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From January Peace
The horse quickly obeyed as Jorge turned to face her. “Better if you had stayed small,” he said pulling a knife from a sheath at his side. He lunged towards her. Marta jumped back and then ran towards the house. Jorge went after her, quickly closing the gap between them. By a mere hair, Marta made it through the back door, slamming it behind her, pushing the board to lock it against his entry. Jorge kicked the door with great force. Marta knew it would not hold long. “I know your daughters aren’t in there,” he said with a threatening voice, kicking the door once more with such strength that a dish fell from the kitchen wrack. Afraid that he would get to the children before she could, Marta grabbed a knife from the counter and ran out of the front entry as Jorge kicked the back door once more. He heard her exit and ran quickly to the other side of the house. Marta had not reached the edge of the clearing when Jorge grabbed her from behind, dragging her forcibly back towards her home. Marta sliced his arm with her knife. In pain, he released her then hit her face with an angry smack that threw her to the ground. Marta stood up and began to run to the back of the house. While she did, Jorge’s vicious thoughts echoed in her head. Where were they coming from? Who was this person? Jorge ran around to the opposite side of the house, cutting her off once more, but this time Marta turned and lashed out with the knife. Jorge dropped to the ground, bleeding profusely from his neck. His eyes glazed over and his body shook with small convulsions. Marta fell to a kneeling position, dropping the knife. She flung her body over his and wept. Through her tears, she could feel Jorge’s spirit leave his body. As it did, it moved through her. “I’m sorry,” he said – and then he was gone. *** |