12-12-12: Will YOU Be Chosen (Part 1)

December 12, 2012 - that was the date of prophecy. The latest round of doomsdayers had chosen this as the date of end times, the day the world would come to a sudden, violent end. Just how it would all unfold still remained shrouded in a thin veil of mystery, with only subtle hints to tantalize anyone who would listen.

Scott Kramer was a reporter for WKMG, a local news station based out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Ft. Lauderdale was no stranger to odd news or violent crime, but the rash of warnings Scott had received regarding 12-12-12 stood out. They came from multiple sources, in varying forms, with only one glaring common trait: they all claimed that all hell would break loose across America on that date, starting (of course) at 12 midnight. He pored over the letters and voice mail messages, while his colleagues scoffed at his gullability. He admittedly wondered if he was being led into believing some nonsense, and decided to push it all aside in favor of the slated coverage for the eleven o'clock broadcast. As he got up from his desk, one line from a letter in the stack stood out - " Will YOU be chosen?". The date was Tuesday, December 11, 2012.

Cari Deckert had heard the rumors about 12-12-12. She had to admit, it shook her just a bit. After all, she had lost her mother and her husband in the terrorist attacks of 9-11. She had been quite edgy since then. Remaining in New York City, everyday was a constant reminder of her loss, and she always feared the next terrorist-fueled tragedy. Was that the basis of the 12-12-12 rumors... terrorism? She couldn't help but wonder, as she rode the subway to her final stop. For safety's sake, even if it made her look paranoid, she was in a hurry to get home and settle into the calm serenity of her comfort zone, away from whatever chaos may await from those who believed. It was now eleven-thirty Tuesday night, December 11, 2012.

Michael Weiner couldn't help but notice the repeated calls from his wife, Shelley. He worked the second shift, and would be off by midnight. Usually, by that time, Shelley had the kids in bed and all was quiet on the home front by the time he arrived. Late night calls often involved a request that he stop to pick up milk, bread or some other household staple on his way home, an afterthought, at the very most. Occasionally, she would call just to keep him company during his thirty minute drive home from his shift with the Nashville Police Department. It was unusual for her to be so persistent, however. He made a mental note to check in with her as soon as he checked out. It was shift change now, 12 midnight on December 12, 2012.

For days, letters had been circulating - to national media outlets, local news stations, general press and politicians. "Beware of 12-12-12 - the end times. Will YOU be chosen?" The similarity of the letters, the widespread coverage of the campaign... it had certainly gotten attention, and made the nation take pause, but was there any merit? If there was any truth to the threat, the short notice, and the indiscriminate nature of the warnings made it nearly impossible to track. Could it simply be the work of an isolated wacko? Not probable... that "wacko" would have to be in 75 places at once, at bare minimum. Perhaps it was the act of an overzealous religious cult looking to spread fear and attention for their cause? That also seemed unlikely, as those groups often took credit for their rantings. Aterrorist cell? Most likely not - they had as yet claimed no responsibility and the letters seemed convincingly American in nature. Domestic terrorism? The most plausible cause. Now, the question that remained most vital - were they capable of the destruction they predicted?

As the twelve o'clock hour approached in Times Square, a man stood with a sandwich sign, drawing overwhelming attention in the middle of the throngs of traffic. His sign said merely: "12-12-12: Will YOU be chosen?"