Shaken Read Online Free

what they were going to do, but Mr. Stein merely shrugged.
    When they neared GC headquarters, Mr. Stein took them to a small café across the street. The four sat, and Mr. Stein ordered each of them something to drink. When the waiter left, Mr. Stein scratched his beard. “I have felt such a strong urge to be here, but I don’t know why.”
    â€œThis happened a lot on your trip, didn’t it?” Lionel said.
    Mr. Stein smiled. “There were many times when I didn’t know my next move, but I simply trusted God. This feels the same. I know God wants me to speak about him, but I have no idea how this could gain the release of your friends.”
    The kids studied the headquarters building. Sam said, “We don’t even know if they’re still—”
    Sam stopped as the front door to headquarters opened. Deputy Commander Woodruff and Sam’s father stepped outside. Woodruff was yelling at Mr. Goldberg.
    Mr. Stein turned. “I believe this is it. I have to go.”
    Judd stood, but Mr. Stein held up a hand. “Please. I have to go alone.”

    Vicki held Shelly in the backseat as Conrad drove back to the main road. Shelly shook violently, and Vicki couldn’t calm her.
    â€œI think we’re okay now,” Conrad said. “We’re leaving those guys behind.”
    â€œGood,” Vicki said. She pushed Shelly’s hair from her face. “See, you don’t have to worry about those guys.”
    â€œI-I-I’m not,” Shelly managed. “Th-th-that’s not what scared me.”
    â€œThen what on earth did?”
    â€œNot what on earth, but what was above it.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œYou didn’t see them? They were hovering over the water by the mountain. It was the most awful thing I’ve ever seen.” Shelly put her face in her hands.
    Vicki glanced at Conrad in the rearview mirror. He shrugged. Vicki turned to Shelly. “What scared you?”
    Shelly swallowed hard and closed her eyes. “Horses. Huge horses that looked like lions.”

3
    VICKI leaned close to Shelly. “Are you sure you didn’t fall asleep and dream about it?”
    â€œThey were there, I swear. Just as real as you and me.”
    â€œWe believe you,” Conrad said. “We just didn’t see anything.”
    â€œYou said they were above the ground?” Vicki said.
    Shelly nodded. “It was like they were walking on air. And they were huge.”
    Vicki felt confused. Tsion had written that the horses would be some kind of angelic beings, unseen to the human eye. If Shelly had seen them, they were real and the next judgment was about to begin.
    Conrad hit the accelerator. Vicki turned and saw the same car and truck. “These guys don’t give up.”
    The truck pulled along their right side, and the car raced on their left. The driver of the truck wore a hat and had a stubbly beard. He pointed and yelled.
    â€œWhatever you do, don’t stop!” Vicki said.
    A woman rode in the passenger seat of the sports car.
    She rolled down her window and yelled, “Pull over!” When Conrad didn’t obey, she turned to the driver.
    â€œShe’s got a shotgun!” Shelly screamed.
    Conrad swerved into the truck, but it was too late. The gunshot blew out the left front tire and sent the van reeling. Vicki and Shelly screamed as Conrad fought to keep control. He slammed on the brakes, and both vehicles shot past them. The van skidded into a ditch and toppled over.
    Vicki unbuckled first and checked Conrad and Shelly. Shelly was bruised but okay. Conrad lay slumped over the steering wheel, his air bag deployed.
    â€œAre you okay?” Vicki said.
    Conrad grabbed his neck and put his head back. “I think so. But I can’t say the same for the van. We’re stuck.”
    â€œLook!” Shelly shouted.
    The car and truck were turning. Shelly tried to open the side door, but it was stuck.