Hide From the Light Fiverr Story Notes from Buyer Hide from the light Story About Lent in a small community in Belarus polish immigration Strep bacteria Eastern Orthodoxy The official name of the Ea.Hide From the Light Fiverr Story Notes from Buyer Hide from the light Story About Lent in a small community in Belarus polish immigration Strep bacteria Eastern Orthodoxy The official name of the Ea.
Story Notes from Buyer Hide from the light Story: About Lent in a small community in Belarus polish immigration "Strep" bacteria Eastern Orthodoxy: The official name of the Eastern Orthodox Church is the "Orthodox Catholic Church" I want a minister to say: Apart from the cross there are no ladders in which we can get to heaven observance in the Christian liturgical calendar commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, (People feel, they are in circus on the wire) Maslenitsa or Shrovetide Apart from the cross there are no ladders in which we can get to heaven Why ‘bury your head in the sand’ when you could ‘hide in potatoes’ instead? This is how the people feel (A circus on the wire & Unrelenting rage) It's more about the paranoia and the fear of the government controlling their lives Hide From the Light Palaha “Momma, momma.” My daughter screaming from her room awakes me with a start I can’t imagine what has caused her so much alarm My heart pounds in my chest and ears as my feet hit the cold wooden floor, and I race to her side Aryna sits upright in bed, her face pale, her eyes wide with terror “Momma,” she calls out again when she sees me I cradle her in my arms hoping to drive her fears from her and stroke her long blonde hair “What has happened, Aryna? What is wrong my dear?” “I saw her, momma I saw Morowa Dziewica.” It takes me a moment to realize who she could be talking about Where have I heard that name before? Then I recognize the name of the Polish plague maiden “Aryna, that is a story told to scare children It isn’t real You have been playing with those Polish children again haven’t you I forbid it if they keep telling stories to scare you.” “But I saw her momma Sitting on a Russian man’s shoulders Her eyes were glowing red, and her hair looked like long straw on her head She whispered something in his ear, and then pointed at you, momma I’m afraid they’re going to hurt you.” “Look at me, child I’m safe, aren’t I? I think you had too many Maslenitsa treats; the rich food gave you a nightmare Let’s get you settled back into bed.” She lays back down, and I tuck the covers around her Then I sing her a lullaby until she seems settled and asleep On my way back to bed, I pass Daniley standing in the doorway of his room “Is Aryna okay?” I hug my son, grateful that he cares so much for his little sister “Yes, Daniley She is fine Go back to sleep.” Maksim is still warm under the covers when I climb back into bed “Everyone all right, Palaha?” he asks “Yes, dear Just too many sweets for the little one.” *** “That’s the man, momma,” Aryna whispers into my ear as I carry her into church for Sunday morning mass “That’s the man that Morowa Dziewica sat on.” “Shhh,” I whisper back hoping that no one hears her Sitting in the front pew of the church in a crisp tie and suit is a stranger to our small village He is clearly Russian in nationality, which makes us all instantly suspicious of him I’ve never seen him before which makes me wonder how Aryna has seen him before How was he in her dreams last night? After saying our prayers, lighting candles, and crossing ourselves, we take our place together as a family standing in a pew about halfway up the short aisle of our little church Usually we have about fifty people at service, yet today the place is packed with maybe a hundred or more Something isn’t right, but I won’t give in to superstition Priest Keistur Doǔnar begins his message with, “Apart from the cross there are no ladders in which we can get to heaven.” We all cross ourselves at the mention of the cross ”We need to cleanse and sacrifice in order to prepare for the Easter feast Let me remind you all now that Lent begins tomorrow for Clean Monday I expect each of you to sanctify yourselves through confession this week The Patriarch has sent us an ambassador, Vladimir Vasiliev, to bless us with his presence for the entirety of Lent.” “Circus on the wire,” Maksim whispers to me “Why would the Patriarch send us a Russian? That man doesn’t look as if he is from the church I say he is a government agent.” I glance around hoping that no one nearby has heard him “Be careful Maksim If what you say is true, we need to be careful.” As the service progresses, I notice that my dear friend Karalina is absent from mass Her husband, Tamash, is there with their two young children After the service, I approach Tamash in order to inquire about my closest confidant besides my husband “Where is Karalina, Tamash? I pray she is well.” His face reveals concern “She is at home in bed Over the Maslenitsa weekend, she came down with a fever and a headache and has had difficulty swallowing.” “I’m sorry to hear it I will bring her some soup this afternoon.” “You are a good friend to her, Palaha.” I collect my children and husband and hurry home in order to make something that Karalina might be able to eat I also prepare a meal that her family might eat tomorrow if she is not well enough to cook for them for Clean Monday Within a couple hours of arriving home, I make my way to Tamash and Karalina’s residence Karalina’s eyes light up amidst her pale face when I arrive She reaches out for my hand which I give to her and sit by her bedside “You are as good to me as my sister who moved too far away with her family,” she tells me “Well, I love you like a sister How are you feeling?” She swallows with difficulty “The doctor believes that I have strep throat He brought me some antibiotics and believes I will be better by tomorrow.” “I’ll be praying for your swift recovery.” Tamash is standing nearby “Let us petition the Lord that it is so A Russian, Vasiliev, was at mass today He seemed to be taking attendance and inquired of you, even asking the last time you attended confession Priest Doǔnar asked everyone to go to confession this week, but I believe the Russian may be keeping track of whether people are going or not.” I silently plead that my husband does not hear of this He is distrusting enough of the government and the way they seek to control what we Maksim “What is this nonsense? I’ll hide in potatoes before I participate in this circus on the wire.” I’m glad that my wife is safe inside away from my rant as I stand in my field working with my son A local boy has just been by; he was commissioned by “the local authorities” to pass out flyers mandating nonoptional antibiotics for everyone because of a recent streptococcus outbreak When I pressed him, he admitted that a Russion named Vlademir Vasiliev may have handed him the stack “Why does the government presume that it can control my movements so.” “But papa,” Daniley asks, “Isn’t it better that we don’t get sick? People are whispering of an epidemic.” “That may be son, and if it is, it may be the Lord’s Will Who are we to question But this is an overstep This is too much control of healthy people.” I hope my boy will grow to understand He is only ten now and trying his hardest to be outgrow his youth I hear the door of my house open and close and look up to see my wife and daughter exiting I’m grateful that my daughter had acquired my wife’s lovely golden locks and fair blushing face Better that she take after her mother than take after me The sight of them both makes me smile “Where are you headed, my loves?” I ask as my wife comes to greet me with a kiss “I thought Aryna and I would go to confession today.” I beam at my little girl who recently turned seven and has been able to take communion and confess several times now “What you have to confess today, Aryna.” My daughter blushes and twists her fingers together I feel as if they are twisting my heart as I love her so dearly Almost as much as I love her mother I never thought it would be possible to love a human as much as I love her mother “Papa, I forgot it was Clean Monday today, and I had a cup of milk this morning upon arising.” “Ahh A sin of indulgence I pray the Lord will forgive you for such a transgression.” I smile at her in encouragement She hides bashfully in her mother’s skirts I tussle her hair affectionately and kiss my wife “Go in peace,” I bless them Palaha “Welcome my child Apart from the cross there are no ladders in which we can get to heaven If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness Amen.” I cross myself in unison with Priest Doǔnar “Bless me Father for I have sinned It has been ten days since my last confession.” “What you wish to confess my child?” I had been thinking long and hard about my confession for the last twenty hours or so What I needed to confess was a sign of too much pride in my life With a heavy heart, I admit my sin “Father, I have resentment in my heart for the difficulty and sacrifice of Lent I understand that the Lord Jesus sacrificed for us, and Lent is just a small part of that sacrifice, but I resent this time of year.” “That is a serious sin my child.” I bow my head in shame “Yes, Father It has caused me such grief I am sorry for this and all my sins.” “Your penance will be an act of absolute obedience You will go to Dr Baraǔkin on your way home from here and collect antibiotics for your entire family It will be your personal act of penance to ensure that your family takes the required regimen.” “Father of mercy, I pray that you would purify my heart and help me walk in the light of your love.” “May God give you pardon and peace I absolve you of your sins.” As I exit the confessional and wait for Aryna to make her confession, I feel a heaviness creep over me This is the opposite of how I normally feel after confession Hoping that it will bring me the peace I expected and desire, I begin praying to the Virgin Mary When Aryna has made her confession, we make our way to Dr Baraǔkin’s clinic I can’t fully describe the feeling that washes over me as we enter, but the closest word that comes to me is dread I assume the reason for this is the presence of Vladimir Vasiliev sitting in the receptionist’s station with a clipboard He marks something down as I give my name to the receptionist I think back to recent comments from Maksim about too much government oversight I don’t feel as strongly about it as he does, but it would probably be easier to accept this new mandate if a Russian wasn’t involved in them as well Aryna tugs at my skirt When I acknowledge her, she won’t speak until I lean down so she can whisper to me “She’s here momma With that man again.” “Who, Aryna?” “Morowa Dziewica.” At first, a deep anger arises inside me at the mention of that name There have been problems with our borders lately and an insurgent of Polish How dare their children frighten mine with stories of the plague maiden I hold back my urge to scold her though There is a very oppressive spirit here with us Does my daughter see something that I cannot Aryna hides her face behind my skirt, and I realize that my child is experience true terror right now Thankfully, it only takes a few minutes to collect the antibiotics for the four of us and be on our way Maksim “You want us to what?” I rarely raise my voice at my family, but I’m actually angry right now Not towards my wife, but towards the government control that has been imposed upon me If they can force me to this now, what will they try to in the future? “It’s just antibiotics, Maksim Everyone has taken them at some point in their lives What harm is a little preventive right now?” “It’s the principle of it, Palaha It’s the first string of four in the government dominating us like a marionette.” My wife looks tired and defeated before me which softens my demeanor I don’t wish her to feel oppressed by me “Maybe there is something amiss with the situation Vladimir Vasiliev was at Dr Baraǔkin’s office today I think he is recording who is following orders and coming in to get the antibiotics At least we don’t look like rebels at the moment Who knows what will happen to those who disobey.” She sits down in a chair with a sigh “What is it, Palaha? You don’t look well?” I sit near her and take her hand which is cold and clammy “I fear I’m coming down with something Maybe it is similar to what Karalina has I had thought to take the pills and head it off.” She looks around perhaps seeing if the children are listening before continuing “But after seeing the Russian at the clinic today, I don’t know if I can Something doesn’t feel right about this.” I nod my head in agreement “The whole thing feels like a circus on the wire I don’t want my family to be puppets on strings.” “Throw them away, Maksim We won’t take them.” I dispose of the pills and have no regrets about it even when Palaha worsens overnight Her symptoms in the morning seem to point towards a strep throat infection Still, I hope that she still agrees with the decision “I will rest and take care of myself, Maksim I know I can get better without the antibiotics.” The week passes with her spending most of her time in bed, only getting up to help prepare the evening meal for the family of which she is hardly able to partake When Sunday comes around, she is not well enough to attend mass with us Father Keistur Doǔnar takes notice and inquires about her after the service “Where is your wife, Maksim?” “Palaha is at home with a fever, Father She didn’t think it was prudent to attend mass today.” He leans forward as if taking me into his confidence “There have been many in the village sick lately, Maksim I’m sure you have noticed.” I think back to Karalina’s recent illness She has recovered enough this last week that she was present at service this morning I nod in acknowledgement even though I really don’t know of others who have been ailing recently “Yes, I know of another who was unwell not long ago.” Father Doǔnar puts his arm around my shoulder “It is a sin, Maksim They are being punished for their disobedience.” It is now being put to me directly I feel the oversight My whole being quakes This isn’t of the church; this is of the government How are they putting such pressure on Father Doǔnar? “You need to tell your wife to come to confession this week, Maksim No matter how she feels.” I nod my head involuntarily as my mind tries to discern the meaning behind his words My wife was only recently to confession What more would she have to confess? How is a physical illness the result of not declaring a sin? I feel as if there is an answer just outside my awareness “I will relay the information.” Palaha Maksim comes home and tells me what the priest has said I consider it and communicate that I will concede to the church We both acknowledge that the government has overstepped its bounds, but that we must remain loyal servants of Christ No matter how I feel in the next day or two, I will go to church and declare that I have not sinned to Father Doǔnar After two more days of being bedridden, I realize that I may not feel better soon enough I must go to church and avow that I have not sinned When I announce my plans to Maksim, he insists in driving me there because of my condition He waits outside while I enter “Welcome my child Apart from the cross there are no ladders in which we can get to heaven If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness Amen.” I cross myself in unison with Father Doǔnar “Bless me Father, for I have not sinned It has been eight days since my last confession.” “The sin of nonrepentence is a serious one indeed, my child Surely if you were righteous in the eyes of the Lord, you would not be ill right now.” “It is merely a sickness sweeping through the village as a flu would, Father” Do you truly believe it is judgment from the Lord?” “It is retribution for the wicked We must show contrition for our sins and listen to those in authority over us.” “What would you instruct me that I do, Father?” “Have you taken the antibiotic as instructed?” The feeling of condemnation washes over me like a blanket of shame I was not faithful in this regard How I reconcile the differences between my husband opinions and that of the church? Surely Father Doǔnar would not lead me astray “Alas, Father, I have not I listened to the instruction of my husband, the head of my household and heeded his conscious.” “I understand, my child I ask you again to fulfill your penance and go to Dr Baraǔkin’s office If you have done properly, you will be well within forty-eight hours If you have failed, then I fear to know your punishment.” I leave the church with a clear sense of dread I don’t know which part of this situation feels wrong, but something vile is afoot On my way home, I revisit the Doctor’s office and pick up a new dose of prescriptions The continued presence of Vladimir Vasiliev at the clinic does nothing to allay my fears Maksim I’m in the field working with Daniley when I see the group coming up the lane Group is not accurate It appears to me to be a mob I recognize Father Keistur Doǔnar and the Russian, Vladimir Vasiliev A few of the others in the group are familiar, such as our local mayor, but many of them are carrying firearms and wearing official government uniforms A couple of locals from the village, faithful church-goers, are present as well Something isn’t right A heaviness washes over me Breathe comes with difficulty Without understanding how, I know Palaha is in danger I make my way to the driveway, knowing Daniley is behind me The crowd is about twenty people in total Because Father Doǔnar is at the head of the column, I address him when the group is close “What brings you to our humble aboad today, Father?” The priest bows his head and crosses himself “I believe you know the seriousness of the situation, Maksim Palaha has not confessed her true sins She has disobeyed the local authorities and thereby disobeyed the Lord Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's.” “Father, you know that I have a penitent wife She would not disobey the church nor the local authorities Against my volition, she has done everything you have said.” The priest holds his hands to his face before speaking again “I see that you have fallen prey to her sins as well I pray that her sacrifice is enough to save her family.” I don’t understand what he means by sacrifice My wife has done nothing wrong in order to attone for Two armed men come and hold me by each arm as the priest, Russian, and others enter my house “Papa, what is happening?” Daniley asks as he stand by my side “It’s okay, son,” I tell him, though I believe it to be a lie Nothing that is happening right now is all right “What’s going on?” my wife exclaims from inside I’m completely helpless to come to her aid, and it torments me Moments later, the intruders reappear with my wife between them Her eyes meet mine, and the terror she feels is apparent “Keep the children here, Maksim,” she pleads as she is brought out of our house unwillingly Tears fall from my eyes I don’t know that I have the power to as she asks “Palaha,” her name escapes my lips “Be strong, Maksim.” “No! Mama,” Aryna calls from inside the house I don’t know how to take care of my children while protecting my wife right now Something horrible is about to happen “Aryna, stay inside the house,” Palaha cries out “Stay with your sister,” I mutter to Daniley as I follow the mob who has my wife What will I without her What will become of the children and I? The crowd drags her to the church where a wooden cross lays near an earthen hole My heartbeat quickens What can they possibly mean to to her? Father Doǔnar begins reciting the Lord’s prayer as the mob ties my wife to the cross I hear her praying the Holy Mary I don’t know whether I advanced or not, but strong arms grab me and hold me I strain and fight against them, but they are too strong Sweat pours from my face as I struggle against four or more people “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death Amen,” Palaha chants Death Is my wife, the mother of my children, going to die now?” The cross she is tied to raises in the air I try to lurch forward, to reach her, but I am restrained by many arms Villagers, people I recognize from mass each week, place pieces of wood at the base of the cross “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death Amen,” Palaha repeats I realize she knows she is going to die now Someone comes forwards with a torch It looks old fashioned like something out of a movie It is touched to the wood at the base of the cross, which catches fire quickly Palaha continues to repeat the same line from the Holy Mary I find myself floating, feeling as if I am removed from my body This can't’ be happening right now My neighbors wouldn’t burn my wife to death When her screams start, I realize this isn’t a dream This is a horrific reality My screams join hers until a shot rings out which silences us both Somebody has shown mercy *** I remain there until all the flames are embers Night has fallen I don’t know where my children are My whole world has been shattered What will I without Palaha How will I go on? I kneel by the ashes and rub them on my body and face “I’ve found him,” a familiar voice calls out I turn to see Tamash and Daniley My son races to my side, and I hug him tightly “Your sister?” I manage to ask “Karalina is with her,” Tamash replies I nod my head in acknowledgement “What happened here, friend?” Tamash asks “Where is Palaha?” “Ashes.” I hold up a handful and let it fall through my fingers “But why?” I look up into my friend’s eyes, unable to hide the rage on my face “Keistur Doǔnar,” I say icily He no longer will receive a title of respect from me “I need your help, Tamash We must stop Doǔnar before he does it again What if it is Karalina next time?” I look at my son’s pale face “Or one of our children A monster who does this,” I motion to the ashes in front of me, “won’t have mercy for anyone.” “What you propose?” “A punishment that fits the crime Come let us gather supplies and see the deed finished tonight.” The three of us walk back to my house After hugging my little Aryna and weeping for how similar to her mother she looks, we collect a can of gasoline and a box of matches “Karalina, we won’t be long Would you please stay with Aryna for a little bit longer.” “Yes, of course.” “Tonight you become a man,” I say to my boy before the three of us leave the house It is near midnight when we reach the priest’s house He must be asleep as we see no lights on I take the can of gasoline and portion it out to make a complete circle around the base of the house Then I strike a match and light the liquid The flame engulfs the house, hungrily consuming the fuel I hear Daniley gasp We stand there and watch as the house is ravaged by the fire When the priest inside cries out in alarm, it is too late for him to get out No firetruck comes The Father lived in the rural outskirts of town near the church Anyone who could see the mighty glow of the fire is asleep When the flames become embers, we turn for my house “Papa?” Daniley asks as we walk “Yes, my son.” I grip his shoulder, grateful that I still have him and his sister “Is that what they did to momma?” “Yes, my son,” I respond soberly He nods “It is fitting then.” *** That Sunday, it requires everything I have in me to drag myself to church with my children It is only my second mass ever without Palaha I wish with my whole being that she were here with me My body and soul have missed her these last few days Her screams wake me in my sleep, but she isn’t there when I open my eyes “Where is Father Doǔnar?” Aryna asks as we enter the church and see a new priest at the front of the church “He has paid for his crime against your mother, my child,” I whisper to her “It wasn’t him, papa.” “What you mean, my child?” I whisper in her ear and have her whisper into mine in order for no one to overhear us “It was Morowa Dziewica.” “Who?” The name seems familiar, but I cannot place it “Momma said she is also called the plague maiden She sits on the Russian man I see her with him all the time.” My eyes move to the front of the room and lock eyes with Vladimir Vasiliev He grins in response, an evil, menacing grin that seems to darken his face “I would like to announce,” says the new priest over the din of prayers and psalms, “that because of recent events, the Patriarch has requested that the honorable Vladimir Vasilieve remain with us at the village as a deterrent against similar future happenings The Russian Of course it is But I doubt the orders have been coming from the Patriarch Why would our little village be on his radar? The government is behind this, squeezing our meagar lives in their iron fist “I will not bury my head in the sand.” When the service is over, I ask Tamash and Karalina to come back to our house with us We need to have a meeting and decide what to “I refuse to participate further in this circus on the wire,” I say back in the safety of my home “What you propose we do?” Tamash asks I knew that he would see things my way when the situation was explained to him He has been as a brother to me through several decades of friendship “We’ll need more people in order to fight this,” I say “What about Valadar Kiseleǔ? He’s always has a mistrust for the government Do you believe the rumors that he has built a bomb shelter and stockpiled weapons and ammunition.” “I’m almost certain that is true,” Tamash replies “His dislike of too much oversight is well known The Cierashkovichs will want to be involved as well.” I go to Palaha’s desk and take out a pen and piece of paper and begin making a note of the names “I wonder if the Patriarch even sent Vasiliev We should write to him.” I jot that down as well As I write, I hear a rustling outside and then a banging on all the walls around me as the room goes dark as if night has suddenly fallen during the afternoon “Papa,” Aryna screams I open the front door and find my neighbors nailing boards across it as the new priest and the Russian stand in the driveway overseeing the operation That wicked grin taints the Russian’s face That is when I see her, skeletal in frame with red eyes, sitting on Vasiliev’s shoulders The leer on her ragged face matches that on the Russian’s Her hair is long, blonde, and dry like straw “That’s her,” Aryna says from near me as she hides behind my legs “That is Morowa Dziewica.” “I see her, too.” Tamash speaks from beside us “What is that sitting on the Russian, papa?” Daniley asks “The plague maiden,” Karalina whispers “This is her doing.” I begin looking for a way out and find that my house is surrounded by people boarding up my doors and windows There is no way out “What they mean to do, papa?” my son asks His fear is apparent in his voice “Burn us down, my son.” There is the sound of glass breaking and flames roaring and crackling I can’t let my children suffer the way my wife did “Be brave my children.” I go to the kitchen and retrieve a great butcher’s knife When I return, my son retreats from me “This will be easier, my boy You must trust me.” I kneel down in front of Aryna “Do you trust me.” She nods her head in response I take her in my arms and turn her so her face is away from me “This will only hurt for a moment.” Through the boards blocking most of the open doorway, I can see the plague maiden grinning at me Her eyes lock with mine as I slit my little girl’s throat Aryna flails about for a moment as her blood gushes from her body Then she is still I look to Daniley “Your turn It will be better than the fire.” The flames are encroaching around us A thick black smoke is filling the room My son seems to consider the fire but then concedes and comes to me I hold him in my arms and take the life from the last thing in the world that matters to me Author Notes: I wanted to give this story another layer besides those that were provided in the original idea What is the evil behind the need of the government to control people’s lives? Because of the aspect of Polish immigration, I thought the Polish might be bringing something else with them I did a search for Polish folklore monsters and found Morowa Dziewice, whose description was too fantastic to not use Maslenitsa (On the Christian side, Maslenitsa was the last week before the onset of Lent (fasting which precedes Easter), giving the last chance to bask in worldly delights.), or Shrovetide (Shrovetide, also known as the Pre-Lenten Season or Forelent, is the Christian period of preparation before the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent.) Morowa Dziewica (Plague maiden) Certainly one of the most terrible Slavic monsters Before a plague arrived in a city, it would fly around at night in the form of a skinny woman, a skeleton or a bloody sheet Sometimes, for convenience, she would mount a passer-by and sit on his or her shoulders, ordering this person to wander around villages and towns, waving a headscarf and bringing down mass death in terrible torment But it was not only about death The Plague Maiden raised such a monstrous terror that people would go mad: they would set fires, murder others (even their own children!), attack the healthy This creature could neither be tamed nor calmed down It was not only the most terrible but also the final and inevitable Always propose a toast when you have a drink Not joining a toast is also considered rude (I didn’t end up using this, but I thought it was an interesting fact when I was looking up Belarus customs and definitions of their sayings (A circus on the wire) Used to refer to when something funny or ridiculous occurs (Hide in potatoes) Used when something bad happens to express surprise or irony I enjoyed using the name generator at https://thestoryshack.com/tools/belarusian-name-generator/?v=1 in order to come up with traditional Belarus names I didn’t need to use all the names that I made note of, but I wanted to have more than I needed at the ready Male names: Son: Daniley Hilevič Dad: Maksim Ulicionak Valadar Kiseleǔ Preist: Keistur Doǔnar Friend’s Husband: Tamash Kolas Dr Petruso Baraǔkin Cast of characters: Dad: Maksim Son: Daniley Mom: Palaha Daughter: Aryna Female names: Halina Siaredzič Mom: Palaha Cierashkovich Yanina Cierashkovich Lydia Praškovič Friend: Karalina Vakhromeyev Daughter: Aryna Doǔnar Priest: Keistur Doǔnar Dr Petruso Baraǔkin Government Agent: Vladimir Vasiliev Friend’s Husband: Tamash Friend: Karalina ... circle around the base of the house Then I strike a match and light the liquid The flame engulfs the house, hungrily consuming the fuel I hear Daniley gasp We stand there and watch as the house is... quickens What can they possibly mean to to her? Father Doǔnar begins reciting the Lord’s prayer as the mob ties my wife to the cross I hear her praying the Holy Mary I don’t know whether I advanced... touched to the wood at the base of the cross, which catches fire quickly Palaha continues to repeat the same line from the Holy Mary I find myself floating, feeling as if I am removed from my body