Yahshua's Bridge

by Sandi Rog

  Somehow she knew he was referring to what the men did to her in the cell. She hugged herself. She’d prayed the entire night while they did what they wanted with her, prayed and remembered David’s words. She hadn’t understood why she went through such torture, why she had to be put through so much pain. Why God had allowed it. But now she knew. Satan wanted her, and he thought he could claim her soul if she’d given in, given up on her God, her Savior. The temptation had been there because she never felt the Lord’s presence amidst their vile acts, never felt like He was there with her, but now she realized that was a lie. A lie Satan wanted her to believe. God had been there. He’d appointed Hamael and Mihael to be with her, to protect her soul, to keep her mind focused, while her flesh suffered.

  “She should have been mine!” the man said, fury darkening his features. He bent over as if struck, hands on his knees. “Her voice would have soothed us. Don’t you understand? We’ve been cut off. Allow us some comfort.”

  “Leave, Satan,” Hamael said, his voice calm. “She’s not yours. The Lord is coming.”

  “Don’t say His name. Please don’t say His name.” Satan lifted his gaze to Alethea and straightened. Suddenly, his eyes gleamed with rage as he transformed into a beautiful angel of light. “If I can’t have her, I’ll take her mate,” he said between clenched teeth. He screamed and cried like a woman, and Alethea realized it was her own voice, her cries while the men ravaged her. Satan’s size increased and luminous rays pierced from his body, and she had the distinct feeling he might spring on her like a lion were it not for her protectors.

  “The Lord rebuke you!” Mihael said, as he and Hamael drew their swords. Shards of light lanced around them, and their sizes doubled.

  Alethea screamed and flattened her back against the wall, but she fell through, drifted down beneath the floor, and landed on her rump. All was quiet. She found herself in a small chamber, one similar to where she’d spent her last night. A man lay on his stomach, his face and body cut and bloody.

  David.

  Alethea cried out and threw herself on him, but he didn’t stir. Her hands moved through his misty form and reached the solidity of his soul. She kissed him and hugged him.

  He stirred, groaning as he tried to lift his head. Had she not recognized the shape of his body, she would not have recognized him, his face was so swollen and bruised.

  “Oh, David.”

  “Alethea,” David whispered, his eyes still closed as he released another groan. “Yahshua protect her. Keep her safe. I can’t be in there with her. Protect her. Please, somehow, some way.” David wept. “Please … take care of her, Jehovah-Shammah. Take care of my Aucella.” He pounded his fist on the stone floor. “Why didn’t You let me stay? Why didn’t You let me protect her?”

  She lay next to him and cupped his battered cheek in her hand. “You did protect me. All those years at the villa you were there for me.” As she kissed him, she felt a force pull her away, and she knew it was time for her to go. “Like you said,” she whispered, “I’m going to meet Jesus today.”

  David gasped and touched the air with trembling fingers. “Thank You, Lord.” He cried and rested his head on the stone floor. “She’s with Yahshua now. Thank You.”

  She kissed him again, her hand reaching out to his as her body drifted up and away. “Keep praying, David! Don’t stop praying!” she shouted, knowing he couldn’t hear, but hoping something inside him might capture her words. His desperate prayers drew two angels toward him, and they ministered in songs and words of comfort to David as she floated through the chamber’s wall.

  Back in the arena, she stood facing the wall, Satan gone, but Hamael and Mihael by her side. Her David lay just beyond the wall’s stones. She reached out one last time, her fingers passing through its misty form. “Until we meet again, my love.”

  A brilliant light engulfed her from behind. She spun around. The sky opened, and clouds unfolded like a scroll. Cracks of thunder and lightning streaked across the heavens, but there was no rain, not a dark cloud in sight.

  Elohim. The Creator.

  Despite the lack of necessity to breathe, she gasped.

  A giant of a man, burning like glorious fire, dropped from the opening in the sky. Sparks flew in all directions and radiated from his body. A garment covered his loins and waved around his limbs. White wings exploded over his shoulders, stretching to nearly half the length of the arena and breaking his fall. He glided downward like a bird preparing to land. Shorter wings, which covered his face, protruded from his broad chest, but as he floated toward the ground, the wings opened, revealing his majestic countenance. Another set of wings from his lower back burst open, revealing his outstretched feet. Somehow she knew he was a Seraph, one of the highest orders of the angels.

  From out of the sky, Cherubim flew down toward her, like birds soaring in and around one another. She’d never seen such brilliant creatures, but somehow she knew that’s what they were called, just as she knew what to call the Seraph and the names of the angels beside her. The Cherubim had four faces, and their magnificent wings stretched out over the expanse of the sky. Trumpets and horns and other instruments blasted through the heavens. Angels garbed in robes of white came from every corner, and a bridge of heavenly fire plunged from the clouds, landing in the arena.

  Light brighter than the sun speared from the top of the bridge, blinding her. Fainting, Alethea’s knees buckled and she dropped to the ground, struck down by the light’s power, overwhelmed by its beauty, and terrified by the Omnipotence.

  Quiet fell over her, and peacefulness wrapped around her like a warm blanket, comforting her, calming her in its security.

  “Alethea,” a low voice said.

  Alethea’s eyes fluttered open. Was it all a dream? She looked around and found herself lying in the sandy arena. A bright, glowing light surrounded her, and without looking, she knew a man or an angel stood over her. Power radiated from His being, a power she knew could crush her, destroy her with a breath. Trembling, she lifted her head just enough to see the man’s feet, scarred with holes, as if a nail had been driven into them. She pushed up onto her forearms, her gaze lifting to the man’s legs. His garment fluttered against her cheek. Quickly, she got to her knees. The words KING OF KINGS LORD OF LORDS were written on His thigh.

  “Don’t be afraid.” Yahshua knelt, sending sparks fluttering around Him. Some landed on her arm, but they didn’t burn. His eyes were like fire and His hair white as snow, and it made her realize how filthy and undeserving she was to be near Someone so flawless, mighty and wonderful. Shame swept through her, and she couldn’t meet His gaze. He reached out and His hand also bore a nail wound. Slipping His warm fingers beneath her chin, He tilted her face to His … and smiled. A smile that fully reached His eyes, turning them to an amber glow. Something in them made her want to lose herself in their depths. His gaze told her she was safe, that she was home. That He was her older brother and He would protect her. Quivering and stunned, she placed her fingers over His as they caressed her cheek, and like a kitten, she pressed further into His warm, comforting palm, wanting to lose herself in His touch.

  “I know Your face,” she whispered. She’d seen Him before, in David, in her father, and in the faces of the brethren.

  He gently pulled her to her feet. She took in His size, seeing that He was tall like the angels and … magnificent. But not only that— because He was with her, she knew she was safe, safe from everyone and everything that might try to hurt her. Nothing would dare try to harm her now that He held her. She was where she belonged.

  He lifted her by the waist and her feet came off the ground. She grasped His strong arms as He held her up. Flaming sparks flew from His body and engulfed her, spinning around her, wrapping her in warmth and serenity. His glory filled her with total assurance of safety, like when she was a girl on her father’s shoulders. She lifted her face to Him and let her arms open to His presence, completely abandoning herself to His hold. He chuckled, and she found h
erself in a new stola, so different from the dresses she knew. Pure white, with sparkling jewels, just like the angels, just like Yahshua. Taking her in His strong arms, He cradled her against His chest. “Let’s go home,” He said, and as He spoke the words, He turned and walked up the bridge, lifting from the ground and floating into the sky.

  None of the people in the amphitheater had witnessed the spectacle; instead, their attention was focused on the arena below, raising their fists and shouting. The people grew smaller the higher she rose, just as her fears and troubles grew smaller the higher she ascended in Yahshua’s strong arms, leaving behind all the pain, the fear and agony, until the horror and evil diminished completely—to be replaced with joy, purity and glory.

  Sighing, she hugged Yahshua’s neck and rested her head on His comforting shoulder. “Thank You for letting me say goodbye to David.”

  Yahshua tenderly kissed her on the forehead. “It was for him.”

  That’s when she realized, David needed that goodbye far more than she did.

  A warm wind caressed Elianna’s cheek. It came from Vespasian’s amphitheater and nearly pulled off her hood. It was a hot day and there hadn’t been any wind, but she wore a pala anyway, one she borrowed. The hooded cloak would hide her face if she cried, and cry she did beneath its heavy folds as it hung several inches too long on the ground. The sun blazed like fire, melting her life away, like the fire burning atop a candle, and she was the wax. All she could do was stand there and watch as her world melted before her eyes within the confines of the grotesque arena.

  The Esquiline Hill wasn’t high enough where she stood to see inside, but she could imagine what it looked like, she could imagine the sand, the lions and her parents. The thought ripped a wail from her throat. This couldn’t be real. None of it was happening. She watched the many entrances for Pappous, listening to the shrieking crowd. Pappous had gone to see her parents’ execution. How could he bear it? Surely, he wouldn’t be able to witness the horrific scene, especially while the crowd cheered. All she could think of was how this monsterlike amphitheater was eating away her life, eating her parents, and taking everything she loved and held dear. Another cry escaped her throat, and she put a trembling hand over her mouth to stifle the sobs.

  She stood a few feet away from the crowd because she didn’t want anyone to see she was crying. This was the hour that criminals were convicted, so they’d know she was crying for someone that they believed deserved to be executed. They might even turn her in for supporting her loved ones, especially if they realized it was because of their Christian faith.

  Pappous stumbled out, and Elianna straightened to her full height on her toes. He leaned on one of the pillars just under the portico. Gasping for breath? She couldn’t tell from this distance. But his anguished stance told her the deed was done. Her parents were no longer a part of this world. Crying out, Elianna turned to run, holding the long skirt of her pala above her ankles. She would have run down to Pappous, but he thought she was safe with the brethren, and if he found out, it might upset him even more, knowing she had slipped away when no one was looking. So she ran in the opposite direction, ran through the busy streets, ran until she found herself in front of Manius’s house. Breathless, she pushed on the gate to go in, but it was locked. Manius never locked his gate, even when he wasn’t home. Then she remembered that Manius should have died with her parents.

  Pressing her head against the wood, she slid down the gate. Her world would never again be the same. It hardly seemed real that Abba and Mamma were gone. She didn’t want to accept it. Couldn’t accept it. Just the other morning Mamma had teased her and tugged on a lock of her hair. She’d never again awaken to her mamma’s singing voice. Never again laugh when Abba tickled her or lifted her onto his shoulders.

  “No!” Elianna cried out and hugged her knees as she buried herself further into her pala, her whole body trembling. “No.” She sobbed for long time, hoping Manius might hear and open the gate. People walked by, but no one stopped to check on her. Hopefully, her friends wouldn’t come. If they did, she’d tell them to go away. Just like she wanted to tell this whole situation to go away. She wanted to hold something, someone. She wanted Mamma and Abba to hold her. She sobbed again.

  If only she could go in to see Manius, to see the room they slept in while there, to smell the cushions to see if they still held their scent. She had nothing solid to hold in her hands to remember them by. She and Pappous couldn’t even go home to collect mementos. Pappous said the Imperial Magistrate might be looking for them. And Paulus surely would have told them where they all live.

  Elianna climbed to her feet, straightening on wobbly legs. She didn’t care if anyone was looking for them, she had to get to her home. She had to find something to hold, something to smell, something to keep them close. As she marched to her house, she wondered why Manius locked his gate. Why did the authorities set him free but not her parents?

  She walked numbly through the streets as she reflected on how all of this happened. Uncle Paulus instigated the entire situation. How could he do such a thing? How could he hurt those closest to him? She’d never trust him again. Never trust him if he said he brought Zander.

  Tears spilled onto her cheeks as she made her way home. Oh, Zander. What would he do when he found out about Mamma and Abba?

  Elianna came to her apartment and stood before the tall structure. Crowds dispersed from the eateries now that the noon hour was past. Abba would never again juggle for the people there. She made her way across the street and went into the building, the home she’d never be able to call home again.

  As she trudged up the stairs, she ran her hand along the railing, longing to see Mamma and Abba’s hands doing the same. Their feet had once touched these same steps. She looked at the top of the staircase. Would someone be waiting for her? What if Pappous was right and someone from the Imperial Magistrate was hiding in her apartment? What would she do? She shouldn’t go in. She paused on the landing. But she had to go in. She had to get Abba’s juggling balls, the ones Aunt Sarah made. What she’d get of her mamma’s, she didn’t yet know. She walked past the other apartments until she came to the narrow hall leading to her home. She stopped in front of the door, put her ear against it, and listened. No sounds came from inside.

  She tried the knob. Locked. Remembering the key Abba always made her carry on a rope around her neck, she tugged it out of her stola and turned the key in the lock. The door creaked as it swung open, revealing light from the window and dust motes dancing on the air. A faint scent of jasmine hung in the chamber. Mamma. That’s when Elianna knew, she’d take Mamma’s perfume with her. She hurried inside and rushed to the empty bed. She pulled out the basket of juggling balls and grabbed Abba’s sack of juggling equipment. Too heavy. There was no way she’d get that bag down the stairs. She opened it and took out the torches and other items she didn’t expect to use, the scent of smoke and leather assailing her. Abba’s scent. Bag lighter now, she lifted it over her shoulder. Yes. That would do.

  She turned to her mamma’s bureau and snatched the amphora vessel of perfume. The stopper held so it wouldn’t leak. She stuffed it into the pocket of her pala. She opened the drawers and spotted mamma’s mantle. Mamma had made it when she still lived at the villa. Lifting the white silk from the drawer, she let it fall over her hand, its dark blue and gold colors swirled around its white edges. Mamma only wore the mantle on the first day of the week when the church came together for worship. Elianna held it to her nose. Jasmine. Again, tears came to her eyes. It smelled just like Mamma.

  Voices sounded down the hall and Elianna ran to the door. She put her ear to it. Just neighbors. She had to leave while it was still safe.

  Elianna cast one last glance around the room to the table and chairs, where she could still see Abba sitting, leaning on his elbow and smiling at her. She dropped Abba’s bag, ran back to the bed, and threw herself on the pillows, deeply taking in the scents of jasmine, leather and smoke. Mamma. Abba.
One last time, one last inhale, she breathed them in, trying not to cry into the pillows as she held onto them, not wanting to let them go.

  Ω

  Elianna trudged to Julia’s house where she and Pappous had stayed last night. Two-year-old Adelia was the baby Mamma had helped deliver, and more recently, she’d helped bring Adelia’s brother into the world.

  Elianna had packed Mamma and Abba’s pillows in with Abba’s juggling equipment. She’d sleep on them now, taking in the wonderful fragrance, remembering Mamma and Abba, and holding them close.

  Struggling, she managed to open the door.

  “I saw her, but David—” Pappous broke off and looked at Elianna, his eyes red and swollen. He sat at the table with Julia and her husband, Adelia playing on the floor behind them.

  They all straightened as she stepped inside with her burden and set it on the floor. She prayed they wouldn’t continue with the details of what Pappous witnessed about her parents’ death.

  “What have you got there?” Pappous’s chair scraped on the floor as he stood. He bent to look into Abba’s bag as she held it open for him. “What’s this?” He looked at her, his red-rimmed eyes suddenly wide.

  Unable to admit she’d snuck back into her apartment, Elianna looked down at the bag, hoping the contents would speak for themselves.

  “You didn’t.” Pappous’s face went pale, and he grabbed Elianna by the shoulders. “Don’t ever do that again! I could have lost you too! Don’t you realize, I could have lost you!” He cupped her face, renewed tears spilling from his eyes as her own tears flooded over her cheeks and his thumbs. “They could have taken you! Someone might have been there waiting to take you!”

  “I know!” Elianna said, desperate, having never shouted at Pappous, or any adult for that matter. “But I had to! I had to go.” She broke down into sobs as she pulled out Mamma and Abba’s pillows. “They smell like them,” she said, choking on her words. “I can still smell them.”