God's Plan

By,
Abbi G.

Andrea Carter awoke with a start. Where am I? She glanced around, confused.

“The sleeping rock awakes,” Rasped a cold, hard voice from across the room.

“It’s a miracle,” A very familiar, chilling voice rang out from near her. Andi's memory came flooding back. Please, God, I’m not ready to die! Slow, measured footsteps came toward her.

“What do you want?” She sounded a million times stronger than she felt. The room was so dark, she couldn’t see which man was coming near her. “All in good time, Andrea. All in good time.” She didn’t recognize the man’s raspy voice, but the smooth, sure, confident one, was all too familiar. She shifted ever so slightly to confirm that her hands and feet were secured with some sort of restraints.

“Well, little sister, we meet again,” The smooth voice came from near her head.

“Troy Swanson! You haven’t fooled my family, yet; and you have no chance of ever even getting close!” Her brother-in-law, or should she say ’brother-out-law,’ brought back too many horrible memories to remain silent. The response was a hard boot in the ribs. Andi gasped for breath.

“Maybe they’ve foiled my plans before, but I have carefully checked and rechecked my plans this time. There is not one loophole, and everything is going according to schedule.” “That won’t last long,” Andi retorted, hotly. Troy lit a lantern.

“Who is your partner?” “Ah! Yes! That is--” “Let me introduce myself, Troy,” The voice rasped. A man stepped into the light. Andi gasped. The men were identical except for a scar running across the new man’s throat.

“What?” Andi's voice was incredulous.

“Travis is the name. We are identical twins! My voice has become a challenge ever since an old knife fight. It was three against one. Let’s just say, I’m lucky to have a voice,” Travis rasped. Andi tried to process the information she had just received. “Where do I come into your plans?” “Money, of course, and revenge.” Travis chortled.

“Revenge?” “You have nephews and nieces, don’t you?” “Why?” “Never mind. I know you do. Troy wants his children back, and his wife. I hate kids! Kate had to ruin my life by giving me nephews and nieces. I vowed never to have a loved child in my family. They are to be treated as what they are. Scum! Good for nothing but slaves. They take your money, time, and life! So revenge for Kate having them, and revenge for her keeping them! Children are horrible, rotten, and--” Andi had heard enough from Travis.

“And gifts from God,” She interrupted. “That’s also one thing you forgot in your perfect plan, Troy. God’s plan will always win out in the end!”

“No!” Troy vowed with a vengeance. “My plan is God-proof!”

“Famous last words, Troy. Famous last words.” “Enough! Go to sleep before I put you to sleep with my boot,” Troy growled as he turned around. Andi lay, listening to the hushed whispers of Troy and Travis. Finally, she heard loud snoring from the other side of the room. God, I don’t know what to do! I know you can always intervene, even in perfect plans; however, he still scares me. Please, God, rescue me, and prove to Troy that there is no such thing as ‘God-proof’. Suddenly, Psalm 121 rushed to Andi’s mind, and she felt a peaceful calmness wash over her. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help…Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep…Andi quoted the passage over and over again, until she finally drifted to sleep with a Thank you, Jesus!

The next morning Andi awoke with numb hands and feet. She heard Troy and Travis moving about on the other side of the room.

“Today is when the fun begins,” Troy’s usually calm voice had a bit of an edge to it now.

“Don’t worry, Troy. Everything is going according to plan, and will be fine,” Travis gloated. “So tonight you deliver the locket, dress, and letter to the agreed-upon spot. Tomorrow night we see if our demands have been answered. That will decide if we dispose of Andrea or not!” Troy gave a maniacal laugh that sent shivers up and down Andi’s spine. God, my trust is in you!

When evening came, Troy stomped over to Andi. He cut her ropes, and led her to a small closet. He threw a pair of boots and overalls at her.

“Put ‘em on, and give us yours.” Andi decided to obey. She quickly changed into the oversized overalls and boots. She stepped out and handed him her dress, and high-top, black, lace up boots. He grabbed her arm and led her back to the main room. Once in the room, he reached for the locket still around her neck. “I’ll be taking that.” “No!” Andi shouted, backing up as fast as possible.

“Now, Andrea.” Troy tapped his foot impatiently. “I will not give you my locket.” She annunciated every word slowly through clenched teeth.

“I was afraid you would be this way. Travis, come here,” He called with a smirk. Travis appeared in the doorway.

“Yes, brother?” “Will you hold Andrea down, while I get her locket?” “With pleasure.” Before Andi could move, Travis was upon her. She twisted and turned, but the feel of cold steel against the back of her neck stopped her faster than anyone could blink. “Behave now, Andrea. Let Troy take your locket. He has need of it.” Troy quickly unclasped the locket, and opened it to see what was inside. Andi’s heart sank at the gleam in Troy’s eyes. She knew what was in that locket. Her only picture of Father.

“Perfect.” Troy’s voiced oozed with sickening sweetness. Travis quickly tied Andi once again as he and Troy moved from the room. Finally alone, Andi let her tears come; and come they did.

That night Travis slipped out of the house with Andi’s dress, boots, and locket.

Two hours later, Troy began pacing.

Three hours later, he slammed his fist into the wall.

Four hours later, he began worrying aloud.

“He should have been here two hours ago! Where is he?”

Five hours later, he slumped against the wall, head in hands.

“Troy Swanson! Come out with your hands up!” The loud, commanding voice sent Troy three feet into the air. He looked frantically around the room.

“We have the place surrounded! Come out with you hands up now, or we’re coming in!” “Where is my gun?” Troy whispered frantically. Unbeknownst to Troy, Andi had located his gun, and was slowly belly crawling toward it. It was a race between Troy’s eyes, and Andi’s body. Travis raced around the room as if he were a caged tiger. All time stood still. Troy spotted Andi.

“What are you--? Oh no you don’t!” Andi gathered her last bit of energy, and lunged toward the gun. She wasn’t quick enough. Troy gave a mighty leap, and landed right by her head. He scooped the gun from the floor, aimed it at Andi’s head, and cocked it. After Andi’s five hour trial to free her hands, the ropes were loosened! Thank you, Jesus! A sudden plan began to form in her mind. She vaguely heard Troy’s voice,

“I got a gun on Andi. You ever want to see her alive again, you’ll stay right where you are!”

“Okay. Don’t get too excited! We’ll stay right here,” A calm voice responded. Justin! Hold on; I’ve got a plan! Andi studied the walls. They were abnormally thick, or semed to be. The voices to outside were really muffled for thin walls. The cabin had definitely been built to withstand the horrible weather that occasionally passed through the area. They would be thick enough to stop a bullet. She finally determined. Andi picked up a small pebble off the dirty floor. With a quick flick of the wrist, the pebble clinked against the wall opposite Andi. Troy spun, and shot with no further ado.

“Are you okay, Andi?” She recognized Mitch’s fearful voice. She hated the fact that her plan required no answer. Her eyes skimmed the dirty floor, rapidly. She spotted another pebble six inches away. Andi easily snatched the pebble without being noticed since Troy was still staring at the other wall. She flung that pebble sideways, hitting the wall to her right. Troy whirled, pulling the trigger almost unconsciously. He was starting to look panicked. Only four shots left! Andi studied the gun carefully. It’s a six shot alright! I can’t be Chad’s sister, and not know a little about revolvers. If I can make him use all of his shots, the boys can come in safely! The next pebble was about a foot away. Great! How is this gonna work?

“Andi!” Mitch’s voice sounded closer. Troy cocked his head, listening. Andi slowly scooted toward the pebble, and barely managed to snatch it. She flung it immediately toward the left wall, then dived right. Clink! Boom! The shot came once again. “I’m going crazy!” Troy gasped. Andi grabbed another pebble while Troy muttered to himself. She was glad for the first time that the floor hadn’t been cleaned in a couple years most likely. She hurled the pebble, thankful for the hours spent playing baseball that had made her arms strong. This time, the stone loudly thunked against the right wall. Troy yelped, and rapidly fired two shots through the right wall. With her last bit of strength, Andi flung a handful of pebbles at the opposite wall. Troy screamed,

“What is going on?” He fired a shot into the opposite wall, and the gun clicked empty. Andi then carried out the last step of her plan. She screamed. She knew her brothers would charge through a war zone for her, so she didn’t have a doubt that they would rush into the room to save her. She wasn’t wrong. Chad busted through the door, sending wood splinters everywhere. He was closely followed by Mitch, Justin, the sheriff, and a posse from town. Thank you, God! Andi rejoiced in her heart. When Justin saw her alive, he echoed her gratitude. “Thanks be to God! You’re alive!” Chad had borrowed a pair of handcuffs from the sheriff, and had quickly handcuffed Troy.

“How did you know I was here?” Andi grinned at Mitch. Justin answered.

“Well, after supper, I felt like God was telling me to take a walk and spend time with him. We were all really worried about you, so I hadn’t spent much time with just me and God. I saddled Blue, gave him his head, and just talked to God. Well the next thing I know, Blue comes to a dead standstill. I looked up, and saw the shadow of a man on a horse in the far west pasture. I don’t know what got into me, but I just let out a war hoop and charged. When I got right up on him, I pulled my revolver, and told him he was surrounded. Didn’t tell him what he was surrounded by was air. He was so shocked, he just threw down his gun and surrendered. I got him back to the hacienda, and thought he was Troy. It took a while of convincing, but he finally told us the whole story. That was when I found out he was Travis. He finally told us where you were, and we told the sheriff, who rounded up a posse, then came up here.” Justin finished his story with a smile.

“Thank God you’re okay, Sis!” Mitch said, fondly.

“I didn’t know when I heard those shots at the end!” “It was part of my plan, but I’m sorry I scared you,” Andi grinned, sheepishly.

“See Troy, God told Justin to take a ride and talk to Him. That is what ruined your ‘God-proof’ plan. Maybe you’ll learn sometime. God always prevails!” Amen, Andi!” Chad agreed as he scooped her into his arms, and turned to go home. Home sweet home!

The End