Taking Faith Read Free Page A

glanced back at the front door with a horrified expression before running to her. He grabbed her arm and wrenched her from the door and pushed her against the wall. "Do you want to get us both killed?"
    S he was breathing hard from being caught and disappointment. He spoke again, angrily. "They don't tolerate this kind of behavior. Didn't you hear him? If you try to leave…the things they'll want me to do to you…" He glanced down at her arm all of a sudden as if it hit him that he was holding her too hard. His face paled when he removed his fingers to show spots where they had been imprinted on her skin. He grabbed her hand and dragged her to the bedroom. He pushed her inside and slammed the door. "Go to bed!" he yelled through the wood and she thought she heard him leave.
    But as she stood there in a stunned stupor she heard him slide down the door and then his head bang a couple of times before his mumble. "Oh, God, I don't think I can do this. I can't do this. I can't do this…"
    That went on for long, long minutes. She finally backed her way to the bed and lay back on it. She didn't get up on his pillows or under his covers. She just closed her eyes and once again prayed for God's forgiveness that all she wanted was to never wake up again.

Chapter 3

    She woke up early to a loud banging. Someone was at the door. She sat up and waited for…something. Not long after, Roger was poking his head in the door and telling her gruffly, and strangely loud, "Get out here."
    It was as if he wanted his visitors to hear him talk to her that way. She lifted from the bed and eased her head around the corner. There were two other men there that she didn't know , and then Roger's father as well. T hey were staring at her with impatience. "Come on," Roger urged.
    She padded her way down the hall on the balls of her feet. The men were so menacing she found herself going to Roger's side out of protective instinct. He seemed surprised by her move, but it was quickly absolved.
    "Got lots to do today. Let's get on with it," one of them men barked and motioned for them to turn to each other. It was then that she realized who this man was. The minister…
    She whimpered and Roger shot her a look. "Don't," he said, but it sounded more like a beg than anything. She took a deep breath and sucked the tears back in. She watched their feet and waited with baited breath for them to signal her that it was her time…her moment to speak and give her life away.
    "I…do," Roger said and then lifted her face with his fingers on his chin. "Say it."
    "I do," she said automatically and couldn't hold it in another second. She burst from the inside out with tears, letting her chin fall rebelliously back to her chest.
    "Girl-" The minister grabbed her arm, but Roger gripped his hand on her skin.
    "Don't. I've got it," he said and started to pu ll her away.
    "We're going to go, Roger. You mind your husband, girl!" the minister yelled and they were gone, leaving her with Roger and his father. Describing him as furious would be an understatement.
    Roger's father glared at her and then him. "Well, get on with it! Hit her!"
    "Father," Roger started, but his father took a dangerous step forward and growled at him. "Hit her. Hit her and teach her who's boss right now. Show me that you can be the man I raised you to be."
    Roger sighed and gave his father a placating look. " I will do what needs to be done; I just think I should do it without you-"
    Amy couldn't hold her scream in when Roger's father launched himself at her. Her gripped her by the hair and pulled her to stand in front of Roger , the painful zing shooting down her spine . "Hit her!"
    Roger looked at her, his face shaking with strain. She could d o nothing but look into his wide eyes and wait. But when his hand rose it wasn't to hit her, it was to pull her away. "Go into the bedroom, Amy," he said angrily. She didn't know if it was directed at her or not, but she ran.
    She heard his father say, "Are you