Zero-Sum Gain Read online

you in your decline?”

  “You hear about it all the time, Liz. Teens murdered by sickos. I think we stand a better chance figuring the place out together, that’s why. You’re right though and I admit it! I do feel empty. That’s why I’m going out there, hoping maybe I’ll find some sense of purpose.”

  “So what if we’re walking into a situation where their intentions are to hurt us, Steph?”

  “I don’t fear pain. It’s a part of life I welcome. Besides, everything else in life is dull and numb.” Realizing she hasn’t shared her view, I ask, “Well…what’s your take on God?”

  Lizzie perplexingly shares, “I’ll tell you my view on life. We should all be looking out for each other, helping to ensure others make good decisions. Right when I saw you, I knew from a special feeling in my heart that something unique is in place for you, Steph. Maybe it’s my role in life to help you find that. You’ll know when God is actually speaking to you. It will be a moment of clarity and inspiration…like what you’re feeling now.”

  Pausing to take in the Rocky Mountain air (as we cross the Colorado state line) the weather is crisp, the sky crystal clear, and the sunshine beams its vibrant energy. I have no idea what Elizabeth means by something special in place, and dread being on the rural road we turn down. Studying Liz’s persona, intuition tells me that her thoughts are troubled, and that we’re on a mission of tragedy. It’s nerve-wracking to know that there are no neighbors for miles around. The guys at our destination direct Elizabeth to park in a side garage. Once we’re all inside the house, I know things here are not okay. Selfish guilt makes me feel like a horrible person for not detesting, as Elizabeth steps forward to be the first one that goes under the knife…

  “You won’t see your friend anymore,” a third male visitor, to the onsite, live-in recovery room shares. In his eyes I see truth, power, judgment. My ability to move is taken by his presence. His authority differs from the domineering evil Jordan and Danny (who operated on me earlier) display. Michael’s words pierce into my mind with a crisp and decisive tone.

  “If you remain still, you will wilt and decay. Walk away from here and your life will be filled by the promise of new birth. The vile creatures that claim to be your providers cannot keep you from leaving. You freely entered this place, and so with determination you may freely exit. Danny and Jordan will aim to hinder you with curses. They have no physical control over you. This is the first of many trials, if you choose to walk the path which your confidant, Elizabeth, gave reference to. By choosing decency you can trust in the Lord. He will guide you.”

  Once my messenger leaves the room, a dark, overbearing manifestation lifts from beneath the gurney I’m strapped to, draining me of strength, insisting I stay. I fight this helpless, horrible feeling. I hear Jordan and Danny arguing outside my door, and know their anger is fueled by the dark essence rising up from below me. Their dispute involves Elizabeth. Strength and motivation inside me build, knowing these restraints around my wrists and ankles can’t hold me. Tugging, they release. I feel a special blessing initiate by my determination. Life is developing inside my womb. If I relent now, this creation I’ve hoped for will die, and I’ll remain barren for the rest of my days, and a prisoner in this hellish hideaway.

  A shivering sensation chills my body, hearing the guys discuss Elizabeth in a past tense, arguing about the actions that were taken, with detached debate on how to dispose of her body.

  Opening the door to the medical room (modified from a once regular household bedroom) I was confined to, it’s like I’m not even here. The two highly educated young men appear to be unaware that I’m standing in front of them. They back away from each other, making way for me to pass as they continue their heated argument.

  I’m just about to walk out the front door when I’m halted…

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Jordan sharply scorns.

  Spiritual guidance prompts that I keep from turning my focus. If I do they’ll gain more control. Instinctively the two know this, and further their efforts, striving to defeat me mentally.

  Danny adds, “You walk out that door, and you’ll never make it on your own. Your fertility belongs to this commune, which you agreed to be a part of. We’re prepared to do whatever it takes to get you back in our fold.”

  I knew what I was agreeing to, physically, before arriving in Colorado by my own freewill. Danny and Jordan sought me out to be the mother of their child. What neither Elizabeth nor I knew is that these two guys (who invited us to live with them) are extreme religious fanatics, excited by a twisted spinoff of Catholicism. There’s nothing holy or sacred about these grounds. This place feels saturated by wicked despair. These guys are practicing in their home, unlicensed, using misled girls to birth their cult’s messiah by artificial insemination. Elizabeth’s procedure, intentionally, goes wrong. The only reason I’m alive is because during my operation, they affirm I’m still a virgin.

  What they don’t know is due to the induced pregnancy, I’m now carrying twins.

  The front door’s lock shifts loose as I turn the handle. Stepping out, the Lord reveals through thought that my twins will be a devastating wave to false religion. He shares with me each son’s name. Dylan & Scott. And thought they are a blessing, one will be a curse.

  “We’ll find a way to hunt you down!” Jordan threatens. I continue beyond the way out.

  Standing past their front yard I wait. The bordering, white-picket fence is my focus of interest. These guys are just as inexperienced in combat as I am. However I hold the advantage of newly acquired insight. This frightening situation has brought me to accept a relationship with Christ. The question as to how to fill the once empty void in my life is now answered.

  The two boys make the mistake of aggressively coming after me. Kicking in the white wooden panels to the lengthy property divide, I tug loose two planks. Their faces freeze, as I drive a stake into the heart of each of my would-be attackers.

  The bad presence from under the gurney, and the good presence (which I believe was released when Elizabeth passed) from that day forward are a part of my sons’ lives.

  (To be Continued)