Free Everybody's Daughter by Michael John Sullivan

alley. It only led her again into an unfamiliar area. She thought about asking for help but realized that she didn’t even know Leah’s last name, or if she even had one. Or what her street number was.
    They probably don’t even have addresses here.
    Elizabeth made a crooked turn down every street, understanding that Jerusalem was surrounded by a wall. Twice she found herself at the wall but there was no exit. The falling darkness made her uneasy and anxious. She squinted to see the low position of the setting sun and recognized the aqueduct to her right.
    After following the sloping waterway overhead, she recognized the memorable homestead. Everything around her seemed murky and foreboding. She glanced over her shoulder, making sure she wasn’t being followed. Before she could see if anyone was watching her, she sprinted to Leah’s home.
    She stopped a moment to rest. Then with a burst of renewed energy she sped past the front of the concrete home and through the gate, causing it to slam loudly against the courtyard wall. She didn’t stop to re-latch it, dashing straight to the woman in the kitchen.
    “I’m back,” she yelled, throwing her arms around her.
    Leah spun around, eyes and mouth wide open.
    “It’s me, Elizabeth.”
    Leah shook her head, her eyes confused.
    “Oh,” Elizabeth said, pulling out the cross and placing it around her neck. “I’ve come back. I was so lost. I never thought I would get here. Can you understand me now?” She held on more tightly.
    Leah stumbled back, nudging her away so she could look into her eyes. She whispered, “Yes, but what are you doing here?”
    “I followed Dad through the tunnel. Isn’t he here?”
    “Michael?”
    “Yes. He came through the tunnel. We were at the church and he went down in the basement and the trapdoor was back.”
    Elizabeth looked over Leah’s shoulder to the ladder leading to the second floor. “Where is he?”
    Leah dropped her hands to her side. “He’s not here.”
    “What do you mean? He left before me. He has to be here.”
    Leah looked confused. “I have not seen him since both of you left. I am glad he is not here. ”
    Puzzled, Elizabeth asked, “Why would you be glad? I thought you cared about him?”
    “I cannot explain it all to you at this moment.” Leah paced, rubbing her hands against her robe. “You should not be here either. It is not safe.”
    “It’s never been safe here.”
    Leah glanced out to the courtyard and toward the gate beyond. In the moonless sky, there were few shadows now, only deep, black darkness. She paused for a moment before grabbing Elizabeth’s hand and pulling her to the ladder. “Go upstairs. I have dinner made. I will bring it up to you. Stay away from the window. Please go quickly and do not make any noise.”
    “What’s wrong?” Elizabeth asked, her eyes searching Leah’s face for a clue.
    “You returning. This is wrong. Do not fear, child. I will get you home soon.” She placed her hand firmly on Elizabeth’s back. “For now, you must listen to everything I tell you. Now go upstairs and do not make any sounds.”
    “Why do I have to be so quiet?”
    Leah’s face flushed, her eyes filled with worry and sadness. “He may see you and that would not be good for you or me.”

Chapter Six
    The box slipped through Connie’s perspiring hands, tumbling and spilling several cans of food across the floor. The crowd hushed and stared.
    “What’s wrong?” asked Pastor Dennis.
    She looked around for Elizabeth, avoiding eye contact with him. “Nothing. Everything’s fine. I need to go.”
    I’ll kill her if she lied to me. Bounding down the stairs as quickly as she could in her high heels, she said in a tense, high tone. “Lovely niece, you better be down here.”
    Her arms flailed side to side as she reached the basement. “I’m gonna kill you, my sweet little niece. You better not have lied to me.”
    She stood at the lip of the opening and slammed her foot down. “Get up