Page 17 of In God's Name

Once the idea of just God’s work being enough was banished they began to take on a much more barbaric approach. Men and women were forced into the basement with the assignment of procreating. In Apollyon’s eyes, if you couldn’t live a life away from the temptations of the devil, the least you could do is create offspring to be raised correctly. The unmedicated births killing women and the failed unprofessional abortions leaving them traumatized was enough proof for Apollyon that sinners were meant to die. From there, things got much worse.

I finally build up enough strength to step out of my car. Apollyon shows off a grin as I walk up to meet him.

“Hello my son,” he states as he reaches out to pat me on the shoulder. I give him a smile, praying it can hide my true intentions of being here. We walk side by side inside the building as we make our way past the three security doors. The building is cold, crisp white with posters of Jesus and a few different medical ones about recovery are framed and posted up every few feet in the hallway.

“So what is it about this target that has you so interested?” Apollyon questions, as if it's just small talk.

“You’ve never asked me to deliver a target alive. If her death is worth that much, I would at least like to witness it,” I choke out,forcing myself to stay calm. The rage inside of me is bubbling up to dangerous heights.

“I see,” he states as he unlocks the final door heading into the basement. “Cell block F. You can go in if you’d like. Her death won’t be happening today however.”

“Why is that?”

“Something about her feels different. I believe God put her in our path for a reason.”

I nod my head in response and begin my descent down the dimly lit stairs. The contrast from the main level to here is stark. Barely lit cement walls, metal doors leading into each cell, and the smell from the experiments surrounds me. I hold my breath, desperately trying to figure out what I’m going to do. As I stand in front of her cell, I know I just need to see her. My beautiful prey, the one who finally got to me.

I wince as I push the door open, the metal frame screeching against the concrete floor. Light barrels into the cell, illuminating its prisoners. My eyes scan over Lilith’s frame. She's laying flat on the floor, staring up unblinking at the ceiling. My chest tightens when I see the blood splattered across her frame. What have I done?

“Where’s our food?” a man’s voice calls out from the other side of the room. I turn to look at him and barely recognize him. We had never met but I’ve seen enough photos of him throughout Apollyon’s house to recognize him.

“Elijah?” I question .

“Where’s our food?” he questions again, licking his cracked lips, desperate to find some moisture. I ignore him, turning my attention back to Lilith. She hasn’t moved a muscle, and if it wasn’t for the steady rise and fall of her chest I would be afraid she had passed.

“Lilith, I’m sorry,” the words leave my mouth without any thought as I kneel down to her. Her eyes slowly turn to look atme, and only then am I able to see how bloodshot they are. She’s been crying.

“The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all, Psalms 34:19”

I continue to stare at her, as she reverts her eyes back to the ceiling. I begin to reach forward to her when Elijah calls out, “Please don’t touch her.”

I turn my head to give him a questioning glance, and finally take the time to really look at him. He’s filthy, covered in food and urine. “She attacked a nurse and we haven’t eaten for two days. Please don’t touch her. We need food.”

My eyes widen at his remark. My Lilith attacked someone? I knew she was willing to use her voice but I had never seen her get physical. Pride begins to beam in my chest and I do my best to push it down.

“I’ll be back tomorrow with some food, no one can know, do you understand that?”

“Yes,” Elijah says almost immediately.

“And what about you?” I question, standing above Lilith.

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him, James 1:12.”

Elijah starts to speak up after Lilith, but ends in a fit of coughing. His health seems to be rapidly deteriorating down here. After a few moments he’s finally able to get the words out. “She hasn’t moved since the nurse left. And she has only been talking in scripture. At this point I don’t think anyone would believe her if she said someone had brought us food. She’s in some kind of religious psychosis.”

I give him an understanding nod before heading to the door and slowly shutting it behind me. The devastation in me is too much to bear as I slide down the piece of metal until I’m sat down on the floor. I have to save her.

Chapter twenty-one

Lilith

God answered my prayers. He sent an angel with a halo made from curly blonde hair. He’s going to bring us food. I smile up at the ceiling as I see the Lord’s swirls of light parade around in the darkness. My faith will save me. The hum in my body returns and it begins to pull me off the ground. Here I am, floating, away from the shackles that had kept me against the cold concrete floor. Another miracle of God himself.

I turn towards Elijah and see his small frame on the ground below me. “Don’t you feel God’s love?”

His eyes turn towards me in a state of shock. It’s the first time I had spoken to him since I yelled at him. God has helped lead me to forgiveness for him however, and during this trying time, he needs me.

“Did you say something?” He asks. I’m sure he’s having a hard time witnessing the miracle in front of him.

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