Why was 17 afraid of 7?
I'll give you a hint.
It is not because 7,8,9.
It didn't.
Close.
17 was afraid of 7 because,
7,8,10 and 11 and 12 and 13 and 14 and 15 and 16.
17 was afraid of 7 because 7,8 her friends.
17 was terrified because 17 knew she was next.
10.
10 wasn't afraid.
10 did not know 7.
10 was writing with a white crayon on a black sheet of paper.
10 remembers being able to snap out of it after she saw the fear in her teachers face.
10 asked her teacher for her black sheet back and exchanged it for a pink and purple one instead.
10 remembers it made her teacher much happier to hold the pink paper than it did to hold the black one.
10 felt better for a while after that.
maybe it was because 10's alarm clock radio was stuck on K-LOVE.
maybe it was because 10 didn't know she was the beginning of a massacre.
but 7,8,10
12.
12 always threw a curve ball during sunday school. she stumped teachers and designated class leaders.
12 had been taught by the last 2 years that 7 wasn't as scary with the closet light on and Jack Johnson as background music.
12 thought she had real answers when the teacher just wanted her to say pray.
12 didn't know how real prayer is.
12 was searching for relief.
12 didn't know how to describe 7 but she recognized it.
12 didn't realize she needed help or how to get it.
12 was never great at facing reality.
but 7,8,10 and 11 and 12 and eventually 13.
14.
14 was somehow thinner than 13.
14 wore a mask to hide the black and white she began feeling 4 years ago.
14 didn't know 33 & 35 were trying to help.
14 was glazed over.
14 was momentarily saved by beautiful eyes and a parachute.
14 danced a little lighter that night and one more after that.
and 14 thought things got better from then on.
But 14 was still dammed because 7,8,10 and 11 and 12 and 13 and 14 too,
exactly one month after she though she had been saved from 7.
Thats when it gobbled her up.
Thats when it gobbled her up.
16.
16 freed her soul for a record amount of time.
for nine months 16 lived.
16 was very afraid of 7
because 7,8 two 15's that summer.
but this time was different because 16 knew what street 7 lived on and what roads she needed to take to avoid 7.
16 and her heart began to swell with growth and love for a simple hope.
16 danced lighter than she ever had before.
16 loved a boy who would have saved her twice if she could have said the word.
but 16 knew 7 was a salesman and when 7 came knocking she did not want this boy to see the disaster 7 caused.
16 didn't know how to say no to the dark.
16 was so focused on the fear of that knock she forgot how to say yes to the light.
16 was free to choose and kicking him out to make room for 7 was the wrong choice.
so one week later...
7,8, 16.
17.
17 was determined.
17 asked for help and even though the Promisers fingers were crossed, she's okay.
17 is more than okay because Gods love is strong and she's thinking she might be too because, 17 felt 7's breath in her ear and the chills it sent scurrying up her spine.
17 knew whose hand held her and she knew those fingers would never cross like the Promisers fingers did.
17 fought, but she never fought alone.
17 was afraid of 7.
but 18 is not.
Ok the whole beginning part with it's not because 7,8,9 but because (then all those numbers) that absolutely floored me. This post is incredible Sara.
ReplyDeleteTHE NUMBERS. YES. THIS WHOLE POST. YES.
ReplyDeletealright this post was way too good.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, this is great. I've seen people personify ages, but nothing like this. So detailed, so much, so good. So many powerful lines.
ReplyDelete"because 10 didn't know she was the beginning of a massacre"
"14 didn't know 33 & 35 were trying to help." were those the parents? I loved this line.
But really. This is a fantastic idea. Good job.
Brilliant Sara! Loved this so much!
ReplyDeleteWhat? This is amazing. Literally my mind is going crazy. I love this.
ReplyDeleteTeach me to write like you!!!!!!!!!!! Please.
ReplyDelete