(c) John, Rekesh 2004-2008. No part of this work may be copied or reproduced without the author's permission
8. Web (Part 3)
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She ran through the dark alley, panting and gasping, desperately looking for some place of refuge. Her pursuers were closing in and they probably knew this place very well. There was the sound of a shot being fired. A bullet whizzed past her head as she made a turn into an alley. Frantically, she kept running, turning into various alleys, as her pursuers gradually narrowed in on her. Then she stumbled and turned again into yet another alley, one that was darker than most others. But running a bit further ahead, she was in for a shock. She had suddenly reached a dead-end, with no way forward or up. To go back would be certain death, for she could hear the sound of running footsteps. She cringed into a dark corner, her body pressed against the walls, mind almost numb in terror as she desperately tried to think of a way out. It was hopeless and there was nothing she could do to save herself from disaster. She knew that her assailants would show no mercy and no bargains could be made.
And in that crazed moment of terror something strange took hold of her being and dragged her memories back into a long forgotten period of her childhood. The image of herself as an innocent child, with her childishly simple prayers in the face of hardship, now became prominent. This trust in providence and belief in prayer had once been an active part of her being and now it struggled to express itself again. Having no other choice and yielding to that strange calling within, she found herself invoking the Lord’s name. His prayer, words she had banished from her mind for so long, now forcefully entered her awareness.
Perhaps the prayer was a desperate last hope. Perhaps it came from the faint remembrance of sober advice from an aged soldier who had said of that prayer, “In the face of abject evil, do not panic. Hold off your fear at all costs and say the Lord’s Prayer. It has tremendous power to shield you from evil.”
She sobbed, bit her trembling lips and recited the Lord’s Prayer, again and again. Shouts came from nearby and she heard footsteps coming closer. A beam from a flashlight lit through the alley, scanning the walls, looking for her. The beam went over her body and she was sure that they had seen her. The beam flickered and went out and came on again. For a brief moment, it illuminated a large web next to her head. The spider scurried away as the beam moved on.
Eyes closed and jaw set tight, she held her breath and braced herself for the impact of a bullet. None came, for the beam went off and she soon heard receding footsteps. Her pursuers were looking for her in another direction. All of a sudden, there came distant shouts and the sound of gunfire. In the semi-darkness she could see one of her assailants fall as the others returned fire. A fight ensued, and bullets hailed back and forth through the alleys. She saw dark figures running, the sound of their footsteps receding fast. Her pursuers seemed to have taken off, having lost all interest in her. What was going on? Soon a heavy silence descended and she dropped to her knees, sobbing pitifully. She couldn’t believe they hadn’t seen her. She was still alive, by sheer luck or a miracle.
Aliyah staggered out of the alley into the open, tears streaming down her cheeks. In a daze, and knees shaking, she hardly knew which way to go. But as soon as she took a few shaky steps forward, a dark figure appeared from the shadows and moved quickly towards her. Seeing the dark apparition appear from nowhere, she started to scream, but the figure quickly grabbed her by the waist and clamped a hand over her mouth.
“Hush!” came the gruff voice of a man. “They could still be around.”
With effort, she contained her panic and then nodded her head, eyes wide. The figure studied her for a moment and then released her gently. She tried to walk forward but found herself stumbling, for she was still recovering from shock.
“We have to move quickly. Let me help you.”
The man approached her and in a quick motion swept her off her feet and into his arms. She found herself being carried through the darkness and tried to resist. Finding it fruitless, she gave up and turned her attention to studying this stranger who now carried her effortlessly, as if she were a kitten. But she could not make out anything in the darkness, for a black cloth covered his face and also muffled his voice.
The stranger moved quickly and silently among the dark shadows, pausing every now and then to listen to the silence and to look back on his trail. He seemed tense but moved with cat-like agility. Soon she could see that he was heading for a wide street that faced the alley, well lit and with people about.
She suddenly found herself on her feet again. The stranger thrust something into her palm.
“Here,” he said, “keys to that small black car you see next to the street light. Get over to the airport now, and fast! You will find your papers and an air ticket in the back seat. Do not stop for anything or anyone, not even for the police. Now move; we are running short of time!”
“Who are you?” she asked. “And why do you help me?”
“That doesn’t matter. You must get out now! Go!”
“But what about you?” she enquired, still dizzy.
“I can take care of myself. Now get the hell out of here!” He sounded angry and very concerned.
Aliyah trudged towards the car and opened the door. She turned back to look down the alley. She could faintly see the stranger lurking in the shadows, watching her. She waved to him, got into the car and tried the keys. The engine quickly purred to life.
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