Page 25 of Healing Love

Taking the thin rope from his belt he let it drop over the edge of the wall. Not using the rope, he swung his body over and dropped to the ground. Thankfully, the small squishing sound his feet made in the mud appeared to go unheard.

The area was cast in shadows, more dark than not, and it was easy to slip between the two buildings. The rain fell in sheets, driving everyone inside. Reaching thefront corner, he peered around the corner and saw a small, empty courtyard in front. Unable to believe that there were no guards, he realized that without aid, the nurses would not be able to escape on their own, therefore the security was lax.

He slipped to the window at the right corner room and could see a sliver of light coming from inside. Pulling a knife from his pocket, he wedged it in the slit between the shutters and lifted it slowly. The blade caught on the small shutter latch and as he raised the bar from its catch, he was able to free the shutters. Barely creating an opening just wide enough for him to peek in, he saw the nun kneeling by the bed of the ill woman. Even from a short distance with rain still running into his eyes, he could see the deathly pallor of the nurse.

Moving slightly to the left he was able to see Miriam in a cot, her back to him. Another cot was empty, its blanket undisturbed. Miriam was rolling over, her eyes open and staring at her two roommates. Swinging her legs over the side, she stood and moved toward Sister Genovia.

Knowing time was of the essence, he whispered, “Miriam.”

Hearing a noise coming from the window, she looked up at the same time as the nun. They both gasped, grabbing on to each other as he leaned his head in slightly so that the dim light from the candle in the room shone on his face.

“Cam!” Miriam whispered, rushing forward. Therain was continuing to pelt down on him, and she grabbed his arm. “What are you doing?”

Using stealth despite his large body, he hauled himself over the windowsill and deftly closed the shutters behind him. Turning quickly, drops of water flung off him and onto the floor.

“It’s now. We’ve got to leave now. The guards are all gone, and no one will look for us for a while.”

She looked behind her at Lorainne lying at death’s door and her gaze flew to Sister Genovia’s, who had walked over to the window as well.

“I…can’t…I…” she stammered.

“Oh, yes you can,” the kindly nun pronounced. “I am old and cannot make the travels, even if I wanted to. My job is to stay and see Lorainne safely to the arms of God.”

Miriam’s tortured expression tore at Cam as he reached for her. “You cannot help Lorainne by staying here. Sharon has made her choice and,” he turned toward Sister Genovia, “I swear I would take you if you were willing.”

She smiled and grasped his arm with surprising strength. “No. My place is here. Miriam’s place is with you.”

He held her gaze for a moment, wondering at the double meaning in her words. Mentally shaking himself, he moved toward Miriam. “Are you ready?”

“I don’t know,” she whispered honestly. “What do I need?”

He scanned the room quickly. “Do you have some type of bag or sack? I have one that I made but we coulduse another. One that you can sling over your shoulder or wear as a backpack.”

Her eyes immediately widened, and she whirled around, rushing to her cot. Reaching underneath, she pulled out the green drawstring sack, emboldened with the Red Cross, she had been given and allowed to keep.

Sister Genovia nodded in approval and moved to Lorainne’s cot, pulling hers out from underneath as well. Handing it to Cam, she said, “Lorainne will soon be with God. She will have no use for this now.”

Nodding his thanks, he dropped to the floor and placed his items into the sack, thankful that the material was water resistant if not waterproof. Looking up at Miriam, he ordered, “Fill it with any food you have here, your towel, any toiletries you need, and a dry pair of scrubs.”

She obeyed without question, her heart pounding in rhythm to the rain on the roof.We’re finally going. I’m finally doing something.The fear of the scene she had witnessed this morning was fresh on her mind, knowing if they were caught, that would be their demise. Still squatting, she jumped as Cam’s hand assisted her to stand. Facing him, she forced those thoughts from her mind.We’ve got a chance. That’s all that matters.

“Sister?” he said, as the nun turned toward him. “If asked, you fell asleep trying to care for Lorainne and the last you saw was Miriam in bed. She had complained about being sick to her stomach and you knew she had gone to the bathroom several times in the night.”

Smiling, she complied. “I can do that easily enough.”

“And I’m not telling you anything about our plans. I can’t. You understand?”

“Yes,” she agreed. “If I don’t know, they can’t make me tell them.”

“Exactly.” Turning to Miriam, he said, “This isn’t going to be comfortable, but you need to know that the worse the weather, the longer we have to stay hidden and get out of here.”

“I’m good. I can do this,” she promised, gifting him with a small, nervous smile.

He watched as she ran to Sister Genovia, hugging the older woman tightly.

“My children, go with God,” the nun said. “I will be in prayer for you. I will know when you are safe.”

“How will you know?” Miriam asked, pulling back so that she could look into the Sister’s eyes.

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