I sit, breathless and freezing. It’s been two days since he’s given me any food . . . any attention.

I only have the rats on the other side of the wall.

I have a new friend, too. Her name is Stephanie. He picked her up while she was hitchhiking down I-40. He’s already started the process with her; he’s taken her eyes.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The night is cold, and in the morning, I hear sloshing outside my door. It sounds like a bag being dragged. I smell copper — that can only mean one thing.

Stephanie’s gone.

Just like Harry, Emma, and Stuart.

“What did I do to deserve this?”

That’s what they all said. I pray to him, though, daily. He is my God.

But the only thing that answers are the rats in the wall.

He’s come for me! Finally!

I’ve been promised salvation.

He will protect me from this hateful world.

I hear him sliding the blade out from his apron; I’ve been moved to the Sanctuary.

It smells different than my cell, it smells like sacrifice and love.

It’s firm as it slides through my throat.

I don’t scream, though. I can’t.

There is nothing to be afraid of — this is my divine salvation.

Because I am now in The House of God.