Through Hell and Into Heaven

Chapter 23

     Tina struggled against the bonds, but they were too tight; all she did was burn her wrists. The gag around her mouth was extremely strict and annoying, forcing her to breath only out of her nose. She saw Jeff, one of Mr. Pirran's own work crew, blab on about how he would be so rich if he were to hold Israel for ransom. "And if you try to escape, she dies!" Jeff shouted, pointing at her. Tina wanted to snarl, but all that came out was a muffled grunt. This was not how it was supposed to go! Tina squeezed her eyes shut, Oh, God, she thought, please send a miracle! Her side was burning with pain from where she had cut herself. She wriggled and kicked, but the bonds on her ankles and wrists held firm.

     But wait! There was a sound. It was quiet at first, but slowly grew louder. It sounded like something pressing against stone over and over. Feet! Someone was behind her! Tina struggled even more fiercely. One of the guards must be behind her! But then something happened that she did not expect. The bonds on her feet fell off with sound of slicing. Now that she was a bit more mobile, Than turned herself around to see who had done this. There, standing in front of her, dirty and shivering, brown eyes hazy, holding a large, sharp piece of bone, was Taran. He put a finger to his lips to tell her to be silent as he removed her restraints and gag.

      With the gag gone, Tina could finally breath properly. Taran slowly crept behind her, so she turned around again to see what he was up to. Unexpectedly, a large cloud of black smoke bursted out of Israel's lips, engulfing Jeff's face, who screamed and waved his hands to keep it away. Taran's face was of pure terror and awe as he watched the scene. When the smoke was gone, Jeff was still shouting, his eyes bloodshot and his pistol pointed dangerously at Israel. "Stop it!" he screamed, pulling the trigger slowly. Taran's eyes suddenly were clear instead of hazy, as if he suddenly new exactly how things would play out. He stood up and charged in front of Israel, his right arm outstretched. The gunshot exploded through the small room, causing Tina to cover her ears. Taran's arm recoiled and Taran spun to the floor, quivering and twitching, his tunic gradually becoming crimson with blood.

     Tina wanted to scream, but smacked a hand over her mouth. This was no time to blow her cover. Jeff stared at Taran's body with a mad look and shouted at Israel again to get the demon out of him.

Bang!

     He had fired the gun again, sending pieces of stone ricocheting by Israel's head. Tina looked frantically around for something. A weapon, perhaps. Her eyes caught hold of a chair sitting behind the large table covered in Persian stones. There. She sneakily tiptoed by Jeff, who was still yelling at the top of his lungs and waving his pistol around vehemently. Tina dived behind the table and grabbed the leg of the wooden chair. It was a little heavy, but she could carry it. Smarting painfully, she dragged the chair around the table right behind Jeff. He exclaimed and pointed his gun in between Israel's eyes. Tina frowned grimly and raised the chair, slowly drawing it back to her ear. "Oh, no. Not today, mate," she muttered, whirling the piece of furniture right at Jeff's skull. When it contacted, splinters flew everywhere, making Tina shield her face with the back of her hand.

     Jeff tottered and tittered for a moment, then he crashed down to the cement floor, his gun clattering down in front of Israel. Tina shook her hands to get the jolt out of them, then she ran to Israel and untied his wrists. "Tee!" Israel gasped, "You actually-Taran-he-" "Yes," Tina finished for him, helping him to his feet. "IT HURTS!" Taran suddenly screamed, making Tina and Israel jump with fright. "IT BURNS, IT BURNS!" Taran continued to yell, rolling around on the floor and clutching his wounded arm. "Shhh!" Tina said soothingly, kneeling down and grabbing his good arm, "It's okay! We're getting out of here." Tears were streaming down Taran's cheeks as Tina helped him up. "He needs a hospital!" Israel exclaimed, looking intently at Taran's punctured limb. "I can see that," Tina said with exasperation, "but first we need to figure out how to get out of here." Israel blinked as if an idea had smacked him in the face and bent over, picking up the gun that was on the floor. Tina gave Israel a disapproving glare. "Do even know how to use that?" Tina snapped. Israel smiled weakly and replied, "I don't need to."

     Tina sighed and helped Taran to the ladder, but Israel blocked her. "Wait!" he said, "let the guy with the weapon go up first." Tina scowled. "Israel, this is no time for pride!" she shot, making sure Taran was steady. "This is not pride," Israel reassured, "it's safety. Trust me, I have an idea."

     Taran was whimpering "The Lord is my Shepherd" while the Israel ascended the ladder, followed difficultly by him and Tina. When Israel opened the hatch and crawled out, two guards were standing in front of him, holding wooden bats. "Where do you think you're going, kid?" one sneered, raising his weapon. Israel drew the pistol and pointed it at him, his hand shaking. "Actually," he said in a quivering voice, "I'm getting out of here, along with my friends, while anyone else involved in this mess goes to jail. Is that fine with you?" The henchman blinked and raised his hands up in surrender, along with his comrade. "Now you two know the code to opening the gate, right?" Israel questioned as Taran and Tina reached the top of the ladder. "Yes," the second guard spat. "Unlock it," Israel said simply, "and no funny business." Israel shook the gun to emphasize his point.

     Grudgingly, the two guards were pushed to the front gate out of the excavation site by Israel and typed in the code on a monitor that was stationed beside the exit. The gate creaked open noisily and Israel grabbed Tina by her arm. "Tina," he said seriously, "you and Taran get on his ATV and ride to my house. Explain everything that has been happening to my parents and tell Jim to come down here. Mom will probably call for an ambulance for Taran, and you and Jim can ride down in the jeep. I'll call the authorities." Tina did not like this plan. It had way too many gaps. Israel nodded for her to get moving, so Tina turned to leave, grabbing Taran's good arm and leading him.

     Tina suddenly had a thought and turned back around.

     "Wait! Izzy!"

     "What?"

     "How did you get that.... thing.... out of you?"

     Israel smiled with fatigue and replied, "I excepted Christ as my Lord and Saviour."