part two: Thursday

Cleopas stopped under a tree; the women joined him. Thursday afternoon was fading fast. "We're not doing very well; I don't think we'll make it today. Tomorrow morning, I guess. Let's see if we can make it to Bethany before dark. We have some friends there."

It was after sunset and nearly dark by the time they made it to Bethany. "Lazarus lives here," Mary Cleopas said. "His sisters, too. We can stay with them." But no one was home. Cleopas went to the next house to ask. When he called a greeting, a stooped and elderly woman appeared. "Lazarus?" she said, looking suspiciously at Cleopas. "They haven't come home." She came outside, looking at the two Marys. "You friends of his? Some of those Galileans? A crowd of them have been here all week, all following that Jesus fellow."

"Yes, ma'am. I am Jesus' mother; this is my sister. These are friends. And yes, we are from Galilee."

"They left this morning. I figure they went into the city, like they've done every other day." She shook her head. "Strange they haven't come back." With a harrumph, she turned her back on them and went inside.

It was clear that they had no friends in Bethany. They went to the edge of town and in the moonlight set up camp near an olive grove, sheltered by the trees from what had become a chilly north wind. Without lighting a fire, the four of them ate in silence, and lay down for the night.

Mary tossed fitfully, unable to sleep. A darkness had been growing on her since midday, and now it was stifling. The full moon was at the zenith; midnight. She lay wide awake, dread heavy on her. As if from a great distance, she saw him. He was alone, on his knees, a tiny speck in the darkness. He was saying something, praying. She could not make out the words or see anything clearly, but she knew he was in trouble.

Now she was in labor, propped up on a pile of hay. Joseph was there, helping her as best he could. Why now? Why here, in a stable? "God wouldn't do this to us," she thought. Had she made it all up, the angel, Elizabeth, all of it? The pain came, long, and stronger than ever. She pushed... of a sudden, it was no longer Joseph between her legs waiting for the baby... it was some kind of beast... a dragon, red and hideous. Its mouth was open, gigantic, a forest of sharp teeth, slavering foam like a mad dog she had once seen. "Come to us.... Yes.... come to us...." the voice came. Or voices; it seemed like many voices, all coming from the dragon. At first, Mary thought it spoke to her. No; it wanted her child.... "We will bind you forever...." And she could do nothing to save him. The dragon opened its mouth wider still, its breath a freezing gale, stinking of rotten flesh. All of her, body and soul, was in agony. She felt the baby's head pass through into birth.... the dragon's mouth was blackness, dizzying and vast.... "No!!!!! No!!!!" she screamed, seeing the dragon's eyes, its hunger as it prepared to swallow the child....

Salome shook her by the shoulders. "Mary! Mary! Wake up!" Mary was panting, drenched with sweat. "Are you all right? You were screaming," Salome said. Mary nodded; it was all she could manage. Salome sat beside her and held her as she trembled. Cleopas and his wife were there too; Mary Cleopas sat by Mary and helped hold her, Cleopas sat on the ground facing them.

Mary whispered, "He's in trouble."