In the Beginning... - Danny Baranowsky

Isaac and his mother lived alone in a small house on a hill.

Isaac kept to

himself, drawing pictures and playing with his toys as his mom watched

Christian broadcasts on the television.

Life was simple, and they were both

happy.

That was until the day Isaac’s mom heard a voice from above: «Your son has become corrupted by sin!

He needs to be saved!»

«I will do my best to save him, my Lord,» Isaac’s mother replied,

rushing into Isaac’s room, removing all that was evil from his life

Again the voice called to her: «Isaac's soul is still corrupt!

He needs to be

cut off from all that is evil in this world and confess his sins!»

«I will follow your instructions, Lord!

I have faith in thee!»

Isaac’s mother

replied as she locked Isaac in his room, away from the evils of the world

One last time, Isaac’s mom heard the voice of God calling to her: «You've done as I’ve asked!

But I still question your devotion to me!

To prove your faith, I will ask one more thing of you…»

«Yes, Lord, anything,» Isaac’s mother begged

«To prove your love and devotion, I require a sacrifice!

Your son, Isaac,

will be this sacrifice.

Go into his room, and end his life as an offering to

me to prove you love me above all else!»

«Yes, Lord,» she replied, grabbing a butcher’s knife from the kitchen

Isaac, watching through a crack in his door, trembled in fear.

Scrambling

around his room to find a hiding place, he noticed a trapdoor to the basement

hidden under his rug.

Without hesitation, he flung open the hatch,

just as his mother burst through his door, and threw himself down into the

unknown depths below