The Ark

We drew closer. I could tell it was a naked body, stretched out motionless, face down. Father removed the coverlet from his shoulders and approached the still body. He averted his eyes and threw the blanket over the form and began tucking the cloth around the exposed skin. Already, though it was not yet dark, a chill had entered the air. Father bid me help him take the body off the rock. Even in the dimming light, I could see her face! She was a beautiful, young maiden, bruised, bleeding, and barely alive . . . > >