COTR Magazine June 2013 | Page 25

PebblesandsandfeltlikeknifesrunningdownStephen’ sbody, tearing offpiecesofhisskin. Feetandarmsjostledhim, somepuling, somepushing, andsomejustjerkingwildly. Stephencoveredhisfacewithhishands, but hisarmsweregrabbedbytwodifferentmenandhisfacewasshovedintothe dirt. Stephencoughed, spittingdirtandsmalstones.

Thecrowdcontinuedtodraghim, nowoverdirtpathsandrockyground. Stephenwasscratchedandbruised, andpeoplewereconstantlysteppingon him. Heheardavoiceyel,“ Openthegate!”, andaloudcreakingsoundfollowed. Themobneverstopped, draggingStephenacrossbrushandbrambles thattorehisclothingandface.

Abruptly, thepoundingfootstepsofthemobstopped, andStephenfelt himselfbeingdraggedthroughthecrowd. Thevoicesofthecrowdhushed, exceptfortheoccasionalangryhisswhenStephenpassed. Hewasflipped faceupinfrontofthem; thetwomenwhohadbeencarryinghim stepped back. Severalpeoplepuledofftheirtogasorcloaksanddroppedthem atthe feetofayoungmannamedSaul.

Slowly, Stephenclosedhiseyes. Herecognizedthisgestureal toowel, andhadseenthisact toomanytimes. Stephenbraced himself. Thefirstrockhithim, hardinthestomach. Itdidn’ t takelongfortheresttofolow, poundingaloverhisbodyand rippinguphislimbs. The constantvoleyshredhistunic andslashedattheskinunderneath. Suddenly, thefirestirred againinStephen’ sheart, andhe prayedinaloudvoice,“ Lord Jesus, receivemyspirit!”

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