The Salty city Predator

Chapter 8

Jim enters the church compound by the gate while Geoffrey goes to the shore as they had agreed. Jimmy is lucky not to find the guard the compound has been swept clean, and the serene environment is perfect for the service today. The bishop’s latest model automobile is the only vehicle in the compound occupying a reserved parking slot, and someone dressed in security uniform wiping the massive machine instead of manning the gate and Jim gets a chance to pass without any hitches. The bishop has already arrived early to avoid the traffic jam so as to prepare a perfect summon and to go over the offering books to make sure everything is in order. The Bishop lives in a rented apartment by the church in the other side of town where other affluent members of the city reside, while the church is surrounded by the slums on all sides and the sea on one side. The guard is wiping the dirt and filth that the slum potholes may have splashed on the vehicle. A janitor is busy finishing cleaning the toilets and does not notice Jim limping across the compound into the church. Jim heads straight for the altar and kneels and starts praying silently the feeling of talking to God overwhelms him that he forgets everything else he talks to the father of orphans and tells him everything he had to say. There is no one in the church compound since it’s too early. The night guard left the church open after he ended his shift. The other faithful's soon start entering the church and take their seats. They are surprised to see a boy in tattered clothes in the church. Jim continues praying and now has to lay flat on the floor due to his weak legs, cannot stand his weight. Jim was interrupted by murmurs from the congregation only to wake up to see a hundred eyes all staring at me including the bishop’s assistants who looked at me as if it was the devil himself and tried to ask me who I was, but I had no courage to answer back. This showing that he is not wanted here, the altar boys would avoid him as they passed to prepare the sanctuary for service. They were all asking what the sinful of sinner was doing in the Lord's sanctuary. Jim timidly walks out of the church with his limping legs, and some people from the congregation followed him outside.

Geoffrey now was near the church he had grown tired of waiting for Jim because he had overstayed in the church. He was now standing at a particular strategic point near the fence where he could see anyone leaving and entering the church and could be able to call his brother once he spotted him. He suddenly sees Jim limping out of the church with a crowd following behind him.

“That is the urchin who took my purse at the market the other day” a particular woman entering the church compound through the gate shouted.

“Yes he is among the thieves that terrorize us,” some other people concur with her as they enter the church compound.

Jim tries to walk fast towards the gate but he almost surrounded by the curious crowd from the church still following and by the other hostile members entering by the gate completely bar him from leaving the church compound. He tries to avoid the crowd by moving towards the gap that is not occupied only to end up against the perimeter wall completely cornered.” I am here to see the Bishop! I am here to see the bishop! He invited me!”  He shouted he could recognize some of them who were friends of his mother when they congregated here.

“Let’s teach him a lesson he is trying to steal from our church,” others shout.

They start throwing stones at Jim, but he keeps blocking as the rocks are descending on him. He tries as hard as he can to ignore the pain and the rocks but there reached a time when Jim could not stand on his feet anymore, and he fell but kept struggling to shield his head. The crowd now move closer and surrounded him. Now stones were descending on him from every side with more accuracy and precision making him helpless as other are now kicking him and blood is oozing from all over. The bishop in his office hears some commotion and shouting in what should be a perfect Sunday. Instead of hearing the sound of the piano and the singing of the praise team. He gets out of his office behind the church and finds no-one either in the feistily and in church but see his congregation outside throwing stones. The confused bishop tries to make his way through the crowd to reach Jim and to stop his congregation from killing him. Geoffrey was watching everything happening to his brother and could not bear it anymore. He quickly runs towards the church gate to rescue Jim.

Now Geoffrey had entered the church compound and made his way through the crowd and lay on his twin brother shielding him from the stones but Jim kept saying save yourself run. Geoffrey had taken some of the stones, but now the bishop had managed to make his way through the crowd, and he also took some hits after which the crowd stopped throwing the stones.

“Geoffrey I have gone to see mum we will look after you from up there in heaven,” Jimmy said as he closed his eyes and took his last breath.

“No! No! Don’t die on me Jim,” Geoffrey cries out loudly. “Don’t leave me alone” Geoffrey continues crying trying to force his identical twin brother to wake-up as if he were sleeping.

The bishop tries to hold Geoffrey with an aim to comfort him as the congregation watch. They are now confused of the boy they have stoned to death and an identical one who holds him.

Don’t touch me you Satan. The bishop shamefully withdraws his hand. He came to you without food, shelter, and clothing and you killed him. What was his crime, just because he has no one and from the streets? His offense was coming to church to thank the one who is the father of the orphans. Isn’t it written that who has no sin to throw the first stone? (Tears flow down Geoffrey’s face) .It is also written that no one should judge because he has not been sentenced. You have killed the only person I had you will never have peace my father’s house is now a house full of murderers and thieves like you. Kill me! Kill me, please! I have no one else to live for. Kill me, please! You are all wolves hiding under sheep’s skin. Kill me too.

I am sorry am the one who invited your brother to our sanctuary after I found him in the cells. I wanted to help you two I was once your church school teacher when your mum used to bring you to the church. Forgive these people for they do not know what they were doing. I don’t see how the devil came over them. I meant well, am innocent please do not place the blood of your brother on my hands. It’s all on them. (The bishop looks at his flock with sharp accusing eyes while the crowd timidly look away and none of them are bold enough to face him.

You are the too fast to wash your hand clean off my brother blood, and you dare call this a sanctuary? I accuse you of inviting him to his execution and having your congregation grant him his death sentence. If it were not for you, he would still be alive, and the fault does not lie on the stray sheep but lie with you the shepherd. He was better off alive in prison than dead on your sanctuary. This church is no longer a place for prayers but a den of murderers and thieves.

(The whole crowd looks at him helplessly and they are filled with guilt. Geoffrey takes his brother’s body on his shoulders and walks out of the church and towards the sea leaving behind an embarrassed crowd. The bishop in his career has never been so humiliated by an urchin in torn clothes, he is used to a flock who always agree with his teachings without question. He looks at his white priestly lobes that are now stained with blood from the incident and quickly goes into his office to hide. The church members leave one after the other, today no sermon or service. The street boy had delivered a perfect sermon and every one including his worship the bishop was present.)