cover
Inside the school foyer at dusk, lightning flashes through tall windows, casting blue light on Eman clutching Zuzu to his chest while Zeke Lee grins beside him, fists raised as they declare their 'Armor Squad.'
Thunder rumbled after school. Eman hugged Zuzu, his stuffed monkey. "My tummy feels noisy," he whispered. Zeke grinned beside him. "Let’s be the Armor Squad!" "We’ll listen, breathe, and pray."
In a dim library corner lit by a small reading lamp, Eman sits cross-legged, eyes closed, Zuzu nestled against his knee, while Zeke Lee kneels opposite counting breaths on his fingers, rain streaking the nearby window.
They tucked into a quiet corner. Eman closed his eyes. "Rain and heartbeat," he whispered. Zuzu nestled close. "God, you are near," he prayed. "In, two, three; out, two, three," Zeke coached.
Under flickering fluorescent lights of the school hallway, Zeke Lee plants his feet, one arm raised like an invisible shield. Eman touches his chest with one hand while holding Zuzu, whose floppy paw is lifted in a salute.
The lights flickered; the hallway boomed. "Shield of faith up!" Zeke said. Eman touched his heart. "Belt of truth: I am loved." Zuzu saluted with a floppy paw.
On the school’s covered entrance steps at twilight, gentle rain taps the concrete as Eman cradles Zuzu and shares a grateful smile with Zeke Lee. Both boys touch their imaginary peace boots, heads bowed in quiet victory.
The storm softened to gentle taps. Eman smiled at Zeke. "Peace boots on," Zeke said. Zuzu rode in Eman’s arm. "We listened, breathed, prayed," Eman said. "Loved, protected, never alone," they whispered.
--:--
--:--
0/4