Society of the L.A.M.B.

by DuCharme, Judy;

  Josiah sat on Grandfather’s rock and ate the cheese and almonds he brought along. I know You are with me, King Glory. I will not fear. Thank You for keeping me safe.

  Josiah arrived in plenty of time for the early afternoon rally at the colony building. He walked over to the spot by the wall where the water funnel had delivered Lijah, Lily, and Timmy. That would have been so cool to see.

  Josiah realized he was probably wanted by watchers and shouldn’t be visible until Bart arrived. He sat between a bush and the compound wall. He was thinking about old times with Bart and how good it would be to have him become a LAMBer when he heard familiar voices.

  Alex and Jeremy were coming directly toward him. In fact, they were right next to him before they noticed him. Both gasped and then looked around feverishly to make sure no one else saw them or Josiah.

  “Hey, man, you’re wanted. Trying to get arrested or killed?”

  “No, I need to see Bart. You guys all right? No trouble?”

  Jeremy stood a short distance away, keeping an eye out for any onlookers.

  Alex sat next to Josiah. “We’re good. We’re surprised we never got detected or suspected in the disappearance of the kids from the retraining facility. Of course, they have more kids coming through. That means lots of parents are disappearing, dying, being tortured. I liked being an outer man, Josiah. It was fun…for a while. But I don’t like it anymore. I’m not a LAMBer, though. I’m too scared to become one. So is Jeremy. But can we go back with you to wherever you go or wherever the kids went? They’re safe, aren’t they?”

  “Yes, you can go with me. And yes, the kids are doing great. What can you tell me about Bart?”

  “Some days he’s fun, and some days he’s mean. He’s Bart. But I think something is going on. I don’t know, Josiah, but I’m concerned. We better go. Are you actually going to come in and try to talk again, or do you want me to just find Bart for you?”

  “I’m going to come in and talk to Bart.” Josiah stood. “I think it’s time. Alex, I don’t think I’ll be too long. If you want to wait about a mile down that path over there near the pine grove, you can go back today with me.”

  “I’ll talk to Jeremy. Thanks, man.” Alex clasped Josiah’s hand and looked deep in his eyes. “I think I want that life I see. I think I do.” He turned and walked back to Jeremy before Josiah could respond.

  Lead me now, Great Jajireh. I am in Your hands. Josiah waited several minutes then proceeded around the compound wall and entered the door to the metal building. How does this building stay standing with the music continually blaring and shaking it? It should just fall over. He stopped inside the door, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness and the flashing lights after being outside in the sunlight. He walked further into the building.

  “Si, that you?” a voice nearby asked with surprise.

  Josiah turned his head. “Hi, Bart, how are you doing?”

  “Me? How are you still alive? Why are you here? Si, I love you, man. We’ve been friends a long time. But after the last time you were here, I mean…That was bold. You can’t do that. You shouldn’t have done that. You can’t do it again. You should go, Si. Please, go now. Don’t come here.”

  Josiah looked straight at Bart. He saw pleading in his eyes and then a flicker of wonder as Bart saw life in Josiah’s eyes.

  “Bart, you need life,” Josiah told him. “You can have it. It’s not too late.”

  “Don’t, Si.” Bart swiveled until his back was to Josiah. “Oh, no! Go, Si, now. They see you.”

  Josiah grabbed Bart’s arm. “Come with me, Bart. You don’t have to stay here. King Glory loves you.” Josiah saw a tear on Bart’s cheek, but he didn’t see the fist coming his way. It hit him full force on the side of his face. He stumbled but regained his balance.

  “You think you can come back here and pull your stupid tricks again? I don’t think so. You won’t escape this time.” One of the watchers who dragged him to the stage the last visit pulled his fist back again. “This time, you die.”

  “Hey.” Bart got between the men and Josiah. “I’ll take care of him. You don’t have to kill him.”

  “Get away, Bart. We know he was your friend once. He’s not now. Get out of the way.” Two of the men grabbed Bart’s arms to pull him away, but he shook them off.

  I knew those arms were scary.

  “You’re going to leave him alone.” Bart’s voice sounded like a growl now. “Si, get out of here.” Bart began throwing around every watcher who lunged for him or Josiah like he was batting balls. Some punches landed on Bart because there were so many watchers swarming, but he was holding them back from getting to Josiah.

  All of a sudden, Alex and Jeremy were on each side of Josiah. “Now,” they urged, “let’s go.”

  Still Josiah tried to stay. “But Bart needs help. He needs life.”

  “Not now, Josiah. You’re leaving. You need to live.” They pulled Josiah toward the door. People parted for them.

  “Wait.” Josiah used all his strength to keep Alex and Jeremy from dragging him out the door. “Listen, everyone. I have something to say.”

  All those nearby turned. Even the fight paused.

  Josiah shouted as loudly as he could, “This is no way to live. King Glory gave His life so you could live with peace and purpose, not so you could pretend you have life and cover up your emptiness. Jajireh gives real life. You can still be restored.” Sweat poured down Josiah’s face as he strained to be heard and stay in the building.

  Those trying to get by Bart yelled obscenities and charged toward Josiah again. Bart resumed giving and taking punches. He was the only one trying to stop the watchers, and with his strength, he was doing it. No one stepped to Bart’s defense, yet no one tried to help those fighting him. Amidst the blaring of the music was the slapping and crunching of fists on heads and bodies and the grunts of pain and determination as the fight escalated.

  Just as Josiah allowed Alex and Jeremy to get him to the door, he heard a shriek. Josiah, Alex, and Jeremy froze. Josiah swiveled and saw Bart on his knees with a knife in his side. Blood spurted everywhere, and the other watchers punched him and kicked him.

  “Nooo!” Josiah cried. “Let me go to him.”

  Bart screamed in pain. Josiah fought Alex and Jeremy, but they dragged him to the pine grove and onto the path. Josiah fell to the ground, weeping.

  “Josiah, get up.” Jeremy slapped him. “Now. Bart was trying to protect you. You have to get out of here now. Let’s go!”

  Josiah struggled to his feet and ran down the path with Jeremy and Alex holding him upright. Tears coursed down his face, and he could not see ahead, yet he still ran with Jeremy and Alex. They stopped after what seemed an hour but was only minutes and collapsed behind the root system of a toppled tree.

  Josiah sat with his face in his hands. How did this happen? Is Bart alive? You said he needed me. I didn’t help him. I hardly even talked to him. Why did I come? I was sure I heard You, King Glory. Is Bart okay?

  Jeremy stood. “I’m going to go back and find out if Bart’s all right.”

  Josiah got up. “It’s my fault he got stabbed. I don’t want you to get beat up or stabbed or arrested. Don’t go. Don’t go.”

  “I’ve done this enough. I can find out. I know who to ask.”

  “May King Glory protect you, Jeremy.” Josiah’s voice was weak, but he meant it.

  “Appreciate that. Thanks.” Jeremy quickly disappeared from sight.

  “You know, Josiah,” said Alex, “Jeremy may already be a LAMBer.” Josiah looked up with big eyes. “I know I said we were both too scared, but I sense a difference in him. A greater confidence or something. And that seems weird because the colony line says we have more confidence by being outer men. And he’s had some long talks with Bart.”

  “Are you sure? Do you think Bart became a LAMBer?”

  “I really don’t know. Bart is temperamental. He can fly mad so quickly. Then other times, he’s laid-back.”

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nbsp; They sat in silence for several minutes. Josiah found it hard to pray. He found it hard to breathe.

  Alex smiled. “You do have quite a shiner. He got ya good.”

  Josiah’s hand went to his eye. “Oh,” he groaned. “It didn’t hurt until I touched it.”

  He heard footsteps, and they both ducked behind the root system. Jeremy came around the tree and plopped down next to them, burying his face in his hands. Josiah and Alex held their breath. When he looked up at them, his face was tear-streaked. “Bart.” Jeremy wiped his nose with the back of his hand. “Bart is, he, umm, he didn’t make it.”

  Josiah sat stunned. This could not be. This was not possible. No matter what had gone before, Bart could not die. King Glory had told him that Bart needed him. And now he was dead. Because of Josiah. It could not be. He was just alive. Alive.

  Josiah looked at Alex and then at Jeremy. Feeling as if he were choking, he struggled to get up. But as soon as he succeeded, he fell to his knees. Resting his face in the dirt, Josiah sobbed.

  Jeremy let Josiah weep for a few minutes then gently said, “Josiah, we’re in danger. Wherever we’re going, we need to get there. We can’t stay here.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. I don’t want you guys in danger, either. Grandfather’s is a safe place, but you’re right, we need to go.”

  They walked quickly for several minutes, each alone in his grief for big Bart who had been a friend for so long. Josiah no longer saw the trees, the sky, the light. He saw Bart’s face. He tried to see his eyes. Was there life? Josiah wasn’t sure. Josiah didn’t hear the birds or the breeze. Instead, he recalled the punches, the scream of pain. They stabbed him. Because of me. He was trying to protect me.

  He tried to refocus. “Jeremy, Alex said you might be a LAMBer.”

  “I’m not sure if I am. I’ve pretty much decided that I want to be one. I’ve seen life in the kids at the retraining facility and in you, and I’ve seen death. I want life. So if you just tell me how to do it, I’ll be a LAMBer.”

  “Let’s stop here. Jeremy, all you have to do is ask King Glory to restore you. He will come and live in you, and you will hear Him inside you through the Voice. Do you know Jajireh made you and loves you?”

  “Well, Lijah told me that Jajireh loved me, and I sure felt something, but I didn’t understand much. I mean, my parents were LAMBers, but I just didn’t pay attention, and then they were arrested and I quickly decided the colony was cool.”

  Josiah put a hand on Jeremy’s shoulder. “Pray this prayer. King Glory, I believe You died to give me life. I receive Your life in me now. Thank You, Jajireh, for loving me enough to send King Glory. I give you my life.” As Josiah prayed each phrase, Jeremy prayed it after him.

  Jeremy regarded Josiah with big eyes. “So, I’m a LAMBer now?”

  “Yes, you are.” Josiah smiled.

  “I am too.” Alex wore a big smile. “I prayed with you, too.”

  “Let’s see.” Jeremy whipped off his shades, and so did Alex. They gazed into each other’s eyes. “I see life. I really do.” Jeremy and Alex clapped each other on the back. “Thank you, Josiah.”

  “Jeremy, did you talk to Bart about this at all?”

  “We talked some. We were careful because, of course, it was forbidden. But, like you, we go way back. Friends since we were kids. So after you were here last time, we talked about it. Bart was upset. He didn’t know if he admired you or was just mad at you. But he didn’t want you killed or jailed. He was secretly glad you got away, but he wouldn’t have told that to anybody else. I’m pretty sure he admired you, Josiah. I think he might have wanted to become a LAMBer, but he was in too deep with the outer men.”

  Josiah shook his head. “So close, but now I won’t know. And it was my fault.”

  Alex walked over to Josiah. “It was not your fault. Bart was your friend, and he was determined that you live.” Alex rubbed his face. “Lijah told me once that if you have really prayed for someone, Jajireh will see to it that He answers that prayer. That means if you prayed for Bart to become a LAMBer, then King Glory would find a way to bring Bart to Him.”

  “That’s wise, Alex. I guess I should trust Jajireh that He brought Bart into the Kingdom.”

  The three began walking again. Josiah thought about what Alex said. O, King Glory, I am going to believe that Bart is with You in heaven. I will trust that You heard and answered my prayer, because that is what You do.

  Josiah sighed deeply. His grief was great. His guilt was strong. But somehow he felt relief in choosing to believe. He praised Jajireh and looked up to enjoy the beauty of the trees and the sky. There before him in the trees, it seemed that a window slid open. Standing in that window was Bart. He smiled and leaned slightly forward. “Josiah,” he said with a slight chuckle, “I made it.” The window closed.

  Josiah started to laugh and weep at the same time. He slapped his knee and danced. When he was able to contain himself, he turned to Jeremy and Alex. “I just saw into a window in heaven. Bart was there. He told me ‘I made it.’”

  Alex and Jeremy joined in the celebrating.

  When they arrived at Grandfather’s, he was waiting beside the pond. “I heard the radio say Bart was killed. Are you okay?” He took his grandson in his arms, like he had when Josiah was little, and wept with him.

  Then Josiah told him of heaven’s window and that Bart had made it, and they began to laugh and rejoice. Soon they were crying because they were laughing so hard.

  Alex looked at Jeremy. “I think I’m going to like it here.”

  * * *

  Lijah and those who escaped from the facility with Lily and Timmy grabbed Alex and Jeremy and hugged them.

  “You guys look so healthy now.” Alex told them.

  “Grandfather and Lily’s mom are good cooks.” Lijah led them to kitchen.

  Meanwhile, everyone embraced Josiah, expressing grief but rejoicing that Bart had made it into heaven. They speculated on when Bart may have made that final choice to be restored to King Glory. Was it before Josiah arrived or right before he died? They prayed for the others who heard Josiah and for those who fought and killed Bart.

  “O King Glory,” Lily prayed, “we rejoice that Bart is with you, and we pray for all the others who are in that awful building listening to the lifting up of the outer man. Stir them, Jajireh, to hear Your voice calling them. Help them to be bold enough to make the choice to return to You. And help all of us to be exactly where You want us to be and when You want us to be there.”

  Lily ended her prayer as everyone said, “Yes, yes,” in agreement and looked up. Teleos was standing there with seven young people, whose eyes were big and smiles tentative.

  Grandfather jumped up, wiping a tear that lingered on his face. “Welcome, Teleos. Welcome, young people.” He tipped his head toward Teleos.

  Teleos answered the question not spoken. “These are here because of Josiah.”

  The young people all nodded.

  One stepped forward and shook Josiah’s hand. “Hey, man, we’re really sorry about Bart, but what you said right before you left, well, it changed us. A few—” He gestured back to the others. “—heard you the last time you were there, and it made them, like me today, shake inside. But we knew you told the truth and everything we’d been hearing was a lie.”

  A young woman stepped forward. “We tried to follow you, but it had been several minutes. We couldn’t believe they killed Bart, and we couldn’t move. So when we went out to try to follow, you were gone. Teleos here was in the woods, like he knew we were coming.”

  All those who already knew Teleos chuckled.

  “Teleos is like that,” said Josiah.

  “We knew he was a watcher, but then he asked us if we wanted life with King Glory. I thought we would all get killed, but we all said, ‘Yes.’ He told us to follow him, and after a little while, he stopped and prayed with us to be restored to King Glory. Now we’re all LAMBers.” She looked around and let her eyes focus on Grandfather.
“Sir, we are honored to be welcomed here. Thank you for opening your home to us.”

  Grandfather hugged each one of them. “You’re all my kids now. I love this.”

  Timmy stood. “And we have lots of food. My mom has been busy, so let’s eat.”

  As they were about to pray a blessing over their meal together, Teleos held up his hand. He walked over and stood in front of Josiah. “Josiah, you know the reason we are all here together is because, out of love, King Glory gave up His life for us. And the Logos tell us that greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friend. That’s what Bart did for you, Josiah. He gave his life so you could live and do all that King Glory wants you to do. Bart showed you great love, my friend.”

  Josiah swiped at his cheeks. “I know, I know. I didn’t want him to have to do that, you know.”

  Teleos put his hand on Josiah’s shoulder. “I think I can hear Bart saying, ‘Hey, Si, get over it. This is cool up here.’”

  Josiah nodded and smiled. “You’re right. I will see him again. He was a good friend. And now I have so many more new friends.” He looked around. “All of you.”

  “And we’re hungry,” said Lijah. “Can we eat now?”

  “Dig in!” called Grandfather as everyone laughed.

  * * *

  Zach kept busy boating people back and forth to Grandfather’s for a safe, relaxing time of learning about King Glory. As more and more were rescued from retraining compounds and prisons, they needed training in the ways of Jajireh and building up of their inner man.

  Connections were made with Noah and Madeline’s safe house, and a conduit was formed for trained LAMBers to become a part of other communities and begin new safe places for LAMBers to gather, grow, and rescue others. Some, like the Fischers, remained with Grandfather, helping him in the daily care and maintenance of the home and the young people continually coming to be trained.

  Amazingly, Zach had no more experiences of watcher boats following him. Occasionally, he caught a glimpse of Timmy’s Leviathan and thought perhaps that was the reason he experienced such freedom on the water.

  As soon as Timmy heard, he insisted that he and Lijah, along with his parents, take a ride with Zach.