The sun put on a glorious display as it set in front of Alice.
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Alice watched it disappear below the horizon. Her last sunset. Darkness fell over the three crosses.
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"Guys! Don't....die yet! Don't leave me....... alone!"
Terrified of dying alone, every few minutes she called to them, but after an hour or so of darkness, there was no response from either of them.
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"Please! Let....this...end! Let.....me....die!"
As the night wore on, the temperature fell, and gradually, her prayer was answered.
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Her head fell forward but even then it was several hours before the last of her strength drained away. The first streaks of dawn were in the eastern sky before her little gasps of breath ceased, and she was still.
"You have done well, my child. Your torment is over."
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The voice was kind. She clung to him, pleased to find herself able to move again.
"What kept you? I was...up there...for an eternity!"
"You are a strong woman. I could not come sooner!"
"I....begged....for....you!" She sobbed in his arms.
"You cannot know how many lives you have saved today."
"What?"
"The Nazarene. Millions would have died in his name, if he had occupied your cross!"
"I don't understand...."
"He will now die forgotten. The courage you showed on your cross will be remembered for centuries."
She still failed to understand a word that he said. Nevertheless, she trusted him, and she was content to allow him to lead her towards the light.
THE END