4:00PM

Left Behind

Deep in my slumber, a loud scream suddenly woke me up. *Who’s that at this hour?* I thought.

I picked up my phone—4 PM. “I hope it’s a game like usual,” I muttered, “because if someone screamed for no reason and ruined my sleep, I’m going to beat them.”

I got out of bed slowly, eyes heavy and legs weak. I staggered toward the door, grabbing a cup of water on my way out.

Outside, the sun wasn’t too bright. Then my eyes caught my female neighbor, Joy, down on both knees, crying and begging for forgiveness while staring up at the sky. At first, I thought she was drunk again. I laughed softly—until my ears were suddenly assaulted by an unexpected loud explosion.

In my entire life, I had never heard such a violent sound. It was far louder, deeper, and scarier than thunder. The earth shook violently for a few seconds afterward.

I watched as the light from the sun began to dim slowly. *What is going on?* I thought. I pulled out my phone again. It was just a little after 4 PM. Why was the sun’s light suddenly getting weaker?

Fear slowly took hold of me. Goosebumps covered my body. As I raised my head to truly see what was happening, something soft dropped onto my face, carrying a faint scent of perfume. I pulled it off—it was a white shirt.

“Where did this come from?” I muttered. I looked up and saw thousands of clothes raining down from the sky.

It hit me deep within my soul. I instantly understood why Joy was on her knees pleading for mercy. But it was far too late for that now.

There was no more mercy for those of us left behind in this world. Survival was the only option for those who wished to live. It was now kill or be killed. The laws established by mortals no longer applied.

What followed wasn’t just destruction and chaos, but the bloodthirsty beings that had been living in the darkness since their fall from the heavens. Now that the Almighty and the hosts of heaven had taken their elect, the fallen and their armies would do whatever they wished to this planet.

“Joy!” I called out to my neighbor. “This isn’t the time to cry. Your prayers can no longer be heard or answered. Please get up, go inside, and gather what you need. We have to leave the city right away.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Chris,” she replied. “This exact spot is where my husband disappeared while we were talking and laughing together. If I remain here and keep praying, maybe I’ll be saved too.”

“You’re going to die if you don’t come with me, Joy.” I extended my hand again, but she slapped it away. With time running out, I had no choice but to leave her to her beliefs.

I ran back into the house, grabbed some clothes, the remaining foodstuffs, and filled four 25-litre gallons with water. I hung my torch at my waist, took my solar charger and phone, my machete, and my MP5 gun, which I strapped to my chest.

I carefully loaded everything into the back of my Hilux. Sliding into the driver’s seat, I twisted the key and the engine roared to life. I shifted into drive—then I heard it.

A strange sound, like a woman crying bitterly, but something about it felt deeply wrong. I left the car running and stepped out, prepared.

I c****d my gun and held it in my right hand, slowly following the sound. As I drew closer, my body screamed at me: *Run away! Run away!* Goosebumps spread across my skin, but I ignored the warnings and kept moving.

Suddenly, the air grew thick. I struggled to breathe, placing one hand on my chest and the other on my knee for support.

*What is going on?*

Just as those words crossed my mind, I saw it.

A massive hand—thirty times larger than mine—emerged, with claws as long as kitchen knives. Its skin looked far more horrifying than a burnt human body. I couldn’t move. Both legs felt glued to the ground. I was shaking uncontrollably.

*Run! Run! Run!* my mind screamed.

I tried, but my legs refused to obey. While I fought against my own body, its full form emerged from behind the wall.

*Blood of Jesus Christ,* I repeated the words over and over inside my head.

It held Joy in its left hand. She screamed for my help, but I could do nothing. Before I could even blink, the creature tore her into two pieces. Blood sprayed out like a running tap as her organs and intestines spilled onto the ground.

I stared in horror as the demon ate her while mimicking her cries and voice.

Rage fueled my entire body. I clenched my fists tightly.

It smiled at me the moment its eyes caught mine.

“Chris,” it chuckled softly. “Who would have thought you got left behind?”