Chapter Two - Running!
How I escaped a voodoo high priest!
The sunlight came streaming through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Josiah was sitting beside me with a tray of breakfast—eggs, toast, and coffee. He smiled warmly, the kind of smile that had always made my heart flutter.
"Good morning, beautiful. How did you sleep?" he asked, his voice soft and reassuring.
I rubbed my eyes, feeling disoriented.
"What happened last night?" I asked, my voice groggy but filled with unease.
Josiah looked at me, puzzled, his brow furrowing. "What do you mean?" he asked, clearly not understanding my concern.
"I... I woke up in a white dress," I explained, my words rushing out in a flurry. "You weren't in the room, the lights wouldn't come on, and I couldn't find my phone. There were these cars outside, and—"
"Whoa, whoa," he interrupted, holding up his hands in a calming gesture. "Babe, are you okay? We watched a movie, then went to bed. You must've had a bad dream," he said with a hint of concern in his voice.
A dream?! I stared at him, unsure what to think. Could it really have been a dream? It had felt so real, the details so vivid. His words, however, sounded convincing. His concern seemed genuine, and I started to doubt myself. Maybe it was all in my head. Perhaps I had imagined it.
I let it go, dismissing the strange experience, and decided to move on with the day. We spent a beautiful afternoon together, going for a hike in a nearby park, enjoying the fresh air and the natural beauty around us. The sun was warm but not too harsh, filtering through the canopy of trees above us and casting dappled patterns on the forest floor. The trail was quiet, with only the sound of birds chirping and the occasional rustling of leaves as we walked side by side.
We talked, but mostly just enjoyed the stillness of the nature around us, the peacefulness of it all. There was something so grounding about the earth beneath my feet and the vast sky above. It felt like I could leave behind all the worries, the confusion, the sense that something wasn't quite right. For that brief moment, it was just Josiah and me, our footsteps in sync, breathing in the serenity of the park.
Later, we had dinner at his favorite local spot, a cozy little bistro nestled on a quiet street, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. The moment we walked in, I was greeted by the soft glow of candlelight flickering on each table, casting warm, golden hues across the intimate room. The music playing in the background was a soft jazz melody, the kind that made you feel at ease without overpowering the conversation. It was the perfect setting for a relaxed evening, and I felt an immediate sense of comfort. Josiah held the door open for me, his smile wide as he led me to our table.
He was so attentive, pulling out my chair and settling in across from me with a smile that seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words. The waiter brought over our drinks and, before I could even look at the menu, Josiah had already made a recommendation for a wine that paired perfectly with the meal. His thoughtfulness and care were evident in every gesture, from the way he spoke to me to the little details he took note of—like remembering how I liked my steak or which dessert I preferred. It made me feel seen, appreciated, and loved in a way that was almost overwhelming.
We ate and talked for hours, our conversation flowing easily from topic to topic. There was laughter, and moments of deep conversation, and I found myself forgetting all about the strange feelings that had clouded my mind earlier. The confusion I'd felt seemed to melt away as we shared stories and caught up on everything, from our childhoods to dreams for the future. In those moments, everything seemed right in the world.
As the night drew on, I felt myself truly relaxing for the first time in days. The weight of the unsettling events I had experienced, the fear and the confusion, all faded into the background. Maybe it was just a fleeting moment of anxiety, I thought. Maybe it had been my imagination running wild, or perhaps the stress had simply gotten to me. Whatever it was, in Josiah's presence, I felt safe again. The small, cozy bistro, with its low lighting and gentle music, felt like a sanctuary—a place where I could forget the uncertainty that had haunted me earlier and just focus on the person sitting across from me.
As we finished our meal, Josiah reached across the table and took my hand, his touch warm and steady. "I'm glad you're here with me," he said softly, his eyes searching mine as if trying to communicate something deeper than words could express. I squeezed his hand, feeling a sense of peace wash over me. For that moment, it felt like nothing could shake the happiness we had found in each other.
That night, I woke up again around midnight. The quiet of the house felt unsettling, the silence broken only by the soft hum of the clock. I instinctively glanced at the bedside table, and my stomach dropped—my phone was missing again. The clock on the wall read exactly 12:00 a.m. I felt a surge of unease ripple through me, and without thinking, I began to recite a prayer in my mind, my lips barely moving as I muttered the words: "No weapon formed against me shall prosper," from Isaiah 54:17.
As soon as I started praying, I heard a loud crash, followed by the unmistakable sound of something heavy hitting the floor. My heart raced, my breath catching in my throat. I froze, terrified, trying to make sense of what I had just heard. Almost immediately, Josiah appeared in the doorway of the walk-in closet, his eyes wide with confusion.
"What was that sound?" I asked, my voice trembling, barely above a whisper.
"Probably one of the cats knocking something over," he said dismissively, his tone light as if it were no big deal. He smiled, his smile not reaching his eyes.
He handed me a glass of water, and I drank it, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Almost instantly, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. My eyelids grew heavy, and within moments, I drifted back into an unsettling sleep.
The next day, Josiah and I had lunch with his parents at their home. They were incredibly kind, and his mother seemed to dote on me, showering me with compliments about how perfect I was for Josiah. It should have been comforting, but there was something about the whole interaction that felt off, like a shadow I couldn't quite place. Josiah's father smiled warmly at me, but his eyes held an intensity I couldn't ignore.
That evening, Josiah mentioned that he needed to drive his parents to their ranch. Before leaving, he made me coffee, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "I made you something special," he said. "It's a strawberry blend I created just for you."
I took a sip, and although it was sweet, there was an odd tanginess to it that lingered on my tongue. I hesitated but didn't want to upset him, so I took another sip. He watched me closely, smiling as I drank. When he was satisfied that I'd finished the cup, he kissed my forehead and left.
I tried to stay up and watch a movie, but once again, the fatigue took over. I felt drowsy, almost as if the tiredness was crawling up my spine, edging me away from the land of consciousness. As I stumbled toward the bedroom to grab my phone so I could call Josiah, a gnawing sense of dread grew stronger in my chest. Something wasn't right.
As I whispered another prayer, I remembered Psalm 23, the bible verse that my father taught me for protection, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me, Lord." The words felt comforting, but my mind was in turmoil. Before I could make it to the bed where my phone was charging, I blacked out.
When I opened my eyes, the lights were on. I was lying on the bed, the sheets pure white, the room unnervingly pristine. Rose petals were scattered all around me, their vibrant red contrasting against the white linens. I was once again wearing the white silk gown, the one I had seen myself in the previous night. I touched myself to check if I was dreaming again. This was all real.
My hair had been styled into an elegant up-do, and pearl-encrusted pins were tucked neatly into place. My nails were a perfect shade of bright red, manicured to perfection. Panic surged through me, my chest tightening as I sat up. The room reeked of perfume, a thick, floral scent that made my head spin. I glanced outside the window, my breath catching when I saw the driveway—lined with expensive cars.
I got out of the bed in a frenzy and rushed to the walk-in closet, searching for my clothes. There was no sign of them. My heart pounded as I rummaged through the closet, my mind racing with confusion and fear. Then I heard it—a thud. I froze, the blood draining from my face. The sound came again, this time from inside the closet.
A chill ran through me as I realized the noise wasn't random. It sounded like knocking.
Knocking, coming from inside the closet? I felt the overwhelming urge to flee.
"I'm losing my mind!" I thought, trying to steady myself as I searched for my clothes. In the corner, behind Josiah's suits, I saw something familiar—my suitcase. I rushed over to it, but as I leaned against the wall to pull it out, something strange happened. The wall began to open, quietly, as if I had unknowingly pressed a button.
Before I could process the fact that a wall was opening right before my eyes, my attention turned to the horrifying scene unfolding before my eyes.
A large, crimson-colored room stretched out before me. In the middle of the room, there was a long table surrounded by men dressed in long robes. Some wore red robes, others black and others purple robes. At the head of the table stood Josiah, clad in a thick purple robe with the cape pulled over his head. In his left hand a thick, black book that he was reading from in a strange language and in his right hand, what looked like a dark red dagger. The thick curved blade of the knife shimmered, catching the flames from the candles on the table. The handle of the knife was clasped in what looked like a black upside-down cross.
What on earth was this?!
My eyes moved to the long table in the center of the room. It was a thick oval shaped table, made of red wood. From where I was standing, the table looked stained and had numerous old candle wax on in various places. Lying motionless on the table, was a slender woman clad in a white silk gown similar to mine, her face eerily calm. Her hair was in an up-do, similar to mine, with white pearls holding her curls in place. Her hands were crossed at her chest, her bright red fingernails glistening in the light of the black candles surrounding her. Although I couldn't see her face, felt as though I was staring at my own reflection in some twisted, nightmarish vision.
To the side of the room, I spotted someone I immediately recognized, my best friend's husband, Ben. He was standing nude, his body covered in red paint, brandishing a black upside down cross and chanting words I couldn't understand frantically.
"Jesus!" I screamed, the words escaping from my lips before I could stop them.
The men around the table turned toward me in unison, their eyes cold and unblinking, as chaos erupted. Josiah and I locked eyes, and he froze. The man I had grown to live was no more. In his eyes now, I saw spite, fury and something dangerously unsettling.
"I thought you drugged her!" Ben yelled at Josiah.
"I did!" Josiah barked back, his voice filled with urgency.
Not waiting to hear more, I bolted out of the closet. My mind screamed at me to escape whatever nightmare I had just stumbled into. Footsteps thundered behind me, the sound of voices calling out, but I didn't dare look back. I zigzagged through the house, my heart pounding in my chest, desperate to get away.
I spotted a side door and threw myself outside into the cold night air, gasping for breath as I ran. The chill bit at my skin, but I didn't care. I found a large bush and crouched behind it, heart racing as Josiah and the others charged past me, heading toward the street. Once the coast was clear, I made a break for the backyard, scaling the fence with trembling hands, my legs burning as I sprinted into the maze of nearby streets. As I ran, I kept reciting Psalm 23, clinging to the words as if they would somehow protect me: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me."
I ran for what seemed like forever, the cold dark night doing very little to deter me from the run for my very life. Eventually, I came to what looked like a tarred road. Several cars passed me, but none stopped until a kind-looking woman in a beat-up grey sedan pulled over.
Trembling from the cold and fear, I got into her car, barely able to speak. My voice was choked with emotion, but she reassured me with a gentle smile.
"My name's Jael," she said. "Where are you coming from? Where are you going?"
I couldn't find my words.
Jael sped up without me telling her too. The sight of trees zooming past us giving me a sense of hope. With her free hand, Jael reached the backseat of her car to pull out her phone from her bag. She handed it to me and asked if there was anyone I could call. gave me her phone. When I looked at the screen, I was shocked to see the date.
"I- is this date correct?" I asked, my voice shaky, barely able to comprehend what I was seeing.
"Yes, dear. Why? What's the matter?" she asked, concern filling her voice.
If the date and time were correct, then three weeks had passed since my engagement. That would mean I had been at Josiah's house for three weeks—three weeks—without any memory of what had happened. Tears sprang to my eyes, and I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. Jael placed her hand on mine, praying softly as I wept. After her prayer, I felt calmer, more at peace, though the weight of what had happened still hung over me.
I dialed my father's number. He picked up immediately, his voice filled with relief and love as soon as he heard my voice. Jael promised to help me send my location to my parents so they could be reunited with me. I felt overwhelmed, but I also felt a flicker of hope. I spoke with my parents, and as I hung up, I couldn't hold back the tears. I buried my face in my hands, crying into them as if the world had just crashed down around me.
Jael handed me a handkerchief, and I blew my nose, still trembling. But as I did, I inhaled a strong, unfamiliar scent. My head swam, and I felt dizzy. Before I could process what was happening, I passed out. The last thing I heard was Jael on the phone, her voice calm but filled with urgency.
"Package retrieved. On my way to you now."
Had I walked into another trap? Was Jael taking me back to Josiah?