The Long Journey - Chapter 9 by Pat Harris

The day had been long and hard, and the storm was ripping through the Highland Valley. 

The cold was taking its toll on Anna's body, which ached.  Her lone figure struggled to get down the sloping hillside. Hunched over against the gathering storm, face turned away from the biting wind that blasted her skin raw. 

 

The backpack she carried on her back was cumbersome she had no idea what was inside it -only that it had been thrust into her hands just before Mark had been taken away. 

 

She vividly recalled the harshness of his arrest and the horror of the treatment he had been given. 

 These soldiers who were supposed to protect now they have become the enemy.  

 

She had known him only briefly but in that time he had become her friend and guide showing her the truth. Now he’s gone. 

She slowly threaded a path through the heavy forest foothills as the sun began to set. Anna knew she needed to set up camp quickly hoping what was in the rucksack would give her shelter for the coming night. 

 

Ahead she could see a clearing in the forest, with renewed strength she pushed her body to the limit making it to the clearing. 

As the sun began to set, the forest suddenly became darker. 

 

Now under a makeshift tarp, sitting by the fire, she was feeling the warming embers taking the chill from her bones.  

Anna's thought turned to the past weeks. Life had shifted. Her home in Spain seemed like a distant dream, unreachable now. 

There was nothing she could do or say that would bring Mark back to her she just prayed that the Lord would protect them both. 

 

She watched the flames of the fire dance a magical dance closing her eyes and seeking solace in sleep. 

 

 

It stood in the darkness watching her sleep its height seemed as tall as the trees its muscular body shimmered in the moonlight It was black as Jet. And It watched her intently 

It had followed her since Mark had left her watching her every move it knew what she was thinking and feeling, the loneliness the doubt and the fear. 

 

It slowly approached her, In the silence, not a leaf moved not a branch cracked as it drew closer. 

Its huge chiselled face so close to hers. It could hear her breathing.  

Its large hand stretched out to touch her face gently stroking her cheek. 

Was this another enemy she would have to confront or was this her Guardian? 

Was it going to see her through the rest of this Journey her Journey of Hope?