Paper Chains

The light from the open door cut across the room like a sharp blade, paralyzing Cat. She wasn't sure how long she had been here but knew it was long enough to lose hope. 

A sweet and soft voice chimed from the open door, "Blessings, my sweet child." 

"Glory is his name, and blessings unto you, Sister Barbara," responded Cat, a response she wouldn't normally offer but knew the consequences of omitting it. 

Sister Barbara entered the room with a lantern in one hand, a set of iron keys in the other, and a bag across her shoulders. She stood no taller than Cat's shoulder and was old enough that Cat could not place a reliable number. 

Barbara stood modestly dressed—her skirt touching the floor and a rosary hanging at her side. She wore the traditional nun headpiece, but Cat suspected it was simply for show. 

As Barbara shut the door behind her, Cat heard the metal of the locks click. Instinctively her hand reached for her neck, feeling as if the air was already thinning. 

"For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness," said Barbara as she set the lantern down on the table. She clasped her hands together and waited for a response, staring ahead at the wall. 

"Psalm 18:28," muttered Cat. 

"Good job, child; I see you are starting to learn. You have come so far in your journey toward the Lord. It wasn't long ago that you lived in sin on the street, defiling yourself for monetary gain. I believe that you are starting to learn that your vessel is sacred." 

Cat nodded silently with her gaze at the ground. 

"Today I have a treat for you," Barbara said as she emptied out her bag on the table. "We will be doing arts and crafts together in preparation for the day of our Lord."

Pastel construction paper ribbons and glue sat on the table beside Barbara. 

"I know it may be hard for you to keep track of the days in here, so we are going to make a paper chain. This way you may know when the Lord will arrive. I do not want you to be surprised by his grace, but prepared. Each day when I come in with your food, we shall remove a link from the chain. How does that sound, Catherine?"

"I look forward to my day with the Lord," responded Cat automatically and insincerely. 

"Come. Sit with me so we can begin."

Cat weakly shuffled toward the wooden chair as best she could with an iron shackle around her ankle. From one chain to another, she thought and let out a slight chuckle. 

Barbara abruptly stood up, sending her chair crashing behind her. 

"Do you find humor in this? Do you mock our Lord? Do you mock ME?! The one who took you from such filth and brought you another chance at salvation!" 

Cat recoiled and begged forgiveness.

"No, Sister Barbara! I am excited to know when the Lord will come and am grateful for everything you do!"

Barbara's demeanor changed back into that of a soft and kind woman. 

"Good. You know I will take no blasphemy of any sort."

Cat slowly continued towards her chair as Barbara set hers upright again. She sat down gingerly, as the cuts on her back screamed in agony as they touched the chair. Cat couldn't count the number of times she had been whipped yesterday. 

"Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:9. We hurt so we can feel, child."

"Yes, Sister. Thank you. Through our pain we grow closer to Him." Cat fought back bile; Barbara's volatility always left her uneasy and terrified. 

Cat and Barbara sat at the table, running glue across the backs of paper ribbons adorned with Bible verses—the chain growing slightly longer with each addition. 

"Child," Barbara said as she set the glue down on the table. "I fear you are not committed enough for our Lord. You waver too often; you do not give everything."

Wide-eyed, Cat pleaded, "Sister, I give all that I have to the Lord. I am grateful for this penitence and healing. I fully commit myself to Him. I plead you see this."

"It is not for me to see, but for Him, child," Barbara said as she stood up from her chair. "You must reflect on your commitment, which is why we have made this chain. Each day you will remove a link. Each day I will read the verse imprinted upon it. Each day you will come closer to Him until you are with Him. Until then, you must repent and humble yourself before the Lord, for he will exalt you."

A tear began to fall from Cat's eye, frozen as Barbara moved toward her. 

"Fear not, child, for when you are weak, you are strong." 

The kindness washed from Barbara's face as she clutched the back of Cat's neck. In the other hand, she raised the glue, emptying what was left of the bottle across Cat's eyes and lips before she could react. Only once she could no longer open her eyes or scream did Cat realize what had happened. 

"This is but a step in the path to salvation," Barbara said as she wrapped cloth across Cat's eyes and mouth. 

Plunged into darkness, Cat's muffled screams and crying became louder as she heard Barbara move toward the door. 

Locks clicked, and the door creaked open. 

"For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope comes from Him. Rest, child. Your day with the Lord is coming."

The door closed behind Barbara as lock after lock snapped shut, leaving Cat frozen in silence to wait for the Lord