{"id":822,"date":"2018-11-17T15:48:00","date_gmt":"2018-11-17T15:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.victoriasaccentiwrites.com\/?guid=080b203fd487fe6a49ec0edaad8abca3"},"modified":"2023-05-08T15:22:19","modified_gmt":"2023-05-08T15:22:19","slug":"day-10-of-the-watch-rwisa-write-showcase-tour-rrbc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/victoriasaccentiwrites.com\/blog\/2018\/11\/17\/day-10-of-the-watch-rwisa-write-showcase-tour-rrbc\/","title":{"rendered":"Day #10 of the WATCH "#RWISA" WRITE Showcase Tour! #RRBC"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Welcome to day ten of the Watch RWISA Write Showcase Tour! Thanks for joining me. The purpose of the blog hop is to feature nineteen talented RWISA authors and offer a sample of their work. The RWISA (Rave Writers – Int’l Society of Authors) is an elite branch of the outstanding Rave Review Book Club, featuring the best of the best in writing. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Meet Jan Sykes.<\/div>\n
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PARADISE BELOW<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
JAN SIKES<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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Emma Dupont shifted her backpack and lowered her head as she struggled through the crowded street. Panic struck as the sunlight faded.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
It would mean sure death to get caught out after dark<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201cWatch where you\u2019re goin\u2019, you stupid bitch!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Rough hands shoved her into the edge of speeding traffic. With great effort, she steadied herself, stepped back onto the sidewalk, and quickened her pace.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Making sure no one noticed her, she ducked into an alleyway and banged on the side of a blue dumpster with a series of raps. A camouflaged door slid open.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
She tossed her backpack inside then hurried down the metal steps into the arms of a dark-haired man who held her while she sobbed.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201cSusan, please bring Emma a cup of tea,\u201d he instructed.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
A tall blonde woman hurried away.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t go back up there again, Donovan. I just can\u2019t.\u201d Emma moaned. \u201cThey are no more than savages. Armed soldiers are everywhere, questioning everyone, barely controlling the mobs of hate-filled people. It\u2019s awful.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
She didn\u2019t tell him she\u2019d felt someone watching her as she pushed through the street. The noose was tightening, but she\u2019d die before she\u2019d expose their hiding place.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Donovan rubbed her shoulders. \u201cDon\u2019t think about that right now.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Susan appeared with a steaming cup and pressed it into Emma\u2019s hands.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201cTry to relax,\u201d Donovan tucked a tendril of brown hair behind her ear.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Emma sank down against the cold concrete wall and let the warmth of the tea soothe her ragged nerves She watched while Donovan emptied the contents of the backpack.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
When he looked up, his eyes shone. \u201cYou did good, love. We almost have enough.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
After the last election, conditions in the US had deteriorated. Humanity had gone crazy. Hate flourished and people killed each other over the slightest disagreement. Satan reigned.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Evil permeated every corner. Small handfuls of people banded together and escaped into underground tunnels determined to live in peace and raise their children.  <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Fed up with the insanity, Emma didn\u2019t hesitate to join. Her group had one plan.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
They had to get to Mexico.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
 The government\u2019s restriction of money forced them to withdraw small amounts at a time. Emma\u2019s experience of working in banks gave her the ability to gather the funds they needed to escape.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
They were almost there, but nine months of living beneath the crazed streets of Dallas had taken its toll, especially on the children. Deprived of vitamin D, they grew lethargic and pale.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Resources, time and patience grew thin.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been in communication with others in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. We\u2019re almost ready to make our move,\u201d Donovan said. \u201cBut, one mistake will mean death.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Emma nodded. She didn\u2019t care. The thought of dying didn\u2019t frighten her.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Jasmine tea helped slow her heart rate and settle her nerves. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Donovan dropped beside her. \u201cI never imagined that the \u2018Land of the Free\u2019 and the \u2018Home of the Brave\u2019 would deteriorate into such a state of evil, and hate.\u201d He blew out a long sigh. \u201cWe\u2019ve lost everything.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Emma placed a hand on his arm. \u201cBut, we haven\u2019t given up. And, we\u2019ve kept love in our hearts.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Susan and several others gathered around. \u201cWith trust in God and help from the angels who watch over us, we\u2019ll survive,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re the future of humanity. We are the Lightworkers.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
They formed a circle and joined hands. In a melodic voice, a woman with straight black hair sang, \u201cAmazing Grace, how sweet the sound\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Voices blended sweetly, and an essence of light filled the dank tunnel.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
###<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Melchizedek<\/span><\/span> bowed his head overcome with the beauty and faith of the small group. He called Nemamiah and Charmaine to his side.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201cIt is almost time. We must rally everyone to watch over and help them. Please meet with the Ashtar Command and give them a report.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Nemamiah folded his wings and nodded. Charmaine smiled and opened her wings to take flight.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201cIt is done.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
###<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Emma barely survived her last venture above ground. When three hoodlums grabbed her and dragged her into a deserted alleyway, she fought hard, but they stuffed a dirty rag in her mouth and kicked her with the sharp toes of their boots.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
From their sneers and insinuations, she knew they intended to take more than the contents in her backpack. She silently prayed.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The moment her attackers dumped the money out of her backpack, a flock of Ravens descended from nowhere, flapping their wings and pecking at their heads and eyes until they ran screaming from the alley.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Emma was sure they\u2019d attack her next, but to her surprise, the birds hovered around her while she picked up the money, then flew above her while she ran for safety.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
She shook her head when Donovan questioned her bruises and told him the angels had protected her.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Wheels were in motion. They would soon be away from the nightmare.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Donovan gathered the group for final instructions. \u201cTravel light. Anything you don\u2019t need, leave it. We have two vans, but there\u2019s limited room.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
While the rest did the same, Emma gathered her belongings. She wouldn\u2019t take more than she could carry on her back. She stared at a photo before tucking it into a zippered pocket. That life was gone. All she had left was her faith, strong will, and this family determined to live in peace.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
By the time the twelve adults and four children were ready, the first shy rays from the sun graced the sky. It would be a long day.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
They piled into the vans in an orderly manner. Donovan would drive one vehicle, and Michael the other.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Emma got into Donavon\u2019s van. They\u2019d grown close over the months of their confinement. She wouldn\u2019t call it romance, but pure love. She\u2019d grown to love all these gentle souls. Together, they would build a new life in paradise.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
They slapped magnetic signs on the sides of the vans that read, \u201cHollow Road Baptist Church\u201d and crawled through early morning traffic toward I-35 south. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
They hit a roadblock a few miles outside Dallas.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201cRemember what we rehearsed,\u201d said Donovan as he pulled over.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Several of the group placed Bibles on their laps. Emma held her breath.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Armed soldiers approached. \u201cPapers,\u201d one soldier barked, \u201cand state your destination.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201cCamp Zephyr, sir, for a retreat.\u201d  Donovan handed him papers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Soldiers surrounded both vans and peered through the windows. Emma was sure they could hear her heart pounding. She forced a smile.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Donovan stared straight ahead.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
After what seemed like forever, the soldier passed the papers back through the window. \u201cYou can go. But, stay on the main roads. There are crazies around.\u201d He motioned them on.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Donovan nodded and pulled away. \u201cEmma, pull up GPS and find a back route, then tell Michael what we\u2019re doing.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The route took them through miles of open pasture and small Texas towns. Finally, their headlights pierced the darkness and lit up a rusted VW van shell.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Donovan pulled to a stop. \u201cEveryone stays put until we know it\u2019s safe.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
He jumped out. He and Michael hurried toward the VW, looking in all directions.  <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Emma chewed her fingernails and stared out the window. Nothing could go wrong now. They were so close.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Donovan had explained that a Coyote would escort them through the tunnel into Matamoros, where they would find papers and transportation.  <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
When the men turned and waved, the group grabbed their belongings and exited the vans. One-by-one, they climbed down rickety wooden steps into a damp tunnel. Flashlights reflected off dirt walls supported by boards and rocks.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Painted on one board, \u201cParadise Below\u201d promised a long awaited redemption. The narrow tunnel forced them to walk single-file, and some taller men had to hunch over.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
But, discomfort didn\u2019t matter.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
In an hour, they emerged onto a deserted side street in Matamoros where a dilapidated bus waited.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Without a word, the group filed onto the bus. The driver closed the door and ground the gears into forward motion.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Emma sat beside Donovan and reached for his hand. \u201cWe\u2019re going to make it.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
He sighed and leaned back against the seat. \u201cWe are.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
A brilliant red sun rose over the ocean, bringing with it a new day, as the bus lumbered to a stop many hours later. Gentle waves lapped the shore and seagulls cawed as they swooped down searching for breakfast.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
When the bus door opened, a couple dressed like American tourists greeted each person.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
A woman with flaming red hair hugged Emma. \u201cWelcome to Mexico. I\u2019m sure you\u2019re exhausted. We have rooms prepared for each of you.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201cThank you,\u201d Emma murmured soaking up the tropical scenery.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Paradise! They\u2019d made it. No more hate, no more violence, and no more hiding.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
They\u2019d reached Pueblo de Luz, (City of Light).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
A band of angels hovered above the group with tears of joy shining in their eyes.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
There was hope for humanity.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Hope in these small groups that dared to keep love alive.  <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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***<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Thank you for supporting this member along the WATCH “RWISA” WRITE Showcase Tour today!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
We ask that if you have enjoyed Jan Sykes’ writing, please visit her Author Page on the RWISA site, where you can find more of her writing, along with her contact and social media links, if she’s turned you in to a fan.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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We ask that you also check out her books in the RWISA or RRBC catalogs. Thanks again for your support and we hope that you will follow each member along this amazing tour of talent. Don’t forget to click the link below to learn more about Jan Sykes.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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Jan Sykes – RWISA Author<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome to day ten of the Watch RWISA Write Showcase Tour! Thanks for joining me. The purpose of the blog hop is to feature nineteen talented RWISA authors and offer a sample of their work. The RWISA (Rave Writers – Int’l Society of Authors)…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-822","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/victoriasaccentiwrites.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/822","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/victoriasaccentiwrites.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/victoriasaccentiwrites.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/victoriasaccentiwrites.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/victoriasaccentiwrites.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=822"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/victoriasaccentiwrites.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/822\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1140,"href":"https:\/\/victoriasaccentiwrites.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/822\/revisions\/1140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/victoriasaccentiwrites.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=822"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/victoriasaccentiwrites.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=822"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/victoriasaccentiwrites.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=822"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}