Chapter 4
1421words
I'm hiding in Jessica's cousin Kate's apartment, nervously watching the TV. The news channel drones on about weather patterns, everything seems normal. But I know that miles away at my aunt's house, history is about to be made.
Kate is a 29-year-old lawyer and LGBT ally. When Jessica explained I needed somewhere to "disappear" for a few days, she agreed instantly.
"You sure someone will find the scene at 6?" I asked Jessica nervously.
"Trust me," Jessica grinned. "Mr. Harold Smith walks his corgi every morning at 6 sharp. He's a retired journalist with a nose for anything unusual."
At 6:23, my phone (which I secretly powered up for a minute) pinged with a text from Jessica:
Jessica: IT'S HAPPENING!!! Harold just called 911!!!
My heart pounded. This was really happening.
At 6:30, local news cut to an emergency broadcast:
"Breaking News: Local residents report discovery of suspected supernatural phenomenon. According to reports, an unexplainable event was discovered in the backyard of a residence on Elm Street, possibly connected to last night's 'Rapture Day' prophecy. Our reporters are en route to the scene…"
"Holy crap," Kate said, staring at the TV, "it actually made the news."
I tried to stay calm, but inside I was doing cartwheels. Phase one: success!
At 7 o'clock sharp, KQED began their live broadcast. I saw the familiar setting: my aunt's backyard, now cordoned off with police tape, surrounded by a growing crowd of onlookers.
Reporter Samantha Jones stood before the camera, the massive oak tree visible behind her:
"I'm reporting live from Elm Street, where an extraordinary event has occurred. According to witness Harold Smith, he discovered this astonishing scene while walking his dog at 6 AM this morning."
The camera panned to our creation. I held my breath.
My masterpiece looked even more spectacular in the morning light. The rainbow shirt rippled gently in the breeze, the angel wings sparkled brilliantly, and the "Heaven's Light" glitter cast dazzling rainbow reflections in the sunlight. The footprints stood out clearly, trailing from the clothing up the massive oak trunk.
"As you can see, rainbow-colored clothing, what appear to be angel wings, and a mysterious trail of footprints leading skyward were discovered at the scene. Local authorities are currently investigating this phenomenon."
"Perfect," I whispered. It looked even more convincing on television than I'd imagined.
The reporter began interviewing neighbors. First was elderly Mrs. Mary Johnson from next door:
"I heard the strangest sounds last night, like singing or chanting. I thought it was just my radio. But seeing this this morning… I simply can't explain it."
Then came a young couple from across the street:
"We saw these weird lights last night, coming from this direction. We thought it might be lightning, but the sky was clear. Now seeing this… it's just mind-blowing."
I couldn't help but marvel at people's imagination. They were already creating their own "eyewitness accounts," making our creation seem even more legitimate.
At 8 AM, the news channel brought in a "supernatural phenomena expert," Professor John Williamson.
"Based on the evidence at the scene, this is highly unusual. The footprint pattern, the clothing arrangement, and those… hmm… angelic elements. If this was human-made, the creator demonstrates profound understanding of religious symbolism."
The reporter asked: "Professor, could this be connected to yesterday's 'Rapture Day' prophecy?"
"It's difficult to say definitively. But the timing is certainly provocative. And these rainbow elements… in many religious traditions, rainbows are considered divine symbols, bridges between heaven and earth."
I nearly burst out laughing. This so-called "expert" was unwittingly legitimizing our entire plan.
At 9 AM, I saw exactly what I'd been waiting for: Aunt Margaret stepping out of a taxi.
She'd clearly rushed back from church, still wearing last night's white dress, her hair disheveled, eyes wild with confusion and fear.
When she saw our creation in her backyard, her expression was priceless—something I'll treasure forever.
First shock, then confusion, then pure rage.
Reporters swarmed her immediately:
"Ms. Ross, this is your property. Can you explain what's happened here?"
Aunt's voice quavered: "I… I don't know. I was at church all night… waiting for the Rapture… but…"
"We understand you mentioned your niece Emily yesterday. Do you know where she is now?"
Aunt's face drained of color. "Emily… she… she's at college… she couldn't possibly…"
Then she noticed the rainbow elements, and her expression transformed completely.
"This is impossible!" she suddenly shrieked. "Emily is a sinner! She couldn't have been raptured! God wouldn't choose her!"
The reporters perked up—this was ratings gold.
"But the evidence here seems to suggest…"
"This is the devil's work!" she screamed hysterically. "Satan is mocking us! Emily couldn't have been raptured! She's homosexual! She's a sinner!"
Watching my aunt's meltdown on live television, I felt a deep, visceral satisfaction.
This was the first taste of justice.
She'd condemned me to hell last night, and now faced the possibility that I'd "ascended to heaven." Her entire worldview was imploding.
"Ms. Ross, are you suggesting this scene is fabricated?" the reporter pressed.
"I don't know!" My aunt was nearly sobbing. "I don't know what happened! The Rapture was meant for us believers! Not… not her!"
"But if this is genuinely a Rapture phenomenon, wouldn't that suggest…"
My aunt couldn't respond. She covered her face with her hands as friends led her away from the cameras.
Meanwhile, Jessica and our "Rainbow Brigade" launched their internet offensive.
I snuck a peek at social media—#RainbowRapture was already trending.
@ReligiousScholar2024: My theological research confirms the rainbow in Genesis represents God's covenant with humanity. If the Rapture occurred and the LGBT community—historically oppressed—was chosen first, this aligns perfectly with biblical principles of "the last shall be first." #RainbowRapture
@WitnessOfLight: I witnessed rainbow-colored light emanating from that neighborhood last night! Thought I was seeing things! Now it all makes sense… #RainbowRapture #Pride
@LGBTActivist2024: Perhaps God truly cherishes those whom society rejects. The rainbow has always been our symbol—now it's become the sign of divine selection. #LoveWins #RainbowRapture
Each tweet propelled the "Rainbow Rapture Theory" further into the public consciousness.
By noon, major networks nationwide had picked up the story. CNN, Fox News, NBC—every channel was debating this "mysterious phenomenon."
I sprawled on Kate's couch, watching the media storm I'd created, feeling both exhilarated and slightly disconnected from reality.
"Emily Ross, a 19-year-old UC Berkeley student publicly condemned as a 'sinner' by her aunt yesterday, has apparently become the central figure in today's 'rapture' phenomenon. This has ignited nationwide debate about religion, sexuality, and divine selection…"
"You're famous," Kate joked, "in perhaps the weirdest way possible."
The most fascinating reactions came from religious circles. Conservative pastors denounced it as "Satan's deception," while progressive religious leaders embraced discussions about "God's inclusive love."
A San Francisco pastor declared on television:
"Perhaps this is God's reminder that His love knows no boundaries. If this phenomenon is genuine, it suggests God doesn't reject anyone based on sexual orientation."
Meanwhile, the pastor from Margaret's church adamantly stated:
"This cannot possibly be a genuine Rapture. God would never choose those living in sin. This must be some form of deception or hoax."
By afternoon, police had formally opened an investigation into Emily Ross's "disappearance."
"19-year-old Emily Ross has been unreachable since last night. Her roommate Jessica Chen reports that Ross never returned after leaving their dormitory. Authorities are investigating whether this disappearance connects to the mysterious phenomenon discovered this morning."
Jessica's performance on TV deserved an Academy Award:
"Emily was devastated last night after her aunt publicly humiliated her on Facebook. She said she needed some air and went for a walk, and then… she just never came back." She pretended to fight back tears. "I'm so worried about her. If this scene actually means what people think… I just hope she's okay, wherever she is."
Watching my best friend's convincing performance made me feel both touched and slightly guilty.
By evening, as news coverage reached fever pitch, I switched off the TV.
Phase one was a complete success. Aunt Margaret's worldview was crumbling, the media storm had gone national, and "Rainbow Rapture Theory" was spreading like wildfire.
"Feeling satisfied?" Kate asked me.
I considered for a moment. "This is just the beginning. Tomorrow gets even better."
Miles away, Aunt Margaret sat in her house, confronting an incomprehensible reality: her "sinful" niece whom she'd condemned might have been divinely chosen, while she, a "devout believer," remained earthbound.
This was the power of the first taste of justice.
And we were just getting started.
