777 Days

By Lorne Spencer Hrabia

In 777 Days, Brighton Furlong’s adventure comes to a head as the world implodes and people must struggle to survive in a hostile and dangerous environment. The Star Christian Community Complex is filling fast as the Lord leads his children there. Work at the Praise The Lord building is in full swing, its walls hiding its real purpose.

Rumors of war explode into reality all around the globe as Brighton, his Group of Ten, and three thousand souls go into hiding, living their lives free of the world they once knew. In the midst of limited nuclear war and the collapse of the world system, humanity is thrown into near-extinction for a period of time before the Lord restores his chosen ones for a time of revival unlike anything the world has ever seen.

Gripping stories of survival, attacks, raids, romance, and murder are thrown into the mix of 777 Days, culminating with a glorious reawakening. This awesome ending is sure to capture your imagination and make you ask: what if?

“I really enjoyed reading 777 Days, an exciting end to the Brighton Furlong Trilogy. It is a gripping and impactful look into the future, with a truly Canadian perspective on end times.”

—Mr. David Blatz, Driver Education Instructor

Meadow Lake, SK

• Language: English
• Publisher: Word Alive Press
• Release date: Oct 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781486604562

Lorne Spencer Hrabia

Lorne Spencer Hrabia lives on the Canadian Prairies in Saskatchewan with his wife of forty years. He has three published books to his credit and The White Room of Darkness is his next novel. Before this he had been writing short stories and poetry for well over thirty years. He is also a graduate of Western Pentecostal Bible College with a diploma in Pastoral Theology.

Book preview

HRABIA

1: THE GROUND RUMBLED

A huge Kenworth tractor trailer pulled through the north gate of the PTL (Praise the Lord) Building Project, pulling its tandem trailer load of demolition materials. The ground rumbled as the massive truck and trailer rolled by, stirring up whirling clouds of fine dust caused by the many trucks and trailers pulling into the large site daily.

The driver nodded to the entrance security personnel as he was waved on through. He then saw a flagman who directed him to unload in one of five unloading areas, based on the contents of his load. The truck backed into its specific unloading location. When stopped, the driver applied the air brakes, making a very specific hissing sound.

He pulled a lever within the cab of his truck which engaged the hydraulic lift, and slowly the trailer began to rise into the sunny morning air. As it reached a forty-five-degree angle, the contents of the trailer began to slide out. The driver then disengaged the air brake and slowly pulled the unit forward, allowing the contents to freely slide out of the box until it was empty and the huge steel door had clanged back up against the box, signalling to the driver that he was empty. He lowered the box, put the truck in gear, and pulled away from the huge pile he had just created. He then drove back through the gate he had entered, off to get yet another load.

The PTL Building Project had been in operation for six months and things were rolling along quite well. The Re-Use-It Operation, the first stage of the overall plan, was open and not complicated at all. Trucks would bring in demolition or renovation materials that would normally go to the city dump. They would pay a small dumping fee, at least seventy-five percent less than the city dump charged. Teams of fifteen to twenty people would then scour through the materials and rough-sort them into bins of wood, metals, drywall, insulation, wiring, and plumbing. Then the bins would be moved by any one of three forklifts operating all around the building at any given time of day. These bins would be moved and dropped off in specific locations, where another team of five to eight people further refined the sorting process into wood for fires/fireplaces and wood for building purposes; metal pieces for resale, farmers, welding companies, and eventually scrapyards; wiring for resale or copper for scrap yards; electrical boxes for resale; plumbing parts for resale and copper pipes for scrap yards; windows for resale; and so on and so forth.

A lot of the sorted materials ended up being reused in the PTL Building itself. Any materials that couldn’t be reused or resold ended up in the city dump at the Re-Use-It program’s cost, which was the small fee each company paid in order to drop their loads at the site. They tried to salvage anything they could, even straightening out nails and sorting them into bins for sale in the Re-Use-It Store.

Finally, a crew of fifteen to twenty people stocked the Re-Use-It Stores shelves and bins. They also ran the tills and took orders over the phone, which helped to create a very lucrative operation within Warford City, and the province as well.

It was amazing that with a failing economy in almost every country of the world, including Canada, Warford City’s economy thrived, with at least one hundred new housing starts and almost thirty new commercial buildings going up since the start of the year. But it wasn’t just anyone flooding into the city; it was believers and their families.

2: DEMONS APPROACHING

As Brighton made a habit of doing each morning, he went strolling the outer grounds of the Star Christian Community Complex by himself. Off in the west he could see dark clouds rolling in, but he felt something wasn’t quite right with this particular storm; it looked like a storm was approaching, but he also knew that it wasn’t weather-related.

As it got closer and closer to the city, coming in with tremendous speed, Brighton suddenly saw thousands upon thousands—if not millions—of demons approaching. Within seconds, the city was inundated with demons of every size and shape. Brighton began to feel the presence of a dark evil invade the city.

Watch my son and see this to which you were called, a voice called to him. Brighton heard it as plain as day, even though he saw no one around.

His attention was drawn to the west, where he saw a huge wall of water coming in like a tidal wave, rolling fast and devouring everything in its path. Brighton was surprised to see that nothing was destroyed, or even moved an inch, as the wave passed over buildings, granaries, farm machinery, vehicles, and anything at all in its path.

As it washed over the city, the PTL Building, and the Star Christian Community Complex, every demon it touched exploded into a puff of black smoke. Evil cries and screams were heard in every direction as they were utterly destroyed by the wall of water.

Then, just as suddenly as it had approached, the wave was gone. No trace of it could be seen, nor any of the millions of demons. Once again the early morning sun shone and the birds sang.

My son, Brighton heard again, after a time in hiding, my Holy Spirit will wash over this land, starting here in this city where it all began. All evil will be washed away and people’s hearts will be open, so make sure you provide them with my message to fill their empty hearts. Prepare, prepare, prepare ye the way of the Lord!

3: MITCH FERGUSON

When Brighton first met Mitch, he almost had to laugh, but he suppressed the notion, not wanting to embarrass the young man. Standing before him now was a young version of Elvis Presley, but if he had what it took, looks didn’t really matter.

Brighton, meet Mitch Fergusson, George said as Mitch and Brighton shook hands for the first time.

Great to meet you, Brighton answered, complete with a big smile that had come to be a trademark of sorts for the man. So I hear you are interested in what is happening here.

"Uh yeah, I heard a lot about it from Jonathan at the church we both attend. I have worked in construction most of my life. My father was a finishing carpenter and he taught me everything he knew about the business. He learnt it all from his father before him, who was a master craftsman over in England, before he moved to Canada. Anyway, I love construction and everything about it—tools, woods, new products, and such. I have also taken some CAD lessons and know my way around blueprints and building plans too.

There used to be a lumberyard here when I was just a kid, called K&C Lumber. When my father took me there, I loved to go into the big old barn they had converted into a plywood storage facility. To this very day, whenever I think of the place I can still see their big saw and smell the plywood being cut. He closed his eyes, lost in the memory and scents of that time so long ago.

Brighton immediately liked him, knowing that the two of them would have some long discussions about building projects in the days and months to come.

Well, my friend, welcome to the PTL Building Project, which of course stands for Praise the Lord, as all such praise is due His mighty name.

Amen to that! Mitch said with that great Elvis smile.

George here will show you around and get you started.

Thank you! Thank you so very much, Mitch said with a gleam of excitement in his eyes.

Brighton’s smile faded as he turned away from the two men.

I wonder what he will really feel like when we explain to him the purpose of this place? he thought to himself as he slowly walked away.

____________

The greenhouse was almost complete, as were the new dining room and kitchen facilities. No one lived in the building yet, but the Star Christian Community Complex housed about twenty-five hundred people and was filling up fast. Brighton and George knew that the complex’s maximum capacity was three thousand. With that in mind, they knew the time was drawing close when they would move everyone over to the PTL Building.

Even with the failing economies of so many countries, people still felt relatively safe. Iran had been quiet, with no recent sabre-rattling, but Christian analysts and thinkers alike felt it was just a ploy as they built up to something greater than the Day of Devastation on July 1, two years earlier. All terrorist activities worldwide had ceased, giving everyone a false sense of peace and security.

____________

Brighton was working inside the PTL Building when George arrived to see him.

Is everything ready for the underground vent lines to be installed on the exterior of the building, my friend? George asked.

Yes, I have been assured that they will start the trenching this afternoon, as soon as the directional drilling equipment arrives.

Okay, great. And they’re only drilling to the building’s edge, right?

Yes. Once the inside excavation is complete, we’ll drill through the concrete walls and make the connections.

How thick are those walls anyway?

According to the original building plans and my own calculations, I believe them to be twelve inches thick, reinforced with rows of three-quarter-inch rebar, but that should not be a problem.

Well, you would be the one to know. How is everything else progressing?

Great! The greenhouse only needs soil for the planting trays, and then we can announce a start-up date. Raymond is a real blessing with the knowledge he has in that area.

Yes, I’ve noticed that. I enjoy talking to him about his spiritual insight as well.

Brighton continued on with his report. The Re-Use-It Store is complete and functional, as you know, but we still need someone with building and renovation knowledge to fill the coordination role there.

Actually, Ben was telling me just yesterday that he knows someone who might be interested in just what we’re doing here.

I hope Ben hasn’t told anyone too much, Brighton said in a somewhat concerned tone.

Ben’s okay. Don’t worry about him. He knows his limits and the fact that whomever we find must be a born-again Christian.

"Okay, good. Then maybe we can meet this person soon.

We are also progressing quite well on the assigned living quarters and counselling areas. Most rooms are now wired, and the dry-walling, taping, and mudding are ongoing. That entire area should be ready in two more weeks. After that, we’ll be working on the upper washrooms, change rooms, interior unloading bay, and air filter room. Then we’ll start on the hidden food room.

Well, my friend, it sounds like you have things well in hand.

Yep. And how are things going at the complex?

George pulled out his iPhone. After a few moments, he reported on the situation. The complex is up to twenty-six hundred residents, with daily Cloud Room testing, followed by some counselling. All the skilled workers are then placed where needed.

Have we turned any away? Brighton asked.

Yes, sadly. We’ve had to say no to about twenty people, due to their beliefs, lack of wanting to work, or the fact that they are reporters working for outside forces.

4: NORTHERN PIKE

We had a fantastic time. Actually, it was the best time I have ever had in my life, Lexi said to the group of thirty women attending the department leader’s morning Bible study. Mind you, I had never been in a float plane before, let alone a single engine plane, and I must say I was hugging Brighton pretty tight all the way up there. More so when we flew between two approaching storm fronts.

Lexi had the attention of all the women there, and they wanted details.

Oooo, what was that like? someone asked.

You would have to sedate me to get me on a plane like that, another one said.

The plane swayed from side to side and it was quite rough, Lexi continued. The one thing I’ll say for the pilot is that he was very calm and collected, like it was just another day of flying for him. The woman gasped in disbelief. But we got there safe and sound, praise the Lord!

So tell us about your time there, Beth said as the rest of the women nodded or murmured their agreement.

"Well, I must tell you that the lake was gorgeous, surrounded by spruce and pine trees that came right down to the water’s edge. There was a long dock out into the lake that they tethered the float plane to when it landed or was not in use, but the dock was also used for various fishing boats owned by the lodge. Brighton even managed to get me out fishing a time or two. I never liked fishing before, but one morning I managed to hook a six-pound northern pike—or jackfish, as they call them around here—and after that there was no keeping me away. A time or two when out fishing, I marvelled at the wildlife along the lake’s edge, such as black bears, deer, moose, and rabbits.

But all of that pales in comparison to the cabin we were put up in, as it was the very best that the lodge had to offer, used primarily for wealthier guests. It was built with local logs and had a huge natural stone fireplace that went from the living room, up to the second floor, and through the master bedroom, which overlooked the living room and dining area. Just off the master bedroom was a huge washroom, complete with a corner jet tub for two—and believe you me, we made very good use of that tub in the seven days we were there!

Some of the younger women began to giggle while one older woman just said Uh-hummmm.

Details, Brenda said. We want to hear all the juicy details.

A few others began to chime in. Okay but did you make as good use of the bed as you did the tub?

Well, ladies, you know I can’t give you all the juicy details, but just let me say that my hubby’s smile hasn’t worn off yet!

The whole group broke out into laughter as Lexi continued to tell the girls more about her and Brighton’s dream getaway, offered to them by a pair of owners who had attended the Visions Conference earlier that year.

As the Bible study started, with Brenda leading, Lexi sat back as memories of those seven glorious days washed over her again. Would they ever have good days like that again? How much time did they all have left before the Lord Jesus came back for His own? As she came back to reality, she also wondered what Brighton was doing and when she would be allowed to join him and the team assembling at the PTL Building Project. The team was almost complete, and when it was done she knew the world would change forever.

5: BREAKING NEWS

It was beginning to get cooler in the evenings as October brought on the coloured leaves of fall. The PTL Building was progressing well and the Star Christian Community Complex was almost filled to capacity.

Lexi and Brighton were at home on the complex grounds, relaxing after supper with Lexi reclining on the sofa and Brighton in his big, soft leather chair as they watched their favourite television show. Suddenly, the show was replaced with a breaking news banner. Lexi immediately sat up, wondering just what was happening.

This is CNN with breaking news that the North Korean military has just launched thirty-five missiles over the DMZ and into the heart of Seoul, South Korea. Casualty reports are only just beginning to come in through our affiliates.

There was a pause as the CNN anchor was handed a sheet of paper.

Okay, here we go, he said as he scanned the sheet of paper.

Brighton saw the shock as it registered in the anchor’s eyes.

Uhhhh, apparently the Parliament buildings have been taken out, along with four inland military bases and two U.S. coastal naval bases. Five universities have been destroyed, ten police stations, and the emergency disaster forces headquarters as well. This is just in Seoul so far, but there will be more to come as we get the information for you.

The anchor paused again, not knowing what to say considering the devastation he was reporting and what this attack might mean to the world, especially the United States of America.

Brighton turned to look at Lexi. They both knew that this announcement was the start of the beginning of the end of all things.

____________

Very early on a cold October day, Brighton walked in and around the PTL Building. He felt the pain of rushing the completion of the PTL Building in light of the breaking news, but the lower excavations had to commence. His heart was heavy as he realized where the world was headed. The United States was in turmoil, still reeling from the attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and now the unprovoked attack in South Korea, where many of its civilians and military lived and worked.

It looks as if this is going to be the start of yet another war, he thought to himself as he walked silently and alone. And will this one go nuclear?"

As the days turned into weeks, the news only got worse. South Korean and U.S. military forces built up along the DMZ; on the other side, the much superior forces of North Korea—at least in terms of manpower and weapons of mass destruction—mobilized for a major showdown. There was no turning back after the recent attack on South Korea. This was bad enough, but foremost on the minds of most people was what China would do and which side would they take, seeing as they were allies with North Korea.

____________

Work at the PTL Building continued and the living quarters would be completed in just a few days. The dining area and kitchen received their final coats of paint, and then they would be furnished and stocked before being ready. All the while, cooks and crews were trained in the Star Christian Community Complex kitchen and dining areas. The same was taking place for the many cleaning and maintenance crews soon to be working in the PTL Building itself.

Work had begun on the air filtration channel, ductwork, and exterior heating unit that would serve all the underground needs once construction began in that area of the building. Crews had dug a large hole in the ground with a reinforced concrete pad for the bin’s metal frame to sit on and be anchored to. A trench had also been dug at a depth of ten feet in order to make the connections in the underground facilities properly. The unloading bay was completely closed in, with two to three semis full of needed items being unloaded each day.

Brighton and Lexi were amazed at how the Lord had brought all the right people to the Star Christian Community Complex. These people possessed a wide assortment of skills, gifts, and talents, including plumbers, electricians, chefs, housekeepers, contractors, people who knew how to operate heavy equipment, and even people who knew how to excavate mine shafts far beneath the surface.

Whenever Brighton thought of all the planning, all these people whom the Lord had provided, along with the provision and goodness of the Lord, he fell to his knees in thanksgiving to his most awesome God and friend.

One of the most blessed people God had sent them with was Terri. Even after Brighton had found out that she was an actual angel sent from God to assist them, he was still amazed at all she could and would accomplish for them before it was time to move underground. He would always remember the very first time she had floored him with her skills.

The building had been progressing well, but they’d run short of materials and finances, even with the huge donation from Jefferson Bigalow. They had been in need of insulation for the exterior walls in order that people could live there in the cooler months of the year. Terri had contacted a large national insulation company based out of British Columbia, asking if they had any waste insulation they could donate. The company said yes; they had lots of such material and would be happy to send us a semi-load if we could