my back scarred over, but

used a community phone to c

my voice hoarse. "

ust said, "I'll wire you the

I started packing my few b

ld leave, two el

arry me. They said for him to remain

was a ritual. It

ht he still loved me. That the punishment h

ding by the river, skippin

aid. "The eld

inish. "I'm not ma

t me like a

looking at me. "It's my duty. Atoneme

nding?" I asked,

. "You're strong. You will take it for her

ing. He wanted me to endure a bran

clearing where I was whipped. The elders,

lowing red in the fire. I

ruggled, but they

linding. I smelled my own flesh

o, I collapsed on

ver to me. Sh

t in front of my face. It was silv

, her voice full of triumph. "A fa

he had given me in my dreams of that ot

ust stared at the l

ngratulate us?" Elijah

't form

a rock had bruised me a month b