When Heaven Weeps Read Online Free PDF Page A

it’s not so bad.” Karadzic stood back, pleased with himself. He turned to Father Michael. “Not so bad at all. But I tell you, Priest—if she drops the cross then we will have a problem.”
    Michael’s heart accelerated. Heat surged up his neck and flared around his ears. Oh, God, give us strength!
    â€œYes, of course. If she drops the cross it will mean that you are an impostor, and that your church is unholy. We will be forced to remove some of your skin with a beating.” The commander’s twisted smile broadened.
    Father Michael looked at Marie and tried to still his thumping heart. He nodded, mustering reserves of courage. “Don’t be afraid, Marie. God’s love will save us.”
    Karadzic stepped forward and swung his hand. A loud crack echoed from the walls, and Michael’s head snapped back. The blow brought stinging tears to his eyes and blood to his mouth. He looked up at Sister Flouta’s roof; the dove still perched on the peak, tilting its head to view the scene below. Peace, my son . Had he really heard that music? Yes. Yes, he had. God had actually spoken to him. God would protect them.
    Father, spare us. I beg you, spare us!
    â€œMarch, woman!” Karadzic pointed toward the far end of the courtyard. Marie stepped forward. The children looked on with bulging eyes. Stifled cries rippled through the courtyard.
    They watched her heave the burden across the concrete, her feet straining with bulging veins at each footfall. Marie wasn’t the strongest of them. Oh, God, why couldn’t it have been another—Ivena or even one of the older boys. But Marie? She would stumble at any moment!
    Michael could not hold his tongue. “Why do you test her? It’s me—”
    Smack!
    The hand landed flat and hard enough to send him reeling back a step this time. A balloon of pain spread from his right cheek.
    â€œNext time it’ll be the stock of a rifle,” the commander said.
    Marie reached the far wall and turned back. She staggered by, searching Father Michael’s eyes for help. Everyone watched her quietly, first one way and then the other, bent under the load, eyes darting in fear, slogging back and forth. Most of the soldiers seemed amused. They had undoubtedly seen atrocities that made this seem like a game in comparison. Go on, prove your faith in Christ. Follow his teaching. Carry this cross. And if you drop it before we tire of watching, we will beat your priest to a bloody pulp.
    Michael prayed. Father, I beg you. I truly beg you to spare us. I beg you!

CHAPTER THREE
    IT WAS Nadia who refused to stay silent.
    The homely birthday girl with her pigtails and her yellow hair clips stood, limped down the steps, and faced the soldiers, arms dangling by her side. Father Michael swallowed. Father, please! He could not speak it, but his heart cried it out. Please, Father!
    â€œNadia!” Ivena whispered harshly.
    But Nadia didn’t even look her mother’s way. Her voice carried across the courtyard clear and soft and sweet. “Father Michael has told us that people filled with Christ’s love do not hurt other people. Why are you hurting Marie? She’s done nothing wrong.”
    In that moment Father Michael wished he had not taught them so well.
    Karadzic looked at her, his gray eyes wide, his mouth slightly agape, obviously stunned.
    â€œNadia!” Ivena called out in a hushed cry. “Sit down!”
    â€œShut up!” Karadzic came to life. He stormed toward the girl, livid and red. “Shut up, shut up!” He shook his rifle at her. “Sit down, you ugly little runt!”
    Nadia sat.
    Karadzic stalked back and forth before the steps, his knuckles white on his gun, his lips flecked with spittle.
    â€œYou feel bad for your pitiful Marie, is that it? Because she’s carrying this tiny cross on her back?”
    He stopped in front of a group of three women huddling on the stairs and leaned toward