Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Lock (03/06/06)
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TITLE: Midnight Calling | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lynn Smith
03/11/06 -
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Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, held it for a moment, then exhaled. The guards not wanting to waste a minute, took me by each arm and pulled me to my feet as they bound me hand and foot. I wanted to tell them they needn't be bothered; I wasn't going to run.
Taken from the cell that had been my home for fifteen years, I began to shake. The door clanged shut and knowing that I was never going to hear that sound again, made what was happening all too real. Isn't it funny how something so small and inconsequential can mean so much? It was my final curtain, so to speak.
No one is with me as I take this final walk, except the guards who do their best to keep their heads straight; anything to keep their eyes from looking into mine. The noise of the shackles hitting the floor wake the other prisoners who stare as I pass their cell. A reminder their time is coming soon.
"You must walk a little faster." The guard said.
I wanted to ask him why he was in such a hurry. My execution was to take place at midnight, exactly fifteen minutes from now, and many people were there to see it happen. Best not to keep them waiting.
When I entered the small room, I held my breath at the sight of the single stretcher. My life had come down to this. I had been a young man, trying to make ends meet, but greed got the best of me. After a short trial, I was sentenced to death, then was locked away alone, like an animal in a cage.
I was led to the stretcher by the guards; my heart pounding so hard it felt as if it would pop out of my chest. I wanted to scream, "Please don't take my life," but all chances for me were gone. As I laid down, I looked up at the large window. The family of the people I shot and killed were there, and all I wanted was to say, "I'm sorry," but that wouldn't mean anything now. I was a demon from hell, and nothing would change that.
Wanting to give me the last rites, a priest had come to visit me that afternoon, but I told him to leave. I didn't deserve pardon from him or God and there was nothing he could say to change my mind. Despite the guards telling him I was dangerous, he came into my cell and told me how God loved me, no matter what I had done. Did he actually think I would believe that nonsense? How could God love someone like me? After many failed attempts to get me to pray for forgiveness, he left. I had no right to ask for such a thing. I was a failure and had been since the start. My father had told me that every chance he got, so who was I to believe? The man who raised me, or some priest?
I didn't realize I had closed my eyes till I felt the needle pierce my vein. I jumped. I never thought I could feel such fear but it coursed through my body like a bolt of electricity.
"Do you have any last words?"
I swallowed hard. "I want to say . . ."
"Paul was a murderer too; as was Moses." The voice was deep within me.
"Yes?" The man asked again, probably wondering why I had stopped mid sentence.
"I want to say . . ."
"I called them and cleansed them from their sin. I will do the same for you."
Never hearing the voice of God, I still knew without a doubt that it was him. But why me? Why now?
"Come, Liam. Place your burdens upon me and I will give you rest."
Peace filled me and I stopped shaking. I had met God, right here. I looked up, then said, "I have experienced God's forgiveness, I hope everyone will forgive me, too."
The chemicals were injected and I felt the cold fluid as it swam through my vein. The presence of God was very strong. Today, I would be with him in paradise.
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