Welcome to day ten of the Watch RWISA Write Showcase Tour! Thanks for joining me. The purpose of the blog hop is to feature nineteen talented RWISA authors and offer a sample of their work. The RWISA (Rave Writers - Int'l Society of Authors) is
an elite branch of the outstanding Rave Review Book Club, featuring the best of
the best in writing.
Meet Jan Sykes.
PARADISE
BELOW
JAN
SIKES
Emma Dupont shifted her backpack and
lowered her head as she struggled through the crowded street. Panic struck as
the sunlight faded.
It
would mean sure death to get caught out after dark
“Watch
where you’re goin’, you stupid bitch!”
Rough
hands shoved her into the edge of speeding traffic. With great effort, she
steadied herself, stepped back onto the sidewalk, and quickened her pace.
Making
sure no one noticed her, she ducked into an alleyway and banged on the side of a
blue dumpster with a series of raps. A camouflaged door slid open.
She
tossed her backpack inside then hurried down the metal steps into the arms of a
dark-haired man who held her while she sobbed.
“Susan,
please bring Emma a cup of tea,” he instructed.
A tall
blonde woman hurried away.
“I
can’t go back up there again, Donovan. I just can’t.” Emma moaned. “They
are no more than savages. Armed soldiers are everywhere, questioning everyone,
barely controlling the mobs of hate-filled people. It’s awful.”
She
didn’t tell him she’d felt someone watching her as she pushed through the
street. The noose was tightening, but she’d die before she’d expose their
hiding place.
Donovan
rubbed her shoulders. “Don’t think about that right now.”
Susan
appeared with a steaming cup and pressed it into Emma’s hands.
“Try
to relax,” Donovan tucked a tendril of brown hair behind her ear.
Emma
sank down against the cold concrete wall and let the warmth of the tea soothe
her ragged nerves She watched while Donovan emptied the contents of the
backpack.
When
he looked up, his eyes shone. “You did good, love. We almost have enough.”
After
the last election, conditions in the US had deteriorated. Humanity had gone
crazy. Hate flourished and people killed each other over the slightest
disagreement. Satan reigned.
Evil
permeated every corner. Small handfuls of people banded together and escaped
into underground tunnels determined to live in peace and raise their children.
Fed up
with the insanity, Emma didn’t hesitate to join. Her group had one plan.
They
had to get to Mexico.
The
government’s restriction of money forced them to withdraw small amounts at a
time. Emma’s experience of working in banks gave her the ability to gather the
funds they needed to escape.
They
were almost there, but nine months of living beneath the crazed streets of
Dallas had taken its toll, especially on the children. Deprived of vitamin D,
they grew lethargic and pale.
Resources,
time and patience grew thin.
“I’ve
been in communication with others in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. We’re
almost ready to make our move,” Donovan said. “But, one mistake will mean
death.”
Emma
nodded. She didn’t care. The thought of dying didn’t frighten her.
Jasmine
tea helped slow her heart rate and settle her nerves.
Donovan
dropped beside her. “I never imagined that the ‘Land of the Free’ and the ‘Home
of the Brave’ would deteriorate into such a state of evil, and hate.” He blew
out a long sigh. “We’ve lost everything.”
Emma
placed a hand on his arm. “But, we haven’t given up. And, we’ve kept love in
our hearts.”
Susan
and several others gathered around. “With trust in God and help from the angels
who watch over us, we’ll survive,” she said. “We’re the future of humanity. We
are the Lightworkers.”
They
formed a circle and joined hands. In a melodic voice, a woman with straight
black hair sang, “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound…”
Voices
blended sweetly, and an essence of light filled the dank tunnel.
###
Melchizedek bowed his head overcome with the
beauty and faith of the small group. He called Nemamiah and Charmaine to his
side.
“It is
almost time. We must rally everyone to watch over and help them. Please meet
with the Ashtar Command and give them a report.”
Nemamiah
folded his wings and nodded. Charmaine smiled and opened her wings to take
flight.
“It is
done.”
###
Emma barely survived her last
venture above ground. When three hoodlums grabbed her and dragged her into a
deserted alleyway, she fought hard, but they stuffed a dirty rag in her mouth
and kicked her with the sharp toes of their boots.
From
their sneers and insinuations, she knew they intended to take more than the
contents in her backpack. She silently prayed.
The
moment her attackers dumped the money out of her backpack, a flock of Ravens
descended from nowhere, flapping their wings and pecking at their heads and
eyes until they ran screaming from the alley.
Emma
was sure they’d attack her next, but to her surprise, the birds hovered around her
while she picked up the money, then flew above her while she ran for safety.
She
shook her head when Donovan questioned her bruises and told him the angels had protected
her.
Wheels
were in motion. They would soon be away from the nightmare.
Donovan
gathered the group for final instructions. “Travel light. Anything you don’t
need, leave it. We have two vans, but there’s limited room.”
While
the rest did the same, Emma gathered her belongings. She wouldn’t take more
than she could carry on her back. She stared at a photo before tucking it into
a zippered pocket. That life was gone. All she had left was her faith, strong
will, and this family determined to live in peace.
By the
time the twelve adults and four children were ready, the first shy rays from
the sun graced the sky. It would be a long day.
They
piled into the vans in an orderly manner. Donovan would drive one vehicle, and
Michael the other.
Emma
got into Donavon’s van. They’d grown close over the months of their
confinement. She wouldn’t call it romance, but pure love. She’d grown to love
all these gentle souls. Together, they would build a new life in paradise.
They
slapped magnetic signs on the sides of the vans that read, “Hollow Road Baptist
Church” and crawled through early morning traffic toward I-35 south.
They
hit a roadblock a few miles outside Dallas.
“Remember
what we rehearsed,” said Donovan as he pulled over.
Several
of the group placed Bibles on their laps. Emma held her breath.
Armed
soldiers approached. “Papers,” one soldier barked, “and state your
destination.”
“Camp
Zephyr, sir, for a retreat.” Donovan
handed him papers.
Soldiers
surrounded both vans and peered through the windows. Emma was sure they could
hear her heart pounding. She forced a smile.
Donovan
stared straight ahead.
After
what seemed like forever, the soldier passed the papers back through the
window. “You can go. But, stay on the main roads. There are crazies around.” He
motioned them on.
Donovan
nodded and pulled away. “Emma, pull up GPS and find a back route, then tell
Michael what we’re doing.”
The
route took them through miles of open pasture and small Texas towns. Finally,
their headlights pierced the darkness and lit up a rusted VW van shell.
Donovan
pulled to a stop. “Everyone stays put until we know it’s safe.”
He
jumped out. He and Michael hurried toward the VW, looking in all directions.
Emma
chewed her fingernails and stared out the window. Nothing could go wrong now.
They were so close.
Donovan
had explained that a Coyote would escort them through the tunnel into Matamoros,
where they would find papers and transportation.
When
the men turned and waved, the group grabbed their belongings and exited the
vans. One-by-one, they climbed down rickety wooden steps into a damp tunnel.
Flashlights reflected off dirt walls supported by boards and rocks.
Painted
on one board, “Paradise Below” promised a long awaited redemption. The narrow
tunnel forced them to walk single-file, and some taller men had to hunch over.
But,
discomfort didn’t matter.
In an
hour, they emerged onto a deserted side street in Matamoros where a dilapidated
bus waited.
Without
a word, the group filed onto the bus. The driver closed the door and ground the
gears into forward motion.
Emma
sat beside Donovan and reached for his hand. “We’re going to make it.”
He
sighed and leaned back against the seat. “We are.”
A
brilliant red sun rose over the ocean, bringing with it a new day, as the bus
lumbered to a stop many hours later. Gentle waves lapped the shore and seagulls
cawed as they swooped down searching for breakfast.
When
the bus door opened, a couple dressed like American tourists greeted each
person.
A
woman with flaming red hair hugged Emma. “Welcome to Mexico. I’m sure
you’re exhausted. We have rooms prepared for each of you.”
“Thank
you,” Emma murmured soaking up the tropical scenery.
Paradise!
They’d made it. No more hate, no more violence, and no more hiding.
They’d
reached Pueblo de Luz, (City of Light).
A band
of angels hovered above the group with tears of joy shining in their eyes.
There
was hope for humanity.
Hope
in these small groups that dared to keep love alive.
***
Thank you for supporting this member along the WATCH
"RWISA" WRITE Showcase Tour today!
We ask that if you have enjoyed Jan Sykes' writing, please visit her Author Page on the RWISA site, where you can find more of her writing, along
with her contact and social media links, if she's turned you in to a fan.
We ask that you also check out her books in the RWISA or RRBC
catalogs. Thanks again for your support and we hope that you will follow each
member along this amazing tour of talent. Don't forget to click the link below
to learn more about Jan Sykes.
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