Free

The woman fell at his feet, exhausted

“No!” The girl screamed, flopping on her pallet.

Touching his dusty feet, the woman felt a surge of strength. Hope remained.

The girl felt what little strength remained begin to flow out of her body. Why wouldn’t they leave her alone?

“Please,” the woman cried out, her face in the dirt. “Heal my daughter. Make her clean!”

The cloth rough against her face, the girl tasted blood from where she’d bitten her cheek.

“Its not right,” he said. The woman raised up her thin body, searching for his face. “Please! I’ll settle for the dog’s crumbs.”

The girl tried to breathe, but failed.

He bent and wiped away a tear. “Go. Your faith has healed your daughter.”

A focused shaft of sunlight found its way through the thin, threadbare curtain, revealing startled eyes. She was free.