A Thin Line Between Love & Hate (Love Conquers All series) ORIGINAL VERSION

Chapter 64: "Piercing the Darkness"

NOTE: Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter. I lost internet for 5 days :(  I'm going to have to put all my focus on the M/F story for my publisher now, though (UGH) because I'm behind on that book and I really need it finished as close to the 1st of the month as I can manage. I have zero interest in the book and that makes it really hard to write, but I'll figure out how to get it done. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter :)

_______________________________________

"I'm gonna make you stronger

Hold on just a little bit longer

'Cause I'll be there

When you feel like you're going under

I'm gonna be there for you."

- Remain, Royal Taylor

Uriah looked at his father. Satisfaction etched the man's face as he stared at Josh. Satisfaction that he had properly shocked Josh with the revelation of Uriah's homosexuality—and the consequences of defying God. Uriah pulled his shirt back on and slowly turned around. Josh sat at the table, hugging his gut, tears streaming down his face. Short, quiet sobs shook him as he stared at Uriah with horror in his eyes.

Swallowing hard, Uriah sank into his chair and Josh immediately grabbed for him, clutching his hand. The boy's tremors reverberated into Uriah.

"Joshua."

Uriah stiffened and squeezed his little brother's hand. Josh ducked his head, choking on his sobs.

"Look at me, Joshua," their father insisted.

Josh looked up fearfully.

"Do you think this makes me a monster?"

Josh's answer was in his death grip on Uriah, though no words left his mouth.

"You think because I am forced to take drastic measures to save your brother's soul from hell..." Abraham circled the table. "...that it makes me a monster? Even God has to deal with us harshly at times if we are to learn and obey. If there were no consequences—no fear—then none of us would learn anything." He looked at Uriah and spoke to Josh. "Your brother has brought this on himself. All he had to do was learn his lesson, submit his body and mind to God...turn away from his sin. Yet he continues to wallow in his filth. Still, I haven't forsaken him. I continue to battle for his soul, deliver him from the clutches of the enemy. And for this –" He whirled on Josh. "–you think I'm a monster?" He smacked his palms on the table, sending Josh into a whimpering recoil. "Do you? Say it, Joshua. Tell me I'm a monster for trying to redeem my child from Satan's clutches."

Shaking in his seat, Josh stared at him in wide-eyed terror, tears flooding.

"Should I just let the devil have him?" Abraham straightened, voice lowering. "Should I cast my own son out and turn my back on him? Should I condone his sin? Should I condone yours? Is that what you want? For me to deny God's truth and embrace the filth and sin...just so others will think well of me? Sacrifice my children to appease a twisted and corrupt society? Is that what you would have me do, Joshua?"

Josh cowered from the man, choking on quiet sobs.

"I accept the punishment for my sins, father," Uriah spoke up. He looked at Josh, caught his brother's frightened stare, and added with a low, calculated tone, "Josh understands why it's necessary. Don't you, Josh?"