No Greater Love

Chapter Fourteen

I opened my eyes to an opaque cloud surrounding me. All around me was a glorious light as I heard a loud and rich voice call out, "Victoria..." I looked around trying to find out who was. "Hello?" I croaked.

"Victoria..." The voice repeated in a loving tone. "Your courage and bravery are great."

"But," I interjected, "I'm scared. I cannot be brave."

"Oh, my dear Victoria, without fear there cannot be bravery. I love you and the love you show to Alexander makes me very proud of you."

"Who are you?" I asked.

" I am the Lord God Almighty who created you and died for you so that when you give your heart to me, you may live with me in heaven."

"You died....for me?"

"Yes. There is no greater love than that a man give up his life for his friend. You are my friend and daughter."

I awoke with a start as a loud 'clang' was heard. Woah. That was probably the strangest dream ever! Where am I? I questioned. As I looked around I saw the dark dungeon walls with lime green mold crawling up thier crevaces. A smell of dirt and urine filled the room. In dissapointment I realized I was still a bird in a cage about to be plucked for information. A small tin bowl and mug lay near the iron door. The bowl was filled with hard, dry bread and the mug was filled with water. As I crawled across the grimy floor over to the much desired food, my head spun with dehydration.

Quickly I chugged the water and ate the hard bread. I didn't care that the bread had bits of mold or that the water was slightly murky, I felt like I was dying of starvation. Soon I was finished, but my mouth was still drooling for more. In great weariness I leaned against the sharp edged wall and the wounds on my back split once more.

Breathing heavily, I found myself deep in thought...which was all I could be, considering the circumstances. The Lord God Almighty.' I repeated this name over and over, but I couldn't make any sense of it. 'He created the heavens and the earth, and yet, I've never met Him. And what of this, 'there is no greater love than he who lays down his life for his friend...is that what I'm doing? Laying down my life? It must be. But if that is so then-'

I cut myself off. For I had just then realized, "I love him." With this realization I painfully crawled over the the beloved corner through which I could see Alex. There he was, with dirt on his sullen face and weak hands. His body was limp with fatigue and his breathing was raspy. He needed water.

"Alex!" I whispered. "Alex, wake up!"

Alex awoke with a jump and blankly stared at me. "W-wha? What is it?"

"Are you okay?" I asked without thinking. 'Fool! Of course he's not okay!'

"I'm fine." He coughed. 

"Hey! You! What are you doin' talkin' to the wall?" An overwieght guard questioned. 

"Nothing..." I mumbled, crawling away from the corner, not making eye contact with the guard.

"Either way, you're comin' wif me, you little buggah." He stated as he unlocked the cage door and beckoned me to go with him. Weakly I got upon my feet and stumbled to the guard. My head spun and my stomach churned. 

"Where are you taking me?"

The guard looked at me and then away without a word. Well aren't you helpful. Of course, I figured I was going back to the dreaded torture chambers. My heart throbbed and my brow furrowed with worry. "I'm so scared..." I whispered under my breath. 

Oh, my dear Victoria, without fear there cannot be bravery.

(c) doveseyes 2015