Chapter One

I want to start a story on the blog. The plan is it'll be going on throughout the blog, so I'll post a chapter every now and then. It may peter out...actually, it will most likely peter out as I've never actually completed a story. But let's not be pessimistic here, there's always a first time! I want to try it this way and see if it works...There'll be a tab up the top called 'the story' where I'll post all the chapters. (I currently have no plan, I just typed and went where the words took me)

The sky was large and dark. It seemed to wrap around Selahs little village in an act of intimmidating supremacy, like a hand being squeezed tightly over a flame, but its authority didn't oppress them. No, despite the overwhelming size and daunting splendour of the starry expanse that buttered the night sky above her, Selah saw the true beauty which nestled in its core.

The pearly light of the stars gathered together in her wide, grey eyes. She blinked, momentarily shaking them from their thrones and liberating them from their cages of darkness. A soft wind blew across the square, brushing the dust casually along the floor so it licked her sandles and gently teased the tousled edges of her robe. Selah absently smoothed it downwards, a reflect action from having Timon constantly tugging at it. Thinking suddenly of her little brother, and noting the absence of his warm, chubby fingers from hers, Selah jerked her eyes away from the sky and her gaze fell upon the less splendid, stout brick houses of her village.

Where was the boy? She scanned the square carefully but rapidly, waiting for her scrutinous stare to be caught on the wild curls that coiled chaotically above anyone elses. There weren't many people around. Just old Thesus brushing the stones from his path, and two young girls skipping along the faded hopscotch by the trees. A steady pulse of alarm began to grow in Selah's throat. She rose from her perch on the edge of the well, disturbing the cluster of clay jars that hugged its stony rim.
'Timon?' Her voice soared thin and slight against the suddenly threatening expanse of ground before her. The wind picked up pace, sending her own frenetic coils bouncing haphazardly over the contours of her face.

'Selah?' Relief flooded her as she heard her name surge into the blue evening. She instantly spun around and let her eyes savour the sight of her four year old brother standing sheepishly by the corner of a house. His blue toga ruffled in the breeze, creased by the anxious grasping of his hands as he clutched at it nervously. His small forehead was crinkled with angst, obviously worried that he'd upset his sister. Selah let her mouth break into a smile as she rushed forwards and grasped his hand into hers.

'Naughty boy,' she scolded him lightly, unable to keep the relief from her voice. A slow smile walked across his face and his brow began to unfold, happy that he was once again in his sisters good books.
'We going home Selah?' He asked her, sticking his free thumb into his mouth and gazing at her quizzically. He reminded Selah of a small puppy begging for scraps.
'Yes.' She answered him lightly, scooping up the brimming water jar and balancing it on her hip.

He began to swing on her arm, almost yanking her over as the began the walk back to their small, shuttered house. The crickets struck up a symphony and their feet crinkled the dirt as they strolled through the throngs of houses, and brushed up the broad sweeping steps. The whole village was layered like this, like a row of books that had fallen awkwardly on their side and created a steep chatter of ridges that flowed nicely to the edge of the coast. It was all Selah had ever known. All she was likely to know.

Aroused from her thoughts, she became aware of her brothers high pitched falsetto soaring high and slightly out of tune next to her ear. Swinging her hand in response she joined in, her heart responding to the familiar leaps of the renowned folk tune. Her sweet voice accompanied his, the sound jumping octaves and settling snugly into the proverbial rythm of her childhood:

"We will trust in Your name O Lord,

We will trust in your death O Jesus,

We will walk in your truth,

and praise only you,

We will trust in your name O Lord..."

For a while all was well. She felt completely at peace, walking home with her brother singing praises to God, surrounded by a world of familiarity and comfort. As her roaming eyes drew back from her thoughts and fell once again on her surroundings her throat constricted and the sound faltered and then died.

'Selah, you've stopped singing?'

Shaken from the sudden fear that had closed around her, she found herself smiling reassuringly to her brother. She tugged his hand slightly, picking up her pace and keeping her eyes fixed oh his.

'Let's not sing that one Timon, lets wait till were home, okay?' Like the faithful and trusting child he was, Timon shrugged his shoulders and continued walking in silence. Selah was grateful, happy not to explain how the sight of two Roman centurions had sent shots of icy terror through her blood, straight to her heart. It thudded hard in her chest, beating against her rib cage in panic. All she wanted to do was snatch her brother into her arms and run for home, shutting the door to the soldiers and all of the outside world. Had they heard? Had they been listening all the time? What if they followed them?

Thoughts rattled through her sub-conscious and she flailed helplessly at their onslaught. Rounding the corner, she let out a slow breath. At the sight of her house, the small dusty square with blinking lights from flickering candles shining from the windows, Selah felt tears muster in her eyes. It wasn't safe for a Christian in Rome. One word could have you ripped from your family and thrown to the lions. She swallowed, stifling the fear that rose in her heart and squashing it to the depths. She arose on top, plastering the calm expression on her face before pushing open the door and entering in. They were home.