Page 133 of Forgive Me Father

Dozens of cages surround me, some filled with multiple small children. They are dirtied and gaunt, their eyes pleading as they rub their faces with grimy hands.

All these children.

They’ve been here, hidden beneath this church, and no one had a clue.

Kneeling by the cage next to me, I unlock it, reaching inside before the girl can protest.

“No, no—”

I grab the girl’s arms, making her focus on me.

“That IV is coming out, and then I’m finding us a way out of here,” I whisper fiercely. “What they’re putting in you won’thelp you get home to your mother. I need you to work with me here. What’s your name?”

She hesitates but then meets my gaze.

“Hannah,” She whispers, her voice trembling.

“Okay, Hannah, I’m going to take this out,” I say, gently pulling the IV from her arm. She flinches, and I’m struck by the dark circles beneath her eyes.

How can a loving God allow this?

Where is my sign to have faith in Him?

I toss the IV aside, clutching the needle. I’m determined to drag Hannah out of this cage and find a way to escape.

“Okay, Hannah, we will get you and the other girls out of here—”

Suddenly, a door creaks open, and light spills down a staircase a few hundred feet away from us.

Hannah puts a finger to her lips, signaling me to be quiet and get back into my cage.

I shake my head, keeping her cage closed, and press myself into the shadows, hoping they conceal me well enough.

Two large figures descend the staircase, flashlights in hand, sweeping the cages furthest from us.

“All of them are here?” My father’s voice questions, laced with menace.

Vile pig.

“Yup, all of them—”

Father Kevin.

“We should be able to get them all cleaned up tonight once they’re out cold from the drips. Then, we show them off tomorrow and finally get our payday,” Kevin’s voice seethes with greed.

Vile men.

Their flashlights swing in my direction, and I press against the wall, my heart pounding as I watch Hannah’s IV being reattached. Her fear is palpable.

“Wait,” My father hisses. “Is… Is my daughter’s cage open?”

I hold my breath, staring at the staircase. I could run. I could—

“Where the hell is she?” Kevin bellows, rattling Hannah’s cage.

“I—I don’t know—”

“Don’t fucking lie to me!” My father roars, kicking the cage hard enough to make Hannah’s head slam against the side.