PROLOGUE

     The January wind blew fiercely, whirling the snow around pushing against every solid space helpless against the storm. The silence aided the howling, giving it the air of a hunted night.

The road leading to the church was empty and snow deep. Wouldn't stop people trooping in at the first crow to worship God. 

But will they ever know?

That a God will be within them, watching their faces with satisfaction. The only difference was that ..this was going to be a physical presence.

The old houses each at the side of the snowed dirt road gave it all a grotesque image.

A wailing voice was heard from the church, picking up the cue a man walked along the dirt road, the dark clothes he wore though in the night were traced out by the snow..in his left hand was a briefcase. He walked purposefully and increased his pace when he heard the jingling of the bell echoing with the wailing voice.

He knew he had to be finished before the congregation began to troop in. They never came in ones, twos or even threes but came in multitude. Fulfilling the scripture that said.

                      "And a great multitude was gathered unto

                       Him, so that he went into a ship and sat;

                        And the whole multitude sat at the shore"

Each of them heads bowed and murmuring, asking, pleading or throwing a fit still knowing that God was God and will always be God. So doing what he pleases.

He reached the entrance of the church, now making short strides, hands on the finely painted rail..the red carpet leading to the entrance was a majestic lure. It was the only building worth looking at..and it stood out. Ridiculing the other buildings more.

Now in he walked soundlessly down the pew, the wailing man in sight. He was dressed in all white a bell on his hand, he prayed loudly with head raised to the sky, in tongues. It was obvious he hadn't heard anyone walk in, or his ear failing for he looked quite old.

" I'm glad this is still working out for you" 

The old man stopped. The silence seemed loud.

"it's been a while hasn't it.." He dropped the briefcase. "I missed you"

"Expected you sooner" the old man's husky voice shook low that it seemed unreal.

" I had some businesses to attend to" he opened the briefcase and took from it a pair of disposable gloves. "I would want to waste time with you but the thought of it fills me with dread" he shivered to exaggerate. He placed a finger on the chin of the old man.

"Anyone could come in at any time"

"And they will find you. it's going to be very tragic, I would want to give you a clue on how it is going to be but I want a surprise" he tapped the crinkled skin twice firmly. Walking to the briefcase he kept on the tiled floor he grabbed white clothing from it. Raised it to the old man and smiled cheekily " I brought a piece to match"

He brought the finest chair from the alter and motioned with his hands "sit"

The old man hesitated.

He sighed "I want this as painless as possible, even if you scream, which you always do at God. They'll all think it's normal. Let's get this over with" he motioned again "sit"

The old man now sweaty, made his way to the chair but collapsed.

"Let me help you" he lifted him effortlessly and dropped him on the chair..proceeding to tie his hands against its arm.

"This isn't what God would've wanted" the wry man tried helplessly, catarrh now blowing bubbles straight to his mouth. His eyes brought down tears.

The black-attired man chuckled tying the second arm in place and proceeding on the legs.

"We've had our differences, it doesn't have to end like this." The pleas were profuse. "Tell me what you want, money, power or pleasure, the church got stacks of them,..." he couldn't finish for the gag find found its way to its mouth.

"It's great hearing you beg, plead for a little time" he tightened the gag tight to make sure there was a tear at the side of his victim's mouth.

Done he made his way again to the briefcase, making his choices on the instrument of death there..his eyes falling on a bottle he smiled and grabbed the slim knife...

Facing the muffling old man.

"For I am the lord and vengeance is mine"