My gaze widened at his word.

“What?” I took a step back, my chest heaving in apprehension as I saw the man who spoke approach.

With a snap I felt an arm around my wrist, pulling my hands together behind my back.

“No!” I yelled, “Never! Just kill me, instead! I would rather die than be with you murderers!”

My whole body shuddered with each word, but I meant all of it. A lone tear escaped my eye.

Lord, is it a sin to ask for death now?

My hands curled to a fist, gaze slowly roaming the blood-stained floor of the church.

Why. Why Lord? Didn’t You promise to protect those who love you?

My head jolted upright, snapping back to my senses as I felt a presence in front of me. I lifted my gaze, a warm pair of tears sliding down my cheek as I locked gazes with their leader.

Murderer.

“Be careful what you wish for,” I heard him say, his eyes the shade of charcoal unaltered towards me.

Is it possible?

Is it possible for someone to move and breathe yet have no sign of life in the embers of their eyes? His were like that. It was as though I was looking through an endless hollow of darkness.

He lifted his gaze, nodding towards his men behind me, “Take her,”

A sting of pain gripped my wrists, my hands tied together by something I can’t tell what.

“No!” I screamed, “Let me go!” My words fell on deaf ears, for all the more I felt my body shoved forward, I gazed longingly towards my father’s body, lifeless.

With all my strength I pulled away, wriggling myself from their confinement, but to no avail.

Pain engulfed me like a permanent mantle, its venom surging my very soul.

This can’t be. This can’t be happening.

I found myself gaze upwards, my heart yearning for intervention from above.

God? God, where are you?

Like a blade I felt reality slit my heart as slowly the view of my father faded away, hidden behind the walls as they pulled me out of the church.

Where are you?

---

How many hours had it been? How far exactly had we gone? It felt like an eternity. I gazed towards the dim skies, rays of yellow peeking through the mountains we’ve just passed.

For a moment I envied it, how the light seems to rise with promising hope over the glorious mountains before us. As for me, I know not of when I’ll see such a light in my life again. I heaved a sigh, one of the many that I’ve released throughout the night, but all of it was the same – empty.

I didn’t know crying for a whole night can actually drain one’s tears. Pain writhed in my being like a storm, but after a whole night, tears seemed to refuse to fall.

I gazed afar, my perception filled by mountains that seem to have no end. It stretched forth widely like an endless sheet, so majestic that they tower over each other for dominance. How much farther? How much farther are we going? Will going to a place far help me forget the tragedy that gripped my soul? I bit my lip. Nonsense. No distance can ever take me away from the pain. This I know.

I swallowed with difficulty, feeling once more the dryness of my mouth. My feet ached badly, a manifestation of walking uphill for hours on end. None of those that are with me seemed to feel the same. Had they been doing this all their life?

God...

I’ve read so many things about You, all my life I’ve been told stories of how You deliver Your people, but why?

Why haven’t You done so with me? Why haven’t You done so to my Father? He served You all His life! Where are You!?

My father’s face flashed before my eyes, his dying words like an echo to my ears.

Run…

I took in a breath, glancing from each side discreetly. He’s right. I need to leave this place. I will… I will even if I die in the process.

Gradually, I began to move my hands, finding a way to how to lose my wrists from the tie. With a few pulls, I began to feel it loosen, providing my being a ray of hope. It’s possible.

“Sh*t!”

My head jolted upright, shocked as gunshots echoed in the air. I gazed towards the brewing commotion; two men began to attack each other, throwing punches as they did. The armed men rushed towards their direction.

I stepped back, my gaze in observance as they sought to separate the men. Again a gunshot filled the air, and with this, I felt my hands break lose. I pulled my hands to my side. Now. I heard my mind beckon. Now, Sherah!

With much effort, I pulled the tie off my hands completely, sprinting away from where I stood. My chest heaved heavily, adrenaline fueling my every move.

“Hey!”

I heard one of them shout, but I dared not look back. I need to get out of here. Death burned hot on my heels as I ran, my breath hitched with panic as I advanced.

Little by little the clear path I traversed began to be filled by trees, my surroundings more compact with bushes and plants. It was harder to traverse with each passing moment. I felt twigs and roots of all kind beneath my feet as I ran.

I heard faints voices from behind, calling out, yelling, but I paid no heed. The colors green and brown of all shades seemed to occupy my vision as I ran, confusion began to take its toll, my head swirling in circles as I advanced.

Where am I!?

I swallowed hard, catching my breath as I paused momentarily. I gazed around the tree-filled land.

Where in the heck will I go from here!?

I released a shaky breath, distraught.

I heard the voices from behind heightening, and with this, my feet took off once more. But to my surprise, I felt my foot get caught up on something, forcing me towards the ground as I gasped, and from then on my body gravitated downwards, rolling downhill to only God knows where.

My gaze widened in horror, for as I caught a glimpse of what was below, the skies of blue flashed across my eyes – a place where the land meets with the skies. And before I knew it, my body hung upon an edge of a cliff, my grip tight around a root of a tree on its side.

Land was far beyond my feet, and a wave of terror encompassed my being as I looked downwards.

Death. Death is what awaits me down there.

I took in a breath, a tear sliding down my cheek as I lifted my gaze.

My whole body stung with pain, my arms sore from the forceful pull of gravity. I felt all hope drain off my soul, and with this, I shut my eyes.

Lord, just take me too…

A tear escaped my eyes once more as I looked at the hand that gripped the wood where my life hung on.

I’m letting go now, Lord… I didn’t know I’d meet You this soon. But, here I come,

With all the might within me, I began to unclasp my fingers, feeling my body’s weight pull me down.

Take me, now…

Darkness overwhelmed my being as I shut my eyes, never will I see anything with these eyes beginning today. For the first time, I was aware of the wind that caressed my body, it’s cold nature seeping through my skin. Only a few more moments, only a few more of the earthly time I’m trapped in and I’ll see glory…

Not yet, Beloved.

My whole being electrified to life, a familiar voice now ringing in my ears like an endless echo.

I lifted my gaze, bewildered as I found my body still. My gaze widened in astonishment, for as lifted my head, the view of an arm around my wrist filled my gaze. My eyes trailed through the man’s arm, and it wasn’t long when familiar features filled my perception.

The murderer.