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Our leader–Daeus, I think they said–seems deep in thought, fingering a stunning gem that hangs from the chain around his neck. While we wait for him, I glance at one of the other girls and search for her name. Ah, Gabby. Something sparked in her eyes that wasn’t there before, making me curious to know her story. And Kate, with her sweet smile and friendly glances has warmed my heart. There’s more to her than meets the eye. Maybe what that red-haired orphan said about kindred spirits was true after all. There are more of them than we’d ever think.

Gotta do it sometime. I toss back my hood. I still miss my long, waist-length hair. I finger the chestnut ends that tickle my chin. Someday I’ll be strong enough that my neck can support long hair again. I hope.

“So, I heard everything from my corner over there. I know war is brewing, but it seems like if we are fighting against lies, it’s important that we stand together on the truth. I liked Kate’s idea about sharing stories, if anyone wants to.”

Sweeping the table once with my gaze, I end up staring down at my hands. Chafing my palms on the wool of my trousers, I realize the only one I should be talking to is me.

Oh boy. Here we go.

“I, uh, I can start. I’ll try to keep this short. Yeah, I’ll just pick one thing to focus on and leave the rest for another time–if you want more later.”

I take a deep breath and puff slacked lips. Why is it always so hard to admit to this? But it’ll be obvious soon enough.

“My health isn’t the greatest. It’s hard to explain all the whys, and it’s not that interesting, but almost a decade ago my energy disappeared leaving me bedridden for over a year, and debilitated for another two. I got better, but the issue is back again. Like an old, forgotten nightmare that takes over reality for who knows how long. I’ve been pretty much bedridden again for the last six months, and due to other back and neck injuries, I’ve now been debilitated for sixteen months. Some days it’s hard just to stand up, and…well…at times it’s hard to think straight, let alone be creative.”

Well, there’s the awkward truth. I couldn’t look up at their faces to judge their reactions. Best to just plow on ahead.

“I don’t expect any special treatment here or anything, it’s just a fact of life right now. It’s kinda hard to hide something like that, ya know? It’s hard to pretend everything’s okay when some days I–”

I swallow and clench my hands together. Clear my throat. “Some days are easier than others.”

Conviction fills my being and I let it simmer in my gaze as I find the courage to raise it. “But some things I know. In the darkest, loneliest of times, our Master was there with me. His love surrounds me, upholds me. His compassion comforts me when no one else is there. I’ve seen some dark days when I was sure there would never be light again, or when I was so miserable I wished it would all just end. But in the deep darkness He is my Light; in the storm, He is my anchor; in the battle He is my Champion; in my weakness, He is my Strength; and in my loneliness He is my all. If it hadn’t been for my illnesses, I wouldn’t have learned all this, and I wouldn’t trade that knowledge for health or strength. Knowing Him is the real treasure that changes me into who I should be. Can anyone else relate?”

The company had revived me quite a bit, but this was still a lot of talking, and talking takes energy. Time to sum it up and shut it up.

“No matter what comes our way in this battle, I want to cling to the truth of what I know: Suffering, darkness, war, disease–these are all the bass notes of His love that sing to make us whole.”