CHAPTER 9.7

Tell us what happened to him, what happened to the others!” he asked, the rest of the soldiers’ eyes looked at Alicia, desperately waiting for her reply. But there was nothing to be said.

Alicia bowed her head in shame, remembering the cowardly lancer she chastised during the search. She sympathized with the soldiers. That was a definite answer to the rest. The soldier pushed his way back and exited the shack, fighting back tears.

She felt a warm embrace encompass her. She looked up and saw her mother, hugging her softly.

“I understand now what the stranger meant.”

She spoke in a cushioned tone. She raised her head and Alicia caught sight of her feint smile.

“This miracle was never meant for me. I was just a vessel. To keep it for whoever needed it.”

“Mother, what are you talking about?”

The entire room was confused. Martha walked up to Reene’s bed and continued her speech.

“When I conversed with the stranger, he told me he was about to do something he would not feel proud of, and in