The Outcasts Reborn (Short story)

*I mentioned in a previous post that I was going to try to do one story a week,which gives more time to work on the story, make it better, etc... so here is today's story, it is a bit of a back story.* (Thanks S, for suggesting that!!)

Out Casts Reborn

A small group of sad, wounded people sat huddled around a fire. Each person’s eyes were listless. These were the outcasts. They each had hidden shames, regrets, and fears and each of them was utterly and hopelessly lost. They had lost the vision for life, they had thought they were good people but one wrong upon one wrong had crept into their lives making them feel worthless.

Nickolia and Abdiel the oldest young men in the group once had worked together as brothers, now that sat as enemies to broken to fight one another. Sharon and Abiela had once served as friends. Now shame crowded ones heart and fear the others. The others in the group had similar distresses.

The sky grew dark and raindrops began to fall. The broken spirits fell even lower. I young woman began to cry. Abdiel stood and began to pace in a quick agitated way. The ran fell harder, lightening cracked the sky the wind began to pick up. There was no shelter, no supplies for shelter.

Women wrapped shawls and sweaters tighter around themselves trying, to stay dry for as long and possible. Men hugged them selves, all huddled closer to the fire hoping it wouldn’t die. The clouds swirled and grew dark.

“Maybe our miseries will be ended now.” Thought one dejected soul.

“How did we end up this way?” Wondered another.

The light was eerie and green the air smelled strange almost electrical. More lightening, more wind and rain. Hail fell beating down on the despairing group.

“If only there was someone who cared a little for us!” Moaned someone.

“Be still!” Shouted a voice.

The group all seemed to jump in unison. None of them had spoken, the voice had seemed near yet far away. The hail, the, rain, and wind, and lightening all ceased to rage. The trees were still, not even the slightest disturbance rustled the branches. The sky cleared rapidly and the sun began to dry the swampy earth.

The astonished group looked around, a man stood in the tree line. He seemed to glow slightly.

“Hello my friends!” He shouted raising his hand in greeting.

“Why do you look so dispirited?” He asked.

The people looked at each other in astonishment.

“How can he no know?” Asked a girl named Emily in a hushed whisper. Abiela shrugged, he must be new to this place.

Again he asked, “Why are you so down cast?”

“We are the outcasts!” Shouted Nickolia in an angry voice, “What do you want with us?”

“I am a messenger!” The stranger called back, “I am a messenger of the Lord, the Lord who can save your souls!”

“Save our souls?” Came a confused and excited murmur.

Abdiel stepped forward toward the man drawn like a magnet.

“Who is this Lord? As you call him?”

The man walked forward, “His name is Jesus, the Christ.” The smiled as he spoke, he face was radiant with joy and hope. “I once was like you, broken, ashamed, and afraid. I had a friend I called brother that became my enemy. I am whole and alive now! Regret does not haunt my soul!” He was voice was pleading.

“Why would this Jesus care?” Asked Emily quietly. Afraid that she might be to broken to be healed.

“Because, He… He died to save you.” Replied the stranger.

“If He is dead why, I mean how, how can He save us?” Asked Abiela anger flecked her voice.

The man smiled his bright eyes seemed to laugh. “Because He rose from the grave again!” His voice rose in a magnificent crescendo.

Nickolia walked forward to meet the man who had been slowly walking as he spoke.

“I have nothing to lose, but I am broken beyond any natural healing.” His tone was dejected.

The man spread his arms wide. “His healing my friend is not merely physical but a healing of your heart, and spirit.” He tone was gentle, as though he spoke to a young child.

Nickolia fell to his knees. “Sir,” tears stung his eyes, “sir how can he heal me?”

The man smiled, “He has already made you whole, but now He calls you into obedience, He calls you to follow Him. To lay aside the world, to take up your cross, and my friend be baptized.”

Nickolia’s face fell, “But how sir, can I do this?”

The man smiled, “You can come and live in the Regenerate Life community.” He said gently.

Nickolia half smiled. “What about them?” He spread an arm out towards the group.

“Not all have been chosen but some will come, it may take many long nights, prayers, and searching though before they do.” Said the man.

Nickolia buried his face in the wet grass. “Take me sir, then to the community.”

The man stretched out his hands. “Do not bow, come. My name is the Prophet.” He pulled Nickolia to his feet.

“I must tell them though!” Said Nickolia a concerned look on his face.

Prophet smiled, “Them tell them but we must not linger long.”

Nickolia ran back he took Abdiel by the hand. “Come, come hear what this man has to say.” Abdiel drew back.

“Why? He asked scornfully.

Nickolia’s eyes appeared sad, “Because we can be freed.” He said quietly. Abdiel shook Nickolia’s hand away.

“Right, a strange man who doesn’t even know who we are, or what we have done says we can be free!” His voice had risen to a shriek.

Nickolia looked sad. “Well I am going, anything is better than this. I have decided to follow Jesus.”

He looked on the others in the group Sharon and Emily had drawn near, Abiela behind them.

“Wait!” Sharon said, “What has this man told you? I mean you- you look hopeful.”

Nickolia half smiled, something he hadn’t done in a while. “He has told me of a man who can redeem our pasts. A man named Jesus.”

The women looked at each other. “Jesus?” There was a stirring in they’re hearts. They walked towards the Prophet.

“He says you know of a man who can help us.” They said nodding towards Nickolia.

The man smiled. “Yes, I do.”

“What must me we do?” The asked. They’re faces were eager.

“There is nothing you must do to receive His healing, He freely gives it to you. But now that you know of the gift given to you must put away your past lives, and follow Jesus.”

The women knelt down there hands clasped. “Sir, please show us the way, we do not know how to do what you have said.” Sharon said humbly.

“We want to be made new.” Added Emily quietly.

“So do I.” Came Abiela’s voice. The three converts turned to see the face of the young woman.

The Prophet smiled. “You are welcome my sister.” He searched the faces of the small group that hung back. None of the faces seemed to seek, in fact several seemed angry. The Prophets face appeared sad.

He turned back to Nickolia, Sharon, Emily, and Abiela. “Are you ready to journey to the Master?” He asked.

Their heads nodded.

The Prophet half smiled. “Come then, come.”

La Fin.

~Ms. H

Scripture references:

Matthew 16: 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.