Chapter 7
Nun

“Devorah, we’re not home! What happened? Why are we still here in this cave?” Benjamin searched for the dreidel, but it was gone.

The children crawled out and looked around. Something had changed. The camp was now well-organized, as if it had been there for a long time.

Before they could figure it out, two teens burst into view.

Devorah stared at them. They looked familiar. Suddenly Benjamin shouted, “Simon! Shoshana!”

“Devorah, Benjamin, you’ve returned!’ cried Shoshana.

“Returned?” said Devorah. “We never left. But, you both look . . . older.”

Simon spoke. “I’m fifteen now, and Shoshana is twelve. But you haven’t aged at all. What magic do you possess that keeps you from aging?”

Devorah explained about the dreidel. “It’s a top that spins around. There are four Hebrew letters on it. A Shin, a Nun, a Hey, and a Gimmel. They stand for ‘a great miracle happened there.’ You know—it’s part of the holiday . . . of Hanukkah.”

Simon’s voice rose. “Your story is nonsense. There’s no holiday called Hanukkah.”

Devorah pulled her brother aside. “The Hanukkah story is happening right now. It hasn’t become a holiday yet.”

“Oh, yeah. You’re right.” Benjamin bit his lip. “How do we convince them our story is true?”

Simon looked around. “And where is this magic spinning toy of yours? Show me how it works,” he demanded.

“It . . . it disappears after we spin it,” Benjamin said.

Simon’s eyes narrowed.

Shoshana walked over to Benjamin. “So if you find it, will it take you back to another time?”

“We don’t really know,” Devorah answered. “I guess the dreidel moves us through time somehow. It took us to Modi’in when you all were leaving, and it brought us here now. It’s all very confusing. It’s two years later for you, but only a few seconds later for us. I can’t explain it.”

A group of Maccabees passed them. Benjamin turned to Simon. “What’s happening?” he asked. “Did the soldiers come like we said?”

“Your information was correct,” Shoshana said. “Judah and Jonathan discovered the soldiers of Antiochus were planning to attack us. But Judah was convinced you were spies when he returned and found you both gone.”

“I agree with Judah.” Simon crossed his arms over his chest. “You haven’t convinced me with your story of magic and this . . . dreidel . . .”

“But, Simon, they did save us from being captured by the soldiers . . . or worse.”

Simon sighed. “My sister is right. Whatever you are, your warning gave us enough time to organize our army.”

“So Mattisyahu and his men are winning?” asked Benjamin.

“Not Mattisyahu. He died bravely in battle. His son Judah, leads us now.” Simon stood up, pushing out his chest. “I’m a soldier now. And Shoshana helps care for the injured.”

“But you’re not a grown-up! Why are you fighting?” Devorah asked.

“Antiochus has sent too many soldiers. Everyone who is thirteen and older has to fight. Even younger children help by serving food or cleaning up,” said Shoshana.

“Our battle is critical,” said Simon. “If we don’t win this war, everyone will be forced to worship as the ruling king demands. We battle for the freedom to follow our traditions. We fight for the Jewish people, and for all other people as well.”

Simon picked up his sword. “I must go. My help is needed on the field.”

“The Maccabees are winning, aren’t they?” asked Devorah.

Simon stopped. “Unfortunately, we’re not doing well. There are too many enemy soldiers!”

“Wait!” Benjamin jumped up. “I know what you can do!”