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Twinkling of an Eye

Ronald Brunsky

    The Brewer’s annual camping trip was always the pinnacle of their summer. Fred and his brother Jim have been bringing their families to the base of Tecumseh Peak for the past twelve years.
    Setting up their tents on the edge of the Rolling River, the Brewer clan enjoyed a week of hiking, fishing and the spectacular views offered from the top of the three thousand foot peak.
    But, the best part of each day was the evening meals by the campfire. Perpetuated by interesting conversations, on every subject imaginable; they always lasted well into the evening.
    On their last night at the campsite, they were rewarded with an additional treat from Mother Nature. Just after dark, a spectacular, completely unexpected light show decorated the northern skies.
    “Was there anything on the news about a meteor shower?” asked Fred’s wife, Mandy.
    “No, I didn’t hear anything,” said Fred. “You know it really doesn’t look like meteor showers.”
    “Their UFOs dad,” said Fred’s eldest, Willie.
    “Nah, I know what that is?” said Jim. “Were pretty far north — that’s probably the Aurora Borealis, you know the northern lights.”
    “Well, whatever it is, why don’t we just enjoy it,” said Mandy, “I’m sure we’ll get an explanation when we get home.
    “Ghost story” chanted several of the children.
    Fred was the master storyteller, and the evening was never quite complete without one of his spooky tales. He enjoyed telling them, always saving the scariest for the last night, and this one was a doozy. It was especially chilling, and by the end had everyone, even the adults, huddled close together.
    Unfortunately, almost every evening campfire session would end with the two brothers getting into one of their patented arguments. The inevitable dispute would almost certainly center on religion.
    “It’s the arrogance of the Christian faith,” said Fred, “that I can’t tolerate. You know, it’s my way or the hell-way.”
    “Well, what can I say,” said Jim. “That’s the way it is.”
    “And we are supposed to blindly believe in this invisible God, and that he will lead us to heaven?”
    “Yes Fred, you must have faith.”
    Just then Mark, Fred’s other son, came running into the campsite.
    “Dad, Willie is gone. He was sitting next to me — listening to the ghost story. When it was over, he was gone. I can’t find him anywhere. I’ve looked all over.”
    “Calm down Mark,” said Jim. “He must be around here somewhere.”
    Jim and Fred scoured the campsite and river edge with no success. They alerted the ranger station, and then organized the two families into search parties. After several hours, the rangers advised them to get some sleep and resume the search at first light.
    The morning news was bizarre to say the least. The weather channel said they had no explanation for last night’s fantastic lighting display. The phenomenon was viewed all around the northern hemisphere.
    However, the Christian religious leaders of the world had an entirely different take on the occurrence.
    “The heavens are celebrating the great event,” said TV evangelist, the Reverend Bobby Blue, “that has been foretold for so long. The “Rapture” has finally occurred.
    Look to the skies brothers and sisters, for Jesus will soon be returning.”
    The entire Christian world was rejoicing, while the authorities of the governments around the world were trying to make sense of the situation. Reports of missing people have come in from all over the globe — estimates have run well into the millions, with no logical explanation. People have disappeared right in front of other family members.
    This morning churches were filled to capacity across the country and the world. The leaders of the Christian world were warning that the end is near, and acceptance of the Lord was the only hope for eternal joy and avoiding the agony of Hell. The country has come to a virtual standstill as people anticipated the second coming.
    Meanwhile, a very worn out group gathered for the evening meal after a long, hard day of searching for Willie had yielded nothing, not even a small clue.
    “He must of just wandered off and got disorientated,” said Mandy. “There’s no other explanation.”
    “How could he not see the campfire?” said Jim.
    “Well what’s your theory then?” said Fred.
    “You’re not going to like my theory.”
    “Come on I want to hear it.”
    “Well, alright, I believe in what the Christian leaders are saying...”
    “Oh sure,” said Fred, “you really think that he was raptured away.”
    “You heard the news this morning. Fred, millions of people here one second and gone the next. The bible says: two men will be in the field; in the twinkling of an eye one will be taken and the other left — the twinkling of an eye, boy, what a magical metaphor to use for such a glorious happening.”
    “I know this is hard for you and Mandy,” said Jim’s wife, Alice, “but we are experiencing the start of a truly wondrous time.”
    “Would you both please just shut up! I’ve had enough of your sermons. You want me to stop looking for Willie, because he was beamed up to heaven. Do you realize how stupid that sounds?”
    “How do you account for the millions that are missing?” said Jim. “You always wanted proof of the invisible god, as you put it. Well, now you have it. Time is running out for you to be saved, Fred. Can’t you see; Willie is so very lucky. He has been chosen. He doesn’t have to ever die; he has gone straight to heaven.”
    “You’re a nut case. There must be some other explanation for all those missing people. I’m not giving up. I’m staying here till I find Willie.”
    “Fred, I can only say to you that I believe with all my heart and soul that Jesus is returning shortly. I’m taking my family home to prepare, and I hope you would do the same.”
    “Fred maybe we should go too,” said Mandy.
    “Go if you want and take Mark, but I’m going to find Willie even if it takes a month.”
    It was just nightfall as Jim’s family with Mandy and Mark aboard drove out of the campsite and headed home. Fred sat down lit a cigarette and looked skyward.
    “What happened to you Willie? Where did you go?”
    As Fred scanned the heavens soul searching for a logical answer to his son’s disappearance, events were happening some 400 million miles away.
    Just outside the gravitational pull of Jupiter, the last of a convoy of space freighters had finished docking within the cargo bay of their mother-ship. The colossal vessel, of incomparable size by earth’s standards, then repositioned itself and it locked in on its destination’s coordinates.
    Suddenly, the ship was engulfed by an intense white flashing light, and then in the twinkling of an eye it was gone.

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