Zen's War: Captivity
Chapter 8: The Temple

Sahara followed closely as Joshua and Peter lead the way. As earlier she had no idea how far or exactly where they were going, and she really didn’t care. She hoped wherever it was, there would be water also. By this point she had become almost delirious. The lack of food and water was starting to catch up with her.

The sun was directly in the middle of the sky. Soon would be the hottest part of the day. They continued down from Cochise stronghold, the desert sand and rocks beneath their feet. Sahara feared that at any moment a rattlesnake would jump out and bite her. Unless anti-venom could be found, which was highly unlikely, death would be imminent. The desert was full of dangerous creatures and unforgiving weather. You could never tell what could lie hidden beneath the next rock.

Just over the next hill in a small valley was a large fenced off area. Within the fence’s perimeter lay a vast compound. The main portion of the compound was a large two story house. To the right of the house was a small fenced in area, within this area stood a brown horse. Beyond that was a wooden structure that resembled a barn. From where she stood she could hear the bleating of goats and the baaing of lambs. She could also hear the mooing of cows. To the right of the barn was a glass structure with many plants within it. Sahara guessed that it was a greenhouse, but she couldn’t understand where they got the water for the plants, though harvesting rainwater could be an option.

As they came to the bottom of the hill they approached a large wooden gate. Directly in the center of the gate was a carving of a cross within a Star of David. Sahara had never seen these two symbols combined. It had never occurred to her that religions could be combined.

There was a dirt driveway that led to the house, just beyond the gate. From where they stood, Sahara made out two of the cloaked men she had seen the night before. They both appeared to be guarding either side of the entrance to the house. Upon reaching the gate, Peter reached into his robe and pulled out a golden key. He then took the key and unlocked the chain that held the gate firmly closed. He returned the key to his pocket, then pushed the right door of the gate open. After they had entered he promptly closed the gate and locked it.

The man who had been standing to the left of the entrance to the house walked down the path to the gate. Welcoming them he made the sign of the cross. Joshua and Peter in turn also made the sign of the cross then entered. The man then led us down the dirt path towards the house. To either side of the path were dozens of cholla cactuses. Sahara had to be careful not to step outside the path, or risk being impaled by hundreds of large white needles. Though the path was nearly four feet wide, Sahara feared that at any moment she would step from the path into a cactus.

The heat of the day had grown quite rapidly. Sahara could not understand how Joshua and his followers could wear robes in such intense heat. The mere thought of it made her cringe.

As they slowly progressed down the path, the immensity of the house became apparent. The house appeared to be an old ranch. It was made of dark red bricks and stood two stories high. The roof of the house was made of black wooden tiles and was arched at its apex. There were eight windows, four were on the top floor and four were on the bottom. Each of the windows was covered from the inside by large white curtains. As Sahara looked at the second floor windows, a face peered out from behind a curtain. Then as quickly as it had appeared it was gone.

Sahara had never seen such a magnificent house. Most houses and buildings she had seen were run down and dilapidated. There were not many resources or materials available. Joshua and his followers were obviously very resourceful people.

Sahara was both excited and frightened. She had no idea what awaited her in the future. Her hope of being rescued was quickly diminishing. She knew she could not let her captors know any further about her lack of hope, because it she did they would use it against her.

At the door of the house, the man who had remained to the right of the door greeted us with the sign of the cross. Joshua and Peter along with the other man who had met him at the gate again crossed themselves.

“Welcome home my lord, I trust you had a pleasant journey,” said the man who had met them at the gate.

“Is the flock ready for the sermon?” Joshua asked.

“They are very eager to hear your wisdom my lord,” the same man answered.

None of the men paid much attention to Sahara. They seemed to be quite used to Joshua bringing home stray girls.

The door of the house was made of wood. It had the same symbol carved into it that had been on the gate, the Star of David with a cross within it. Joshua then opened the door and led them inside.

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