The Beautiful Spirit Magazine Summer 2015 | Page 4

Abundant Grace
HANNAH SCHWEINSCHAUPT

Part Eleven

D

arkness
resided.
Chills
descended down my spine while
fear entwined my heart. I held my hands
outstretched and grasped at empty air. My
heart raced, and my breath was labored.
“Lexie,” a raspy voice whispered as its
breath fanned the back of my neck. As
I turned around, a silent scream escaped
through my lips. Blackness greeted me.
“Lexie,” the voice sounded again, its
breath brushing across my face. Another
muted scream welled within my throat. I
had to get away! Not knowing which way
was which, running blindly, the haunting
whispers followed behind. All of a
sudden, I felt cold metal clasps around my
wrists and ankles, restricting me. Chains
jingled. A taunting laugh filled the air.
A ring of flames ignited about me as an
endless flow of tears stained my cheeks.
I struggled profusely against these bonds
that imprisoned me. The voice grew near.
An intense burst of flames scorched my
flesh. Descending to my knees, a merciful
cry touched my lips. Looking upward, I
was devoid of hope as the flames neared
and began to consume my total being. My
vision blurred as my body slumped to the
enflamed ground. “Someone, please help
me!”
As I awoke with a start, my chest rose
and fell rapidly. My eyes darted about,
attempting to take in my surroundings.
“Mom,” I whispered, remembering all
that had happened. She lay there on the
hospital bed. Her condition: the same.
Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I
arose from my temporary bed, my limbs
protesting with each move. Stretching

4 The Beautiful Spirit

Summer 2015

widely, I grimaced and rolled my neck,
attempting to loosen the strained muscles.
Sighing, I walked over to the window.
Morning had approached and the rest
of the hospital was awake. Turning my
head, I stared blankly at the still form,
feeling numb. What else could be done?
Remembering the events of the night
before, I recalled that I had done
something I had thought not possible:
I had cried my heart out to God, even
though I wasn’t sure in my heart that He
did exist. +