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« on: November 21, 2006, 09:54:46 pm »
Chapter One:
Ghost of a Man
In the year 2097 on May 19th, the law was officially passed that made it illegal and punishable by death to practice Christianity. Anyone caught committing this ???heresy??? was immediately detained for questioning. If the subject repented, they were released. If they did not, they were killed. A government-instated organization known as ???Xytex??? was put in charge of monitoring this law. Marshal Law was induced, so few get away with ???heresy???. However, a small group of refugees known as ???The Lions??? are standing against Xytex, and continuing to worship the Lord. This is their story...
Jack Stewart paced the floor, tensely waiting. Where are they? He thought. Leera and Antwon could generally take care of themselves, but they???d been longer this time. Could it be that they-Jack pushed the thought away, and continued pacing. ???Damn* it!??? Yelled Jack, slamming his fist down on the small, rickety table. He glanced over and saw the large Bible lying on the small podium, which stood on the end of the table. A sudden guilt hit him like a bullet for cursing. ???Lord, forgive me.??? He prayed quietly.
He walked over to the Bible and, careful not to tear any pages, opened the heavily-worn cover. He began to read Psalm 119:10, ???With my whole heart, I have sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments.??? Jack closed his eyes. This verse applied to him and the rest of The Lions so much in these times. They had to be extra careful not to deny God or stray from His path-even when they were staring death right in the face.
Then, the door at the top of the steps creaked open, interrupting Jack???s thoughts. Jack ripped the UZI sub-machine gun from its holster on his belt, and leveled it at the door. There were footsteps. It seemed like two people, one fairly large, and one fairly small, walking down the old steps. Jack waited.
More footsteps.
Jack???s hand began to shake. Not violently, but shaking all the same. Finally, after what seemed like hours, the door to the meeting room creaked open. Jack ducked down behind the old table. The door then closed. Then, it swung open and a tall figure of about six feet and a smaller figure of about five stepped in. Jack let out a sigh of relief and stood, re-holstering his UZI-
the figures were Antwon and Leera. Antwon stepped toward Jack.
???Hey.??? He said in his rumbling voice.
???Hi.??? Jack replied.
???Something wrong???? asked Leera, stepping forward.
???Not really. I just really wanna find out Xytex???s reasoning behind the Preservation Law.???
???We all would,??? Chimed in Antwon. ???But we probably never will.???
Jack nodded. ???Anyway,??? He said. ???how???d it go????
Antwon???s features darkened. ???Well, we found out that Xytex did know the location of our meeting place. But, we,??? He stopped and glanced at Leera. ???we took care of it.???
Jack sighed regrettably. He hated it when they had to kill, but it was necessary sometimes. He hated that, too. ???So, the threat is neutralized???? He asked.
???Sir! Yes, Sir!??? Said Leera sarcastically, saluting and marching mockingly up to him. Jack laughed for the first time in days.
???What now???? Asked Antwon.
???Well,??? Began Jack. ???I think we should go to sleep for the night. I???m too tired to think.??? Antwon and Leera nodded drowsily. They were just as tired as Jack, and they had done all the work.
???Fine by me.??? Said Leera, wiping her eyes and yawning. She nodded curtly to Jack, then Antwon, turned, and walked to the girls??? community room and her dorm.
???G???night, Jack.??? Said Antwon. He turned and walked to his dorm, as well. Jack, however, lingered in the meeting room for a bit longer. He again walked over to the Bible and traced his fingers along the writing on the front cover.
???Holy bible.??? He said aloud. He turned and quietly walked to his room at the end of the adjacent hall. He opened the old door and stepped inside. He didn???t bother to turn on the lights. He just pushed off his shoes, threw his jacket on the floor and jumped into the bed. His head hit the pillow and he dropped off into sleep.
Jack awoke to a commotion outside his room. Breakfast. He thought hungrily. He got out of bed, put on his boots and jacket, and stepped outside his room. ???It is breakfast.??? He walked up to the table. ???What???re we having today????
Antwon offered him a plate of bacon. ???Here.??? He said, simply.
*Although this book is meant to convey a Christian message, profanity is used to increase the realism and the stress of the situation.
Jack took the plate quickly and sat down. He soon devoured the good food, and leaned back in his chair contentedly.
???So,??? Said Antwon. ???what???ll we be doing today????
Jack pondered that. There really wasn???t anything he could think of. ???Well. There isn???t really anything going on.??? Then, Jack remembered. ???Only one thing, but I can take care of it. Antwon, you and Leera manage guard duty. Everyone else, you take guard duty, as well.???
Antwon nodded to Jack, then looked at Leera. She sighed exasperatedly, rolled her eyes, and stood up, following Antwon. The rest of the Lions ran outside after them. Jack remained inside the meeting hall for a few moments. Then, he turned and walked up the stairs, and outside. He turned a corner and entered a large garage. Then, he followed a series of doorways to a small room. Inside, there was a desk, four chairs, and a man sitting behind the desk.
???Hello.??? The man greeted Jack.
Jack nodded curtly to him, and took a seat. ???How is it????
The man threw a manila folder at Jack. ???It???s all in there.??? Jack took the folder and opened it. He read the document:
???Government law number 434562:
Anyone found practicing Christianity will be detained and questioned. If the subject admits to heresy, they will be shot immediately. If the subject denies Christianity, however, they will be set free.???
Jack tossed the folder back onto the table. He shuddered. ???That???s sickening.??? He said, with a look of disgust.
???Just policy.??? Said the man, taking back the folder and putting in his desk drawer.
???That doesn???t make it right, Geoff.???
???You???re right, Jack, but they???re the government.??? Replied Geoff.
???Actually,??? Said Jack. ???They???re not. They???re Xytex.???
???The government, Xytex-same thing.???
Jack laughed. ???I guess. Still doesn???t make it right.???
???Right and wrong don???t have any meaning to Xytex or the government.??? Replied Geoff.
???That???s the sad part.??? Said Jack. ???Not even the rulers care.???
???Never have. Jack, I have somewhere to be. I???ll talk to you soon.??? Geoff and Jack both stood up, shook hands and left.
Copyright 2006 Will Phillips
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Now, then. What do you think? Not sure if I will post more or not. Scared of plagiarism.