Chapter 3

But his concubine played the harlot against him and went away from him to her father's house at Bethlehem of Judah, and was there four whole months.Judges 19:2

Six Months Later

"Come with me. We'll leave this place and go someplace new to live. You can leave that lout of a husband behind."

Adena wavered. This wasn't the first time Eli had asked her that. She had continued meeting him against her husband's wishes. Indeed, he didn't know about her meetings. There was just something about Eli that drew her. She hadn't meant anything by it at first, but was gradually drawn deeper into the web of deceit and deception. "No, I can't."

"Why?" Eli grabbed her arms; his voice growing louder as he spoke. "Why not?"

"I just can't. Not yet." Adena covered her face in her hands and fled.

"Where were you today?" Arvad glared at Adena.

"I was picking flowers to brighten the house."

"There's not many for you being out so long picking them."

"I had a hard time finding them." Adena's defense sounded weak to her own ears.

"What were you really doing?" Arvad's eyes were fairly glowing with rage.

"I told you! Why can't you believe me?"

"Because once I saw you meeting with that no good Eli when you were supposedly doing something else!"

"Spy!" Adena glared at Arvad. "I can't live with you any more! I'm leaving!" She made good her promise when she whirled around and started stuffing her few possessions into a bag. "Don't follow me, Arvad. I don't want you near me!"

Arvad followed Adena to the door. "Please, don't go let's work this out."

"No. I do not wish to see you again." Adena sung around with her long hair flying out behind her. "Slicha." (Forgive me)

Arvad watched in despair as Adena disappeared into the forest. "No matter what Adena. I will find you."

"Eli!"

"Adena?" Eli asked in genuine surprise. "What are you doing back here so soon? I would have thought you were back with Arvad lapping up his goodness."

"Eli, I changed my mind. I'm going to come with you."

"I'm all packed. We can leave at the crack of dawn."

"Tomorrow morning? Where am I going to spend the night?" Adena stepped back, uncertain for the first time.

"Why here of course!" Eli stared at Adena. "You're not going to back out now are you?"

"No, of courses not." Adena stubbornly pushed away her doubts at hearing Eli's faint mocking. "I'll stay."

"I'm so glad that I don't have to walk. I'm tired as it is."

"Adena, it was my pleasure." Eli finished eating his food that night by the campfire. "Another couple days and we'll be in our new home."

"Right now we are less than a days journey away from my father's house." Adena looked thoughtfully in that direction.

"Who cares about your family? You have me."

"I guess you're right." Adena looked down at her plate. "Still, it would be nice to see my family."

"Would they want to see you after all that you have done?" Eli asked sarcastically.

"Probably not. My dad would tell me to go right back to my husband and beg his forgiveness."

"See? They're old fashioned. We are in a new age."

"I guess so."

Later that night Adena was awakened by something not quite right. "Eli?" she whispered. She looked around in the pitch-black night and thought she saw some movement. Not feeling brave she crept out of her blanket and crawled into the underbrush.

Not to soon, either. With yells bandits swooped down onto their camp. Hidden, Adena could only helplessly watch as they slaughtered Eli and began to go through their stuff. Not finding much more than a pouch of gold, they nudged Eli's dead body into the ravine and left.