When the pain relented, he hopped on his good leg, making it through the door and into the corridor. In the dark, he skimmed his fingers along the wall for balance and direction. He froze when his fingers slipped across a fold of linen and then, the warmth of a body. Jesus spun and tried to run. Unable to see, he crashed headlong into a wall and tumbled to the ground. His leg rang with fresh pain.

The figure whose robes he had felt came and stood over him. “It would be wise not to try to leave,” the coarse voice warned.

CHAPTER 10

Somewhere within The Narrows outside ancient Palestine—16 A.D.

Following his failed escape attempt, Jesus was left in the dark for several more days. His ties had been redoubled. And not a single person visited his chamber, even at night.

Had they left him for dead?

Lying along the cold stone, he shouted at the top of his lungs for help.

Perhaps Solomon and Peter were searching for him?

When he had shredded his voice into a raspy hoarseness, Jesus felt his heart beginning to break. He longed to be back in the open, tending his sheep. He longed for his life’s freedom and simplicity, the notes of the flute and the smell of grass. He longed for Anna and her soft muzzle. And, most of all, he longed to be Jesus.

Sister Ruth found Mother Susana sitting in the dark, her eyes closed in contemplation. The elder woman had sequestered herself to replenish her spirit and meditate on the future.

During this time, she had instructed the Sisters to leave the young shepherd in solitude. Having been alarmed by her urgent need to escape, and knowing that such an attempt would gravely imperil their lives, Susana hoped a short period of deprivation would soften the young woman’s will.

“Mother,” Ruth whispered.

The old woman nodded but did not open her eyes.

“It has been three days,” Ruth continued.

Mother Susana nodded slowly.

The old woman’s heart, Ruth knew, was heavy and preoccupied with serious matters. First, there was the recent loss of Sister Samara. When she had returned from the outside world, broken and bloodied, they had tried to heal her, but to no avail. The injuries, from knives and stones, were too grave. But her unwarranted return had also sparked fear for the safety of the other Sisters. And just when that worry had reached its peak, the strange young shepherd had appeared, unescorted, leading them all to believe that an attack upon the caves was imminent. Then, Sister Joan had returned from her journey with news of Zahra’s strange request—and of her murder.

It had all been, Ruth thought, too much.