FOUR: Untitled So Far

FOUR: Untitled

         Life at the commune was simple. It was the most natural way of life that I had ever even heard of and I found myself thanking God every morning for leading me to it.

         We woke each morning to the beating of the drum; two to wake us, one to begin the morning mass. Then, the women on kitchen duty for the day would prepare breakfast. We would meet (as for all meals) in Ezekiel's large dining room. Between breakfast and lunch, the children would have lessons and chores would be done (laundry, sewing, cleaning, gathering berries and plants and other necessities from the forest). Lunch preceded the afternoon sermon and open confession which was the only gathering that the children attended. Afterward, we did whatever other small things needed to be done, helped others' with their chores, etc... until dinner. After dinner was prayer and then off to our homes or visiting.

         It was an easy routine and we all had the freedom on this commune that we would not find anywhere else in the world.

         Once a week, Luke and Rebeka would travel to the nearest town for food and supplies. I never knew where the money came from for that or the electricity within our homes, but I didn't care. It just didn't matter. It was just further proof that God takes care of His children.

         Life was perfect. I spent the first three weeks of my life at the commune feeling as though I was drifting around on Cloud Nine. I was soon to learn, however, that life cannot always be perfect all of the time.

         Joanna came to me while I was wandering the forest, picking the wild strawberries that I had developed a love for. Sweat dotted her forehead, the hair at her temples damp. Fear and worry shown clearly in her eyes. “You must come quick!”

         I dropped my basket, my heart in my throat as I ran beside her. “What is it? What has happened?”

         “It is Hannah...” Her breath was labored from running.

         I wondered how long she had been looking for me. “Hannah? Why? What has happened to her?”

         We reached The Circle and sat in our customary spots. My heart twisted with confusion and fear. Before us, Hannah was trussed to a tall log, her body bloody and bruised. Her head hung limp on her chest. My breathe caught in my throat. Beneath her, a pile of branches circled the log, higher as it neared it, almost touching her feet. What is happening? Dear God, What is happening?

         Standing before her, Ezekiel's expression seemed pained and mournful as he faced us. He raised his hands in the usual sign that he was about to speak. “I have most grievous news this day.” He paused, looked down as though he was fighting to hold back tears, and sighed. “This woman that we have all loved, that I made my own wife whom I cherished...” Another pause. “Today, this woman, not of God, but of Satan, made an attempt to take my life.” Most of gasped, some spat on the ground, others crossed themselves. “Satan has taken hold of her and God, though I have prayed, has not seen it fit to show forgiveness.” He made the sign of the cross over the gathering.

         Matthew walked up the center of The Circle where an aisle was always clear, in his hands, he held a torch high, stepping carefully so it's mighty flame did not burn his head.

         Luke and Andrew carried baskets of smaller torches, handing them out to us one at a time.

         “It is as He wants it,” Ezekiel said sternly as we formed a line. “This act is commanded by our God and we are his faithful and obedient servants.”

         One by one, we lit our torches from Matthew's before be Ezekiel made the sign of the cross to us and then we dropped our torches on the pile of branches below Hannah.

         As I stood in line, I saw her head bob from one side to the other as though she was dreaming. Suddenly, her eyes shot open, wide and filled with such fear that I prayed I would never know such a feeling. The flames, when I dropped my torch on the pile, were reaching higher and higher. Already, the skin of her feet, ankles, and parts of her shins was covered in blisters, visibly boiling from the heat of the fire. The smell of the burning flesh stung my nostrils and I choked, my hands rushing to cover my mouth and nose.

         I ran toward Adah's home, but only made it a few feet from the door before my knees buckled and I fell to the ground, the contents of my stomach erupting from me with such force that I feared my intestines would follow. Tears streamed from my eyes, her widened, fear-filled brown eyes dancing before them every time I blinked. The stench of her burning permeated the air, thickening it so that I could barely breath.

         I felt a crowd gather around me, but I dared not move as dizziness invaded my senses. A gentle hand stroked my back as more bile and vomit spewed forth. My body felt drenched in sweat and yet I shivered from cold. I felt as though I was ready to faint and then... I felt myself being lifted up. I looked up into Ezekiel's eyes, almost blinded by the sun that seemed to crown his head perfectly. I smiled at him and then allowed myself to slip into the darkness.

(Chapter to be continued...?)

Word Count: 943 words
Written On: April 24-??, 2010