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My boiling blood cooled rapidly and my previously unshakable faith cracked like ice on a winter lake “May God strike Prophet David down and ood, not sacrifice I believe in forgiveness, not revenge The Lord I believe in is coood I see none of that in the prophet or the disciples Where was forgiveness with my sister? Where was coh with this miserable life! This cannot be God’s way; I refuse to believe it any longer Prophet David has bastardized a pure faith I no longer believe in anything he and his loyal disciples say!”

Delilah gasped and backed away “You blaspheme, Salome”

“I DO NOT CARE!” I screa around to check I had not been heard Delilah atchingdown her cheeks, the rise and fall of her chest betraying her fear

Pushing ed, “Please, Delilah, escape, come with me There must be more to life than this For us all”

Her head shook back and forth “No, outside is evil Evil stalks It waits for us to be weak—you know the teachings, the warnings You will be in danger outside You will be swayed froo with you either She does not even like to leave our quarters, never o out there!”

She was plain wrong about outside Had to be There was no righteous path to be found here I will take my chances out there, outside the fence

“I o Do not tell anyone you saw me, please”

“Salome, I cannot lie It is a sin I will be punished”

She was right, of course

“Then disappear for a while Give ”

“The fence is too high They will not allow you to leave You will have to pass over o? We have never been outside, Salome We do not knohat is out there The disciples will find you They always find those who try to break free” Her breath hitched “You kno they treat deserters, Mae I… I cannot lose you too…”

“That ardless Go back to your room and stay hidden If they find you, do not lie about what I have done Protect yourself first Protect Maddie” I htly inembrace, then whispered sadly, “I will pray for you every day You will see ain, Lilah… Tell Maddie… Soain…”

I withdrew Delilah backed away in the direction of the Cursed quarters and shock, fear and sadness contorted her face I lifted my bare feet and ran toward the perimeter of the fence

I had to leave

I told …

Chapter Six

Salome