On the road to Wadi Rum | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: On the road to Wadi Rum | Previous Challenge Entry
By Graham Keet
07/11/15
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The old bus clattered its way along the road between the port of Aqaba and Wadi Rum in Jordan, its ten American passengers wishing that the promised air-conditioning were more effective.

About five miles outside Aqaba the bus suddenly ground to a halt to allow a small, hunched up figure that had been waiting at the roadside, to climb aboard. The passengers, who were under the impression that it was a private bus, looked at each other, expecting some explanation from Hussein, their driver; but none was forthcoming.

Red Chevers, a large Texan who had been loud and aggressive the whole tour, shook his head, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and took out the English newspaper he had bought before boarding. He looked at the headline, then let out a loud oath. “Can you believe it? This idiot, Count Von Meinhof - who calls himself the leader of the new Roman Empire, has now set up a twenty-meter statue of himself on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Doesn’t he realize this is 2038 and not 1738? People just don’t ‘do’ statues anymore.”

The other passengers ignored his comment, but the little newcomer turned around in his seat, a smile creasing a face that would otherwise be most unattractive – small slit-eyes, ears like wingnuts, and a large protruding nose, all framed by an entanglement of dark brown hair that hung in an unruly mop over his forehead. “He may be an idiot, but all of Europe acclaims him as their savior because of his financial system that he claims has saved the world from economic ruin. What do you say about that, Mr. Chevers?”

“Yeah, well the US hasn’t bought into that bunkum yet; and never will,” Chevers scowled, “but how do you know my name, you been checking up on me?” Before the little newcomer could answer, the bus suddenly ground to a halt. Peering ahead the passengers were startled to see six men in battle fatigues, brandishing automatic weapons, blocking the road. A bearded man climbed the stairs and stood surveying the passengers. “Well, what have we here, a bunch of fat, rich Americans with lots of dollars?” His voice was rough and the accent decidedly Arabic. “Let’s have all your money, rings, watches and whatever else in this bag here. I’m giving you two minutes.”

“You go to hell, you filthy scumbag, get off here and go and f …” The shot caught Chevers between the eyes, the force knocking him over the backrest of the seat behind him. “Anyone else?” their captor waved the rifle over the rest of the passengers, and made his way down the aisle collecting the goods.

“It was Mr. Chevers’ time to die, but that’s where it ends.” The voice came from behind the thug, who swung around, his automatic rifle at the ready. The little man was standing behind him, holding out his hand. “Give me your rifle, then go and collect all the guns and ammo from your friends outside – and I may see past this indiscretion of yours.” Then he repeated what he had said in Arabic. At first the hijacker was dumbfounded, then he jabbed his rifle into the small man’s chest. In the next instant the little man grabbed the barrel, twisted the rifle out of the assailant’s grasp, and seizing the Arab by the front of his tunic, he hurled him out the door of the bus. Then standing at the top of the bus’ steps, he spoke loudly in Arabic to the men outside. A look of terror crossed their faces, and as one, they flung down their weapons, turned and fled into the desert as though chased by demons.

The small man turned, and lifted the hair that was hanging over his forehead, to reveal what looked like a tattoo. “Don’t be afraid, this is the mark given to the hundred and forty four thousand, spoken of in the Book of Revelation, who will assist mankind during these end days. When Von Meinhof erected that statue of himself on the Temple Mount, the Great Tribulation began. The world as you know it has three and a half years left before the Lamb returns. This inscription on my forehead is the name of the Lamb and of his Father. Seek them, draw close, and you will be saved.”

He turned and descended the stairs. The passengers clamored to the windows to see what he would do next, but he was no longer there.

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