Piper squirmed in her seat as she listened to Sir Oren elaborating with examples of his own successes. While on earth in medieval times, he played a key role in the persecutions and deaths of hundreds of Christians: men, women, children, and babies! He was particularly thrilled about the babies. Yet now he no longer discriminated, targeting people of all faiths. He was intensely proud of all he had contributed to the German effort in the 1930s and 1940s. He also gloated while describing his influence on a variety of random terrorist acts. In recent earthly times, he focused on those whom he knew were on paths to make a huge difference for the enemy.
“While on vacation from Europe recently, I singlehandedly convinced a wavering tyrant to prevent U.N. peacekeepers from sending food and water to thousands of starving and desperate civilians. The deaths, rapes, murders, and tortures of the innocent following that decision have exceeded my wildest dreams. I knew his highness would call me to celebrate the fruits of my labor. He did, and we enjoyed a most soulful dinner. Mmm. There’s nothing like the sweet and sour spices of cremated souls.”
Sometime during Sir Oren’s brag fest, the crowd lost all interest and reignited discussions with one other. They had grown accustomed to his grotesque appearance and did what they could to shut him off. His appearance didn’t surprise anyone as changes such as his were the norm among leaders and overseers. At least, that’s what the woman sitting in front of Piper told her, before turning back around. She also said that Sir Oren appeared as a warm and fuzzy kitten next to the great destroyer. A kitten.
Piper watched two of her neighbors ignite a hostile conversation with one another. Each tried to dominate the conversation, fighting to get in the last word. They punched one another and drew their knives and guns. They were just being social, they told her.
Before long, the theatre was encased in a sea of bullets, dead fish, knives, squirrels, and rats, undoubtedly contributing to its rotten stench. Yet no one died since they were already dead, hollowed out apparitions. Madalyn and the mistresses collected names. And bribes. In the end, they collected more bribes than names.
Sir Oren bid them a good night (“Damn you all!”) and stepped down from the podium in his velvety robe, strutting back to his seat like a peacock. His form again changed; this time back to his original human-like appearance.
Piper tapped the woman in front of her on the back. “I didn’t get your name.”
“Ayn. Spelled A-Y-N.”
“Ayn, tell me. Wouldn’t you rather be in paradise than in this awful dungeon? All you have to do is swallow your pride and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior.”
“Are you crazy? No way. People are still reading my books, you know. I am still making a difference in the lives of thousands of atheists. Maybe millions. I would be a hypocrite if I accepted Him as my Savior. A hypocrite.”
“I can tell you know you are wrong. So, why not eat a little humble pie? Your books will eventually die away and it won’t matter what you wrote.”
“Wrong? I’ve never been wrong, missy. And my books will never die away! They’re extremely influential. You shouldn’t say His name so loud either. You don’t know who is listening to your words. If they hear you, they’ll torture and rape you and burn you on a stake.”
Piper looked at the men on each side of her and noticed they were listening in on her conversation with Ayn. One of them barked, “I heard what she said, Ayn. I think she needs a lesson. What do you think, Woody? I’m feeling frisky. It’s been a long time since we’ve given it to one so pretty.”
Piper could tell he was evil, through and through. He was of Satan, just a weed among the wheat while on the earth. His black eyes blended with the walls of the dungeon and she sensed he had terrorized many in his past. He grabbed one of Piper’s arms and squeezed it. “Don’t think you’re going to get away now. We heard what you said.”
Feeling a massive chill roll through her veins, Piper closed her eyes and mustered every bit of strength she could. Then she screamed, “I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior!”
A warm voice answered her, “Piper, are you okay?”
Piper knew the voice as it was very familiar to her. Still shivering and shaking as if sealed in an ice cube, she opened her eyes and looked around, feeling a great sense of relief when she realized she was in a bed with her husband by her side. His warm body was very inviting, so she shimmied her frozen body next to his, spooning the front part of her body against his back side and wrapping her arms around him. Warmth and love were what she needed to break the invisible shield of the ice that was encasing her.
He turned to her. “Honey, you’re trembling and your skin feels so cold.”
“Bad nightmare.”
He put his arms around her and kissed her. She caressed his body and returned the kisses, while wrapping herself around him and embracing him. She could feel the icy shield as it slipped away, replaced by Nick’s love, which surged within her as they moved together in passionate rhythm. Bodies and spirits uniting as one, she sensed the ugliness of her nightmare being swept from her mind. Each memory of that experience slipped away into the darkness of the room until the only thoughts in her mind were those of passion and love for her husband. “Don’t stop,” she said. “Please don’t stop.”