Page 64 of Perilous Healing

The group around us is focused on her intently. They hang on every single word she speaks. “This is from Psalm 34.” She clears her throat. “‘The eyes of theLordare on the righteous, and his ears are attentiveto their cry; but the face of theLordis againstthose who do evil, to blot out their namefrom the earth. The righteous cry out, and theLordhearsthem; he delivers them from all their troubles. TheLordis closeto the brokenheartedand saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but theLorddelivers him from them all; protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. Evil will slay the wicked;the foes of the righteous will be condemned. TheLordwill rescuehis servants; no one who takes refugein him will be condemned.’”

There is not a single word uttered amongst those listening, and even as difficult a concept as faith has been for me, I canseea bit of hers taking root in each of the people standing before me.

Their expressions are a mixture of fear and hope.

Of love and understanding. Like they’ve been waiting for these words their entire lives.

A woman speaks, and Abana turns to Bianca. “She asks if you truly believe there is such a God who will deliver us from this pain.”

“Yes,” Bianca replies without hesitation. “I do.”

Abana continues staring at her. “You believe, yet you are prisoner here, too.”

“Not for long,” Bianca replies, then reaches out to gently touch Abana’s arm. “And when I leave, you’ll all be free too.”

Chapter20

Bianca

Achill clings to the air around us, and I tug the small blanket up closer around my neck, then roll to my side. I’d moved my cot closest to the bars separating Silas and I, wanting to be closer to him and not caring if it makes me look weak.

I’m terrified.

Because I know that if we don’t find a way to escape, there’s no chance River is letting us go home. He’ll kill us, bury our bodies here, and never think about it again.

I study Silas’s profile in the dim light, but I can’t make out much. I do see that his eyes are closed, his breathing soft. Is he awake? Or did he finally catch the same sleep I’m desperately chasing?

It’s far too dark to read my Bible, thanks to the single dim light over the door leading up to the main house, but I still clutch the book to my chest, running my fingers over the pages for comfort. We buried a man today.

Rescued two from the pit—for now.

And I promised them all I would help them get free.

How I’m supposed to do that, I’m not sure. But I know that one day, I’ll see their freedom. Somehow. Ifeelit.

“You awake?”

“Yeah,” I reply.

Silas stands and grips his cot, then drags it across the floor until he’s right beside the bars—mere inches from me. Without another word, he lies down on his back and puts his right arm behind his head.

“You got to those people today.”

I smile into the darkness. “You think?”

“I do. What you said meant a lot to them. Especially after everything they’ve been through. You gave them hope.”

“God’s Word gave them hope,” I reply. “I merely read the words.”

“You did more than that,” Silas replies. “You also promised them freedom.”

“I did.” I sigh. “Not sure how I’ll manage that one.”

“I’ll help you.”

I look over at him again. “You will?”

He turns to look at me. “Can’t let you have all the fun, can I?” The ghost of a smile graces his handsome face and my heart skips as my stomach warms.

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