Martyrs and Miracles 7: Jail break
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)
Previously . . . Katie brought a 9-foot brown bear into Ketchikan to authenticate the gospel ultimatum in one more way.
Chapter 7
Truth Undermines Lilith’s Fiefdom
Ketchikan, Alaska
Friday, February 2nd, at 5 pm
Chuck Blackwood and Alex Fleming sat in the dimly lit control room of Lilith’s headquarters, their eyes fixed on the television screen. The news anchor’s voice filled the room, reporting on the latest proclamation from the Two Witnesses. As the broadcast cut to a commercial break, Alex reached for the remote and muted the sound.
“Chuck,” she said softly, turning to face him. “I’m so sorry about Howard. I know how close you two were.”
Chuck nodded, his eyes meeting hers. For the first time, he noticed the depth in her gaze, the way her short-cropped brown hair framed her delicate features. “Thank you, Alex. It’s been . . . difficult.”
When the commercial ended, Alex unmuted the television.
The Two Witnesses appeared on the screen, clothed in burlap, their voices confident with divine authority.
“As a warning of God’s judgment upon Hussein’s Satanic government, we’re commanding one-third of the light from the sun, moon, and stars to darken for three days. When you see this, you’ll know we’re sent by Almighty God, and our message is true.”
Chuck leaned forward, his brow furrowed. One of the Witnesses continued, “We encourage every man, woman, and child to leave Satan’s world system now and follow Jesus. After this warning, there’s going to be great suffering when we pronounce the next three judgments against Hussein’s kingdom and its followers.”
The other witness continued, “So, leave him now, while you can! Time is short before God totally destroys Hussein’s kingdom. Then, it’ll be too late. The door of salvation will be shut, and all of Hussein’s followers will be condemned to suffer in hell.”
When the broadcast ended, Chuck and Alex turned to each other, a knowing look in their eyes. He believed the Two Witnesses’ words, and the realization hit him like a tidal wave.
Have I been on the wrong side all along? Alex’s expression seemed to mirror his thoughts, but he didn’t dare express them aloud.
Chuck’s mind raced. He’d been an obedient lieutenant in Hussein’s kingdom, but the shame of his brutal actions weighed heavily on his conscience. He captured Moses, brutally interrogated Christian prisoners, and burned their houses. Even if he wanted to, how could he join their side now?
Chuck’s Initial Plan
Suddenly, an idea sparked in his mind. He recently arrested five Christians who were being held in the Ketchikan jail, awaiting trial and certain execution unless they recanted their faith and pledged allegiance to Hussein.
That’s it! I’ll meet with the imprisoned Christian leader and promise to help them escape if they’ll help me defect to their side. It was a risky move, but these were the only Christians he knew.
Chuck saw Alex watching him. I wonder what she’s thinking? Is she coming to the same conclusion?
He probed to see if she’d give him a clue. “What did you think about what the Two Witnesses said?”
She gave a safe answer. “If the sun, moon, and stars get darkened tomorrow, it’s going to unsettle many people.”
“Yes, including me.”
“Me too.”
Chuck took another step. “Alex, do you ever wonder who the good guys are?”
She looked around cautiously. Then, looking into his eyes, she nodded yes.
Chuck scribbled a note and held it up. It said, “Come with me. Leave your phone here.” Chuck put the note in the shredder, then led her to a small room that he knew had no listening devices.
“Okay, Alex, I’m going to trust you. I just realized that I’m on the wrong side of this war, and I’m thinking about changing sides. I know it’s dangerous, but I’ve gotta do what’s right.”
She took a deep breath and met his gaze. “Chuck, I . . . I feel the same way. I keep hearing Moses’ words in my head. He told the truth before Lilith killed him. Since then, I didn’t want to keep working in Lilith and Hussein’s government, but I didn’t have a way to leave. So, can I come with you?”
Chuck’s eyes widened, a flicker of hope igniting within him. “Are you sure? It won’t be easy. We’ll be risking everything.”
She took his hand. Nodding, her voice steady, “I’m sure I don’t want to keep serving the wrong side. Like you, I want to do what’s right, no matter what the cost.”
“Okay, I’ve got a plan, but it may take a little time for it to work. I’ll keep you informed.”
At the Jail
The icy wind stung his exposed face and hands as Chuck walked to the Ketchikan jail.
The jail’s interior was a bleak, oppressive gray. The walls were cold and the lighting poor. Chuck told the night jailer, who was Chuck’s subordinate, that he needed to ask the Christian leader some additional questions. After depositing his pistol with the jailer for safekeeping, they went back to the cells.
As Chuck came to the cell where the Christians were being held, they recognized him as the head of Lilith’s security team, the one who arrested them. They looked nervous, anticipating something bad was about to happen with this after-hours visit.
Chuck demanded, “Which one of you is the leader?”
None spoke or moved. Then, a man about 60 years old, stood and said, “I’m their pastor. It’s me you want.”
The jailer’s keys clinked as he opened the cell door.
Chuck commanded, “Okay, pastor. Come with me.”
Chuck led the way to an interrogation room, followed by the pastor and then the jailer.
Inside the small, plain room was a gray metal table and four metal chairs chained to the floor. Chuck motioned to the far side of the table. He ordered, “Have a seat.”
Then, Chuck told the jailer, “That’ll be all. I don’t want any logs or recording of this meeting. I wasn’t here. Understand?”
“Yes, sir,” he said, closing the door behind him.
To make double-sure they wouldn’t be recorded, Chuck covered the camera lens with a sticky note and unplugged the microphone. He’d already left his smartphone at his office.
The pastor, with a graying beard and kind eyes, sat at the table, his hands folded in front of him. He looked up, as if he expected a harsh interrogation, but Chuck sat across from him with a troubled expression.
“Pastor,” Chuck’s voice trembling slightly, “first, I want you to relax. I had to put on a show out there, but this isn’t an interrogation. My name is Chuck, and I need your help.”
The pastor’s eyebrows shot up. “My help? To find my fellow Christians? I’ve already told—”
“No, you don’t understand. Myself and a friend want to defect from Hussein’s government and join your side, and we need your help to do it.”
The pastor leaned back, his eyes narrowing. “Right. And you just need me to tell you how to contact my fellow believers.”
“No, this is not a trick,” Chuck assured him, leaning forward. “We realize that we’ve been on the wrong side, and the message those two women preach is true. We want to join your side.”
The pastor studied Chuck’s face, searching for any sign of deception. “And what brought about this change of heart?”
Chuck took a deep breath, his eyes filled with sincerity. “It’s more than just the two women. I arrested Moses, and I keep hearing his last words, over and over, in my head.
He said, ‘This government is the beast system that the Bible warned us about. God will destroy it and condemn everyone who follows it. Hussein is the Antichrist. Don’t follow him or you’ll suffer God’s wrath and destruction.’
I also arrested you and your friends, who haven’t hurt anyone. Your only crime was not blindly following Hussein’s and Lilith’s orders.
Then there’s the Two Witnesses in Jerusalem. So, putting it all together, I’ve seen and heard enough to believe that your side’s message is true, and that Hussein and Lilith are evil. I can’t be part of their system any longer.”
“I see,” the pastor said.
“I want to follow the truth, and you five are the only Christians I know. Will you help me come over to your side?”
The pastor’s expression softened, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. “Chuck, if what you’re saying is true, then God is working in your life. But you must understand, the wilderness camps are only for Christian disciples. Are you and your friend ready to place your faith and trust in Jesus as your Savior and Lord?”
Chuck paused for a moment, the weight of the pastor’s words sinking in. He thought about his past, the sinful choices he’d made, the evil things he’d done.
“Yes,” Chuck said, his voice filled with conviction. “If God and his people can forgive me, I want to become a Christian.”
Assured of Chuck’s sincerity, the pastor smiled and nodded. “Okay, Chuck. Let’s pray.”
They prayed together, Chuck repeating the words of the sinner’s prayer, asking for God’s forgiveness and for Jesus to be the Lord of his life.
As the prayer ended, Chuck felt a profound sense of peace and joy flooding his soul. Forgiveness washed over him like warm, fragrant anointing oil, confirming that he’d just made the most important decision of his life.
Seeing the change in Chuck’s countenance, the pastor reached across the table, placing his hand on Chuck’s. “Welcome to the family of God, Chuck. My name is Philip. I can see that you’re now my brother in Christ. I’ll do everything I can to help you get to a wilderness camp, where you can grow in your new faith.”
Chuck’s heart swelled with gratitude, tears streaming down his face. “Thank you, pastor.”
Philip smiled at him.
Chuck said, “But you’re not going to be able to help me from inside this jail, are you? So, I’ve got a plan. I’m going to help you and your friends escape. But first I need to talk to my friend who wants to join us. I need to make sure she knows only Christians can join the party. We didn’t discuss that before.”
“Okay. Until then, I won’t mention our discussion to my brethren in the cell. It’ll be our secret for now.”
Chuck agreed, “Good idea.”
Philip added, “Also, I want to make sure the jailer won’t be harmed in our escape. We wouldn’t want that on our conscience.”
“I agree. We won’t harm the jailer—he’s a good kid. I’ll talk to my friend tonight. If we’re going to bust you out, we need to do it quickly. Otherwise, Lilith could have your trial any day now, and then it’ll be too late. I’ll be back.”
Chuck collected his sticky note from the camera and plugged the microphone back in. Then he called for the jailer, who put the pastor back into his cell.
After retrieving his pistol, Chuck told the jailer, “I’ve gotta investigate something because of this interrogation. So, I may be back later.”
Christian Conspirators
From his office, Chuck called Alex. They agreed to meet at her apartment.
After powering down their phones and placing them in a closed kitchen drawer, they went into the living room to talk.
Chuck unplugged her ‘smart TV’ and checked for any hidden listening devices that Lilith may have secretly placed to monitor Alex.
Satisfied, he spoke with low volume, just above a whisper, “I’ve arranged for us both to find shelter in one of the Christian camps, but there’s one requirement we didn’t talk about before.”
“What’s that?” she whispered.
“Be a Christian.”
She exclaimed, “I believe in God and try to be a good person.”
“I know you do. I just became a Christian myself, so I’m no expert. But tonight, my Christian friend led me in a sinner’s prayer. I asked for God to forgive me and for Jesus to be the Lord of my life.”
“I can do that. I know I’ve sinned and need forgiveness. And I’m ready to follow what’s right.”
To the best of his recollection, Chuck led Alex to pray the same prayer he’d prayed just an hour before.
She prayed sincerely and experienced the same sense of peace and joy flooding her soul.
She hugged him. “Thanks! This is real!”
Chuck said, “Now that we’ve both crossed that bridge, are you ready to cross the next one? Are you ready to give everything up and leave town?”
“What, now? I thought you said your plan was going to take some time to work. I haven’t even packed a bag.”
“Good point. I’m really not ready either. Sorry, I got ahead of myself. Okay, since this is Friday, we can wait a day or two. But we’ve gotta do it before Monday. You’ll understand why when we implement the plan.”
Executing the Plan
On Saturday, the sun was dimmed by a third, just as the Two Witnesses said it would be.
That morning, Chuck signed out a 15-passenger van and seven complete sets of winter uniforms under the guise of a surprise police exercise he was planning. He did his best to estimate everyone’s correct sizes.
He also reserved the use of his organization’s motorboat, starting at 5 pm Saturday evening through Monday morning. He checked its fuel, and it started right up. It’s ready to go.
Under its usual blanket of gray clouds, noon on Saturday looked like dusk throughout Southeast Alaska.
He called Alex, and they met for coffee and a chat. She was eager to see him. She looked different, radiant somehow.
He asked her, “How would you like to take a trip with me tonight?”
“Tonight? Already? What should I pack?”
“In one carry-on bag, I’d suggest a couple changes of clothes, toiletries, and any photos or personal mementos. I’ll give you insulated boots, pants, and a parka, so don’t worry about your outerwear.”
Smiling, she said, “Oh, that’s mysterious!”
Weekend jailers worked a 24-hour shift, starting at 6 pm. So, Chuck’s plan was for him and Alex to arrive at the jail just after 6 pm in the van.
6:15 pm Saturday
The winter sun had long since dipped below the horizon, plunging the already-dimmed world into total darkness. Snowflakes drifted gently from the overcast sky, their descent unhindered by the still, quiet air. The tranquil scene was a stark contrast to the tension in the van as Chuck and Alex approached the jail, their hearts pounding with anticipation.
When Chuck went inside, Alex stayed in the idling van with the fan blowing warm air. While she waited, she put on her set of winter outerwear, leaving six sets for Chuck and the five prisoners.
Chuck said, “Good evening. I need to interview the prisoner again.”
Once the Christians’ jail door was open, Chuck easily pushed the unsuspecting jailer inside.
Philip hadn’t told the other four prisoners about Chuck’s plan, so they were as shocked by Chuck’s action as the jailer was.
Philip motioned for them to be calm and said, “I’ll explain later.”
Chuck searched the jailer, taking his radio, phone, and keys, then locked him, unhurt, in the cell.
The six men walked out into the freezing, snowy night, then quickly climbed into the warm van. Inside, the five put on their winter clothing, including insulated boots, pants, hooded parka, and gloves.
The Night Voyage
Chuck drove to the marina, where they started the motorboat and cruised out, into total blackness.
Chuck was qualified in night boat operation and local navigation. By staying between the green and red channel lights, Chuck guided them safely between two rocky shorelines.
With luck, Lilith won’t learn of my defection for almost 24 hours. And it’ll be longer before she realizes Alex is gone too. I wish I could see her face. Or maybe not . . . I pity anyone who’s near her when she explodes.
Chuck asked one of the Christians to continue steering the boat between the channel marker lights. Then, Chuck opened a local maritime map on the map table, clicked on a red night light, and said, “Okay, pastor. Where to? Where should we go?”
As his eyes adjusted to the red light, Philip studied the map. He pointed to a protected cove on the Southeast side of Prince of Wales Island. “We have a receiving station for new people here. They’ll provide us shelter and in-process everybody.”
Chuck understood. By ‘everybody’, the pastor especially means me and Alex. I expect they’ll search us thoroughly and we’ll have to convince them that we really have joined the Lord’s side before they show us anything that could threaten their network. Smart . . . That’s what I’d do.
After passing the lights of Saxman, Chuck turned right and set a southwesterly course for the cove.
It was 8:05 pm as they neared the coastline. Thankfully, with a calm wind the 25 miles of open water they had to cross was fairly smooth.
With all moonlight blocked by snow clouds, they couldn’t see anything. But the boat’s radar screen detailed the coastline of Prince of Wales Island ahead. Chuck identified the cove’s mouth on radar, entered it, then followed the cove around to the left. After this left turn, a small light appeared on the shoreline ahead. Philip dialed channel 84 on the boat’s VHF radio.
He spoke into the microphone, “Hotel, Hotel, this is Graybeard.”
“Graybeard, Hotel, go ahead.”
“ETA in ten.” As Philip spoke, he shone a flashlight toward the lights on the shoreline.
“Roger. In sight.”
When the radar indicated they were 100 yards from the shoreline, Chuck turned the searchlight on, illuminating thousands of falling snowflakes in its beam, and blinding two people waiting with a lantern on the dock. They slowly approached the left side of the wooden dock. A white commercial fishing boat was tied to the dock’s right side.
Philip threw a rope to the man on the dock and shouted, “Ahoy, Ben!”
Securing the boat to the dock, “Welcome, brother Philip.”
Philip disembarked first. After shaking hands with Ben and hugging the woman next to him, Philip introduced his four jail-mates. Ben shook each man’s hand.
Then Philip said, “Ben, this is Chuck Blackwood, who has just become our brother. He saved our lives, and he’s joining us.”
The flickering glow of the lantern revealed a sudden shift in Ben’s demeanor. His warm, welcoming expression hardened, a flicker of recognition sparking in his eyes. “I know him,” Ben muttered, his voice low and guarded.
Ben lifted the lantern, holding it close to Chuck’s face, the light illuminating every line and contour.
Uh oh. What’s happening? What did I do to this man?
Ben’s gaze bore into Chuck’s eyes, searching for something only he could discern. After a long, tense moment, Ben lowered the lantern, his features softening slightly. He extended his hand, a deliberate act of acceptance, and spoke, “Welcome, brother Chuck.” Despite his words, his tone remained flat, an act of the will, overriding his emotions.
Philip broke the tension, saying, “and this is—”
“Alex Fleming!” Ben’s lady companion blurted.
“What?” Alex said, startled. “Claire, is that you?”
“Yes!”
The men all watched them hug, then go into the nearby building, arm in arm, giggling like junior high schoolgirls.
Claire Hansen. She was Deputy Mayor of Ketchikan. Then, a few months ago, she was one of the people that simply disappeared. I remember the day her and the mayor greeted Lilith on the tarmac when our jet arrived last year. So, this is where the disappeared people went.
The IPC
From the outside, it looked like a Klinatok longhouse.
The men followed them inside. It was toasty-warm, so they shed their heavy parkas, hanging them on wooden pegs along the wall.
It had rows of benches, like backless church pews. A wood stove in the center radiated dry heat. At the far end, Chuck saw a podium and two desks. A long string of LED lights hung around the room, lighting it nicely. They must be battery powered. Probably recharged by solar.
After Ben and Claire served everyone large mugs of steaming peppermint tea, Ben said, “Before we get started, does anyone have any need of first aid, or need to take a bio break before we start our 30-minute introductory briefing?” Ben showed three men and Alex where the outhouse and hand-washing stations were.
With everyone present again, Ben asked them to sit. Claire gave each of them a pen and one page of paper on a clipboard.
Ben stood at the podium. “Welcome to Southeast Alaska’s camp of the saints. I’m sure you all have many questions, and this initial orientation briefing should answer most of them.”
The IPC’s Three Purposes
“This is the Southeast Alaska In-Processing Center, or IPC. It has three purposes:
First, we practically transition incoming candidates from town life to wilderness life, teaching them how to thrive without such things as electricity, city water, flush toilets, and grocery stores.
Second, we verify each candidate’s psychological, emotional, and philosophical suitability for inclusion into one of our dispersed Christian communities.
And third, we’re the first line of defense to detect false candidates that Lilith’s organization may send to infiltrate and harm our Christian community network.”
Why is everyone looking sideways at me?
The IPC’s Facilities
Pointing at the building around them, Ben said, “We’re now in what we call the classroom building. We use it for meetings, like this one, and training classes. Claire and I also have desks, as you can see.
We’ll all be living, cooking, and eating together in a communal longhouse nearby. The longhouse has no interior walls—just a curtain for modesty between male and female sides—so there’s not much privacy. Living in such close quarters, we’ll get to know each other quickly, and well. We’ll know who snores, and who takes bathroom breaks through the night. Before long, we’ll know each other’s core personalities, and the level of our interpersonal relationship skills—or lack thereof.”
In the immediate area, the only privacy we have is inside one of the outhouses. So, when I need to get away, I like to walk in the woods. Claire likes to canoe in the cove for her quiet time.
“We also have a wonderful cedar sauna that we use as a steam bath. Men use it on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, and women use it on the other four days of the week. Always replenish the firewood and water after each use.”
The IPC Checklist
Claire distributed a reusable, laminated document as Ben continued talking.
“Claire and I are your resident mentors. We will teach, observe, and document your progress toward completing the Training and Evaluation Checklist that Claire is now handing out.”
Many people, like our five jailbirds, come here with nothing but the clothes on their backs. After we satisfy your immediate need of shelter, clothing, first aid, food, and water, you’ll need to complete this checklist before Claire and I can consider moving you to one of our dispersed communities.
As you can see, the checklist covers many topics and skills you’ll need to learn. These things will help you be safe and productive in your new home, and they’ll help us learn more about you.
For example, you’ll learn:
The community’s standards and rules, which are based on the 10 commandments and the golden rule.
Safety rules concerning fire, axes and knives, wild animals, firearms, small boats, and hypothermia, etc.
How to stay clean and healthy
Basic first aid
Ways to purify drinking water
How to catch and clean a fish
How to field dress (gut and skin) an animal. This will be done academically if we don’t need to harvest an animal.
How not to get lost in the woods
How to cut and split firewood
How to start a fire in a wet environment
Biblical guidelines for conflict resolution
And finally, our community’s authority structure and discipline process
You’re probably wondering how long all this is going to take. That will mostly depend on you, but it takes the average Christian about a week before Claire and I have our first meeting with them to discuss their next move.
Next Steps After IPC
What will be your next move after graduating from IPC?
After living with you for a period of time, Claire and I will factor-in your personality, family situation, preferences, skills, and the needs of our dispersed communities. Putting all that together, we’ll recommend to you where we suggest you—and your family if you have one—could be assigned.
If you agree with our recommendation, we’ll ask that community leader to come here to meet you, and then either accept or decline the match-up.
After both you and a prospective community leader agree, they’ll adopt you and your family into their community. There, they’ll help you build your home and continue mentoring you in this lifestyle as a member of their wilderness faith community.
People have asked, ‘What about city people who don’t have skills for this lifestyle?’ The answer is, we don’t turn anyone away, as long as they’re willing and eager to both learn and work. You can be unskilled, or old, or handicapped, and we’ll find the Lord’s niche for you—if you have the right attitude.
Finally, if Claire or I don’t believe a candidate is suited for wilderness community life, or if they’re not eager to learn and work, it’s our responsibility to recommend they be given one-way transport to a local town or village of their choice. The golden rule dictates that we won’t recommend such people to one of our dispersed communities.
Unfinished Business in Ketchikan
Does anyone have any questions?”
Pastor Philip said, “Yes, Ben. Three of us have family members still in Ketchikan. We’re concerned Lilith will go after them when she learns of our jail-break.”
Ben said, “Right. Do you want to extract them and bring them here?
“Yes, that would be fantastic. But how long will it take to get them out?”
Ben smiled. “Is tomorrow morning quick enough?”
Coming Next Week . . . Chuck remembers Katie, and learns why Ben had a cold reaction to him. Ben, Chuck, and Philip rescue the threatened family members from Lilith’s revenge, but their freedom comes at a high price.
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Really well planned out ideas to keep the hidden communities and members safe. I like the process and the guidelines.