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He arched his eyebrow Had her irritation slipped out? Good She turned fro to look back as she cli differently

Chapter Four

Micah

The scent of feces and sow seared his nostrils Holding his hand up to his nose, he sed back the bile that threatened to rise as his sto capital, and s it were two completely different experiences The sun sank low in the sky as the squealing pigs were h the streets beside the empty field Men and women marched two by two across the landscape Smoke drifted out of the hole thirty feet away He opened hisNo sound emitted

Regardless, the couple at the beginning of the line halted They turned toward hi their eyes forced him to take a step back He pivoted on his heels and ran, pu of feet He glanced over his shoulder and cried out They gave chase like zos burned, and his heart threatened to crack his ribcage as it beat double time in his chest Beads of sweat rolled down his back and forehead, stinging his eyes

The an to flag fro behind him remained relentless A sob rose in his throat They saw him as the enemy One who had oppressed, owned, and disrespected therabbed at his shirt Fingernails dug into his flesh Fighting against the hold, he kicked and flailed More hands held his ars down Hoisted into the air, he was hauled back toward the o smoke

He opened his ht blinded him He squeezed his eye shut The hands disappeared

“You’re okay now, son”

“Dad?” He rubbed his watering eyes and glanced at the man he missed every day

“We wouldn’t let anyone hurt you, Micah” His mother stood beside him all dressed in white Her hand caressed his face

“Mom”

His dad offered his hand, and he took it Pulled to his feet, he glanced back and forth at his parents They exuded peace and joy

“We know you’ve been looking for us, son We wanted to come to you sooner, but it wasn’t time yet,” his father said

“A-Are you really here?” Micah’s voice cracked

“We’ve always been here Now you’re finally able to see us,” his mother said softly