Read The Sands of Time for Free Online Page B

refectory.
    Sister Graciela approached the group, staring in wonder at the wild confusion around her.
    The men were getting more and more violent, smashing everything in sight. Colonel Acoca watched them approvingly.
    Lucia turned to Megan and Graciela. “I don’t know about you two, but I’m getting the hell out of here. Are you coming?”
    They stared at her, too dazed to respond.
    Sister Teresa was hurrying toward them, carrying something wrapped in a piece of canvas. Some of the men were herding more nuns into the refectory.
    “Come on,” Lucia said.
    Sisters Teresa, Megan, and Graciela hesitated for a moment, then followed Lucia toward the huge front door. As they turned at the end of the long corridor, they could see that it had been smashed in.
    A man suddenly appeared in front of them. “Going somewhere, ladies? Get back. My friends have plans for you.”
    Lucia said, “We have a gift for you.” She picked up one of the heavy metal candlesticks that lined the hallway tables and smiled.
    The man was looking at it, puzzled. “What can you do with that?”
    “This.” Lucia swung the candelabrum against his head, and he fell to the ground, unconscious.
    The three nuns stared in horror.
    “Move!” Lucia said.
    A moment later Lucia, Megan, Graciela, and Teresa were outside in the front courtyard, hurrying through the gate into the starry night.
    Lucia stopped. “I’m leaving you now. They’re going to be searching for you, so you’d better get away from here.”
    She turned and started toward the mountains that rose in the distance, high above the convent. I’ll hide out up there until the search cools off and then I’ll head for Switzerland. Of all the rotten luck. Those bastards blew a perfect cover.
    As Lucia made her way toward higher ground, she glanced down. From her vantage point she could see the three sisters. Incredibly, they were still standing in front of the convent gate, like three black-clad statues. For God’s sake, she thought. Get the hell out of there before they catch you. Move!
    They could not move. It was as though all their senses had been paralyzed for so long that they were unable to take in what was happening to them. The nuns stared down at their feet. They were so dazed they could not think. They had been cloistered for so long behind the gates of God, secluded from the world, that now that they were outside the protective walls, they were filled with feelings of confusion and panic. They had no idea where to go or what to do. Inside, their lives had been organized for them. They had been fed, clothed, told what to do and when to do it. They had lived by the Rule. Suddenly there was no Rule. What did God want from them? What was His plan? They stood huddled together, afraid to speak, afraid to look at one another.
    Hesitantly, Sister Teresa pointed to the lights of Ávila in the distance and signed, That way. Uncertainly, they began to move toward the town.
    Watching them from the hills above, Lucia thought: No, you idiots! That’s the first place they’ll look for you. Well, that’s your problem. I have my own problems. She stood there a moment, watching them walk toward their doom, going to their slaughter. Shit
    Lucia scrambled down the hill, stumbling over the loose scree, and ran after them, her cumbersome habit slowing her down.
    “Wait a minute,” she called. “Stop!”
    The sisters stopped and turned.
    Lucia hurried up to them, out of breath. “You’re going the wrong way. The first place they’ll search for you is in town. You’ve got to hide out somewhere.”
    The three sisters stared at her in silence.
    Lucia said impatiently, “The mountains. Get up to the mountains. Follow me.”
    She turned and started back toward the mountains. The others watched, and after a moment they began to trail after her, one by one.
    From time to time Lucia looked back to make sure they were following. Why can’t I mind my own business? she thought. They’re not my