“Show me your true self.” Deacon said, weapon held defensively.
“I can’t.” Zadie pleaded. “It doesn’t work that way.”
“Then you leave us with no choice.” replied Deacon. He moved two steps back before continuing, “take her outside and tie her to the post.”
“Wait,” the child said. “please. There has to be more.”
“She has made her decision, Grace. There’s nothing we can do now.”
“No,” Grace continued. “We can’t do this, Deacon.”
“It’s the only option.” his voice had surrendered to the outcome.
A commotion in the back made Deacon pause.
“Make way! Make.. will you please move?” the irritated voice demanded. “Will you… Deacon?”
The old man let out an annoyed sigh. “Now is not the time, Maya.”
“Oh?” the young woman tossed Zadie’s backpack to the floor. “Then why does our new friend carry this?”
Deacon gave a perplexed look. “What? A backpack? Seriously, this is not the time for games.”
“No… its what is inside that has me worried.”
Zadie’s stomach churned with worry, then doubled when Deacon reached for it. “I wouldn’t do that.”
The elderly man ignored the warning and opened the backpack - examining the content tucked within. It was when his face turned pale that Maya spoke. “I told you.”
Those fortunate that caught a glimpse went silent. Someone from the side tried to move closer.
“What is it?”
Maya answered with just two words. “Big bang.”
The mood in the crowd shifted from anger to worry.
Everyone moved back more but Deacon and the child.
“And why,” he started with a tremble in his voice, “in all things sensible, are you carrying such a weapon?”
Zadie’s mind hummed with a million different lies. There was no obligation to satisfy their curiosity.
“That-” Zadie pointed, “is for those who inhabit the church.”
Maya stifled a laugh. “You’re not serious.”
YOU ARE READING
One mile. (Completed)
ActionAt a young age, Zadie knew there was a purpose for her existence. Even when no one else believed, there was a burning inside. Somewhere between divine intervention and world-ending tragedy. When war finally came, it wasn't what she expected. The gat...
