Swing Low: The Hangman Of The Woods by BC_Crow

Author:BC_Crow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, YA, Coming of age, religion, fantasy
Publisher: Blue_House_Publishing
Published: 2017-12-03T03:34:33+00:00

Chapter 17

Some wicked men accuse him of stealing children out of their homes. This lie only serves those who escape his noose. How else could they save face when confronted about their missing children? This deed is practiced openly, still they lie about it. Their own conscience condemns themselves. Yet they would rather harm this mentally challenged, disfigured man, who gives his all to provide a second chance at life to the innocent. If nothing changes, then one day you and they will look up and beg “Have mercy on me, and send this Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool our tongues; for we are tormented in this flame.”

I’d grown used to spending the first several of hours of each day away from Midnight. But this time, for the first two hours of my hike away from her, I felt a heavy longing to return. My mind replayed our conversations. Had I really just proposed marriage to this girl? Well, maybe she proposed to me. But it had happened!

The thought made me giddy. The more I imagined it, the lighter my steps felt. Before long, I was practically skipping through the forest. The very idea of a life with Midnight had been unimaginable only a year ago. Now I could hardly wait to be with her again.

My biggest dilemma was, of course—should I tell my mother? I was young. Too young to even be thinking of marriage. I’d lost track of the exact day, but in another few weeks I would be seventeen. By the time I came back for Midnight, we’d likely get married at eighteen years old. Young still, yes, but not unheard of. The bigger shock to everyone would be that I, Iddo, had found such a beautiful and sweet girl who was willing to marry me. So, no. I wouldn’t tell my mother—yet. I might tell her that I had a girlfriend, but I would leave it at that.

Late that night I arrived home. Our humble home was dark and I knew my mother must be sleeping. Not wanting to wake her, I lay outside in front of the house and fell asleep. I anticipated dreaming about Midnight, but my subconscious had other things to sort out. Of all things, I dreamed of Duy. In my dreams, he and his fellow Believers were using their powers to battle the witch from the woods, with all her dark magic and poisonous serpents. The witch was strong in her power, but the Believers were stronger. Stronger, that is, until Duy was expected to contribute. Once he got involved, the witch gained the upper hand.

For some reason, Thing Two was there encouraging and criticizing him. The witch just smiled. Her snakes bit Thing Two then turned toward Duy. “Dere aw no second chance for you life,” she hissed. “We chosed we own path. Second chance aw for help auders dat we would ave helped, if we been able. Me own you now.

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