Even In the Dark

by - January 27, 2020

I scream and scream until my throat goes numb.

My hands are numb, too. I'm gripping the rope that holds me above the canyon with one hand, sobbing, screaming, the fibers tearing lines through my palm. My other hand flails at the cliff, looking for a hold. For traction. Anything.

If I could just squeeze a little harder--if only--if only--

I look up at the top of the cliff, where they are standing. I don't have to see all the details of their faces to know who it is. The one whose face I know better than my own. The one who was a friend for so long and then suddenly, abruptly, became someone else. The one who called me part of her family...and then drove a knife into my back.

But the person at the front of the mob is the one that really chills my blood, because that person is me. That girl with curves she hates, with brown hair streaked lighter, with gold eyes full of malice and anger. I see that look directed at myself in the mirror far too often.

That girl is the one who grips a blade and moves toward the rope holding me to the top of the cliff.

"NO!" I scream. "No! Help!" I'm thrashing, flailing, spinning, trying and trying to hang on. "Jesus! Help!"

The other Me cuts through the rope. It frays in her hands. I see a cold light glinting in her smile, and in the split second where I hang in the air, I note the letters etched onto her forehead.

My True Nature

Then I'm falling.

I fall and fall, forever, through darkness, feeling blades lash at me, aching, the terror of what might meet me at the bottom tearing a scream from a throat that I thought was mute now. I fall and fall until suddenly, sickeningly, jarringly, I hit the ground. And all the air flies from my lungs as I choke and gasp and sob. I can hear faint laughter from above me. Those who have rejected me? Those who have hated me? Me myself? They all laugh at me here on the ground, choking for breath, hurting and aching.

I don't know how long I lie there. I beg for help. Desperation fills me, as with every cry all that returns to me is echoes. Not even the mockers stay for long. They too drift away after a while, leaving my crushed body on the ground, alone. I stare up at the sky and try to hold down the tears as a hollow pain tears at me. Alone. I am alone. No matter how much I beg.

Then I hear it. The sound of crunching footsteps.

I sit up way too fast, and my back gives out, the wounds sending me back to the ground in a heap. I hurt everywhere. But then I see him. Jesus.

"Where were you?" The words bite out of me. "When I was in this darkness? When I was falling? Why didn't you catch the rope? Why didn't you keep me from falling? Why didn't you come to pick me up? You promised you wouldn't leave me! Where were you?!"

He is silent. Silent as he bends over me, and then I feel it. I see the scars in his hands, and the holes in his feet, and I can imagine the wound on his side as he bends down and lifts me into his arms.

"Why?" I beg again. "Why did you abandon me?"

He does not answer, not at first. I feel tears brimming in my eyes as I cling to him, because I know I cannot let go, even if I don't understand. I caused my own fall, did I not? Did I deserve this?

Then he finally speaks. "Trust me."

And as I try to hold back the tears, I nod.

I won't understand.

I don't understand.

Everything hurts from that fall.

But he is here. And he is good. And that will have to be enough.

Even if I don't know why, I will trust him.

Even in the dark.

You May Also Like

20 comments

  1. Faith, there are no words for me to say that are even worthy of this post, so I won't say anything other than I love you and that I don't know how in the heck God ever found me deserving of you as a best friend, a critique partner, partner in crime, friendship soulmate... you are amazing and I love you my dear. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 (also lowkey going to lecture you for not warning me that you were going to BREAK MY HEART RN)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, boo. I love you so much <3 I don't know what I'd do without you. (Sorry...I actually didn't know that either...xD)

      Delete
  2. Oh my gracious. This was SO powerful. And the WRITING!!! Heart-rending and gut-punching and yet healing all at the same time. Just...just...THERE ARE NO WORDS. This was beautiful. So utterly beautiful. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Christine *sobs* Thank you so much. I'm glad it touched you--He is Good.

      Delete
  3. You literally GAVE ME CHILLS. I have no words.
    *cries* Faith, this is BEAUTIFUL <3333

    ReplyDelete
  4. FAAAAAIIIITTTHHHH. *cries* This is so tough and beautiful and REAL. And your style makes it so vivid - the pain, the dark, the hope of Jesus.

    Just <33333

    ReplyDelete
  5. When you turn the betrayer into the "other me". Powerful. You not only have a way with words, God is using you to portray HIS Way.

    MB> keturahskorner.blogspot.com PB> thegirlwhodoesntexist.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. <3 <3 Thank you so much, Keturah. This means so much to me.

      Delete

Hello, friends! Do make yourselves comfortable and stay for a while--I'd love to chat with you! I simply ask that you keep it clean. :)