Page 99 of Delta
“You told me you thought He had forgotten you. How are you so sure He hasn’t forgotten us now?”
“Because we’re still alive,” he replies. “And even if we lose our lives, that just means we’ll find the peace promised to us. Can’t you see it? Can’t you feel the light surrounding us even in the darkness?” How can she not see? How can Emma, who has always been such a bright light, lose her hope now?
She closes her eyes and shakes her head. “I’m trying.”
“‘When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes, but the godly will live to see their downfall,’” I say, repeating one of my favorite Proverbs verses. My mom had us memorize them when she homeschooled us. That one always stuck with me. “We will see his downfall. Even if he takes our lives, God is still in control.”
“I’m not afraid to die,” she whispers, tilting her face to look up at me. “But I am terrified that he is going to make me watch you die.”
My chest tightens at the pain on her face. Lord, I trust in You. No matter what happens. I feel You there. But please let her survive. Please let her suffer no more.
The brokenness is all over her face, the light slowly fading from her eyes. I know what it feels like to lose all hope. I did when I was in that jail cell. I know what it feels like to surrender to the darkness because you’ve lost all hope that the light will ever find you.
I won’t let Emma suffer that fate.
It’s worse than death.
I clear my throat. “‘Christ be our sure foundation. Christ be our cornerstone,’” I start singing.
Emma looks up at me, and a smile slowly lifts the corners of her lips.
I continue the hymn I memorized after a week at church camp when we were in eighth grade. “‘Build up from every nation a people of your own.’”
“‘Blest through your font of mercy, blest be each living stone of faith alive in witness. Fair Christ by all be known,’” she starts.
I grin. “You still remember it.”
“How could I forget? We had to listen to Riley belt that out during the talent show.”
I laugh. “Yeah, he may be a charmer, but singing is not his strong suit.”
Emma laughs. “Do you remember how he froze partly through it, so Elliot stood up and started singing with him?”
Nodding, I recall how embarrassed Riley looked but how relieved he was that his big brother came to help him. “Elliot’s voice was just as bad.”
“But then you, Bradyn, and Lani all got up on stage too. Somehow, together, you all sounded just like a church choir.”
“If I recall, you jumped up there with us too.”
“Only after Lani ran downstage and pulled me up,” she replies with a soft smile.
There it is. The light.
I laugh, remembering the fear on her face when Lani brought her up there with us. The memory is so clear that it’s like watching a movie play out in front of me.
Simpler times.
Before war.
Pain.
Loss.
“I love you, Dylan. I know I told you that before, but I need to say it again, just in case.”
I meet her gaze, praying with all I have that we still have a chance at a future together. “I love you too, Emma.”
The door swings open, and Tori saunters in, wearing a navy-blue dress. “How sweet, but I’m afraid we’ll be cutting this little love fest short. Get her ready,” she orders two women in personal service uniforms as two armed guards come for me.
