Free God Has Spoken by Theresa A. Campbell

your favorite radio station.”
    Tiny’s head jerked up in alarm at the DJ’s voice that came through an open window above her head. Wincing at the crick pain in her neck, she used her right hand to massage it. It was daylight. The beautiful rays from the sun could be seen over the top of the trees in the distance. It was also time to go before she was discovered. Obviously, someone was awake inside the house.
    Tiny tiptoed to the backyard. Scanning the area, she saw no one. Silently, she made her way back to the opening in the fence that she had jumped through. Squeezing her body through the tight space, she found herself on the sidewalk.
    The street was now bustling with activities unlike a few hours ago. Vendors rushed their carts loaded down with goods toward the Parade market. Vehicles zoomed up and down the road, and small businesses were opening their shutters.
    â€œGood morning,” Tiny said to a kind-faced woman who was passing by. “Can you please tell me how to get to New Kingston from here?”
    â€œOh, dear Lord. Are you okay?” the woman asked as her eyes ran over Tiny’s bruised face in alarm. “What happened to you, baby? Do you want me to take you to the hospital? Want me to go and get the police?” She fired one question after the other at Tiny.
    â€œNo no no,” Tiny said quickly, shaking her head. “It looks worse than it is. Really, I’m fine.” She looked at the woman with one bloodshot eye, the other was partially closed.
    â€œYou don’t look fine to me,” the woman pressed on. As a mother of five daughters, her motherly instinct refused to drop the issue. “I think you need medical attention.”
    But Tiny shook her head and turned to walk away.
    â€œOkay, okay,” the woman’s voice stopped her. “New Kingston is a little distance away. You will need to take the bus.”
    â€œOh, I can walk,” Tiny said. “It won’t be a problem.”
    The woman looked Tiny up and down. Her eyes narrowed as she began to put the pieces together. “You are not from around here,” the woman noted. “Where are you from?”
    â€œTrelawny,” Tiny mumbled as tears filled her eyes. She looked away from the woman.
    â€œSweetheart, look at me,” the woman said. Her brows were knitted with concern as her eyes met Tiny’s. “Please go back home. This is no place for a beautiful, innocent, country girl like you.”
    â€œI can’t go back,” Tiny whispered. “They are going to hurt my aunt if I do.”
    â€œCome on.” The woman grabbed Tiny’s hand. “I’m taking you to the police station. You are going to tell them who threatened your aunt and why you had to run away from your home.”
    â€œNo!” Tiny’s voice was laced with panic. She pulled her hand out of the woman’s. “Please. I just need to get to my friend who works in New Kingston.”
    â€œFine. What does your friend do?” the woman asked skeptically.
    â€œShe works at a club there,” Tiny answered.
    â€œSo you are going to be staying with her?” the woman asked with apprehension. She was still bothered by Tiny’s situation.
    Tiny nodded her head. “Once I get to her I’ll be okay.”
    â€œAll right then.” The woman reached into her handbag and pulled out some money, which she handed to Tiny. “This is enough to get something to eat and for your bus fare to New Kingston.”
    As if on cue, Tiny’s stomach grumbled its appreciation. Embarrassed, she took the money. “Thank you, ma’am.” Tiny expressed her gratitude. “I promise I’ll be okay.”
    â€œI’m still praying that you will go back home soon,” the woman told her. “You don’t want to jump out of the frying pan into the fire. Come on, let me show you where to get the bus.” Again, she took hold of Tiny’s hand and they