.three.
Natalie opened her eyes as the morning light began to peek in through the blinds of the miniature windows surrounding them. She turned to see Taylor peacefully sleeping beside her, his mouth half-open and one hand resting on his chest. She couldn’t help but smile. He was so handsome to look at it almost hurt, and that beautiful package was all hers.
Carefully, Natalie brushed a blonde strand of hair from his face and kissed his cheek. She felt so lucky to have him as a husband. He was smart, talented, good looking and the best lover she had ever experienced in her life. Just the thought of them remotely naked together was enough to send an exciting shiver down her spine.
She could suddenly feel the urge to pounce on him building in between her thighs and began to kiss his chest and neck.
“Mmm,” Taylor mumbled only half-awake. “Good morning to you too.”
“Do you like that?” Natalie whispered seductively into his ear.
Taylor rubbed the sleep from his eyes and pulled her closer to kiss her eager lips.
“What time is it?” he asked in between kisses.
Natalie climbed on top of him straddling his waist. “Who cares?”
Grinning, Taylor picked up his cell phone. “Oh man, it’s 8 o’clock! We have to tell the driver to make a pit stop. It’s Sunday, Nat.”
Natalie frowned knowing how important Taylor’s faith was to him and she too wanted to participate in the weekly tradition, but at that moment there was only one thing she wanted to partake in. Of course, she lost the battle and was forced to give up her position on top of her hot husband.
Watching longingly as Taylor’s half naked body stood up to put on some clothes, Natalie pulled out a cigarette and lit it. She was definitely going to have to take a cold shower.
Taylor walked towards the front of the bus and informed the bus driver of the plans. He got on his GPS tracking device and found a Christian church about 20 miles ahead. Plenty of time for everyone to get ready and make the 9 o’clock mass.
Turning back around to head towards the tiny bathroom, Taylor noticed Zac sleeping on the long bench-like seat. A book lay on his stomach and a pillow covering his eyes. He shook his younger brother awake.
“Dude, time to wake up if you want to go to church with us,” Taylor said softly.
Zac yawned tiredly and sat up. He stared at the ground as all of yesterdays happenings came flooding back to his memory. He was speechless and exhausted.
After witnessing the waterfall of stars and the eclipse last night he had searched the internet for other encounters and previously similar incidences. The only cases he found were those reported in the bible which made him even more curious. Finally, about 4 AM he passed out with his John Grisham novel deciding just to dismiss the whole thing.
Zac heard the shower start up and groaned knowing that he would have to wait his turn. Then, there was a heavy coughing coming from Kate’s bunk. Worriedly, Zac got up, walking over to where Kate slept, he hesitantly opened the curtain. She was facing away from him, but he could tell by her exposed skin that something was wrong.
Droplets of sweat poured off her as if she had just been out in the rain. He could see her muscles tense and spasm causing her limbs to jerk even though she was completely asleep.
“Kate,” Zac said putting a hand on her back. Her skin was still flaming, but now it held a pasty white and purple tint as well. This was not good. “Kate.”
“Hmmm?” she responded slowly turning over towards him.
Immediately, Zac knew that she was sick too. Kate’s eyes were encircled with dark bags and her dry, cracked lips were almost a maroon color. Her dark brown hair clung to the side of her clammy face. When she looked at him, tears were forming but they weren’t intentional. Her fever must’ve risen.
“You look awful,” he told her touching her forehead with his palm. “You definitely have a fever.”
Zac stood there recalling the features of the sickly brunette before she vomited all over his girlfriend. They looked similar now. That’s it. Because that girl had puked on Kate, she is now infected with some sort of virus or flu bug.
Swallowing hard, Zac came to the horrifying realization that there was a chance that Kate could end up with the same fate.
“I think I’m sick,” Kate told him stating the obvious. “That fucking bitch gave me whatever she had! I feel like hell, Zac! What am I going to do?”
“Go to a doctor,” he replied holding her hand. “We’re stopping soon to go to church. After mass I will find the nearest hospital and take you there, ok?”
“Ok,” Kate agreed rolling back over. “Come get me when it’s time to go.”
Zac nodded and shut her curtain. He then informed everyone of Kate’s condition. The group was somewhat shocked by the news. By this time it was going on a quarter till 9.
“Let’s go to church,” Taylor said leading the pack out of the bus. “If she has what that girl had then we’ll need God’s help now more than ever.”
Smiling, Zac had to admire Taylor’s devotion to God, but at times like these it was kind of humorous how serious he took it.
Walking up to the small white building, Isaac noticed the weird color of the sky. He sheltered his eyes from the sun and glanced upward.
“Hey guys,” he pointed as they followed other churchgoers to the front doors. “Look.”
To Zac’s utter disbelief, his mouth dropped open as he saw yet another eclipse in the sky.
“Zac? You okay?” Isaac asked him noticing the pale expression on his brother’s face.
Zac explained what he saw last night while they were driving. Taylor and Natalie had already walked in past them.
“Are you serious?” Isaac replied his face still expressionless.
“Yup,” Zac nodded. “I watched it for an hour and then I looked it up on the internet. Nothing like this has happened since the days of the Old Testament. Something weird is going on.”
“The only time I’ve ever read anything about that type of stuff is in one of my comics,” he told him.
Isaac had an unbelievable collection of comic books from when they were kids. The collection would make any Sci-fi, superhero fan boy cream in their pants. Knowing Isaac though, you wouldn’t think he was into such a childish hobby. It was his dirty, little secret from the rest of the world.
“Let’s go. We’ll investigate it more later.”
Together the boys went in and mass began.
The preacher started with a reading from the book of Luke.
Zac’s brain was spinning. All he could think about was the sick girl who passed along her infection to his girlfriend and the weird astronomical occurrences. His heart raced with anticipation just wanting to get Kate to the hospital. After making sure she was okay, he would continue his search on the stars and the eclipse. They had to mean something, but what?
When he could finally pay attention to the man in the black robe up front he was almost finished with the passage.
“.. . . and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven!” the preacher shouted to the audience.
Isaac glanced over at him seeing if he caught the irony. Zac gulped hard as a feeling of dread filled his soul.