Recap: Mrs. Cornwell visits and tells the girls about an upcoming ball and how they should get ready to be chosen by the king to be part of his entourage. Miri has no intention of going to any ball like that. Miri, Katie, and Sabrina are heading to meet with Rav Sarna in hopes that he can help Miri and Katie go to their correct time period.

“Your mother is so brave,” I said. “Doesn’t she worry about sending you on a long trip with the Inquisition everywhere?”

“My parents have strong emunah. My father was a tzadik. He always told me to help others and not be afraid. I try to follow his path to bless his memory. My mother does the same.”

I looked at this young girl with admiration. She was so kind and brave to risk her own safety for us and all the others she helped to rescue. I wondered whether, if I were in her position, I would have the courage to do what she did.

We headed out into the early March morning. The scent of lavender and honeysuckle filled the air. I prayed that Rabbi Sarna would see us and be able to help us.

Sabrina led us down a path. It was the same path I’d taken with Breindy to go to the carnival. Now, it was overgrown with vines and bushes. The path itself was just a dirt road, not the paved gravel path of the future. How long ago was that? It seemed like such a long time ago, and then I realized the strange thing was that it wasn’t a long time ago; it was a long time in the future. Thinking about that made my head spin.

Sabrina kept up a quick pace. Katie was able to keep pace with her, but I lagged behind. I gazed up at the olive trees that lined the path. The road was muddy. Spring poppies and lavender scented the air. Sunlight sparkled on the greenery and the trees surrounding us.

“Hurry.” Sabrina waved for me to catch up. It was beautiful here, if only I were here just for a nature walk.

I hurried ahead.

“Do you think he’ll see us?” I asked Sabrina. I was breathing hard as I tried to keep up with the quick walking pace.

“Yes, I’m sure he will. Daven that he’ll help you.”

We walked on until the sun was high in the sky and beat down on us.

All of a sudden, Katie let out a yelp. “Look!”

An animal was standing a few feet from us. It was turning its snout to the right and the left. It looked like a pig, only it was much larger, and it was black and furry, not pink.

“It’s a wild boar,” Sabrina whispered. “Don’t move. Shhh!”

The wild pig had a mane adorning its back and pointy teeth protruding from its mouth.

“Are they dangerous?” I whispered.

“Shh!”

The answer was obvious. If it wasn’t dangerous, we would have kept on walking.

The boar lifted its head and gazed around. I prayed it wouldn’t notice us.

Sabrina whispered in my ear. “There aren’t so many dangerous animals in these woods, but if a boar feels cornered, it could attack. The males with the manes are more aggressive.”

Great! My heart pounded in my ears. Go away, boar. Please, Hashem, take him away.

I thought of advice I’d learned at summer camp if you happened upon a bear. You shouldn’t run because they can always outrun you. You have to stand tall and tell the bear you’re human. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to follow such advice, but what were you supposed to do with wild pigs?

We were following Sabrina’s lead, which was to stay perfectly still.

The wild pig gazed around as if it was taking in the scenery.

Katie squeezed my hand. “What’ll make it go away?”

“Daven!” I whispered.

That minute, the beast turned toward me.

I swallowed. I kept my gaze away from him. I didn’t want him to notice me.

My heart was thudding.

I davened for help.

 To be continued…

 Susie Garber is the author of 11 popular Jewish books, including her newly released historical fiction novel The Blizzard (Menucha 2026) and recently published novel Captured (Menucha 2025). She is also the current news editor of Binyan Magazine.