Through Hell and Into Heaven

Chapter 20

     Tina rocketed down the road with Taran in the lead and Israel at her heels. She pumped her legs determinedly and briefly brushed some of her black hair away from her eyes. She looked back to see how Israel was doing. He was pedalling more furiously than Tina, but had a tired look in his brown eyes. He seemed to have a burden that was too heavy for him right on the small of his back, but he pressed on. He clenched his teeth and continued to ride, his legs almost blurs. The moon peeked from the hazy clouds like a ghostly lantern and illuminated the path in front of the group.

     Tina turned back to Taran, who had been glancing at her quickly. His eyes were troubled, like a cornered animal, and his white shirt billowed out from him as if he were wearing a cape. He hated doing this, and Tina could understand. The son of a very important governor, given honor and responsibility, not to mention highly adored by his father, was now revving up his vehicle that his dad had bought him to go and commit something seemingly dishonorable. But Tina also knew why Taran was doing this. It was to help his friend, and to follow in the footsteps of Christ, and that was what really mattered.

     Tina was already having regrets about doing this. I shouldn't have left mum at home, she scolded herself, what would she say if she knew I was out here, riding into terrible danger, instead of upstairs in my bed, safe and sound? Tina slightly recoiled as a new thought entered her mind. What would she say if she knew my intentions and their meanings? That she knew. "Go, my little angel," she would say, "go and make your friend well again." Tina spun her pedals more determinedly than ever. The crisp air of the evening blew some of the hair out of her bright blue eyes as she made a vow deep within herself. I will get Israel's normal life back, I swear it.

     The barbed fences of the excavation site were looming into view. Tina slammed the breaks on her bike and hissed, "Wait!" Taran and Israel both stopped in their tracks and gave her confused looks. "Let's pray before we go any further." Tina insisted. "Prayer really does help, I've seen it do incredible things." Taran and Israel glanced at each other before nodding and jumping off their vehicles. The trio stood together in silence for a few seconds before Tina said, "I'll pray." They bowed their heads respectfully and closed their eyes while folding their hands. "Lord," Tina breathed, "We come to you in awe of your spectacular presence and your amazing love. You know what we are going through. You know every thought that passes through our mind, every thing we say, from a shout to a whisper.

     "We need your guidance and security right now, God. I pray that wherever we are, you would send you help and your peace. In Jesus' name, amen." Tina opened her eyes and realized her vision was waters. Tears were running down her cheeks as she nodded to Israel and Taran, who also looked very sad and grim. Tina finally could not help herself and she gave Israel a hug. Israel was startled, but let her do her thing. Taran stood awkwardly to the side, but not wanting him to be left out, Tina embraced him as well. Taran blushed furiously, but held her back. "Let's get this over with," Tina said when she had let him go; she mounting her bike.

     The massive fences of the excavation site were definitely upgraded. The top was covered in barbed wire, making it very difficult to climb. They group hopped off their transports and stared for a while at the wall of iron. "Here we are once again," Taran sighed, turning off his ATV's engine. "Accept this time," Israel added grimly, "we're going to get more done, I believe it." Tina uncertainly shoved her hands into her backpack and started rummaging through it. "What are you doing?" Taran asked her suspiciously.

     "I'm not climbing that thing with my bare hands again," Tina scoffed, bringing out three pairs of gloves. Taran began to panic, his eyes growing huge and his hands shaking. "W-wait! I'm coming?! I did not agree to this!" "Oh, yeah you are." Tina replied seriously, throwing him some gloves. "You aren't going to be sitting on the sidelines like some silly child, you are going to come with us." Taran shook visibly as he stared at the gloves in his hands, his forehead lined with nervous sweat. Eventually, he pulled them over his palms. "Alright," he said shakily, "let's get this show on the road; as you say in America, Israel." Israel chuckled in response as he began to traverse the iron fence with Tina right behind. She glanced back to make sure Taran had not wimped out. He was directly behind her, clawing at the wire with an expression of someone sick.

    When they all got to the top of the fence, Tina could see all the tents and in the very middle of the site was the unearthed tomb, which loomed over the camp as if bad luck. The only problem was the barbed wire, which wrapped around the entire site and sat atop the fence. Tina recoiled from the sharp lining as far as her arms and legs could let her. What gruesome measures, she thought, I doubt Izzy's dad ordered this to be done. "Well, we're really up a stump." muttered Israel, lightly poking the dangerous terms of protection. "U-uuh, oh well," shrugged Taran, beginning to descend the fence, "I guess we should do this another time-you know, think of a plan-"

     Tina grabbed Taran's collar and hauled him back up. "Oh no, you don't; you're going over first." Taran looked as if he was going to have a heart attack. "M-me?!" he said in horror, clutching the wiry wall with his sore fingers. "Yes!" Tina insisted, pushing him over the barbed wire. The spikes cut into his clothes, but not his flesh as he rolled over and grabbed the other side of the fence. Tina turned to Israel with a smile on her face. "Your turn."