Several hours had passed when footsteps pounded the stony stairs outside. I ran over and peered through the small crack in the door. It was Mari. Thank goodness for her or I’d die stuck in this room. I sat on the bed while she unlocked the door.
“What’s happening downstairs?” I asked.
Mari set the tray of food beside me. “Good things.”
“What good things?” I picked up a piece of bread, broke it in two, and took a bite. I wasn’t hungry, but thought I should eat while I could.
“Daniel took Nathan to Jerusalem so your father could see that his son is healed.”
“That’s great. I’m glad Daniel did that for Nathan. How long will it be before they return?”
Mari smiled. “It’s hard to say. I suppose they could be gone for several months.”
“Several months? That’s ridiculous.”
“Why are you always in such a hurry, my love?”
“What am I going to do here while I wait?” Not to see Daniel for that long would be torture. To be stuck here with Judd and Scylla was unimaginable.
Mari looked at me perceptibly. “Are you feeling okay?”
“I suppose. Just depressed.”
“I understand.”
“When can I get out of here? I mean, she can’t keep me locked up forever.”
“Oh, she won’t,” Mari assured me. “She wants to protect you.”
“Protect me?”
“She doesn’t want you to get hurt.”
I snorted. “Did you hear how she talked to me?”
“Oh, she didn’t mean it, my love. She was just angry.”
“Sure she didn’t mean it. Are you blind or something?”
Mari shook her head. “But you traipse off. There are robbers and murderers out there.”
“Daniel was with me. Anyway, I’m done eating.”
Mari looked at the tray of uneaten food. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll come back in the morning and check on you.”
“Can you do me another favor?”
“What’s that, my love?”
“Check on the animals for me. Make sure Judd is taking care of Lowly, Much-Afraid, and Cherios. How I wish I could visit them.”
Mari stared at the floor.
“It’s okay. I know you would get in trouble if you let me out of here. That’s why I want you to check on them for me.”
“Sure. I will,” Mari promised.