Gweg kept looking over his shoulder.
It was a Friday night and he was taking a walk with Sara. It had been a week since the Abortion-Mobile fiasco. And this particular week had been very stressful and nerve racking for Gweg.
Satyr had only spoke to him on one of those days. The others, Satyr would simply look at Gweg and laugh.
Gweg knew he was up to something, but he didn't know what.
He looked over at Sara. She looked stunning in the light of the sunset. She hadn't taken the news of Satyr's survival well. She had blamed Satyr for the recent tragedy in her life and had felt there was a certain justice at work when thought Satyr had died.
Gweg looked over his shoulder again. Sara caught him.
Sara: Worried he's following us?
Gweg: Yes.
It was only half true. It was mostly just paranoia causing him to keep a look out, but deep down inside, he knew that whatever Satyr was planning, was going to come when he least expected it.
Sara: He's not going to attack you out here, it's not his style. He's going to figure out a way to destroy something you love.
Gweg gave Sara a worried look. That was exactly what he was afraid of.
Gweg thought back to the other day, when Satyr had spoke to him.
Gweg was watching Bones when Satyr came out of his room. Satyr stood in front of the TV.
He held out a piece of paper in front of him.
Satyr: I've been working on this all day. I have established a set of rules.
Gweg: Rules? What are you talking about?
Satyr: Don't interrupt me. We are at war and these are the rules:
1. The apartment is Sacred Ground. We will not do anything to each other in the apartment. Everywhere else is fair game.
2: Besides the apartment, nothing is sacred.
That's all.
Gweg: It took you all day to come up with that?
Satyr: Yeah, get your laughs now while you still have the chance. Because I guarantee you Gweg, I will have my revenge. You're getting awfully close to Sara, aren't you?
Gweg became furious. He rose from the couch and walked over to Satyr.
Gweg: You leave her out of this. You've done enough to that poor woman.
Satyr cracked a grin.
Satyr: You don't know what you are getting yourself into, Gweg. She's trouble. I'll give you one last piece of advice; stay away from her.
Gweg: No, you stay away from her. You add that to your "rules". She's off limits.
Satyr: Sorry Gweg, there will be no amendments to the rules. They are final.
Satyr walked back towards his room. Before he went in, he yelled back at Gweg.
Satyr: Seriously Gweg, whatever you do, don't fall in love with her!
Gweg looked over at Sara and wondered what Satyr was playing at when he said that. He was obviously trying to screw with him.
The two of them arrived back at Sara's house.
Sara: Thanks for walking with me Gweg. Do you want to come inside for a glass of water?
Gweg: Sure.
Gweg followed her inside. She kept a nice house, clean and neat. Sara led him into the living room.
Sara: Have a seat. Make yourself at home. I'll go get that water.
She went into the kitchen. Gweg noticed her DVD collection. He looked over them, spotting many children's movies that were probably never going to be watched again. He also noticed a lot of Christian movies.
Sara came back into the room , holding two glasses of water. She handed one to Gweg.
Sara: Did you want to watch a movie? I'm up for one.
Gweg: Yeah, that would be great.
Sara: Pick one. I've probably seen most of them a dozen times or more. Val used to watch "Finding Nemo" two or three times a day after we got it.
Gweg could see the pain in Sara's eyes. He decided to pick out a movie that wasn't too funny or too sad. Something mediocre. He picked out Bruce Almighty.
Gweg: I haven't watched this one since it first came out.
Sara: That's' a good one. That reminds me, I wanted to ask you something. It's all right if you say no.
Gweg: What is it?
Sara: Will you come to church with me on Sunday? Val used to come with me and I don't feel like going alone.
Gweg could see that she really wanted him to go along. In fact, Gweg liked the idea. He thought going to church might set him on the right coarse towards redemption. Despite some of things he has done in the past.
Which reminded him of a dark little deed he and Satyr committed. Gweg felt tremendous shame when he thought about it.
Gweg: Yeah. I'll go with you.
Sara: Thank you Gweg. I really appreciate it. It's going to be weird. I usually teach the Sunday School after church services. But not this week, this week they insisted I take it off. They said they had a good substitute.
They watched the movie. They both sat on the couch. Half way through, Sara positioned her self so she was snuggled up next to Gweg. He put his arm around her.
By the end of the movie, they had begun to make out. Gweg ended up staying the night.
Gweg arrived back at the apartment the next morning, happier than he has ever been. The smile that had been on faced cleared when he walked through the door.
Satyr was sitting on the couch, reading the newspaper. he didn't even bother to put it down when he addressed Gweg.
Satyr: Where the hell have you been?
Gweg: What's it to you?
Satyr threw the paper down next to him. He spoke to Gweg with contempt in his voice.
Satyr: You were with her, weren't you? I warned you.
Gweg was doing his best not to let Satyr ruin his good mood.
Gweg: Yeah, so what? Being with her makes me feel good.
Satyr shook his head.
Satyr: You don't understand something, Gweg. I know you're thinking this going to be some storybook romance, but it's not. You're not going to get a "happily ever after" with her. You may have fucked her last night, but if you stay with her, you're going to be the one getting it put into you.
Gweg: I didn't fuck her last night. We both fell asleep on her couch. Not that's it's any of your business. And despite the fact that she was married to you, she is nothing like you. She's a good person. You were her mistake.
Satyr: Do you want to know the truth?
Gweg: No. I don't want to hear anything you have to say. You are just trying to make me paranoid. It's part of your revenge. So, just save it.
Gweg began to walk towards his room.
Satyr: She talked you into going to church, didn't she?
Gweg stopped in his tracks. He turned around.
Gweg: How do you know about that?
Satyr laughed.
Satyr: I was married to her. I know her tricks. She's an emotional manipulator, Gweg. You feel so much sympathy towards he because of that dead kid, and she'll use that to her advantage. See, she is a little like me after all.
Gweg: I doubt she does it on purpose. Besides, I think church is exactly what I need, after what we did.
Satyr: You need to be a bit more specific.
Gweg: When we went back in time and gave the Virgin Mary an abortion.
Satyr looked at Gweg, stunned.
Satyr: What in the holy hell are you talking about?
Gweg: You don't remember that? You built a time machine out of a refrigerator, we went back in time, killed the fetus of Jesus, came back, and found out that fetus survived and wanted to kill us. So, you killed it instead, put it in a jar, and tried to sell it on eBay.
Satyr began to laugh.
Satyr: Do you hear yourself? Did you pay attention to anything you just said? Because buddy, that was the craziest story I ever heard.
Gweg: It happened. I'll prove it to you! You've still got the Jesus fetus in your closet.
Gweg stormed off to Satyr's room.
Satyr: Stay out of my room!
Satyr took off after him.
Gweg got to the closet and started going through it. He didn't find what he was looking for.
Gweg: Where is it? I know you didn't sell it. What did you do with it?
Satyr walked over to his dresser and opened up the top drawer. He took out a small pill bottle.
Satyr: The answer is right here.
He shook the bottle. Gweg could hear the pills rattling inside.
Gweg: What are those?
Satyr: My own special concoction. Satyr acid, really. I slipped you some one day to test it out. You ran around the apartment, screaming "Fetus Christ is gonna get us! Get him with the nail gun!". I had a good laugh.
Gweg: You slipped me acid?
Satyr: Yeah. You imagined the whole thing.
Gweg: You son of a bitch. You god damned mother-fucking son of a bitch! This whole time, I kept thinking I was a Christ killer.
Satyr: You're not Jewish. Besides, that whole Christ thing is a fairy tale. Which is why you're going to be wasting your time at church.
Gweg walked out of the room.
Gweg: You fucking sicken me.
Satyr smiled.
Gweg's head was swimming. The whole thing had been a drug-induced hallucination. Gweg couldn't believe, he was angry that Satyr had drugged, but relieved at the same time.
Gweg felt like this was truly the start of a new beginning. He got on his knees and prayed.
After Gweg's got through praying, he called Sara.
Gweg: I am definitely on for church tomorrow.
Sara: I'm happy to hear that. You'll love this church. It's the church I've always wanted to get married in. Of course, Satyr didn't want to get married in a church, so I didn't get my chance.
Gweg: You deserve to have your dream wedding.
Sara: Thank you.
Gweg: And I wanted to tell you I had a great time last night.
Sara: Me too. After church tomorrow, would you like to accompany me on a picnic, since I'm off from my Sunday School duties.
Gweg: I'd love to.
Gweg spent the rest of the day catching up on some reading and thinking about the direction his life was going.
He felt he would have forgotten about his troubles, if hadn't been reminded of them every 40 minutes by the laughter that was coming out of Satyr's room.
Gweg didn't like having the threat of Satyr's retaliation hanging over him. He thought about walking into Satyr's room and asking for forgiveness, but he knew he had nothing to apologize for.
Not that it would probably do any good anyway. Satyr was hell bent on revenge.
Sunday morning came. Gweg got up, took a shower, and put in his finest clothes for church. He had grown more paranoid over the night and felt it might be best to plead with Satyr, to leave him alone for the day.
He went to Satyr's room and knocked on his door. No answer. He opened the door a little and peeked inside.
He didn't see Satyr anywhere.
Gweg thought he may have already left. He inhaled deeply and tried to brace himself for whatever might come today.
He was just glad to have Sara on his side. She managed to give him the strength he didn't know he had.
He called her up and hold her he was ready.
She picked him and they arrived at the church a half hour later.
The church was indeed beautiful. The service was magnificent. The Reverend, Thomas Hart, seemed to be a great man who really loved what he was doing. Before the service, people were coming up to Sara and expressing their sympathies. Gweg was glad that she brought him into a nice group of people.
20 minutes after the service was over. They went to the store to pick up supplies for their picnic.
Around that same time, the Sunday School Sara was supposed to teach was getting started.
The room the church had built for the School was the size of a small classroom. There were 15 kids attending, ages 8 to 12.
The Reverend's wife, who had put together the Sunday School, entered the room.
Mrs. Hart: Kid,s may I have your attention please? As some of you know from your parents, Miss Russell has been through a difficult time recently. The good Lord called her beloved daughter to be by his side in Heaven. So, Miss Russell will be taking some time off.
The kids let out a groan. Miss. Russell was their favorite teacher.
Mrs. Hart: Don't worry kids, we have found a great replacement for her. He is a very good man who know the Bible very well and will be more than happy to share his knowledge with you. I want you all to welcome, Mr. Applebee.
She held her hands out to the door that stood behind the kids. They all turned to look and let out a gasp. The man standing in the doorway was half man, half goat. In one hand, he held a briefcase. In the other, a grocery bag. Some of the kids became frightened.
Satyr got a sense of the room quickly. He hid his smile. As he walked towards the front of the class, he could feel the eyes of the kids following him.
He sat his things down on the desk and shook Mrs. Hart's hand. He looked over the room and stood at the podium in front of the class.
Satyr: Thank you Mrs. Hart, for that kind introduction.
Mrs. Hart gave Satyr a bow and made her way out of the classroom.
The kids stared at Satyr.
Satyr: If any of you kids have any questions for me, don't be afraid to ask.
On of the kids raised his hand. Satyr looked at the seating chart for the boy's name.
Satyr: Yes, Zakk, what's your question?
Zakk: Mr. Applebee...
Satyr raised up his hand to stop him.
Satyr: No, no ". Applebee", you kids can call me Mr. Satyr.
Zakk: Mr. Satyr, why do you look like the Devil?
Satyr held his head down and bit his tongue. It was all he could do to keep the laughter from coming out. After he was able to suppress it, he looked up at the kids.
Satyr: That's because I am the Devil.
The older kids let out a gasp. Some of the younger ones began to cry.
This time, Satyr did let out a laugh. But it was surprised laughter.
Satyr: What have they been telling you kids about me?
Zakk: You are evil and the enemy of God.
Satyr gave the kid a shocked look.
Satyr: Let me ask you kids something. Who created me?
One of the kids spoke out.
Jane: God?
Satyr smiled at her.
Satyr: That's right, God made me. Now, why would God make his own enemy? That's like Superman making Lex Luthor. Doesn't make much sense, does it?
Zakk: I guess not.
Satyr: That's right. Now, let me tell you why I am here. God sent me to your classroom, because he wants me to lead you all on a special mission.
The initial fears the children had when Satyr first entered were gone. The looked at him with awe.
Satyr: Now, I can't reveal to you what the entire mission is yet, but I will be able to tell you why we are doing it.
Satyr picked up the grocery bag and placed it on the podium.
Satyr: I hate to be the one to tell you this, but your teacher, Miss. Russell, is working for the Anti-Christ.
Satyr heard a couple of gasps from the kids. Some of the kids looked suspicious. Satyr knew how to real them in, but not just yet.
Satyr: I know what you are thinking. "Not Miss. Russell!" But sadly, it's true. You see, the Anti-Christ, has influenced her. That means he has taken over the way she thinks. In fact, you think Miss Russell is too busy crying about her dead kid to teach you kids today.. That's not true. She and the Anti-Christ are out having a picnic!
Zakk: Miss Russell wouldn't do something like that! She told us that she loves God.
Satyr: That may have been true, at one time. But she blames God for killing her daughter. And now she's hooked up with the big A.C. And I want you kids to listen closely to what I'm about to tell you.
Satyr could see their little heads strain forward. They were putty in his hands.
Satyr: The name of the Anti-Christ is Gweg.
The kids looked confused. Satyr wasn't worried.
Satyr: Let me tell you kids a story they left out of the Bible. The Jesus you all know and love, wasn't the first Jesus. He's the second. You see, the first time God impregnated the Virgin Mary, Gweg went back in time and gave her an abortion.
Satyr grabbed the top of the grocery sack and pulled it down over the canister that was inside. The kids let out a scream when they saw what was inside it.
Satyr: That's right kids. That is the aborted fetus of the first Jesus. I stole it from Gweg. He kept it in his house, like it was a trophy. God wants us to teach Gweg and Miss Russell a lesson.
One of the kids raised his hands.
Satyr: Yes.....Adam?
Adam: What do we have to do?
Satyr: First, we're going on a little field trip.
Gweg and Sara unfolded their blanket onto the grass.
This was the first time Gweg had ever been on a traditional outdoor picnic. It was a very pleasant day. It wasn't too hot and there was a gentle breeze.
Gweg: Thank you for taking me to your church.
Sara: You don't need to thank me. You were doing me the favor.
Gweg: I think we were both doing each other a favor.
Sara smiled. She sat upon the blanket and motioned for Gweg to do the same. The brought out their sandwiches and began to eat.
They sat in silence for a couple of moments. Gweg decided to break. He wanted to know more about her.
Gweg: So, do you have any brothers or sisters?
Sara: I have a sister. A twin. But, I haven't seen her in a long while.
Gweg: What happened to her?
Sara: She moved away. She was into...bad things. I've only seen her once since then. And that wasn't on very good terms.
Gweg just nodded. The poor girl has been through so much, he thought. And with that, his mind instant flashed to Satyr.
Gweg began to look around the park.
Sara: Are you looking for him?
Gweg nodded.
Sara: He's not going to ruin this. I won't let him.
Gweg wanted to change the subject.
Gweg: Tell me about the Sunday School. What's that like?
Sara smiled.
Sara: I love it.Being able to bring an understanding of God down to a child's level is so inspiraing. My sister, she was always anti-religion. She would make fun of me every time I read the Bible. Then when she left me, I felt like it was my fault, so I stopped reading it. Then Satyr came into my life. After I had Valerie and he left me, I felt like the time was right for me to set my life back on the right track. So, I picked up the Bible again and started going to church. I became friends with Mr. and Mrs. Hart and she asked me if I wanted to be a part of some of the church activities. I ended up teaching the Sunday School. And the kids I teach are so wonderful. I have so much fun teaching them.
Gweg: The kids must really like you.
Sara: They do. They are probably devastated that I didn't show up today.
Gweg heard a low rumbling. He turned his head towards the distance it was coming from. He saw a small brown school bus.
Gweg: Looks like we are going to have some company.
Sara squinted at the bus.
Sara: That's the bus from the church. We use it for the Sunday School field trips. I wonder what it's doing here?
Gweg smiled.
Gweg: Maybe they are here to give you a piece of their mind for not showing up today.
The bus headed right towards them. It drove onto the grass and head straight towards their direction. Gweg stood up and helped Sara to her feet.
Gweg: I think we should get ready to run.
The bus stopped 20 feet away from them.
The door opened up. The kids began to pour out. They ran right towards Sara and Gweg.
Sara: It's just my kids. They won't hurt us.
Gweg wasn't too sure. He saw that the kids were holding objects in their hands.
As the kids ran closer, Gweg saw what the objects were.
Rocks..
Sara wasn't paying attention to what the kids had. She dropped to her knees in anticipation for a group hug. Gweg pulled her up in time. Adam, the fastest of the bunch, had thrown his rock at Sara just as Gweg pulled her up. He hit her in the leg.
Sara screamed out.
Sara: Adam! What are you doing!
Adam: You are a harlot! God's messenger told us to smite you!
The other kids began to throw their rocks.
Thankfully for Gweg and Sara, there wasn't much strength in the arms that were launching said projectiles. But Gweg and Sara were still getting hit, so they ran. Gweg hopped into Sara's car and she tossed him the key. He sped out of the park. The kids threw what rocks they had left at the car as it drove away.
They headed back towards the bus.
Satyr was sitting behind the wheel.
Satyr: Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. And there ain't nobody more innocent than a child.
They kids climbed back into the bus and sat in there seats.
Adam looked around.
Adam: How come Zakk didn't come with us?
Satyr: Zakk is on a little side mission. My partner took him to where he needs to be.
Satyr's cell phone rang. He looked at the caller I.D. and sighed.
He answered it.
Satyr: What do you want? Well, I'm busy. Don't worry about it. What!?!? When? Fine, I'll try to be there. What's this about? Them? Who cares about them? Fine. Whatever.
Satyr ended the call.
Gweg was driving as fast as he could. He kept checking the rear view mirror. No sign of the school bus.
Sara was besides herself. She was sitting in the passenger side, shaking.
Sara: I can't believe the kids would do that!
Gweg: Satyr got to them. That son a bitch. He's not going to hold back.
Sara: We need to go to the police.
Gweg: We'll call them from my apartment.
Sara: Your apartment? Why are we going there?
Gweg: Believe it or not, that is the safest place for us right now.
Gweg explained the "rules" to Sara. She agreed to go to the apartment.
The arrived at the apartment building. Gweg gave Sara his keys.
Gweg: Get up there and call the cops. I'll wait down here a couple of minutes and see if Satyr will show up. Call them and make sure they send someone here, someone to your church, and someone out looking for the bus. Make sure you speak to Watterson. He'll be more than happy to help us.
Sara ran up to the room. She unlocked the door and went inside. She was surprised to see one of her students already inside.
Zakk: Hello Miss Russell.
Sara: Zakk! What are you doing here? Did Satyr bring you here?
Zakk: No, his friend did. Mr. Satyr wants me to do something, but I don't want to do it. I don't believe him.
Sara: What does he want you to do?
Zakk: He says you are against God because he killed your daughter and you are going to turn us against God.
Sara got on one of her knees.
Sara: Zakk, honey, I am not angry at God. I love God. And I love you. I would never do anything to hurt you. What do you have behind your back?
Zakk had been standing with his right hand held behind his back. It brought it around. He was holding a small handgun.
Sara: What are you doing with that?
Zakk: It's my mother's. She got it after she got mugged that one night. I was told to get it. For my mission for God.
Sara: Zakk, listen to me. Satyr is a liar. He is using you as a pawn in some twisted game. So, just give me the gun and we'll take you home.
Gweg entered into the room.
Gweg: He hasn't shown up yet, have you called the cops? Wait, who's the kid?
Zakk's eyes widened when he saw Gweg enter the room.
Zakk: Miss Russell, who is that man?
Sara: That's my friend Gweg.
Zakk screamed.
Zakk: It's true! You are with the Anti-Christ! I knew it. God damns you all.
He stuck the barrel of the gun in his mouth.
Sara screamed out and lunged at him. Gweg was too shocked and confused to move.
Zakk pulled the trigger. The bullet and most of his brain exited out the back of his skull. His body hit the floor with a sickening thud.
Sara sunk to the floor, tears screaming down her face. Gweg finally broke form his paralysis and knelt next to Sara.
Gweg: Come on, we need to call the police.
As soon as he said that, a metal canister was thrown into the room. A green gas emitted from it.
Gweg pulled Sara up and began to ran towards the door, but the gas became to much for them.
They both passed out.
Gweg came to 3 hours later.
He awoke to an incredibly bad headache. He looked to his left and saw Sara. He could tell she was breathing.
He looked around the apartment.
The boy's body was gone. And the evidence of his suicide was gone as well. The apartment was spotless. The canister was gone as well.
It was like nothing ever happened.
Gweg went to the door and looked out into the hallway. Empty.
He went back in to check on Sara.
The phone began to ring. Gweg answered it. Satyr was on the other end of the line
Satyr: Good, I was hoping you'd be up by now.
Gweg: You said the apartment was off limits!
Satyr: It is. I didn't do anything to you.
Gweg: Some kid was in here and he blew his brains out!
Satyr: He did that to himself, not to you.
Gweg: Who threw that canister into here?
Satyr: Wasn't me.
Gweg: Where's the body at?
Satyr: I have it. Too bad, right? Without it, you can't prove anything happened, but you'll always know it did, because of you and your attack against me is what led to that poor boy's death.
Gweg: Do you want me to apologize? Is that it? Fine, I'm sorry for fucking over your stupid abortion-mobile. Okay? Will you stop now.
Satyr laughed over the phone.
Satyr: This is beyond apologies Gweg. This is something that can only be resolved until the hurt part is satisfied that a logical resolution has come about. And that's me. Listen, you want to end this thing? Come on down to the church.
Gweg: What's at the church?
Satyr: A bunch of retards talking to an imaginary friend. Ha Ha. Just kidding. The boy's body will be there. You want it. come and get it.
Satyr laughed and hung up.
Gweg put the phone down.
Sara was already up and looking at Gweg.
Sara: Was that him?
Gweg nodded.
Sara: What does he want?
Gweg: He wants us to go to the church. he's git that boy's body there. He says
Sara: Let's go.
Gweg was shocked to hear Sara wanted to confront Satyr.
Gweg: We should go to the police. We know where he's at, and he probably has some sort of trap.
Sara: Forget them. That bastard just had one of my kids kill himself right in front of me. I am tired of all the death that he is bringing my way, and the thought of Zakk's body being with him makes me sick. Whatever his problem is, I'm going to end it. With or without your help.
Gweg had never seen this side of Sara before. She was determined to stop Satyr and he wanted to be a part of it.
Gweg: Let's go.
The man in black waited in the car, and the satyr called him.
He answered the phone and listened as Satyr happily explained that he baited Gweg into going to the church.
The man put his cell phone away and stared at front door to the apartment building. As he watched the people pass it on the sidewalk, he couldn't help but sneer. He hated humans. Hated their very nature. And hated the fact that he looks exactly like them.
His name is Mike-El and he is an alien.
23 years ago, the man had been born on a different planet. A planet called Gypton. Unfortunately, that planet's sun was exploding and ready to consume his planet. His parents put him in a rocket ship and sent him into space.
He landed on Earth, where he was discovered by a loving elderly couple, who lived on a farm. Growing up, he was introduced to comic books, mainly Superman.
He was very excited to learn that he and Superman shared a common history. He was so enamored by it, that he tried to fly off the roof of his house.
A month later, after he got out of the hospital, he found the spaceship he was sent in. Discovering a message from his father, he learned the horrible truth.
His home world was powered by a yellow star, not a red one like Superman's was.
From that point on, Mike-El has lived in anger. When his adoptive father fell off a cliff during a hiking expedition, Mike-El watched on as he hung desperately on to the edge. As he dangled there, his mother screamed out for Mike to rescue him.
Mike-El just watched and suppressed a smile when his father finally let go.
His mother asked why he didn't save him. He turned to her and screamed, "I'm sorry I'm not Superman!"
A couple of years ago, Mike-El finally met someone with whom he felt a kinship with.
Satyr.
And now Satyr has brought him into this war with Gweg, whom had just walked out of the building, with the woman following behind him.
He called up Satyr.
Mike-El: They are on their way.
Satyr put his cell phone away and looked back at the kids.
They were still staring at the dead body that sat in the back seat.
One of the girls finally spoke up.
Girl: Mr. Satyr, what happened to Zakk?
Satyr: He performed a little ballistic brain surgery.
Girl: I don't know what that is.
Satyr sighed.
Satyr: For Pete's sake, it's like talking to a bunch of kids. He killed himself.
Girl: But that's a sin.
Satyr: Sure is. He's probably getting poked in the ass by the devil's red hot poker as we speak.
Girl: I thought you were the devil and you said Zakk was doing a mission for God and then going straight to heaven.
Satyr had completely forgot he told them that. He thought quickly.
Satyr: I am, but there's more than one of us. I'm the main guy..the one in that book. And yes, Zakk is going to Heaven. I was just making a joke.
Satyr parked the bus next to the church and had the kids get out. He went to the back seat, propped Zakk up on his shoulders, and made his way out of the emergency exit.
Reverend Hart was waiting for him there.
Rev. Hart: Oh my! The poor child! Let me say a prayer for him before we take him into the church.
Satyr: We don't have time for that nonsense. Gweg and Sara are on their way. We need to get the kids in the church.
Rev. Hart: I need to pray for this boy's soul.
Satyr: Well, while you are doing that, you should pray that those pictures I have of you don't fall into the "wrong" hands. God might forgive your sins, but I know your wife isn't going to.
Rev. Hart: You''re a bastard. First you blackmail me into convincing my wife to make you the substitute Sunday School teacher, then you make me a part of this atrocity.
Satyr: The Lord works in mysterious ways. Kids! Get into the church and get ready. The Anti-Christ and the Whore of Babylon will be here soon!
Rev. Hart: What exactly are you planning to do?
Satyr: Let's just say, I had a revelation the other day. You just to what I told you to do and everything will be fine.
Satyr took the body into the church and dumped it into one of the pews. He looked at the kids.
Satyr: You kids ready? You know what to do as soon as Gweg and Sara come in, right?
The kids nodded.
Satyr: God loves you all. He and Zakk are watching right now, so make sure you all do a good job.
Satyr made sure the kids were in position and picked up Zakk's body. He looked towards the front of the church and smiled.
Gweg and Sara were two blocks away from the chruch.
Gweg: It's not too late to turn back around.
Sara: First he uses my sister against me, gets my daughter killed, and now all this. I'm through just letting him him get away every time.
Gweg felt empowered by her anger, but he also felt ashamed. He felt a pang of guilt and looked over at Sara. She made him see things about himself that he was afraid to look at. That was the moment, he knew he was in love with her.
They arrived at the church and saw Rev. Hart waiting outside.
Sara got out of the car and ran over to him.
Sara: Is he in there? Are you a part of this?
Rev. Hart: Sara, my dear, I was used by him. He had photos of me with another woman. He blackmailed me into making sure he was your substitute for the school. Don't worry, I've convinced him to let the kids go. He is waiting for you and Gweg in the church.
Gweg: This is a trap. What's he got in there?
Rev. Hart: I don't know. He won't let me come inside. But I want to do one last thing, one last act of good faith. I am making the both of you ordained ministers to this church.
Gweg: Thanks, but why?
Rev. Hart: I have my reasons. You should go inside.
Sara: I'm going in.
Sara went stepped into the main room of the church. She didn't see the kids anywhere. She looked up and saw Zakk's body nailed to the cross at the front of the room.
Satyr was standing at the podium.
Satyr: Welcome! have a seat!
Sara began walking towards him. Gweg entered and caught up with her. He stopped her from going further and whispered in her ear.
Gweg: Hold on. Let's see what he's up to.
Satyr: I'm glad you two could come. You want to know a funny thing? You know this already Gweg, but I am an ordained minister.
Gweg: Through the Universal Life Church.
Satyr shrugged.
Satyr: It's all the same. You'll notice what's his face has taken the place of Jesus up on that cross. He's there to remind you that he died for your sins.
He pointed at Gweg and Sara.
Satyr: You two are very much like Adam and Eve. I told you not to mess with a certain thing, and you go ahead and do it anyway. And now other people have to suffer.
Satyr clapped his hand. The children stood up, they had been hiding in the pews.
Satyr: Suffer the little children. And I shall, if you don't do two things, Gweg. First, you must confess your sins and second, you must make a sacrifice.
Rev. Hart entered the church.
Gweg: What kind of a sacrifice?
Satyr: We'll get to that later. First, confess.
Gweg: What exactly are you going to do if I don't.
Satyr: Look under the pews.
Gweg and Sara bent over. Underneath the pews where the children were standing, were small explosives.
Satyr held up a device.
Satyr: This trigger can activate from a 100 yards away. So, I'll be safely outside if I have to use it. And don't think they are going to budge. They are going to stay right where they are. They know what you two are and are devoted to see you punished.
Gweg: What makes you think we'll let you out of here.
Satyr pointed behind them. Rev. Hart was holding a gun on Sara and Gweg.
Rev. Hart: I'm sorry, but I cannot let my wife see those pictures.
Sara: Your wife will forgive you for one act of adultery. She is a good Christian woman.
Satyr laughed.
Satyr: The woman in banging in the pictures is his own daughter!
Rev. Hart held his head in shame.
Satyr: Yep, took the story of Lot to heart, didn't ya Rev? you two ain't going to be doing nothing. Now, confess your sins, Gweg. This is a church after all. Oh, and do it on your knees.
Gweg dropped to his knees.
Gweg: Forgive me Satyr, for I have sinned.
Satyr laughed.
Satyr: I love it! Continue.
Gweg: I have sinned by causing you trouble and bringing about the destruction of your Abortion-Mobile.
Satyr: Thank you Gweg. You Sara, this is really all of your fault. You should confess too.
Sara: My fault? How is this my fault?
Satyr: If only you were more like your sister.
Sara began to walk towards Satyr. Rev. Hart pulled back the hammer of the gun.
Rev. Hart: I'm sorry Sara, bit I can't let you go any further.
Satyr: Way to lead your flock there, Rev. Forget your confessions, Sara, I want to wrap this up. Time for you to make your sacrifice, Gweg.
Satyr reached into his coat and brought out a gun. He threw it at Gweg.
Satyr: It's only loaded with one round. You have to make a choice. You can sacrifice anybody in this room, save for you or myself. You do that, and all is forgiven.
Gweg: What?
Satyr: I want you to kill somebody. It could be Sara, it could be the Reverend, or one of these brats. If you don't, I'll kill them all. If you shoot me, the Rev. will shoot Sara. If you shoot yourself, the Rev. will shoot Sara and I'll blow all of these kids straight to hell.
The kids looked up.
The oldest boy, Adam, got up from his pew.
Adam: You said if we were sacrificed, we would go to Heaven.
Satyr: God damn it kid, I say a lot of things I don't mean.
Adam: Which part didn't you mean?
Satyr: Whatever part you didn't like.
Adam: You are a liar! You are the devil. We should have never trusted the devil!
All the kids began to get up.
Satyr: Sit back down! God's going to be pissed! Damn it. I knew I should have tied all of you!.
Sara: Good kids, he is a liar. Now run outside.
Satyr: Reverend, shoot the bastards if the try to get out the door.
Rev. Hart: No, you said you weren't going to harm the kids! I will not allow this.
Reverend Hart turned and walked to the doors, the kids followed him. At that moment, Gweg held the gun up to Satyr.
Gweg: What now?
Satyr: You know, the last Church I was in was exploded by a mad man and I survived. Time for a little deja-vu.
Satyr ducked behind the podium and pushed the trigger. only on the explosives went off.
The one by the front doors. The explosion took out two of the kids and burnt the others. Reverend Hart's robe caught on fire. The fire spread quickly over him, causing him to stop drop and roll.
He rolled right into one of the explosives. It set off, incinerating the Reverend and causing shrapnel from the pews to strike some of the children. A fragment from the explosive caught Adam in the eye.
The wooden pews caught quickly on fire, spreading out, another explosve went off.
Gweg and Sara had both ducked down and were trying to escape. Gweg made it to the podium and saw Satyr was gone. he looked back and witnessed chaos, half of the kids were on fire running around trying to put the fire out, a few other were collapsed in a heap in front of the door, having tried to get out before it was engulfed in flames.. The fire got another explosive and set it off.
Smoke was covering half of the church now. Gweg saw that Sara was choking. He got up and ran to her. He picked her up and he could barely hear her whisper through her coughs.
Sara: There's a back door. Get the kids out.
Gweg looked back at the kids. It was hopeless to try. Another explosion. He picked up Sara and ran out the back.
He ran 5o yards while carrying her and laid her onto the grass. She had stopped breathing.
He performed mouth to mouth and was finally able to resuscitate her. She gasped for air and spoke in coughs.
Sara: The kids?
All Gweg could do was shake his head. He looked up and watched as the church burned.
2 hours later.
Satyr sat on the couch in his apartment. He was watching the news.
Reporter: There were no survivors of the church fire. Police have informed us that the cause of this fire was a murder suicide. Police have not made any positive I.D.s on the victims, but believe them to be the entire Sunday School class, which was dropped of at the Church after their teacher took them for a field trip this after noon. The Police have also told up that the fire was created by the Reverend of the Church, a Mr. Thomas Hart. Pictures of him have an incestuous relationship with his daughter. Police believe the exposure of the act is what caused the Reverend to commit such a heinous crime. We will have more of this as it develops.
Satyr took the last sip of Dr. Pepper. Mike-El had come through once again. He was a good person to have on his side. And good at what he does. Getting the evidence to blackmail and frame Rev. Hart. Cleaning up the apartment after the kid blew his brains out. He's the best Satyr was going to need him for what's to come.
Satyr listened to the message again.
Mike-El: Satyr, Mike here. Gweg and Sara arrived back at her place ten minutes ago. They both seem OK. I have this phone hooked up to the recorder, so you'll be able to hear what they have to say through that bug we planted in her house.
Satyr smiled. Planting a bug in Sara's house was a stroke of genius. His smiled faded as he began to listen to the conversation.
Gweg: Can I stay here, tonight?
Sara: Of course, I don't want you to go anywhere. We need to talk about what happened.
Gweg: I'm sorry I couldn't save the kids.
Sara: It's not your fault. It's his, we have to stop him.
Satyr cringed as he heard the seriousness in Gweg's voice as he spoke. He had never heard a level of intensity like that before. It sent a shiver down his spine.
Gweg: Sara, I love you and today, I almost lost you. He wants a war, he's got one. There have been too many casualties on our side. Too many people hurt. That ends starting now. I will do everything within my power to make sure he is brought down. they may have put put the fire on that church, but the fire that burns in me will never be extinguished.
Satyr shook his head, he would normally laugh at such a line, but the tone of Gweg's voice made it sound menacing.
Gweg: Whatever he plans to do, I will stop him. Will you help me?
Sara: Of course. And Gweg...
Gweg: Yes?
Sara: I love you too.
Satyr stopped the recording as the sounds of the two of them making out began.
Satyr feared he had created a monster. The determination in Gweg's voice caused Satyr to have a feeling he has not felt in a long time: Fear.
Satyr got up to get another Dr. Pepper. He heard a small creak and found that he was doing something he hated.
Satyr kept looking over his shoulder.
To Be Continued.
