Zen's War: Captivity

Sahara’s eyes slowly adjusted to the light, as she struggled to keep her eyes open. Eventually details of her environment came into focus. Sitting to the left of the bed in a rocking chair was Bridget. The light of day had begun to shine through the eastern facing window. Bridget sat there with a melancholy look on her face, having not noticed that Sahara had returned to consciousness. Sahara struggled to speak, but words would not escape her. Suddenly Bridget’s eyes lit up as she noticed that Sahara had awoken.

“Sahara, thank God! I was so worried. I didn’t think that you would survive. I prayed that you would make it,” Bridget said, her blue eyes brimming with joy.

Sahara continued to try and speak. Her mouth and tongue tried to form words, but no sound would come out. Her throat was so dry and sore, that no matter how hard she struggled she couldn’t speak. Eventually a whisper of a voice came out. “How long have I been asleep?” She asked; her voice barely audible.

“Nearly three days. How you have survived is a mystery to me. Occasionally you would partially wake up, and I would give you water and food,” Bridget said, with a mixture of shock and joy in her voice.

“I can’t remember anything after I passed out,” Sahara said, her voice slowly regaining its normal sound.

“That’s not important. The important thing is that you’re alright. You’re lucky to be alive; Joshua was almost ready to read you your last rites.”

“Can I have some water?” Sahara asked, trying to change the subject.

“Of course,” Bridget answered, then picked up a canteen that was sitting on the floor to the right of the rocking chair. Bridget stood up, walked to the side of the bed and handed the canteen to Sahara. She thanked Bridget, unscrewed the lid, drank a generous amount of water and wiped her mouth with her hand.

“So, what insanity has Joshua cooked up for today?” Sahara asked, feeling especially cynical after her ordeal.

“Insanity? Today is another of the holiest days of the year. Be careful what you say; your judgment is being made. If you want your name to be written in the Book of Righteousness, I would be cautious of my words if I were you,” Bridget commented, her eyes wide with shock at Sahara’s words.

“What holy day is it?” Sahara asked, pretending to care.

“It’s the Feast of Gedaliah of course. It’s a celebration of the assassination of the heathen governor of Judah.”

“Who’s that?”

“When the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar conquered the kingdom of Judah, he appointed Gedaliah as governor of the now Babylonian province. The King of Ammon Baalis convinced the true descendent of the house of Judah Yishmael Ben Netaniah to take his rightful place as King. Yishmael along with a large group of his followers came to the town of Mitzpa, where they killed Gedaliah. In fear of King Nebuchadnezzar they later fled to Egypt,” Bridget explained, excitedly.

“Forget I asked. I need to get out of here. I’m sick to death of this place. When I get my strength back, I’m out of here,” Sahara said, in all seriousness.

“You can’t leave. Who will I talk to?”

“I’m sure you’ll be fine without me. I thought you loved it here,” Sahara said, sarcastically.

“I do. I mean, I thought I did. I can’t leave because I’m pregnant. Who’s going to take care of me and my baby, you?”

“What, don’t you trust me?”

“It’s not that. I’m afraid. Where would we go? I don’t even know if my mom is even alive,” Bridget said, on the verge of tears.

“We’ll find my family, and you both can live with us.”

“You’re not thinking clearly; you must still be sick.”

“Actually, I’m thinking a lot more clearly than I have for a long time. Before, I was afraid; I’m not scared anymore. My dad used to say that fear clouds your mind. He was right,” Sahara exclaimed.

“This must be the work of the demon. I think you need another exorcism.”

Sahara rolled her eyes. “Enough of that nonsense! Deep down I know you don’t believe that’s true.”

“You think that you know me, don’t you?”

“I know you too well, and I think that it scares you,” Sahara answered.

“You don’t know anything about me!” Bridget screamed, her eyes beginning to glisten with tears.

“I appreciate that you have taken care of me, but for now shut up and listen! You’re living in a fantasy. You need to wake up and realize that there is no future here. We are both prisoners; we haven’t been saved from anything.”

“Stop it! It’s all a lie. Joshua loves me,” Bridget said in response.

“Joshua doesn’t love anyone but himself. You’re just lying to yourself. He’s crazy, you have to realize that.”

“I refuse to believe that.”

“Regardless of what you’re willing to believe, I’m leaving. If you want to, you’re welcome to come with me. If not, then stay. The choice is yours.”

“When are you leaving?” Bridget asked, her eyes full of tears.

“I’m not telling you. When I do leave, I’ll tell you. You can decide then.”