Prologue

He ran a hand over his face, smearing the blood in the process and sighed deeply. He felt tired, but he knew that his task was not yet finished. He took a few more moments to calm his wild heart before he stood slowly. He’d twisted his ankle when he’d landed at the bottom of the stairs and it hurt to put his full weight on it, but he ignored the pain as he grabbed Marianne’s arms and began to pull her into the living room.

 

He sat his knife and gun down on the table and moved to roll Marianne onto her back and pushed her long hair back away from her face and crossed her arms over her chest. Her Bible sat on the coffee table along with her sisters’ Bibles. Margie had presumably led them in their nightly devotion before slipping off to bed. He was glad for that.

 

He tucked Marianne’s Bible over her heart under her crossed arms before he slowly rose to his feet and went to collect the rest of his family.

 

It took four trips upstairs to collect Maggie, Molly, Missy and Megan. He carefully placed them each on the floor in the same fashion as he had with Marianne. Their Bibles were close to their hearts and their arms were crossed over their chests. They looked so peaceful this way. He smiled fondly at the ones he loved and moved to go collect the two remaining members of his family.

 

Before he made it back to the door to the master bedroom, though, a brigade of blue and red flashing lights spilled through the window. He stopped by the front door and peeked out through the windows to see several police cars sitting in front of his house.

 

His heart sank, knowing he would not have time to finish his work. Margie and Mattie would have to be left where they were. He frowned, picking up his Bible from the place he’d sat it when he’d first come into the house earlier – how long ago had that been? He wondered – and moved back into the living room to kneel beside his children.

 

He gripped his Bible tightly in one hand, holding it to his chest as he picked up the revolver. There were two bullets left, but he knew he’d only have need for one. His mission was nearly complete.

 

He closed his eyes and began to pray, “Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you with a heavy and guilt ridden heart. I have failed you and my family, Lord.  But the acts I have committed on this night were my atonement in your name. Please absolve the souls I have lain out for you. Forgive them Father, for I have failed them, letting them go astray into the sinful ways of the world, and thus will take their place of damnation for all of eternity. Let your will be done. Amen.”

 

He then lifted the gun to his head and pulled the trigger.

Author's Note

I began writing this story for NaNoWriMo 2008. It's the first non fan fiction piece I've tried to write in quite a while, so I'm a little nervous about it.