Episode 12: “Test of Faith”
The following days in Abuja were a whirlwind of introspection and determination for Precious. Each morning, she woke with a sense of purpose, a quiet resolve to rebuild her faith and mend the pieces of her life that had fallen apart. Mathieu’s presence in her life had been a steady beacon, guiding her back to the path she once cherished.
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But beneath the surface of her newfound peace, a storm was brewing.
It was a cool, crisp morning when Precious decided to visit a small, serene church near the outskirts of the city. She felt a pull to reconnect with the spiritual roots she had neglected for so long. The church, with its simple architecture and tranquil gardens, offered a quiet sanctuary away from the chaos of school and the memories of her recent turmoil.
As she entered the church, the silence was almost palpable, a soothing balm to her restless soul. She found a pew near the front and knelt in prayer, pouring out her heart to God. Tears streamed down her face as she confessed her mistakes and asked for guidance. It was a moment of profound vulnerability, a surrender to the faith she had once held so dear.
Unbeknownst to her, John had been watching from the shadows, his face a mask of conflict and uncertainty. He had followed Precious to the church, unable to shake the feeling of betrayal and loss that gnawed at him since their confrontation. He couldn’t understand why she had chosen a different path, why she had turned away from the life they had shared.
As Precious rose from her prayer and turned to leave, she was startled to find John standing at the entrance of the church, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and sorrow.
“John,” she said, her voice trembling with surprise. “What are you doing here?”
John stepped forward, his expression tormented. “I needed to see you, Precious. I needed to understand why you’re doing this, why you’re walking away from everything.”
Precious felt a pang of sympathy for John, but she knew that she couldn’t waver in her resolve. “John, I’m not walking away from you. I’m choosing to follow my faith, to find a better path for myself. I need to make things right with God and with myself.”
John’s face twisted with frustration. “But why now? Why after everything we’ve been through? You can’t just change everything and expect me to be okay with it.”
Precious took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. “I know this is hard for you, John, but I can’t keep living a life that goes against what I believe in. I need to do this for myself, to find peace and purpose again.”
John’s eyes flashed with hurt and anger. “And what about us? What about everything we shared?”
Precious felt a tear slip down her cheek. “I’ll always cherish the good times we had, John, but I need to move forward. I hope you can find your own way too, one that brings you happiness and fulfillment.”
Before John could respond, a voice echoed through the church, a deep, commanding voice that sent a chill down Precious’s spine.
“Well, well, what do we have here?”
Precious and John turned to see a figure emerging from the shadows—a tall, imposing man with a stern expression. His eyes were cold and calculating, and Precious felt a wave of dread wash over her.
“Who are you?” John demanded, his voice laced with suspicion.
The man stepped closer, his gaze fixed on Precious. “My name is Ezekiel, and I’ve been watching you, Precious. You’ve strayed from your path, and now it’s time to face the consequences.”
Precious felt her heart race with fear. “What do you mean? What consequences?”
Ezekiel’s eyes narrowed, and he pointed a finger at her. “You think you can just walk away from your past and everything will be fine? You have a debt to pay, Precious, and it’s time to face the darkness you’ve brought upon yourself.”
John stepped in front of Precious, his face set with determination. “Leave her alone. She’s done nothing wrong.”
Ezekiel’s expression darkened. “You’re part of this too, John. You’ve led her astray, and now you must pay the price as well.”
Before Precious could react, Ezekiel lunged forward, grabbing her by the arm. She struggled to break free, panic surging through her veins.
“Let her go!” John shouted, trying to intervene, but Ezekiel’s grip was like iron.
Precious’s mind raced with fear and confusion. She had no idea who this man was or why he was targeting her, but she knew she had to get away. She kicked and struggled, finally breaking free from Ezekiel’s grasp. She turned to run, but Ezekiel grabbed John, pulling him back with a force that sent him crashing to the ground.
“Run, Precious!” John shouted, his voice filled with desperation. “Get help!”
Precious hesitated, torn between the urge to flee and the need to help John. But as she saw the cold, ruthless look in Ezekiel’s eyes, she knew she had no choice. She turned and ran, her heart pounding in her chest.
As she raced through the streets, her mind was a blur of fear and determination. She had to find help, to find someone who could protect her and John from this mysterious threat. She thought of Mathieu, of his calm strength and unwavering faith, and she knew she had to find him.
She finally reached the school, breathless and trembling, and burst into the dormitory where she knew Mathieu would be. He looked up in surprise as she stumbled into the room, her face pale with fear.
“Precious, what’s wrong?” Mathieu asked, rising to his feet.
“Mathieu,” she gasped, her voice shaking. “We need help. There’s a man—he’s after us. He said I have a debt to pay. He has John. We need to do something.”
Mathieu’s face tightened with concern. “Stay here. I’ll call the police.”
As he reached for his phone, Precious felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had found help, and she knew that with Mathieu by her side, she could face whatever challenges lay ahead. But as she glanced out the window, she saw a dark figure lurking in the shadows, watching her with cold, unyielding eyes.
The sense of dread deepened, and Precious knew that the battle was far from over. She had found her way back to faith, but now she faced a test that would challenge everything she had come to believe.
End of Episode 12
