Army of True Salvation

Sheloah went to the balcony of their room, catching some fresh air. Veon had just finished bathing as well when he saw her outside.

Veon came to the balcony then gave Sheloah a hug. This startled the girl, but she did not push him away.

"I'm sorry, Sheloah," he said and Sheloah looked at him, Veon still embracing her.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I couldn't do anything for your mother," Veon answered and Sheloah shook her head.

"You don't have to blame yourself, Veon. She wanted to protect me."

Veon released Sheloah from his embrace then he sighed, feeling suddenly blue.

"I was… so worried to death."

This made Sheloah curious.

"About what?"

Veon couldn't look at her.

"You were in trouble, too. But I was just standing there, feeling helpless that I couldn't get to you," he said, making Sheloah look at him.

"What if Kreiss wasn't there, who would rescue you? Even your uncle was surrounded a while ago. I wasn't quick enough to think about something and I let my anxiety eat me. I don't want to admit it, but if it wasn't for Kreiss, you would've…"

Veon could not finish it, but Sheloah understood what he meant. Veon was about to cry when suddenly, he left Sheloah alone on the balcony and went inside the room.

Sheloah sighed, feeling conflicted about her feelings. Two boys started showing their affection towards her and she kind of find it tiring, especially now that she's feeling depressed about her mother.

Sheloah looked at the sky then wished she could've slept beside her mother one last time. She closed her eyes as tears started escaping from her tired eyes once more.

She remembered the song her mother used to sing when her grandfather, her mother's father, died. It was a song for Jesus, but her mother also dedicated that to her father.

The song was entitled "His Eye is On the Sparrow" by Lauryn Hill featuring Tanya Blount. Until now, Sheloah still knew the lyrics of the song since the composition touched her heart during her grandfather's burial.

Sheloah inhaled and exhaled, then decided to sing. She now wanted to dedicate that song to her mother.

Why should I feel discouraged

Why should the shadows come

Why should my heart feel lonely

And long for heaven and home

Sheloah was trying her best to stop crying so she could sing properly. Her heart started aching again as she remembered her memories with her mother.

When Jesus is my portion

A constant friend He is

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know He watches over me

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know He watches over me

She wiped her tears away, then paused to calm herself down. She continued singing even though her voice started breaking in sobs.

I sing… because I'm happy

I sing… because I'm free

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know He watches over me

Sheloah was good at singing. Knowing that she was good at it made her cry more since her mother was a great singer herself. She inherited this talent from her. She considered it a gift since she would usually sing with her mother from time to time.

But now that she's gone… who would she sing with?

I sing… because I'm happy

I sing… because I'm free

Her eye is on the sparrow

And I know she watches over me

Jun and the other family members heard Sheloah sing on the balcony. All of them started hugging each other as they mourned on the loss of a family member.