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“Now, Mr. Douglas, I’m not allowed to mark down any prices without my father’s say-so, you know that. Either pay full price or come back when my father is here.”
The balding, middle-aged man who was hoping for a discount chuckled at the young man’s response. Reaching into his shirt pocket, Mr. Douglas pulled out a tattered pocket Bible.
“I’ll pay full price, even for your scraps, if you give me a moment of your time,” Mr. Douglas said, his voice lowering. “Let’s talk about the Lord and your immortal soul. Tell me, Edward, does your father care if his son is going to hell? I tell you, the Lord cares, and He wants you to learn so you don’t burn.”
Edward quickly shook his dark-haired head, crossing his arms firmly across his chest.
“You know this is Amish country, and you’re shopping in an Amish store. You’re welcome to shop, but the community just asks that you respect our faith. If anyone hears you, you won’t be allowed back.”
Mr. Douglas smiled faintly, pulling a pamphlet from the pages of his Bible. He placed it on top of three one-hundred-dollar bills.
“The key to your salvation is within. The money is for any troubles. I hope you have a blessed day, Edward.”
Edward brought his hand up to rub his eyes, once again rejecting the offer.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t take your paper, and I don’t feel right about taking your money either.”
When he lowered his hand from his face, Edward realized he was alone in the store. Mr. Douglas’ car was gone, but he hadn’t heard it drive off. He slid the money into the box under the counter and, giving in to a childlike curiosity, picked up the pamphlet to read.
“The Devil is freely among you. Beware, for he has chosen his bride. The serpent’s tongue knows many lies.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLi2zoBRGY
Ripping the pamphlet into pieces, Edward tossed the scraps into the trash, desperate to keep it out of sight before his father or anyone from the community could see it. He had enough trouble with Mr. Douglas for one day. Closing the store early, he decided to head back to the community and his family.
As he climbed into his horse-drawn buggy, an overwhelming pain seized his head. It felt as though a knife were being driven just behind his eyes, burrowing into his brain. The pain intensified, and before long, it felt as if his mind were being torn apart, like the paper from earlier. Though the trip home usually took a short time, to Edward, it felt as though hours passed before he finally arrived at his house.
“Welcome home, my dear Edward,” his wife, Ella, greeted him from the porch. “You look ill—another of your headaches, I take it?”
She took their youngest child, cradling the toddler against her hip.
“Yes, my love,” Edward replied, his voice strained. “It seems I must suffer through another one of these. Please forgive me for cutting the workday short. I promise I’ll get control of them soon.”
Their oldest son, now a teenager, took the reins of the horse, guiding the buggy to the house. Edward, feeling weak and disoriented, slowly made his way inside. Once in his bedroom, another wave of pain hit him with full force. Something warm and wet trickled down the inside of his nose. Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his nose. The dull brown fabric was quickly stained with blood.
Edward tried to call for help, but the darkness of unconsciousness overtook him. In the void of his mind, the words from the pamphlet echoed in his head, as though spoken in his own voice.
“The Devil is freely among you. Beware, for he has chosen his bride. The serpent’s tongue knows many lies. Learn this, Edward—the Devil has chosen your wife. She will make you burn!”
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