Chapter Nine [ Lockdown]

Chapter Nine [Lockdown]

The military armed forces are never afraid of lockdowns or pandemics because their job is to defend the nation's constitution and protect the planet from dangerous attacks by the invisible enemy.

To be a part of isolated helpless humanity is a great insult for one rescued team member in case they plan to recruit Rudolf to join in their forces while he stays inside the military bases in the country.

They left after Rudolf and his family were taken into custody by a medical mission team from a US military base, which was in charge of checking out and protecting people's health and safety by taking appropriate precautions.

"What are you thinking, honey?" Rudolf asks as they stroll.

“I’m thinking about our life in a pandemic lockdown situation," Rhoda responded.

“We’ll be compelled to obey many times," Rudolf suggests.

“It’ll be a boring situation for all people who used to work day and night as their lifestyle," Rhoda added.

“What do you usually do when you're in the mission field during mission training with indigent people in Inland China?" Rudolf is curious.

"We set up a community gathering in a secluded area free from authority hunting and prohibiting us from talking and sharing about the Almighty Living God. Once they caught us with our Bible, they quickly arrested all of us, especially our team leader, and tortured us while under interrogation on a regular basis," Rhoda explains clearly, while Rudolf and Robert listen quietly.

"When I went to our Bible studies under the dungeon, I was almost caught by them since a neighbor saw me racing under the doorway and didn't keep an eye on the waste spread on the path walk," Rhoda stated.

”Why? Is your next-door neighbor expecting you to clean up the trash that has accumulated on the path walk?”

As they move slowly, Rudolf continues to probe, guiding Roberts to practice walking with both legs free.

"They thought the garbage came from the garbage can in front of our doorways, which had been overflowing because we neglected it," Rhoda explained, adding,

"She's a talkative Chinese old stubborn fellow with whom I once shared the Gospel and refuses to accept and believe due to the terrifying communist army who hunt Christian in inland China."

"I was able to perceive danger on my way close to the meeting place, so instead, I took the path walk to the grocery store and bought some plastic bags for garbage to show my neighbor that I was not neglecting to do the concerned citizens duty to maintain sanitation and orderliness of the Chinese community environment."

Rhoda continued, "I didn't intend to embarrass her for being so suspicious and persecuting the Christians, but I do it for God who presides over all things." Rhoda takes a seat to rest, while Rudolf walks gently around Rhoda, gripping Robert's hands.

"Honey, you need to rest at home. Let’s buy some fruits to bring home so we don't go hungry," Rudolf suggests.

"We'll go out the next day and locate some new locations and facilities surrounding some other time that is more convenient for us."

Rudolf sees the tricycle approaching,

"Are your wheels available for hire till we get to our house on the southeast side?” Rudolf inquires of the driver, who just replied with a nod. They immediately board the vehicle and arrive safely at their destination.

"Sweetie baby, your bed is ready for you to lie down and take your rest to sleep well. Warm kisses Uhm!" Rudolf began exploring every corner of the house provided by the rescued squad, while Rhoda peeled one banana and fed Robert a few spoonsful of oatmeal as he began to show restlessness and sleepy behavior.

Rhoda squealed with delight. She gasps for air as she lies by Robert in his small bed next to their double bed, trying to lull him to sleep.

"Can you tell me what you found here?” Rhoda requests that her husband turn on the lights in every gloomy corner of the one-room hut near the beach.

"This has been an abandoned place. Some old kitchen utensils were left behind with a man-made firewood stove in the dirty kitchen. We can sort it out as temporary equipment for cooking our food and we just buy some new dishes, spoons, and anti-bacterial disinfectant for the comfort room and sink. We can live a simple life for a while," Rudolf suggests.

"Honey, we should bring our own distilled drinking water, as well as some inexpensive kettles, pans, buckets, and ba-sins," Rudolf added.

"Isn't there a cheaper portable gas burner on the market called tali papa?" Rudolf stammers, and Rhoda picks up on it, she says,

"you mean it's tali papa, a small wet and dry market," Rhoda added.

” Exactly.” Rudolf agreed. Rhoda began to wash her hands with soap as she encouraged her husband to adopt a new habit of cleanliness recommended by the WHO.

"I get it, I’ll wash my both hands too singing, happy evening to you, happy evening to you, in a happy birthday rhythmic tone, many times until we get tired,” Rudolf chuckles as they make fun of it.

"Let's check out all the secret openings and exits for safety and protection," Rhoda whispered to Rudolf.

“The door and windows lock seemed rusty," Rhoda implies. “I also discovered it,” Rudolf agrees adding,

"Honey, we shouldn't let Robert sleep alone in his bed since he might be afraid!"

"We'll relocate his bed near us, perhaps next to the wall so he doesn't slip down the floor on the other side." Rudolf says as he’s interested in Rhoda’s concern.

She immediately washed the fruits and placed them on the table inside the bedroom till they were finished fixing and cleaning the entire house until they were both contents resting in their bed hugging each other.

Rhoda's mind wandered back to Rudolf's favorite meals, which he craves when he's hungry or thirsty. To avoid any more delay, she untangles herself from Rudolf's arms and starts getting the portable water heater for Rudolf's coffee and Robert's milk feeding bottle when he wakes up.

Rudolf and Robert appeared to be fast asleep, so she can focus on her other responsibilities as a housekeeper. The sun began to set in the west, allowing the night to cast its shadow over the entire land area.

Rhoda noticed something peculiar in her eyes far away along the seacoast while heating the water in the portable electric kettle in that isolated small house. She took Ru-dolf's’ portable, small telescope which he used to examine the lovely and interesting spot around.

"Those are partners on their weekend out of town adven-ture on the beach," Rhoda recognizes the scene, adding,

"I can't understand why, when there's lockdown and pandemics, they're supposed to stay at home safe as the WHO ordered for safety procedures." Rhoda deduces the consequence.

"I've been informed that the authorities have prohibited any gatherings during this time of lockdown," she says.

"Perhaps I should rather inform the medical mission team and the rescued squad about it," she says. She intends to sneak out and speak with the authorities while the beachgoers enjoy their freedom.

"I need my smartphone right now so I can text them." Rhoda is about to report the latest incident to the authorities when Rudolf appears behind her back tickling her waistline.

"What are you doing here?" Rhoda murmurs,

"Look what I see here," as she hands Rudolf his binoculars and keeps a watch on him.

"Uhm, they’re all hot beasts on the field," Rudolf suggests. "Come on honey. Try to figure out what they're doing this time of lockdown, isn’t it forbidden for any social gathering since the authorities compel you to obey social distancing?" Rhoda explains slowly to her husband, who appears to be still sleeping.

Rudolf chuckles, adding, "Those people should be reprimanded, but we have no right to stop them." Rudolf insists, "Let's report them to authority right away. The consequences of what they do affect the entire community, and probably the entire nation once they're infected by the deadly virus. We’re almost close to them. We’ll be in danger because we're not fully vaccinated yet." Explains Rhoda

“We’ll rapidly send information to the rescuing squad," Rudolf says as she pulls out her phone and dials the emergency number offered.

"Wait! “Rhoda interrupted.

"How about we go there and figure out the entire scene as real-world sources?" Rudolf gazed at Rhoda intently,

” What do you investigate? " he inquires.

"We're not investigating; we're just becoming acquainted with the area in case we need to go for a swim at the beach." Sea coast is my favorite scenery! "Rhoda expressed herself as Rudolf smiles and nod.

The two are practically touching the young people on the beach. Rhoda replies quietly,

"They won't identify us because we're wearing face shields and masks."

"You see, Honey," Rudolf said,

"This would be a fantastic spot for recreation and unwinding." Rhoda said, "We have something in common."

"However, it appears that they are not actually on excursions!"

"What do you mean?" Rudolf asks. Rhoda is curious.

"Take a look over there!"

"Of course, they will eat, sleep, swim, and rest here," Rudolf observes.

"So, they must bring everything they need to enjoy the site," Rhoda explains.

“The problem is pandemic and the authorities comply all to obey for securities and protection reasons.” Rudolf said. Rhoda advises, "Let's get closer."

"Hello, Sir, Mam!"

“Hello and good evening! "One of the guys spots the pair and greets them." Rudolf reply.

"Are you guys aware of the current pandemic situation?" Rhoda inquires. "We've been notified," Guy replied.

"But you're still doing it this way?" Rudolf asks.

”We have no basic idea because most of us don’t believe that there’s a coronavirus.” Another guy insists.

”If you don’t believe in the dreadful diseases spreading, it means you’re just testing as you take the risks? "Rudolf ex-amines them with serious eyes.

"There's no harm in trying; we're simply doing some research!" says the other guy.

“But you're putting the entire globe at risk as a result of your exploration!” Rhoda explained.

"Mam, we have no choice except to test for the coronavirus, which is present everywhere. Our lives are meaningless. We have no family but our gangs here with us," the first man says.

“Guys, listen! Each of you is valuable and significant to our community," Rhoda says,

"and your existence is a gift from God! So, we must all accept God's gift and enjoy it, but not waste it. You cooperate with authorities for the common good. Jesus Christ loves and cares for you! “Guys agree.

Suddenly, an irate inebriated man rushes toward them.

"You all a bastard!" he cries, horrified.

"Have you forgotten that this beach is wholly mine? You must leave right now, or I will wipe you out with a single click! Everyone was scared of the intoxicated man.”

As the young people became agitated and formed a circle around Rhoda and Rudolf, Rudolf exclaimed,

"Hey fellow, calm down. No one is going to take this land from you. Better let them explore and leave them in peace!"

"I wanted you all dead," a drunken man implied hastily. “You’re nothing!" He is adamant.

Rudolf rapidly snatched the man's phone by force, but he held it tightly and resisted Rudolf's arms until they struggled and the man took his knife and struck Rudolf barely. Rhoda cries, while the young people are horrified and don't know what to do, but bend down as their bodies are destroyed.

In the twilight zone above the eastward sea coastal area near the family's little house, a rushing sound, vehicles honking ceaselessly, was overheard. Authorities acted quickly after receiving the information. The inebriated man was soon handcuffed. All of the tourists were arrested and jailed for additional investigation and community quarantine.

After supper, the family proceeded to unwind. They'll have to come up with a fresh approach if the situation returns to normal. Rudolf is awoken by strong wants to escape the monotony as he grips his wife tightly in his muscular, robust arms. He says,

"I love you, wife. I'm really agitated after learning about the implications that these young people suffer after having a good time at the beach party," he remarked.

"How can we fly out to get rid of it when the virus has been contaminating the atmosphere and it started in inland China?"

"God help us!" Rhoda continues. Rudolf began to pray now. “Jesus Christ save us!”

"We read the Bible and pray earnestly for God's wisdom to guide, protect, and grant us the graces we need to overcome the emotional and mental depression that attacks us," Rhoda reflects as Rudolf turn

"My life was in contrast, we fight on the battlefield using deadly weapons against invaders, and there's no room for depression, stress, emotions, or mental destruction because we're busy physically." Rudolf continued as he cuddled Rhoda.

"When we're not on the battlefield, we're still working out to rebuild strength like an eagle, replenishing the power to attack our foes via continued training and exercise," Rudolf explains to Rhoda, who is quietly listening.

“Can I ask you a question, Honey?” Rhoda said eyes turns and gazed her husband pondering,

“What about it?’ Rudolf inquires as Rhoda grope his back-bone from the upper to the lumbar region,

“How did your backbone injure?” Rhoda gazes as she asks Rudolf about it.

"I never expected that something would attack me while I was inside the aircraft carrier carrying powerful deadly weapons for protection. There were two doors, one for safety and the other for deadly. I entered the deadly door undetected when someone quickly envelop me with a plastic bag before I entered the deadly door, and the rope holding the plastic bag that envelop me hardly dragged me to the heavy metals of those stationed jet fighters flying up to the high tower. “Rudolf narrated discreetly adding,

“ And I lost consciousness. I fell from the highest light tow-er to the metallic ground, nearly breaking my bones, de-stroying my face, and painful pains awakened my consciousness on medical rescued team cars going to the nearest complete high-tech medical equipment hospitals to save my life.”

Rudolf continues to ponder. “Do you still have aches now?" Rhoda inquires.

“As my testimony to God is a magnificent God, I'm entirely healed by Jesus Christ the great healer of all." Rudolf fur-ther declares.

“All glory to God!" Rhoda exclaims as tears of delight stream down her cheeks, drenching Rudolf's arms.

"Uhm, you're weeping once more!"

"Because you're now a child of God, who is a tremendous God and healer!" Rhoda replied.

“I’m so thrilled for you, honey. I love you with all my heart. God is teaching me to love you with all my heart because He told me He loves you," Rhoda explained.

Rudolf asks her, his eyes wide with surprise.

“Really a great God loves me. I’m extremely a sinner!” Ru-dolf confesses.

“You accepted Jesus Christ as youth God and Savior al-ready, honey. You’re a new creation from now on. “Rhoda insists.

"My spirit rejoices in God, our Savior because He exposes His wisdom to people whom the world regards as fools, but who are smart in God's eyes. He comes to your rescue!”

"I want to focus on our family as His gift to me," Rudolf admits. "Both of us will abide in the shadows of His wings," Rhoda remarked.