Short stories collection

The valley

Tap tap tap tap tap. This slapping sound brought me back into reality.
How long have I been out? Three minutes, four minutes or maybe five minutes.
I opened my eyes to find out that I'm still in my hopeless situation. I'm still in the valley, the valley of the shadow of death.

I tried getting up but the nagging pain on my thigh made my attempt futile and painful. I didn't have much time left. The predator might be lurking around. I needed to try to get out of this place in 10 minutes.

Opening my mouth, I breathe heavily, trying to recuperate. My right eye had been partially blinded by the predator.
I know fully well that psychopaths like him doesn't allow their prey escape easily. They enjoy a little cat and mouse game. The chasing gives them adrenaline rush.

You might be wondering how I got into his clutches. Well if I had listened to my stepmum, I would probably have been home, moping the floor for the umpteenth time. I would probably have been home receiving Taunts and maybe slaps on my back for any little mistake. That would have been better compared to the situation I am now.

Yesterday, I decided that I was fed up of my stepmum's brutality and I decided that only me had the power to end it. My initial plan was to wait till I turn 18 in 2 months time before leaving the house but I couldn't endure anymore.
I decided that I needed to get my freedom from her.

I made sure she had fallen asleep before taking my little metal briefcase which had rusted because it had been used by me since I was 12. I ran out without any transport. I planned to hike till I get to the bus stop.

This is why I'm running around, trying to save my life. A jeep stopped right in front of me and a man who I estimate to be in his late 20's told me or rather commanded me in a way ladies of nowadays find sexy to enter his car.
I entered without too much contemplation and the next thing he did was to inject me with a syringe.

I woke up to see setting a firewood, as if he wanted to do some barbeque. I asked what he wanted to do and his reply gave me goosebumps.
He told me that he wanted to make a sacrifice, the sacrifice Abraham failed to make with Isaac to God.

I tried explaining to him that Abraham didn't fail as he offered the sacrifice but it looked like I was pouring water on stone.

As he tried binding me, I fought back. I fought back with every strength I have. I received numerous punches and slaps in my stomach, eyes and cheeks.
All this while, he kept muttering and asking God to forgive me for I know not what I'm doing.

I'm not a born again Christian because I feel like God has forsaken me but I know that God never asked for anyone to be sacrificed.

I prayed silently in my mind for God to give me a chance. Suddenly it came.
He told me that I have 30 minutes to run out of the valley. If he finds me after 30 minutes, then I will be the sacrificial lamb. I looked on in shock as he threw a timer to me. I had 29 minutes, 15 seconds.

I ran forgetting about how my legs and body were opposing and tired.
I ran too fast that I slipped and fell, then blackness was all I could see.

I opened my eyes after hearing a slapping sound. It sounded like footsteps. I looked at the timer. I had only 10 minutes more. 10 minutes that can determine my fate.

I decided to stand up and try to walk, shutting my mind from thinking of the numerous bones he had broken.

'Do it Cathy, just do it! If you don't, you are going to face my wrath ' my step mum's voice echoed in my mind. She had said that to me when she asked me to climb a rocky path to cross over to her friend's house to get spices for food. She asked me not to pass the main road as the rocky path was short. I didn't want to but when I remember  I could incur her wrath, I knew I just had to do it. Fortunately, I didn't fall. I think I noticed a little smile on her face but I don't know why.

'I can do it' I said as I gathered momentum as I stood, running as if my life depended on it, my body crying out in pain.

When I felt like stopping, I remembered my step mum's words 'You don't stop when your body say you should, you stop when you have solved the problem'. She said this to me when she made me mop the house thrice.

I continued running as I saw lights from afar. I was few meters away from my freedom.
'Beep beep beep beep' the timer screamed loudly. My ten minutes was up.
As I made to run, I was knocked down. I screamed in pain as I looked at my bleeding leg.

'Ten minutes is up. You not escaping is a sign that God wants you for sacrifice. I would call this place Jehovah Jireh' he said as he joined his palms together.

'God doesn't want me to be sacrificed. God doesn't need an human sacrifice.' I retorted, anger filled in my voice.

'It's time dear. It's time you go meet God.' he replied happily.

'In this life, when you are at the face of death, you don't just sit and wait for it to come, you fight for your life!' my step mum's voice echoed in my head. She said this to me when she was coming to slap me and I didn't run or try to look for a way to defend myself.

I looked to my left and I found a stone, David and Goliath scenario playing in my mind.
I closed my eyes as I waited for him to take a step forward. He did and I threw the stone, shutting my eyes.

I expected to hear a scream from him but I didn't. I opened my eyes to find him falling to the ground, mouth agape.

'Are you ok Cathy?'

'Laura?' I exclaimed in shock. It was my step mum. My stone hadn't hit the man. The log of wood in her hand killed him.

'My baby' she cried out as she ran to hug me. 'I'm sorry. I'm very sorry for how I've been too harsh on you. I really love you that's why I'm this way. I don't want you to end up like your mom who died miserably because she was given all she wanted. I made a promise to your dad to make you a better woman, one who wouldn't be afraid while in trouble and tribulations, one who would take care of her home and family. I never knew you thought I hate you.' She ended as she wrapped me in a bear hug.

'How do you know I'm here?' I asked.

'I tracked your phone after I dreamt that you were in danger.' she replied as she ruffled my hair.

'I tried calling but there was no signal' I replied as tears fell off my eyes.

'Please let's go back home Cathy' She begged.

'I'm sorry Mom. I'm sorry I had a misconception about you. All your teachings and words saved me. I could have been dead by now, I could  have been a burnt offering if you didn't come. Iwant to come back home.' I replied as I hugged her. She looked so shocked and happy that I called her mom.
We held our hands as we walked out of the valley, the valley of death.
'Even though I walk through the valley of death, I shall not be a burnt offering' I said to my step mum as we laughed heartily.