right?”
    â€œNo,” Judd said. “We agreed to look out for each other. We’re going to have to follow you, that’s all.”
    â€œI don’t like this,” Lionel said.
    â€œYou won’t even see us,” Judd said. “We’ll worry about you, but you won’t have to worry about us. Now get going.”
    Lionel jogged out to his bike and rode directly home. Judd had been right. Lionel was not aware of Judd following him. He was still certain he would be safe, but it did make him feel better to know that the others cared about him.
    Lights were on, but no cars were in the driveway. Who was there? Lionel stepped to the door and raised his hand to knock, suddenly realizing how silly that was. This is my own house, he thought. He walked in and went straight upstairs to his room. He heard quick footsteps from a back room downstairs. They came across the hardwood floors in the living room, into the dining room, and up the stairs.
    â€œLeRoy?” Talia called out. “I didn’t see you guys pull in.”
    Lionel