WAGES OF SIN 15

EPISODE FIFTEEN

Gun shots were heard from outside the auditorium and everyone in the Spirit quickly returned to their normal sense. Those speaking in tongues gradually lowered their voices and their words steadily diminished. Those in sober mood brightened their faces and put their faces against the ground as the terrorists banged into the auditorium. Everyone knelt and laid their faces on the ground with fear and trembling at the order of the terrorists leader, but someone wouldn't obey. David remained sitted at the choir stand, undisturbed and unnoticed.

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The terrorists soon took charge over what seemed to be the best service so far that year at Bethel Baptist Church. The police assigned to act as ushers appeared to be the real enemies. The leader of the group was masked in black, held an Ak- 47 in his right hand, and looked rather fierce and frightening. He pointed his gun at Kenneth who was already wetting his pant, as he climbed the altar to meet him.

The leader signaled, and one of the terrorists went among the congregation and dragged out a woman to the altar, and made her kneel beside Kenneth, while another removed some gadgets from a black bag and set up a live coverage of what was currently happening in the church.

"Quiet everybody!" He ordered, and it looked and sounded as though the auditorium was empty; as quiet as the graveyard. "I'm not here for fun, neither am I here to hurt anyone nor destroy the church's properties." He said, sternly. "I just need this thing to confess his sins and be removed as the church pastor, because he's not worthy." He said, fixing his gun on Kenneth.

"I need you to tell the whole world your iniquity, that you may be condemned."

"That will not be happening here." A small voice cut in, in a commanding tone. "There's no condemnation to them which are in Christ, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit." David rose quietly from her seat, and approached the altar. The terrorist close to her tried to hit her on her head to keep her silent but his hands remained in the air, never to come down. Fear gripped others including the leader who had his gun fixed on Kenneth.

"Stand down!" The leader ordered her, not wanting to shoot anybody. "I said stand down!" He shouted, but David kept walking towards the altar, unafraid. She was a power and principality on her own. She gave a deadly smile as she mounted the altar, the leader raised his gun and fixed it on her. "Stand down!" He repeated. "Don't make me do what I wouldn't like to do."

"There's nothing you can do to me."

"You think so, little brat?"

"I have always respected, and have respected you enough."

"You don't know what you're talking about, do you?" He countered.

David took few steps around him, proving she was in charge and could not be harmed. Jamie was busy crying and lamenting under the pew why God had given her a child that would like to commit suicide. What gave her the impression that she could stand against a terrorist.

"I know who you are," she said, confronting the masked man. "You are not just a member of this church, but..." Everyone in the church began to grow some levels of confidence, men trying to raise their heads, women peeping through the pew holes. The group leader unlocked his gun and still fixed it on her, "Shut up, you little brat. Any more words, and I will blow off your head." He cut in.

David smiled, arrogantly, laughing so loud, that it echoed round the auditorium. "I thought you are well versed in the scriptures. You should know that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but are mighty through God. "Back off now." She advised.

Furious, agitated, he couldn't hold it anylonger. His eyes were becoming reddened, his hands vibrating, and his lips shaking. He hanged his Ak- 47 across his body and brought out his short gun, still fixing the gun on her. Many have already lifted their heads to watch the ongoing drama.

"Back off now. You can still make up for this. It's not for you to judge or condemn. Leave him to God."

"No David!" He shouted, "No, you don't know the atrocities this thing we call pastor has committed in the church." He shouted, removing the mask off his face in anger.

And the church screamed, "Haaaaaaaaaaa."

Story by: MICHEAL ADENIJI (MICHEALHADEN)