Keeping Faith

Chapter Eighteen: Tapped

    Sharla gathered up the baby bag and buckled Kevin into his carrier. This was important. So important it would require a face to face conversation rather than a phone call.

Jonathan had sent her word about David and a letter had finally been able to get through. It was a month late, but she knew Faith would still appreciate having it. Especially when she heard the news.

Faith stood on the edge of her front porch as Sharla's car pealed into the driveway. Gravel crunched beneath the tires as the engine gave a hiss. Faith waved at her friend, "You seem to be in a hurry." Sharla fumbled with her purse to retrieve a small, folded letter and handed it to Faith, "David sent this over a month ago, but it just got through."

Faith eagerly took the letter and began to read. Wasting no time.

Whatever David had written in the letter was old news now, but she still wanted to read over every word.

Dear Faith,

So...Can I come home now?

Faith smiled, that was David alright. Humor was always his way of lighting any mood. She continued reading the carefully handwritten page:

I'm fine, by the way. I'm safe and so is Anthony. But things are more confusing and complicated than ever. But don't you worry! I'm sure that we'll be able to sort this out soon.

I miss you, Faith and I love you! I will always love you! You and you alone. For the rest of my life! I'm so sorry I haven't been able to contact you. I hope this will be over soon. I'm so ready to come home...

Give Max a pat on the head for me when you see him. Let him know I'm coming home soon.

Never doubt the love I have for you or your worth! I love you, Faith! Yours Forever, David R.

She pressed the letter to her chest, close to her heart. Willing the words to seep into her soul and give her hope. Hope that he would be home soon. Just as his letter had said.

Sharla hesitated. Faith studied her expression. She knew that look. It was the same look Sharla always had when something was wrong, but she didn't know how to say it.

Faith pressed, "What's wrong, Sharla?" She hung her head down, "I don't know how to tell you this. I don't know that much myself..."

"Just tell me." Faith urged. Sharla complied, "David's missing."

An aching pain ripped through David's veins like a thousand needles. He let out a moan. Not again.

First, the liquid being injected into his veins stung with a bitter cold. It reminded him of the icy waters he had jumped into to save Faith. Then it intensified with throbbing and a penetrating heat. It felt like a fire was roaming through him.

His body shook with convulsions as the trimmers began. The figures before him blurred. How long had they been at this? A day...maybe two? Surely it couldn't have been more than that.

But how could he know for sure? He had been in and out of it so much his head began to swell with confusion and complete disarray.

He couldn't think clearly. His mind wouldn't let him process the information it was receiving.

He could hear voices...they sounded muffled. A new drug...it wasn't working the way they hoped. He was still alive...

His mouth was dry. It felt like cotton. He had to pull through this. But his body was wearing down and they knew it.

He forced his mind to stay awake as he willed his body to fight. Yet he wasn't sure if he could handle another dose of this new drug they were experimenting on him with — the new drug with which they kept referring sounded as deadly as it felt:

Black Death