It had been three months since Zack came back home. The atmosphere was tense during breakfast. His father broke the silence and finally addressed him. ‘You need to find something to do with your time. You can't hide from the world forever,’ he said. His father is the one who secured his release from prison. Being a wealthy and well connected man, he could have even ensured that he didn't have to set foot in that cell. But Zack knew that he left him there as punishment. ‘Can’t you get him a small job in one of your companies?’ his mother asked. His father never responded. This only made Zack angrier than he already was. ‘I’ll get something to do.’ he said coldly as he excused himself from the table. The relationship between Zack and his father had always been strained and volatile. His father had always had high expectations for him as the only child, and all Zack did was disappoint him. Things became fractured when he was caught selling drugs and was sentenced to five years in prison. Being his father's son, he only stayed there for a month. He was convinced that his father had hi

m released for the sake of his own reputation. Not because he cared about him. Zack went to meet up with one of his old friends. After all, his father was right. He couldn't stay in hiding forever. His friends were more than enthusiastic to receive him. After some banter about his brief stint in prison, he got to the point. ‘I want back in,’ Zack stated. His friends were shocked. Why would a soft boy like him want to take another risk that would put him behind bars for years? Even they wouldn't attempt to get back into the game so soon after being released. ‘I just need something to keep me busy,’ he said. His friends reluctantly agreed to help him out. The next day Zack began doing the usual rounds. When he went back home he found his mother waiting for him in his room. ‘I've heard that you're hanging out with your old friends again.’ His face burned with shame. His mother was the only person who ever really bothered to understand him. He knew that she genuinely loved and cared for him. She never once looked down on him. Whether he failed at school or got in trouble with a n

eighbour’s child. She was always there for him. ‘Why don't you turn your life around?Do you think that you're headed down the right path? Give your life to God. Pray and He will deliver you from this turmoil. Life is too short, and the way you're living yours may just make it shorter,’ she added. Something snapped in Zack when he heard about prayer. ‘Ma, I'm moving out tomorrow. You and dad won't have to see my face again. I will rid

The easiest way to get up on your feet is to get down on your knees.

you of the shame I have brought since I was a child,’ he responded bitterly. ‘My son, we have always loved you. Regardless of your actions. Think about what I've said. Connect to God. The password is prayer. He will help you where no one else can.’ his mother told him as she left the room. The next day Zack left when his parents were still asleep. He took a few clothes and went to stay with his friends who received him with excitement. They agreed that they would host a house party that evening. It was to officially welcome Zack to the crew and also sell drugs to the high school students who had come home for the holidays. ‘These are our best customers,’ one of his friends said. Although Zack felt uncomfortable selling to minors, he had no choice but to pretend that he was just as excited as everyone else. But nothing could shake the bad feeling that was brewing in the pit of his stomach. Evening finally came. The house slowly started filling up with all kinds of people. The music was blaring. And in a few minutes the atmosphere was nothing but noise and smoke. Business was doing good and everybody was enjoying themselves. That was until gunshots rent the air and chaos took over. The shift from laughter to pandemonium was instantaneous, and everything happened so fast but it was somehow all in slow motion. Zack was in the back room cutting up the drugs when he heard the screams. He quickly jumped out the window and ran as fast as he could. Suddenly he felt a piercing pain on his back. And only when he fell on his knees did he realize what had happened. As his vision turned from red to white, he remembered his mother's words, ‘Connect to God. The password is prayer. He will help you where no one else can.’ Then everything went blac