Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Retreat (as in quiet time away) (08/01/05)
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TITLE: The Retreat | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karen Lancaster
08/02/05 -
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Red-faced, she stopped to catch her breath, and looked out over the valley below. Slowly her ragged breathing stilled and she felt that it was possible to continue. She scanned the beautiful surroundings for any sign of movement, her heart pounding with adrenaline.
They told her that the retreat was a beautiful, peaceful place to relax and unwind. They omitted to tell her that it was surrounded with terrorist activity from the recent uprising. All she needed was some peace and tranquillity, a time of recovery after the shock of losing her job. Now this!
As she climbed briskly through the mountainous terrain, her mind raced back to last night’s events. She heard the sudden ear-splitting explosion followed by rapid gunfire. She smelt the fire. She saw the deranged figures rushing in to the resort. She remembered grimly the sight of innocent people running frantically in every direction. Before she realised how she had escaped, she found herself running up a mountain path, branches slapping her face and twigs scratching her sunburnt legs. She had pushed herself during the night, thanking God for her strict gym regime.
A glint caught the corner of her eye as she came to a clearing. They’re still out there! Keep going! Ignore the searing pain in your chest.
Why was peace so elusive? No matter how hard she tried, she never felt at peace. That was why she came to the retreat - to find a measure of peace for her soul. Surely God understood her need. Then why did He allow this violent intrusion? Maybe she would never truly find it.
Suddenly, she heard the snapping of twigs and stopped in her tracks, frozen, listening intently. She heard it again and dropped flat onto her stomach, peering through the trees. Her heart raced wildly.
“Please, God, help me,” she whispered.
“Here!” A voice bellowed, “Over here!”
Her heart sank. They had found her. She rolled over and found herself staring into a man’s hollow eyes, his gun aimed at her.
“God…”
A handful of surly men appeared through the bushes. One of them yanked her up and motioned for her to start walking. Trembling slightly, she did as she was told, wondering what was to become of her.
“God..”
“Get a move on!” yelled one of the men, giving her a shove.
“God!”
And then it happened. Peace flooded her being and she realised that she was ready for whatever faced her. She didn’t need a retreat. In the middle of turmoil, she found life-saving peace.
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Rose