People say it's a card. Nothing more. But...that card haunts her dreams.

It was two weeks after she left home that it all began. Two weeks after the abortion was discovered. Zoe couldn't wait for her parents to return. She knew they would be disappointed. So, she left home.

The image of the man on the cross reversed to a hanged Man in her dreams.

At first, it felt like being pulled in different directions. Every waking moment met her soaked completely in her sweat. 

The couple that sheltered her grew distressed by her plight. Something about her dreams was ominous as it was creepy. Zoe could not sleep anymore... everywhere she turned, the snapped neck and dangling lifeless body would meet her...dyed in blood.

Night became her morning, and noon, her night.

Until the day she screamed out of her sleep, holding her own neck.

“Zoe... breath. Come on...”

Her breathing was laboured, as though she was being choked. Her eyes reddened, pulsing and teary in their sockets.

“Help me... please. Rita...help.”

"Is it not written that even the prey of the mighty shall be delivered?" David cried, and the room fell silent for a moment.

" Are you alright?

Oh great... she's good, honey." Rita sighed, relieved.

But David's eyes were nestled on Zoe, unflinchingly. 

" Tell it to leave," he whispered, drawing near.

Rita was baffled. Zoe's heart paced. Her eyes were lowered. Her body quivered. David could tell it was by her side. Her head tilted away from her left, horrified.

"He says... I'm hii..." She stuttered.

" Do not listen to him. Listen to the sound of my voice. Shut him out and sink into mine.

For this the son of man was made manifest, that he sh..."

Their attention instantly reverted to David's groaning. His body twisting uncontrollably. Then he began choking.

“ Confess your sins,Zoe. He is faithful...able to cleanse them...make you pure.”

“I can't...the child... I couldn't have it...”

Rita took a deep breath, and held her hands. " For our weapons of warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds…

Pray with me, Zoe...Our father, who is in heaven. Hallowed be thy name..."

Noise of multitudes went up in the air. It was deafening. David landed heavily against the fridge with a mighty thud. Faced by the pandemonium in the room, he limped towards the ladies and held their hands.

"...but deliver us from all evil. Amen!" They chorused.

Peace settled back in. But the moment they exhaled in relief, a knock came.

David braved the long walk to the door, and his wife followed suit.

" Please...we are Zoe's parents," said the woman by the door . “ We know our little girl is with you.”

The couple shared a look, and David waved Zoe to join them from the couch.

“ Mom...Dad. You came for me.”

" What were you thinking leaving home?" He berated her.

" We all have done worse. Yet, God didn't chase us away. He sent his beloved to bring us home.

Your brother's miss you," he softened, and smiled.

Zoe rushed into her parent's embrace. Rita snuggled up to David. Looking back, David was convinced that Zoe was loved so much that darkness could not wait to separate her from that love.