Escape
Ona crept nervously through the shadows. Each step sounded hopelessly too loud in the silken air. Lomi had said not to fear the Darkness. The Darkness, he'd said, was actually a presence; a person. And now, The Darkness had extended an invitation to her, Ona, through Lomi. "A great honour," he had whispered as his burning gaze had sought her wide-eyed one. She had nodded. She knew something of The Darkness and of the meetings which were held in the dense copses and remote caves. Attending a meeting would take her from the edges where she'd been dabbling and into the inner circle.
"You desire more knowledge, don't you?" Lomi drew her near, and suddenly, the relationship they shared seemed to be entwined with her decision.
"I'll go." She said quietly. "But only if you go with me."
Lomi had shaken his head. "No. Each one must go alone. It's safer that way." Lomi's voice was firm, but he toned it down when he saw her reluctance. "Don't fret, my love. I will meet you there."
***
Now, as Ona neared the grove of rustling trees, a feeling of excitement replaced her trepidation. The knowledge she acquired tonight could mean an increased income. Villagers would be drawn like magnets to her medicine shop if she could work proper magic. Too many others knew how to prepare the herbal remedies which she sold to put food in her belly. She wondered briefly how The Darkness would impart his power to her. Lomi had reassured her that no money exchanged hands at the meetings, but she couldn't help thinking that there must be a cost. A price to pay. She shuddered a little, and the fear she'd felt at the start of her journey, rose up into her throat once more.
***
"Good. You're here. Come quickly." Lomi grasped Ona's hand.
"Just ahead?" She gestured at the dark mass of looming branches and vegetation ahead of them.
Lomi nodded, and Ona glanced his way. A strange tremor of horror rippled through her. If Ona had known better, Lomi could have passed for The Darkness himself as the thin moonlight revealed his midnight hooded cape and intent stare.
"You're a member?"
Lomi arched a brow coldly in answer. "Now you are in on the secret. But remember," his grip tightened on her wrist, "no one else must know. Nor must you speak to anyone of what you see tonight." His breath was hot in her ear. "It will not end well for you if you go against my command, and I will do nothing to save you."
Out of pure fear, Ona nodded. Inside though, her heart cracked into a thousand pieces. She recalled Lomi's tenderness, his loving words, and sweet promises of forever. And now? He would stand back as she was killed?
Ona took a few steps forward as a chilling chant seemed to seep from the trees. The shadows danced menacingly around her, and the moonlight etched evil shapes in the bushes. As she walked towards an unknown horror, she began to see. Like one seeing only dimly at first, she began to see.
When Lomi let go of her hand briefly in order to part some branches, she turned and fled like a hunted animal. She crashed into a clearing, not caring how much noise she made. Lomi followed, growling her name, but when she reached the clearing, he stopped. She glanced back, and saw his hooded form, grim and evil behind her.
Hot tears of shame filled her eyes. The Darkness had seduced her, lied to her, lured her. He had said he would love her forever; give her the world. Now she knew what the price was: her soul. No! He would not have it. She knew now what she needed. As she ran towards the village, light spilled into the shadows. One light appeared brighter than the others. Ona ran even faster, until she reached a rough door. Desperate, she banged upon it with her fists.
"Yes?" The man of God asked. Then as he summed up the situation, he ushered Ona in quickly. His wife led the young woman to a chair, but their visitor refused to sit down.
"Please." Her eyes were wide and pleading, her breathing ragged. "I don't want to walk in darkness anymore. Can you show me the way to The Light?"
***
John 1:9-18 ESV
[9] The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. [10] He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. [11] He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. [12] But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, [13] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. [14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. [15] (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) [16] For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. [17] For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. [18] No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.1.9-18.ESV
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Story copyright: Alison Lawrence.
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Love and prayers.
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