I swallow hard. “‘Be still and know.’”
“Psalm 46:10,” he replies with a smile. “‘Be still and know that I am God.’”
I’m silent for a moment. There aren’t many times in my life when I’ve felt truly helpless. I do now. Yet there’s something else, too. A strength that I never felt before. “I have to save her.”
“Then put your faith in Him, and know that He is with her even in the fire. He walks with you, too, Sawyer. When you go after her, let that knowledge be part of your armor. Because with it, you’ll know that, no matter how this turns out, there will be a day that God will turn our sorrows into celebration. You are on a path, Sawyer. Don’t let the darkness distract you from it.”
Chapter 30
Anastasia
My stomach rolls as the boat rocks.
Jack bandaged my side and tied me to a chair in the main cabin of this boat just before going back up and guiding us away from a singular dock on the outskirts of town. We’re on a boat I don’t recognize, and while I imagine he stole it, with the nasty storm brewing, no one will know it’s missing until tomorrow morning.
For the millionth time, I scan the room for anything I can use. Unfortunately, the chair I’m in is currently bolted to the floor, so moving isn’t much of an option. The kitchen looks relatively barren, but maybe there’s a knife somewhere.
If I could get to it.
The boat shudders as thunder crashes, and pain shoots through my side as I’m rocked again.
I may die even before he has the chance to kill me.
Lord, please help me.
“‘God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble,’” I start aloud. Thunder rattles the world again, and I wince as the boat is jostled. “‘So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge.’” I swallow hard. “‘A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it.’”
I trail off as Sawyer’s face swims into view. My eyes fill, and I shove it aside because right now, I need to focus on surviving.
Not all that I’ll lose if I don’t.
“‘The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.’”
I speak the Word with strength I don’t have.
Proclaiming it even as my entire world is crumbling.
Is my mom okay?
The way she’d looked—that paleness on her face. What if no one found her in time? What if—not now, Anastasia. Focus.
I continue the psalm that helped me survive losing my dad. Psalm 46 brought me comfort in those days of grief after I lost Violet, too. “‘Come see the glorious words of the Lord; see how He brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear: He burns the shields with fire.’” My voice cracks, and a tear slips down my cheek.
“‘Be still, and know that I am God,’” I whisper. “‘I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.’” I finish the psalm, then turn my face up toward the ceiling. “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies are here with me. I know You are here, Lord. I know You won’t leave me.” More tears, but there’s something else, too.
Peace settles over me. An understanding that I am not truly alone. The enemy wants me to think I am. Jack wants me to feel forgotten. But the truth is, no matter what he does to my body, he cannot touch my soul.
It belongs to the Most High.
And if I die today, I’ll see my dad.
Violet.
One day, I’ll see my mom again.
My brother.
I’ll see Sawyer.
