He made his way over to Elizabeth and noticed that the top half of her bedroll was pushed up so it would serve as a pillow, and that she was sound asleep.
Not surprising; she could sleep through a hurricane. He smiled and caressed her head.
Down to the first floor he went, making only a slight creaking sound on one of the middle rungs. In the kitchen, Michael grabbed a cup hanging on the wall and tried to pour some water into it from a large jug. The water splashed out, spilling all over him and the floor.
“Shoot,” he muttered, wondering if he had been too loud.
His sleeve was soaking wet and water was pooling on the stone floor. He was afraid someone would slip in it, so he tried to push the puddle around with his foot, hoping that it would evaporate faster that way. It was futile, for now the entire floor was slippery. He bent over closer to examine it.
“This will help,” Leah said, placing a piece of cloth before him.
He sheepishly straightened up. “I’m so sorry.”
“Why? It’s just water.”
Michael nodded. “Thank you.”
“Can I make you some porridge?”
If we are in Jerusalem, how do I even understand what she’s saying? Michael hesitated. “Ah, no, thank you, it’s not necessary. I just need some water. I want to get to town and try to see if it’s safe to get to the tunnel.”
“The soldiers may notice you, dressed as you are. You’ll be in danger. Please let me get you some clothing.”
Before he could reply, Leah went upstairs, returning with a long, off-white linen robe. Michael put the garment over his sweatpants and T-shirt. The bottom of the robe touched the top of his feet.
“Better?”
“Not yet.” Leah brought him a simple, woven belt and wrapped it around his waist. “Now you are done.”
Michael watched Leah pour him a cup of water. “Thank you,” he said, accepting it. “Can you please tell Elizabeth that I’m going back to the tunnel to see if there are any soldiers still there?”
Leah paused uncomfortably. “Would it not be better if you told her yourself what you are doing?”
“No. She’ll want to come. I can’t take her because of that soldier.”
Leah pointed to his empty cup. “She isn’t a little girl.”
“No, thank you, that was enough. I know she isn’t. But please, will you take care of her for me today? She’s all I’ve got.”
“I will.”
Michael smiled. “I’ll try to be back as soon as I can. Please tell Elizabeth I love her.”
With that, he went out into the courtyard and through the gate.
The pain in Elizabeth’s hip woke her. She had rolled off the bedroll and the hard, cold floor had taken its toll. She opened her eyes and sat up quickly, finding it difficult at first to comprehend the room around her. In the morning sun, the yellow stone walls were reflecting golden rays of light.
“Dad?” she called, standing. She could see the dining mat that they had sat around last night was just beyond the alcove where she had slept.
“Daddy!” Elizabeth yelled with urgency, walking out into the main room. The silence left a pit inside her stomach. She leaned over the ladder to see if anyone was visible.
“Dad? Are you down there?”
Hearing no response, Elizabeth climbed the ladder to the roof and poked her head out. She saw the empty bedroll.
“Dad?”
Elizabeth started back down the ladder, jumping off before the bottom rung to the second floor and quickly descended to the first.
Leah had left the porridge to cook over the fire and was in the courtyard praying when she heard Elizabeth on the ladder.
“Dad!”
“I am here,” Leah said.
Elizabeth leaped to the floor from the middle of the ladder and turned to see Leah kneeling by the fig tree in the courtyard. “Do you know where my . . .”
Leah put two fingers over her mouth before quickly finishing her prayers. Standing, she said, “Your father is not here.”
“Where is he?”
“He went to town to look for the place you came from,” said Leah as she walked to the smoldering fire.
“Why didn’t he wake me? Why didn’t you?”
“Your father asked me not to.”
“What?”
“I made you something to eat.”
“I don’t want to eat. I want my father!”
Leah stirred the porridge calmly. “He said he would be back soon.”
“When is soon ?”
“I don’t know.”
You don’t know much. Elizabeth was so angry at her father, wondering how he could leave her here with this strange woman.
“Leah, we have to look for him.”
“That was not what he wanted.”
“Why not?”
“It’s not safe.”
“Not safe ? We have to go look for him if it’s not safe.”
“No, it’s not safe for you.”
“Why?”
Leah looked at her, bewildered. “Elizabeth, you are a woman. Surely you know that there are men who would think nothing of having their way with you.” Leah’s gaze softened. She whispered, “They will hurt you, damage you. They would ruin you and you would never be the same.”
Elizabeth scowled at Leah, her hands flailing in the air. “What are you talking about? I would never let that happen.” She huffed. “My dad would never let that happen.”
Leah carefully moved past her, retreating to the kitchen. “Your dad cannot stop them. You are a beautiful woman, Elizabeth. Perhaps you would be safe with a good man and a home.”
Elizabeth reeled around and squared her shoulders. “Are you crazy? I’m just fourteen. I’m not even allowed to date.” She laughed mockingly. “My father won’t even allow me to kiss a guy.”
“I know your father would not be happy that I spoke this way, but you must understand this is the way of our town.”
“Not our town,” Elizabeth shot back.
Leah remained silent.
“We still need to find my father. I can’t stay here.”
Leah placed her hand on Elizabeth’s arm, gently stopping her from leaving through the courtyard. “If you were to go to town for your father, the soldier might remember you.”
“What soldier?”
“The soldier who took the piece of your garment.”
Elizabeth looked at her oversize T-shirt. She now wished she hadn’t invaded her father’s closet. I wonder if this is punishment for not asking, she thought ironically.
Leah could see the determination on Elizabeth’s face. “I’ll go with you.”
Elizabeth’s face lit up.
“But you should never wear that shirt again,” Leah said, handing Elizabeth one of her own robes.
Elizabeth’s smile turned to a frown. At first she just stared at it, but then put it on over her shirt.
“I’m keeping the T-shirt,” she said with a bit of an edge just before heading out the door.
Out on the street, Michael looked around and didn’t see any soldiers. He started moving at a brisk pace, joining the many people already at marketplaces and in the streets as they carried out their morning tasks. He passed near the courtyard area where he and Elizabeth had met Leah. It was empty.
Michael remembered that the opening of the tunnel was on the west side of the street, near a fruit and vegetable stand. He noticed a crowd of people huddled in an area about fifty yards away and wondered if that was the spot.
He could see several men and women gathered around a food cart inspecting the merchandise. His heart started to race and excitement filled his body.
It’s got to be there, that’s the stand.
Then, as if a wave had hit the crowd, the people dispersed as several soldiers on horses raced from the opposite direction. Their shiny golden helmets glistened in the sun, and their bright red capes flapped up and down with the speed of the horses.
Michael’s stomach turned and his heart pounded. He darted out into the middle of a crowd that was moving to the other side of the street, allowing the parade of proud soldiers to whip past.