COTR Magazine June 2013 | Page 26

Thestonescamefaster , shreddinghisskin , andtheinsultsandcurses showeredmercilessly . Stephenfeltagreaturgewithinhim , andhebeganto situp . Therocksbatteredhisbody , bouncingoffhisarmsandchest . Stil

Stephencontinuedtorise , therocksnowpummelinghisheadandneck . Stephenclosedhisbleedingeyesasheatlaststruggledintoakneelingposition . Heopenedhismouth , butthesoundrefusedtocomeout . Hestruggled tospeakasthestonescreatedbloodygashesaloverhim . Stephenfeltfaint , andalmostcolapsedontheground . Thenhefeltagreatstrengthenterhis soul , andaloudvoiceeruptedfrom withinhim .

“ Lord ,” hecried ,“ donotholdthissinagainstthem !”

Thenthelastrockshatteredthelifeinhim , andhefelintotheeverlasting sleep .

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