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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Retreat (as in quiet time away) (08/01/05)
She collapsed in exhaustion from her short run through the trees, as the heat of the day intensified the bruising throughout her body. Digging through the soft, green moss, she pulled out a rusted, metal box. This was her haven, her getaway, the only place she could find true solitude. After every bruise, every black eye and broken bone, she came back to this place. It gave her peace, a feeling of warmth. She opened her box, and with tears streaming down her cheeks, she pulled out the dirty, worn book. It's pages brittle from age, the book carried the peace and joy that she needed to get through every beating. As she gently turned each page, tears dripped down her cheeks. This was love, everlasting, undying love, if only he could understand it.

---

He had done it again, even after he promised not to. How many more times would she have to tiptoe around his minefield of rage? How long would there be glass shards of unspoken violence under her feet? She was so careful with him, but she had to tell him this time. She was going to have their child. Flying into a rage, he cursed at her with words never uttered before, as he drove all his anger into her with his fists. He screamed words of worthlessness and hatred towards her, each syllable causing more pain than the rampant blows to her body.

When his energy was finally spent, he sunk to the floor in a tearful heap, begging for her forgiveness. She stared down at the pathetic man her husband had become and sighed. She knew if she wanted to get out, she would have to forgive him, console him. She whispered words of forgiveness to him as she helped him to their room. He was soon fast asleep. Knowing she couldn't be gone long, she hurriedly made her way out the front door and into the forest.
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This article has been read 1582 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Katherine Douglas
08/08/05
what a sad story... I feel her pain.
Debra Brand 
08/08/05
Wow! That's a situation I don't understand but thank God that He does!
Linda Watson Owen
08/09/05
Dramatically and realistically told! Many women, all too sadly, can relate to this story.
Melanie Kerr 
08/11/05
I liked the contrast between God's love which was enduring and uplifting, and the man's "love" for his wife which was so destructive. Well written.
dub W
08/11/05
Powerful, realistic, and meaningful. Good writing on a tough subject.
Sheila Arnott
08/11/05
Beautifully written.
Shannon Redmon
08/11/05
This took my breath! Good writing!
Jan Ackerson
08/11/05
I like the way your story begins and ends in the same place. (Watch use of it's / its). Well-written.
Julianne Jones
08/11/05
You've captured the mood well and written a well-constructed piece on such a difficult subject. The short length of the entry made it even more poignant. A longer piece would have been too depressing. And you tied it in nicely with God's perfect love. Keep writing. Thank you.
Shari Armstrong 
08/12/05
Powerful and heartbreaking.
Lynda Lee Schab 
08/12/05
Intense and well written. Nicely done.
Blessings, Lynda
Suzanne R
08/12/05
How very sad, yet how beautifully written. It really sums up the idea of 'retreat'.
Sally Hanan
08/13/05
Yes, it eflected the theme exceptionally well, but I'd have much rathered her running away to a more permanent place of comfort and safety.
Beth Muehlhausen
08/13/05
Painful and too, too real. I liked your intro there in the woods, the retreat spot, and then the flash-back to the horrible scene. Very effective.
Phyllis Inniss 
08/15/05
Short, poignant and sad.