“The
Holiest of the Holies has bestowed upon me, a humble man, the ability
to see who here is truly one with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!”
The preacher boomed through the crumbling chapel.
His
audience was held in his gaze, listening with rapt attention. The
Preacher's sermons were never to be missed. In the most literal of
meanings. To miss one was to be deemed a sinner, and sinners were
given over to Annabelle.
“We
have amongst us a Heretic! A self proclaimed man of 'Science' who is
trying to cure this plague of God. He believes that he can undo what
the Lord himself has sent the angels to smite the wicked with!”
The
crowd shifted uneasily. They knew what was coming. Heretics were
burned at the stake. They were treated like witches of olden days.
The
Preacher walked out from behind his podium beginning to quote
Revelations 21:8.
“ But
as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers,
the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their
portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is
the second death.”
With
every word his passion grew until he was shouting to the heavens with
his hands raised. Behind him, a man was walking bound and gagged.
However for some reason he was smiling An eerie smile.
As
the congregation followed the preacher they began to sing about how
great is the glory of the Lord. Slowly they made their way to where
there was a giant circle in the middle of a dense forest, and in that
circle was a burned out area of vegetation where nothing grew.
There
they saw the giant metal stake that all heretics were tied to and
burned. A simultaneous shudder went through the crowd as the thought
of burning flesh went through their minds. But they could not argue
with the Preacher. He was their leader. And Annabelle was the
ultimate punishment.
She
was after all the only asymptomatic carrier of the disease found.
However she could pass it on with a touch, a kiss, a sneeze or a
cough, and with 48 hours you would be dead. The pastor loved using
her, and the pastor loved her, so much so he made her his wife.
Although, as far as the congregation could tell it was sheerly in
name only.
“Tie
him to the stake!” The Preacher commanded from the crowd.
Several
people rushed to do the bidding, and the mans grin grew wider as he
began sweating profusely. They then placed the tinder and lit it on
fire.
It
was only then that the Preachers eyes noticed that the man was
laughing through his gag. As well as something else. The man was not
wearing a shirt and under his arms were black lumps.
“Disperse.
Immediately!” The Preacher shouted!
“You
three.” He pointed at the ones who had trussed up the scientist
“Put him out NOW”
They
looked confused, but did as the Preacher instructed and used the
buckets of water they had brought for an emergency and put out the
newly started flames.
The
rest of the congregation was in absolute pandemonium running in every
direction unsure why the Preacher had shouted to run, but were doing
so at his instruction.
“Shut
up” The Preacher shouted. Losing his composure for a moment.
Everyone quieted down.
“If
you have been in contact with the Heretic I want you to stand here.”
He pointed to a tree. “It is time for a test of faith. It would
seem our good scientist was infected all along.” About five people
stood by the tree shaking wildly.
“If
you do not show symptoms withing the hour you will be free to leave,
if you do, well we will leave you out here to suffer with the
scientist. Your faith in God is not something that should come and
go.”
The
Preacher went on with ferocity. His passion lit a different kind of
fire while the rest of the congregation stayed as far away from the
five people as they could. Slowly one by one, they began coughing.
Until only one man remained standing.
“Ah
Simon, You are still standing strong. You may rejoin the us.” The
man walked forward slowly with relief flooding his body.
“The
rest of you must begin praying for forgiveness at this moment, We
will pray that the Lord has not already turned his face from you,
although I already believe it is too late. Goodbye.” with that the
preacher and his followers turned and walked away, leaving the the
four people and the scientist behind.
