Chapter 57
8:45 AM CEST Day two of 1260 Somewhere near the Israeli Jordanian Border
When we finally landed, Veronica and I left the jet together. As we walked down the steps, I looked around. There was almost nothing there but the desert. A landing strip in the middle of nowhere, I thought. That was great. I wondered where they were taking me. The lights on the runway, which were actually oil lamps, were out already. They must only light them when a jet is coming in. I noticed an army canvas-covered troop carrier sitting at the edge of the tarmac.
Veronica pointed to the truck. We both walked over to it, where we got in the back and sat on some rough benches. The truck moved off. Veronica then told me that we had about a two-hour drive to our destination. I wished I could rest. The next two days would be difficult and long.
I leaned back on the bench against the tarp that covered the truck and let my mind wander to wherever it wanted to go. I started thinking of my childhood; how difficult it had been for me. I remembered a big garden, a big kitchen, and sleeping on the couch. The woman who raised me was a God-fearing woman who took her church and her God very seriously. If we ate anything in those days, we either grew it or caught it. I am not sure what all I ate over the years, but I ate many different animals, that was for sure. When it rained the roof would leak and I would listen to the drops hit the cooking pans strategically placed all over the house. I sometimes wish I could hear that same sound again. It was so peaceful.
I must have dozed off; for when the truck stopped, I awoke. It had become very warm. I was sweating and there was no wind. So, I assumed we were still in the desert. Veronica was already off the truck and I followed. I looked around and all I could see was desert and low mountains.
She said, “Hurry, we need to go this way.” I followed her to the foothills, which were a few hundred feet away. We had to climb up a short outcrop then wind our way up a path of about a hundred feet or so. To me, it looked like it was just sheer rock. Then the path turned and we saw an opening. There was an armed guard sitting on a large rock close to the mouth of the cave, but he ignored both of us. I assumed he either knew us or at least knew Veronica.
To enter the cave, we had to crawl into a hole, which was not much bigger than my size 34 waist. It was tight. Once inside though, it opened up into a room I could stand in with plenty of room to spare. I estimated the height at about eight feet or so. I was somewhat amazed that I could immediately feel the coolness in contrast to the heat outside. The cave seemed very cool and comfortable and smelled of wood smoke. Considering how hot it was outside, this felt good to me.
The floor started sloping to our right and Veronica said to follow her. She had a high-density flashlight, which she used to show the way, for it was very dark. As we descended into the cave, I could hear the murmur of voices and see the flickering of light against the dimly lit walls. I smelled smoke. I assumed someone had a fire going. We walked a few more paces and then turned a corner. I could make out three persons sitting around a fire. They were clothed in robes with hoods, much as desert dwellers wear to protect themselves from the elements.
As we drew near, they stood and faced us. I was immediately shocked to look into the face of Gabriel. He smiled as he said, “Welcome to Israel, Jack. Sorry about the accommodations, but Shraya here suggested we get you in tune with the reality of what is to come, so you will be able to handle it when society itself breaks down. Places like this are much more acceptable than the outside elements or society itself, in some cases.”
I looked at Gabriel, then turned and saw Ariel; and then I looked over into the face of the one who I assumed was the Rabbi. What I saw was almost a living terror of a very angry man who, even if he smiled, would mark terror in most men’s hearts. He stood about six feet and weighed somewhere around 225 pounds. He was absolute pure muscle like a weight lifter His hair was tangled and long, worn much like a wild man would wear his hair if he had no way to comb it. His beard was thick and not groomed very well, his eyebrows extremely bushy, and his eyes a dark gleaming black; which in spite of their color, bored right into your soul. His chin was strong and his cheekbones reminded me of the actor who played Ben Hur.
Shraya spoke and said, “Welcome, Jack.”
He looked directly at me. As I looked into his eyes, I said, “Hello.” I was very transfixed. His voice was quite loud and powerful. Even though he whispered, his voice carried all across the cave. I would not like to have him angry with me, ever. I felt that his eyes were boring into my soul. Fear crept up my back, as if I was a little boy afraid of the dark. Trying to keep my composure and not act either afraid or in awe, I just stared at the man.
He then said, “Let’s sit down, we have much to discuss.” I obeyed and the five of us sat around the fire. Then he began to speak.