BROKEN INNOCENCE

The congregation murmurs excitedly as they wait for the service to begin. Kira, sitting in the front row, watches the door expectantly.

Church Member 1: (whispering to another)

I hear the new pastor is from the city. They say he's got a real gift for preaching.

Church Member 2: (nodding) And he's bringing his family too. A wife and two little girls. They're supposed to be a beautiful family.

The doors open, and Pastor Jonathan enters with Milah and their daughters. The room quiets as everyone turns to look.

Kira: (whispering to herself) That must be him.

Pastor Jonathan walks confidently to the front of the church, his deep voice filling the room as he greets the congregation.

Pastor Jonathan: Good morning, everyone. My family and I are truly blessed to be here with you today. I'm Pastor Jonathan, and this is my wife Milah and our daughters. We're excited to be a part of this wonderful community.

Milah smiles warmly at the congregation, while their daughters stand shyly beside her.

Milah: (softly) Thank you for welcoming us so warmly.

The congregation murmurs in approval, impressed by the family's presence.

Kira: (whispering to herself) He seems so... powerful.

As the service begins, Pastor Jonathan's voice takes on a commanding tone. His sermon is passionate, filled with references to faith, renewal, and the journey ahead.

Pastor Jonathan: We are all on a path together, guided by the hand of God. And it is my honor to walk this path with you, to lead you as we seek His will for our lives.

Kira listens intently, her admiration for the new pastor growing with each word.

Kira: (thinking) He speaks with such authority... I've never heard anyone like him.

After the service, Pastor Jonathan approaches Kira, who is still seated in the front row, lost in thought.

Pastor Jonathan: (smiling) You must be Kira. I've heard a lot about you-how dedicated you are to the church.

Kira: (blushing) Thank you, Pastor. I... I just want to serve God the best I can.

Pastor Jonathan: (nodding) That's a noble desire. I see great potential in you, Kira. Perhaps we can work together to help you grow in your faith.

Kira's eyes widen with excitement.

Kira: I would love that, Pastor Jonathan.

Milah, standing nearby, watches the interaction closely. She notices the way her husband's gaze lingers on Kira, but says nothing, offering only a polite smile as Kira looks her way.

Milah: (softly) It's nice to meet you, Kira. Jonathan has spoken highly of you.

Kira: (smiling) Thank you, Mrs. Jonathan. I'm really looking forward to learning from him.

Kira sits nervously in Pastor Jonathan's office. The room is dimly lit, with a single lamp casting a soft glow on the pastor's desk. Pastor Jonathan, a man in his mid-thirties, leans forward with a warm smile, his Bible open in front of him.

Pastor Jonathan: (gently) Kira, do you know why I called you here today?

Kira: (shaking her head slightly) No, Pastor. But I'm always ready to learn.

Pastor Jonathan: (nodding approvingly) That's what I admire about you, Kira. Your willingness to grow, your hunger for God. It's rare to find someone as dedicated as you at such a young age.

Kira blushes slightly, feeling the warmth of his praise.

Kira: (softly) Thank you, Pastor. I just want to do what's right in God's eyes.

Pastor Jonathan: (his tone becoming more intense) And you will, Kira. You have a special calling, a divine purpose. God has shown me that you are like Esther, chosen for something greater.

Kira's eyes widen in surprise. The comparison to Esther, the biblical queen, makes her feel both honored and anxious.

Kira: (hesitantly)Esther? But Pastor, I'm just... I'm just me. How can I compare to someone like her?

Pastor Jonathan: (leaning closer, his voice low and persuasive) Because God has ordained it, Kira. Esther didn't know her purpose at first, either. She was just a young girl, like you. But God brought her to the king for a reason, and she saved her people because she obeyed His will.

Kira shifts uncomfortably in her seat, the unease creeping back. She remembers the way his hand lingered on her shoulder last week, the way he looked at her that made her feel... something wasn't right.

Kira: (nervously) I want to follow God's will, Pastor. But... what exactly does that mean for me?

Pastor Jonathan's smile deepens, though there's something unsettling about it. He reaches across the desk, placing his hand over hers.

Pastor Jonathan: (firmly) It means trusting me, Kira. Trusting that God has a plan for us. You and I, we're connected. Just as Esther was chosen to replace Vashti, you have been chosen to stand by my side, to fulfill a role that only you can.

Kira's heart races. She feels trapped between her reverence for Pastor Jonathan and the nagging sense that something is terribly wrong.

Kira: (voice trembling) But... Pastor, I don't understand. Are you saying that... that I...?

Pastor Jonathan: (interrupting, his grip on her hand tightening) Shh, Kira. Don't doubt what God has shown us. You're too precious, too important to question this. Just trust in His plan.

Kira's mind swirls with confusion and fear. She's always believed that her life belongs to God, that she would marry the man He chose for her. But is this what He wants?

Kira: (whispering) "But Pastor... is this really God's will? Or...?

Pastor Jonathan's eyes flash with something dark, but he quickly hides it behind a gentle smile.

Pastor Jonathan: (reassuringly) Of course it is, Kira. Don't you trust me? Don't you trust God?

Kira nods, but deep down, the unease only grows stronger. As she leaves the office, she can't shake the feeling that she's walking down a path she doesn't fully understand a path that feels more like a trap with every step she takes.

Kira standing in the hallway, her mind a storm of doubts and fears. The question lingers in the air, almost like a whisper:

Kira: (to herself, in a small voice) Is this really God's will... or am I just being deceived?