'What's out there? The stories I've heard are terrifying, but I wonder if those are just for the children. I want to know the truth. . . At least, part of me does. The other part of me tells me I'm safe here. Nothing can go wrong. I'm safe here. . .'
The heat was unbareable. That was the thought in her head. Somehow despite all the horror she had been dragged through that night, that was the only thought on her mind: The heat was unbearable, and yet she couldn't move.
As she stared up at the burning wreckage she heard a scream. A human scream. A young scream. The last scream. It snapped her back to reality.
Her home, the church, her friends, family, The Pastor. All of it gone, just like that, snatched from her by the cruel, ugly disfigured hand of the very creatures she had watched from afar. The creatures she had felt pity for. The same creatures had ruined her life. She now felt nothing for them but contempt, hatred of the
strongest possible kind. It made her weep and the tears flooded down her cheeks.
It suddenly dawned on her that she had nothing, except for the bible she was clutching in her arms. She had forgotten it was there until now and the metal plates on its surface had been so warm that she was sure they had burned her skin, but she had been too afraid to let go.
She remembered some of the stories she had been told when she was younger. The lone warriors of the wasteland, fighting their way across it to find a safer place.
Of course these were just stories. At least that's what she had always believed, but now that she thought about it, why couldn't there be someone out there. There must be other settlements, like theirs, other survivors. There must be warriors out there somewhere.
This thought gave her hope and she closed her eyes. "Father, I know I haven't always been as faithful as I could be, and i know I've questioned you more than is right. But please, please father. . . Watch over me." She kept her eyes closed for a while but said nothing, just letting the tears flow. Her whole body was filled with a warmth and she felt safe.
When she opened her eyes, her mind was set. She would turn and keep walking, she would rebuild somewhere else, she would gather other stragglers and she would preach. She would spread faith throughout the wasteland.
She looked towards the sky. "I understand my part in this test now Father. I won't fail."
She said another silent prayer for her fallen family and friends before turning her back on the wreckage and begining her journey.
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