Gatherers For Christ

She was dead. In fact, she had died a long time ago, so there really was no further need to dredge up unwanted memories from a past that was long gone. And yet there it was, like a tapeworm in his mind, continuously coming back to haunt him.

The van came to a brief halt as someone outside pulled open a warehouse door. Once the door was open, the van drove through the opening and entered the massive area.

“Brother, you look troubled,” Youmud said softly, watching his brother like a hawk seeking for prey.

Darwyn glared at him. He knew all too well what his brother was searching for. A sign of weakness. “It's you who are the troubled one, especially if you pull another stupid stunt like that again!”

Youmud lowered his eyes, feeling defeated. “I will leave the Jewish doctor alone.”

Darwyn grunted and opened the side door. He stepped out, followed by Youmud and two others. Two other men climbed out, one from the driver’s side of the van, and the other from the passenger side. They all filed out behind Darwyn, following him through a doorway and then down a set of stairs.

Darwyn contorted his face with rage. He had to. It was the only way to keep the memories at bay. Why must this continue to torment me? he thought angrily to himself. What’s done is done? The betrayal has ended! He led the men down a long corridor, lit by single bulbs. The light bulbs were spaced far enough apart to keep the corridor mostly in shadow.

The corridor turned to the left, but he stopped at the corner and simply kicked at the wall sharply three times. Then, he dug his fingers into the corner and gave the wall a tug. The wall moved, and a small space opened up, big enough for a man to enter through. He did, and the others followed. The last man in resealed the wall.

On the other side of the wall was another corridor, which led down a decline. The men followed it and eventually came into another area where there was activity. Several men were checking on weapons, or going over plans for their triumphant attack. The excitement of the day to come was in the air. As Darwyn led the men deeper into the underground lair of the cell, men everywhere stopped briefly to pay him tribute with a salute or with a manic grin of joy. They were looking forward to killing Americans, and hopefully Jews.

She deserved it, Darwyn thought, gritting his teeth. And so do the American infidels! Their blood will flow and I will bathe in it! He came to an area where a raised platform overlooked the entire enclave. He stood up there and waited.

The wait wasn't long. All activity stopped, and all eyes turned to him. A hush literally fell over them.

“My brothers,” Darwyn said, looking Youmud in the eyes before he began to make eye contact with every one else, “I will not stand up here and bore you with a pitiful speech of honor and glory.”

Chuckles of mirth spread.

He smiled grimly. “But we have waited for this day, haven’t we? Well, it has finally come. Today is the last day.” He paused to let that sink into their minds and into their hearts. “The last day,” he said a little louder. He looked at the men below him, searching their faces. “The last day for freedom in America. The last day for picnics in the park, and ice cream on a hot summers day, and baseball, and American pie. It is the last day!” He raised a fist.

The men cheered, raising a fist of their own.

“Today is the last day for America…And soon to follow…” He smiled. “Israel. The Jews. When they see the so-called Americans fall, they will fear us. And then, they will suffer worse than America.” He nodded, smiling triumphantly. “So…today is the last day for peace. And tomorrow…Tomorrow is the first day of our victory. Tomorrow, the streets of America will fill with blood and we shall strike at their hearts, bringing them to their knees. Then, we shall take their heads and destroy them!”

The men cheered.

Darwyn raised his hands and smiled. “Sleep tonight, my brothers. Keep your strength for tomorrow. For tomorrow we shall dance on the corpses of our enemies!”

The men continued to cheer, and Darwyn went about inspecting them and their weapons. He spent the majority of the day doing just that, occupying his mind with the task at hand to keep the past at bay. But unfortunately, that time came even for him when he was alone in his own place, preparing for the night. He thought he would be too excited to sleep, but he was wrong. He did sleep.

And in his sleep, he had a dream.