Sanctuary Read Online Free Page B

tightened her grip on her brother.
    The nurse yelled obscenities.
    Desperate for escape, Jennie backed into the cold elevator door and felt for the button. She didn’t want to take her eyes off the woman, but she couldn’t find the button without looking.
    “I’ll get it,” Mickey said over her shoulder, as he reached down and hit the button.
    The elevator had not moved yet, and the doors pinged open instantly. Jennie backed into the metal elevator and began jamming the “close door” button with her thumb. She hit it over and over as the woman drew closer. Jennie switched to hitting the “lobby” button, and after an excruciating three seconds, the door drew closed like a curtain between her and the foaming woman.
     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
     
    —REVELATION 9:3
     
     

     
     

     
     
     
    “ What’s going on?”Mickey aske d in the silence of the elevator. His grip finally loosened on her shoulder.
    “I don’t know.” She wanted to say more but couldn’t think.
    The elevator came to a rest on the first floor, and the metal doors pulled open again. The lobby elevators were located in a hall full of offices and the chapel. There were no patient rooms in this area, but still, the sound of wailing and moaning had increased in the direction of the emergency room.
    “Jennie, is that you?” Across from the elevators, the windows of the chapel revealed a few dark wood pews. The door stood ajar, and Pastor Billy Crawford stood in it.
    He was taller than her dad and had wide shoulders. It was rumored that he had played football in high school but went to seminary even though he was scouted to play for a college team. His close cropped grey hair shone in the florescent light next to his head. His wife stood a little behind him, her usual tight bun loosened.
    A twinge of guilt flicked the back of her neck. She hadn’t been to church in over a year – since she’d started college. But overriding that guilt was her desperation. “Pastor Billy, do you know what’s going on?”
    Mickey loosened his grip and turned around to face the pastor, too. It was the first time he’d released his tick-like cling. He wiggled in Jennie’s arms as though he wanted down.
    “Miz Crawford!” he exclaimed and ran over to her the minute Jennie set him on the ground.
    “Hi, Mickey. You doing good?” Mrs. Crawford scooped him up in a hug. “We’ve missed you in the preschool class lately.”
    Jennie’s arms ached from holding Mickey so long. She rubbed her biceps and was thankful for the relief.
    “I honestly don’t know what’s going on,” Pastor Billy said. “But if you want to wait here in the sanctuary with Mrs. Crawford, I’ll go see.”
    He didn’t wait for an answer but immediately started off toward the Emergency Center. Happy to not have to find out for herself, Jennie nodded and headed into the chapel behind Mrs. Crawford.
    “I’m here to see my mommy. She’s been hurt.” Mickey pattered away to the nodding older woman.
    As they stepped into the dimly lit chapel, the door automatically closed behind them, shutting out the wailing screams from the hall. Jennie began to feel very tired. She remembered her cell phone and took it out of her pocket. A red ‘x’ stood in place of the cell service she normally had, and her battery bar blinked red.
    Great , she thought. Now I can’t even find out if Jessica's okay.
    There were three rows of pews on each side of the sanctuary. An altar sat at the front with well-worn knee padding. Standing in front of the altar was a plain cross, almost as tall as Jennie herself, with track lights beaming down on it from the ceiling. Two speakers in the corner played instrumental choir music that Jennie recognized as Blessed Redeemer .
    Jennie chided herself for being so selfish. When was the last time she’d thought about Jesus, or God, or