{"id":10079,"date":"2023-04-22T14:45:46","date_gmt":"2023-04-22T19:45:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/faithhopeandfiction.com\/content\/?p=10079"},"modified":"2023-04-22T14:45:47","modified_gmt":"2023-04-22T19:45:47","slug":"the-prison-on-the-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/faithhopeandfiction.com\/content\/the-prison-on-the-beach\/","title":{"rendered":"The Prison on the Beach"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By Michael Warren<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The yells woke him up again. The prisoner rolled over and slapped the cold concrete. He couldn\u2019t see the sunrise from his tiny window. He couldn\u2019t see the sunset either. Near as he could tell, the window faced south. His neighbor, however, yelled every morning without fail. His window probably faced east.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prisoner stood up, stretched, and rubbed the ache out of his lower back. He circled the cell. Five steps one way, four steps the other. Then he hobbled over to the window and rose up on the toes of his right foot to glimpse the edge of the ocean rolling onto the white sand. He couldn\u2019t hold the position for long, though, and the rest of the time he only saw the same twenty-six trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When stale bread dropped down from a hatch in the ceiling, the prisoner sank onto the bare concrete floor and ate. Staring at the wall, he let his mind wander. He couldn\u2019t remember why he was here. He couldn\u2019t remember being anywhere else, either. This concrete box with one small window was his world. Except for the beach. He could see it, but never touch it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Voices and laughter drifted through his window. There were other people on the beach that day, which always made it worse, and he slid into the corner. Sometimes people came up to his window\u2014calling in and asking if anybody was in there. Most of the time, they ignored the prison, but he couldn\u2019t risk any interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He sat silently as the voices grew louder, then quieter and quieter. The prisoner thought that they were gone, but occasionally their sounds drifted in. It didn\u2019t matter. The prisoner sulked in his corner quietly until it got dark in his cell. Then he lay down and went to sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yelling woke him up again. The prisoner rolled over and slapped the cold concrete. He stood up and stretched, massaging the ache in his lower back. He circled the cell, and then he went to his window. He leaned up and gazed out on the beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A girl with brown curly hair popped up. \u201cHello!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAaah,\u201d grumbled the prisoner, scrambling back into the corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cWho are you?\u201d she asked. \u201cWhy are you in there? What\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cErrrrr,\u201d The prisoner mumbled and groaned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The yelling man next door chimed in. \u201cHey! Hey! I\u2019m here,\u201d he screeched. \u201cThere\u2019s nobody else here. Just me. Come over here so I can talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The girl stuck her hand through the window and waved. \u201cI know you\u2019re<\/em> over there, with all that yelling, but I saw somebody in this other window, and now I don\u2019t. Maybe he left. But I don\u2019t know where he would go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s nobody else,\u201d the prisoner demanded. \u201cCome over here and come talk to me, please.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThere is. I saw him!\u201d The girl exclaimed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMalaya?\u201d another voice said. \u201cWhat are you doing? Come on, we\u2019re leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPlease don\u2019t go!\u201d the yelling man screeched. \u201cI need to talk to somebody.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSorry, I have to go, but you can talk to your neighbor,\u201d the girl said. \u201cYou can\u2019t see each other, but you can talk. Bye-bye.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prisoner heard the girl whistling as she left. He quietly rocked himself in the corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHey, if there\u2019s somebody else over there, I\u2019m talking to you,\u201d the yelling man called out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prisoner stood and walked to his window. \u201cWhat?\u201d He wheezed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat the heck, man? How long have I been yelling, and you\u2019ve never said anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prisoner cleared his throat. \u201cI didn\u2019t have anything to say. And I don\u2019t want anybody to know I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut I\u2019ve been yelling every day. I know a way out. I just need some help. I can\u2019t do it on my own.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat? No!\u201d The prisoner staggered back to the corner of his cell, trembling. A glimpse of the beach was enough. He didn\u2019t need to go out there and experience it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The yelling man berated him, but the prisoner stayed in his corner and stared at the concrete wall until the torrent subsided to a low rumble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHey!\u201d The bellow snapped him out of his reverie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u201d the prisoner asked weakly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat was that girl\u2019s name? I think she\u2019s still close. Call her over. She\u2019ll come over if you call out to her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want her to come over,\u201d the prisoner grumbled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, too bad, because I need somebody\u2019s help, and I am going to get it. And if you want a moment\u2019s peace in this lifetime, you are going to help me. Now, get off your butt and call her over.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Without moving, the prisoner called out the girl\u2019s name. \u201cMalaya.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She jogged up to his window. \u201cHello? \u00a0Where are you? I can\u2019t see you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d the prison mumbled. \u201cJust go to that man who\u2019s yelling. He wants to talk to you about something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t see you. Why don\u2019t you come to the window?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want you to see me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m a prisoner. I don\u2019t want anybody to see me in this place. Now, go away and talk to the other guy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She left, and the prisoner could hear her talking to the other man, but he couldn\u2019t make out the words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Soon, Malaya came back. The end of a thick rope pushed through the window and dangled limply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHere. I really have to go now,\u201d she said. \u201cEverybody\u2019s waiting for me. Bye.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prisoner just sat quietly and waited for her to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cGrab the rope,\u201d the other man yelled. \u201cWe\u2019re going to use it like a saw and rub the concrete until we can knock a bar out. It\u2019ll be tight, but we should be able to squeeze through after that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prisoner shook his head. \u201cJust do it yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh? You have more important things to do? \u00a0I will<\/em> get out of here, and you will help me. So pick up the rope.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prisoner shook at the thought of leaving the prison. He couldn\u2019t. But if he helped the yelling man escape, then he would no longer wake up every morning to incessant shouting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStop yelling in the mornings,\u201d the prisoner demanded softly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you want out of that box?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prisoner said nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFine,\u201d the yelling man agreed. \u201cI won\u2019t yell anymore. Just help me get out. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prisoner picked up the rope, and they began rubbing it against the concrete. It was slow but, little by little, the dust that coated the floor testified to their slow progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Days passed. The two men worked in unison. Not much was said. Not much needed to be said. Neither of them could remember why they were there or how they got there. Nor could they remember being anywhere else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One night, they worked until dawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The next day the prisoner confessed, \u201cI need a break. My hands are a bloody mess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYeah, mine too,\u201d the yelling man agreed. \u201cWe\u2019ll rest today and get back to it tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prisoner shook his head. His hands wouldn\u2019t be better tomorrow, but he didn\u2019t have the energy for an argument. He lay down and went to sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When he awoke the next day, the yelling man said, \u201cOkay, let\u2019s get started.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prisoner groaned. His hands had barely scabbed over. He bit his lip and picked up the rope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As the days went by, his hands hurt less and less. Then, they didn\u2019t hurt at all. After that, both men both worked with renewed vigor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 More days passed, and the groove where the rope rubbed against the window grew visibly deeper and deeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWait,\u201d the yelling man shouted, \u201cI saw a bar wobble.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prisoner waited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s almost there,\u201d the yelling man exclaimed, laughing. \u201cI can probably squeeze through now. When I tell you, pull on the rope as hard as you can and keep pulling. Got it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The other man gave the signal, and the prisoner heaved on the rope with all his might.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The rope went slack. The prisoner fell hard on his butt. He waited, listening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A slow chuckle broke the silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m out,\u201d the man whispered. \u201cI\u2019m out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prisoner saw a shadow fill his window and he scurried back to the dark corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCome to the window,\u201d the man demanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLook, you can just go ahead and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCome to the window. If you want me to leave, I will, but first you have to come to the window and tell me to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prisoner peered out the window at the man. His clothes were in tatters. Scrapes, bruises, cuts, and wounds dripped blood down his arms, stomach, back, and neck. His right shoulder had dislocated and hung at an odd angle. Despite the carnage, he smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prisoner shook his head and mumbled, \u201cYou can go. I don\u2019t think I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo,\u201d the man interrupted. \u201cWhat do you want<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prisoner breathed deeply, and tears welled in his eyes. \u201cI want to stand on the beach. I want to feel the sand in my toes, the sun over my head, and the ocean rolling up over my ankles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tears rolled down the prisoner\u2019s cheeks. \u201cI want out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThen let\u2019s get you that.\u201d The man shook a bar on the prisoner\u2019s window, and it wobbled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They caught each other\u2019s gaze then grabbed that bar and started working it with all their strength. It grew looser and looser, until there were a couple of inches between it and the concrete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The man nodded at the prisoner with a big grin. \u201cOkay, this is going to hurt like hell. But that\u2019s about how much space I had when you started pulling me through.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prisoner winced. \u201cCan\u2019t we open it up more?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll open up as you come through it.\u201d He shrugged. \u201cI mean, that\u2019s how I did it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prisoner grabbed the rope. He stuck his head between the bars and wedged himself in the window, holding tightly onto the rope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The man ran behind a tree to brace himself and pulled the other end of the rope. Nothing budged. The pain grew in the prison\u2019s shoulders and arms, down his back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then, he felt the bar give a little. It was enough, and he slid out the window, but not before the metal bar scraped off a line of flesh down his back. His face slammed into the sand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Blood dripped off him as he stood. The sun baked down, and he curled his toes in the warm sand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The other man came up alongside him, and the two men gazed out at miles and miles of white sand and turquoise water. Hundreds of concrete prisons dotted the beach. The men nodded to each other and walked towards the closest one. They could, at least, give someone the rope.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Michael Warren is a land surveyor and author in Sacramento, California, where he lives with his wife, Esther, and their two children, Daniel and Zoey. He recently released his book Live Deliberately<\/em><\/a> about inner healing and experiencing more freedom in Christ.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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