The singing drew louder and people started to enter the square. The friends
rose to their feet instinctively. Suddenly a man appeared, riding on the
shoulders of the crowd. His handsome face wearing a gentle smile, his
blonde hair curling down his back as he waved at he crowds surrounding him.
" Him…" Rosie pointed with a shaking hand. "…Jesus…"
* * * * * * * *
The crowds of smiling people filled the square, singing 'Hosanna' as they carried Jesus with them. The group of friends could only stand and watch, mouths open.
" I don't believe what I'm seeing…" muttered Marius, blinking his eyes to try and convince himself that what he saw was true.
" That really is Jesus…" sighed Bertrande, a smile spreading across her lips. Even Guillaume was stood with a face full of wonder. He knew he should feel more elated, privileged even, to be seeing what he was but his heart was heavy in spite of the occasion. He looked down at he ground as he felt the familiar sensation of tingling in his eyes. He forced them shut and sighed, trying to swallow that lump that had risen in his throat. He forced himself to look back up at the crowd still growing in front of them.
" Look…!" Rosie shouted pointing animatedly at where the people where coming from. The end of the crowd seemed to be in sight and bringing up the rear was a man whose face was quite different from the smiling faces of the crowd. His face wore a frown, his hands firmly placed in the pockets of his black jeans. They could see he was wearing a red t-shirt and black leather jacket.
" I like his coat…" mumbled Amos quietly, Jenny elbowed him in the ribs.
" This is not the time…" she said through gritted teeth.
" That's Judas…" Rosie continued breathlessly. " I'd recognise him anywhere…" she added, receiving a slight frown from Marius. " Wait a minute…look at him…" she said, thought covering her face. " Doesn't he look like…" she said glancing at Guillaume. The others did the same, looked at the less than happy looking man who had just appeared in the square and then at Guillaume.
" That's uncanny…" muttered Phillipe.
" What is…?" Guillaume said with uncertainty ringing in his voice.
" It's as if they have the same eyes…" Martin sighed.
" No we don't…" scoffed Guillaume, glancing at Judas. " But how can they look so similar…" Bertrande asked.
" I look nothing like him!" Guillaume frowned.
" They were played by the same actor…that might have something to do with it…" Rosie said, putting her head on one side.
" What do you mean we were played by the same actor…?" Guillaume's frown grew.
" Actor…?" Amos frowned. Lucy groaned.
" Good one Rosie! Only you would start a really involved discussion about musical theatre and Jerome…what's his name…when one of the key scenes in Jesus Christ Superstar is about to take place! Good move!" she said flippantly.
" His name is Jerome Pradon…" Rosie said in a firm voice that bordered on irritated. " And I'm not starting a discussion! I was just saying that his portrayal of the two characters has probably resulted in their similar features…that's all!" Rosie grinned at Lucy. " Anyway…I'm not getting into a big debate about it Lucy!" she said smiling broadly as Lucy opened her mouth to speak. " Honestly…" she said, rolling her eyes. " One of the key scenes in Jesus Christ Superstar is about to happen and you want to discuss Mr. Pradon's performance…as amazing as he is, I don't think this is the time…do you?" Rosie tutted and turned to Marius, trying to stop herself from bursting out laughing. He was, she noticed, looking quite amused at Guillaume's confusion about the whole thing. " And I don't know what you're grinning at sunshine…if I'm not mistaken…he played you too!" she smiled sweetly before turning and looking back at the crowd in front of them. Guillaume sighed and shook his head. It seemed he was doomed to never completely understand this world that the friends had come from. He glanced back at the man Rosie had called Judas and frowned.
" He doesn't look anything like me…" he grumbled under his breath. He was about to turn back to the others when something caught his eye. As Judas moved to go and stand nearer Jesus, he revealed a girl who had been standing behind him. " Jo!" Guillaume shouted and started to run down the steps towards her but the masses of people were in his way. " Jo!" he called out, looking to where he had just seen her. She was gone. He frowned and searched the crowds for her face. He ran back up the steps and looked once more.
" Guillaume? What are you doing…?" Mark looked concerned.
" It's Jo…I've seen her!" Guillaume's voice was all at once brighter and his eyes shone.
" Where?!" Phillipe demanded, scanning the crowds with his pale eyes.
" With him…with Judas!" Guillaume pointed, a smile crossing his lips.
" I…I can't see her…" Jenny looked intently at where Judas was stood alongside Jesus.
" Me either…" Lucy shook her head.
" Are you sure…are you sure it was her…?" Rosie asked quietly. Guillaume span around to face her and took hold of her shoulders.
" It was her…" he said quietly.
" Wait a minute…" muttered Marius, " There's a girl…you can just see the top of her head over Judas' shoulder…" he pointed.
" To be honest I couldn't definitely say whether that was or wasn't…the top of Jo's head…" Martin frowned. Lucy took his hand in hers and squeezed it firmly causing him to yelp in surprise.
" Sweetheart…you're not helping!" she said smiling through gritted teeth.
" She's here…I saw her…!" Guillaume said, some of the brightness fading from his voice.
" She's moving…!" Marius shouted as the head behind Judas moved towards Jesus. The group stood with baited breath waiting for her to appear. Judas shifted to the other side to reveal a young woman with a slight frame, she was wearing a long red dress, and her dark hair was up and off of her face. Her skin was dark and her eyes the same. She looked at Jesus and he smiled warmly at her. There was an audible sigh of disappointment from the group of friends.
" That's not her…" groaned Amos.
" Who…?" started Martin.
" That's Mary Magdalene…" Rosie explained, keeping a watchful eye on Guillaume.
" I'm sure I saw her…" Guillaume kicked the ground in anger. " I swear I saw her…"
" I…we…believe you…" Mark put a consoling hand on his shoulder. " But she doesn't seem to be here now…does she…?" he said gently.
" That is if she was here at all…!" grumbled Phillipe, folding his arms across his chest.
" I'm telling you I saw her…" Guillaume shook Mark's hand off of his shoulder and walked over to Phillipe. Squaring up in front of him, Guillaume opened his mouth to continue…
" There!" Jenny shouted triumphantly. " There…stood next to Simon!" The others dashed over to her and looked at where she was pointing animatedly. Next to the blonde haired young man that they had met near to the garden was indeed stood a young girl. Her back was turned to the group but her hair was long and dark like Jo's and fell in waves over her shoulders. She turned to talk to someone next to her and they could see the twinkle of a nose stud.
" It's her!" Lucy smiled gleefully.
" Look at her neck though…there are no marks…remember the bruises from The Man…there's no way they could have faded this quickly…" Martin said quietly, not wanting to point out problems. They heard Jesus calling to someone, they couldn't here the name he called but she answered to it and wandered over to him. They watched as he introduced her to Mary and as she turned to take Mary's hand they saw a smile and two green eyes that they knew all too well.
" Oh my god…" Rosie said, her breath catching in her throat.
" I told you…" Guillaume all but shouted. " Jo!" he called, his voice carrying over the crowd. Many people turned to see who it was that was shouting but Guillaume didn't notice as he shouted her name once again. " JO!" This time even more people turned around, including Simon. Still Jo didn't seem to have heard. " JO!" Guillaume called out, his voice almost screaming. This time she did hear, as did just about everyone in Jerusalem. She glanced up and scanned the crowds Her eyes met Guillaume's, she frowned and looked away. His beaming face became stunned, he tried to call out once more but all of a sudden his throat had become very tight.
" She looked at me…" he gasped, " But…but…it was if she didn't even see me…" He said, his voice growing more and more tearful.
" Maybe she can't see us from there…" Amos offered, trying to sound hopeful. However the fact that the friends were stood at the top of steps that overlooked the whole of the square seemed to make that seem highly unlikely.
" Maybe she chose not to see you…" smirked Phillipe. Rosie turned to him, a scowl evident on her face.
" In case you hadn't noticed Phillipe…" she spat, craning her neck to look up into his eyes. " She didn't seem to see any of us…and we, unlike you, have done nothing to upset her!"
" What's wrong with her…?" Marius' stunned voice asked.
" I don't know…" Mark shook his head and frowned, " But something is definitely wrong…" The friends looked back at those stood around Jesus and wondered if that was Jo, why didn't she recognise them? What had happened to her? The watched as she went up to Jesus and took him to one side.
" Jesus…" 'Jochebed' whispered, " You need to stop this now…"
" But why…?" he started, his eyes looking into hers.
" I don't know how I know but…I've seen something. There will soon be guards here and Simon…Simon will lead the crowd in a…a demonstration…" She looked anxiously around, " Please…you must stop this…people will get hurt…" Jesus glanced at Simon and frowned as his eyes met those blue eyes of his disciple. He looked back into her green eyes, confusion evident in his.
" But how…I mean…" Jesus stammered and then stopped himself. " Doesn't matter…I must stop this before it starts…" his face became determined. He squeezed her arm before turning to the crowds.
" Friends…" he started.
" Romans…countrymen…" mumbled Rosie up on the steps.
" What's happening…?" Lucy frowned. " I don't remember this bit in that video you insisted to playing to me!"
" Oh come off it - you loved it!" Rosie grinned and then frowned, " But you're right…this…this isn't what's supposed to happen!"
" …I know that you have come here today…to come together but I ask you now…to leave…" Jesus continued and a few groans arose from the crowd. " I have heard that Roman guards may well be on their way…" Panic covered many faces stood before him.
" We can defend ourselves!" Simon announced grandly, standing up next to Jesus.
" No!" Jesus said firmly. " Fighting is not the way forward…" Simon looked crestfallen.
" But…Jesus…we can beat them easily…I mean Christ we must outnumber them ten to one…it'd be an easy victory…" he pleaded but it was obvious that Jesus had made up his mind.
" Show your strength…but not by fighting!" Jesus looked back to the crowds, " Now please…do not stay…" Jesus smiled gently at the crowd and looked relieved as the people started to drift out of the square. Simon frowned at Jesus and walked away from him. Judas looked more than happy to see Simon slink off into the crowd, his pride more than dented. 'Jochebed' glanced up to the group, stood at the top of the steps. There was something about them, something that she was sure…
" Come on you…" Judas took her arm and steered her away as they followed Jesus out of the square. She smiled and followed them, glancing back over her shoulder one last time to look at the group and the young man who's piercing eyes had met hers. She frowned and sighed as the group vanished from her sight as Judas took her around a corner. Back in the square Simon had climbed the steps and had made his way over to the group he encountered near to the garden.
" So I guess you found your way here then?" he smiled warmly.
" Yes…thanks for your help…" beamed Rosie.
" So what was that about…?" Lucy asked nonchalantly. " I mean Jesus calling the gathering off…"
" Oh who knows…" Simon rolled his eyes. " I guess something Jochebed said to him but have gotten him frightened."
" Jochebed…? Who's Joch…?" started Mark but Rosie interrupted him.
" Who…er…who was that young girl with Judas…?" Rosie asked as innocently as she could.
" That's Jochebed…" Simon said matter of factly. " Although that's not her name…"
" Ok…" frowned Rosie. Simon laughed.
" You see…no one knows what her name is! Judas found her in the Garden of Gethsemane last night, she'd hurt her head I think he said and she can't remember anything. Her name…where she comes from…nothing! It's like she just appeared…" He said in a wondrous voice, " She knows things too…like my name…she knew me before she met me…and Jesus she knew him too."
" So she can't remember anything about her life…?" Jenny muttered.
" Nope. Completely blank. She said some names and words in her sleep but from what I understand they sounded like nonsense!" He smiled.
" You say she'd hurt her head…is that all that was wrong with her…?" Guillaume asked suddenly.
" Well…she did have some marks on her neck, really painful looking too!"
" And what happened to those…" Marius asked quietly. Simon's smile grew.
" Jesus." He answered.
" Hey! I was only being polite!" frowned Marius, " I only asked you a question…" Rosie squeezed his hand.
" No! He's not having a go at you! That's what happened. Jesus! He must have healed Jo!" she hissed.
" …oh…" Marius sighed.
" Well…" sighed Simon heading off down the steps. " I'd best head off and try to apologise to Jesus…for whatever it is I've done now!" He smiled and turned back to them. " Unless...you want to come with me…"
" We'd love to…but I don't…" started Martin.
" Thanks," smiled Guillaume. " That'd be great!" he said following Simon down the steps. He glanced back at the others. " Well are you coming or not? We lost Jo once already…I'm not losing her again!" his voice was firm and his eyes had regained their sparkle of energy. The friends looked at each other and shrugged before following Guillaume and Simon down the steps.
" Him…" Rosie pointed with a shaking hand. "…Jesus…"
* * * * * * * *
The crowds of smiling people filled the square, singing 'Hosanna' as they carried Jesus with them. The group of friends could only stand and watch, mouths open.
" I don't believe what I'm seeing…" muttered Marius, blinking his eyes to try and convince himself that what he saw was true.
" That really is Jesus…" sighed Bertrande, a smile spreading across her lips. Even Guillaume was stood with a face full of wonder. He knew he should feel more elated, privileged even, to be seeing what he was but his heart was heavy in spite of the occasion. He looked down at he ground as he felt the familiar sensation of tingling in his eyes. He forced them shut and sighed, trying to swallow that lump that had risen in his throat. He forced himself to look back up at the crowd still growing in front of them.
" Look…!" Rosie shouted pointing animatedly at where the people where coming from. The end of the crowd seemed to be in sight and bringing up the rear was a man whose face was quite different from the smiling faces of the crowd. His face wore a frown, his hands firmly placed in the pockets of his black jeans. They could see he was wearing a red t-shirt and black leather jacket.
" I like his coat…" mumbled Amos quietly, Jenny elbowed him in the ribs.
" This is not the time…" she said through gritted teeth.
" That's Judas…" Rosie continued breathlessly. " I'd recognise him anywhere…" she added, receiving a slight frown from Marius. " Wait a minute…look at him…" she said, thought covering her face. " Doesn't he look like…" she said glancing at Guillaume. The others did the same, looked at the less than happy looking man who had just appeared in the square and then at Guillaume.
" That's uncanny…" muttered Phillipe.
" What is…?" Guillaume said with uncertainty ringing in his voice.
" It's as if they have the same eyes…" Martin sighed.
" No we don't…" scoffed Guillaume, glancing at Judas. " But how can they look so similar…" Bertrande asked.
" I look nothing like him!" Guillaume frowned.
" They were played by the same actor…that might have something to do with it…" Rosie said, putting her head on one side.
" What do you mean we were played by the same actor…?" Guillaume's frown grew.
" Actor…?" Amos frowned. Lucy groaned.
" Good one Rosie! Only you would start a really involved discussion about musical theatre and Jerome…what's his name…when one of the key scenes in Jesus Christ Superstar is about to take place! Good move!" she said flippantly.
" His name is Jerome Pradon…" Rosie said in a firm voice that bordered on irritated. " And I'm not starting a discussion! I was just saying that his portrayal of the two characters has probably resulted in their similar features…that's all!" Rosie grinned at Lucy. " Anyway…I'm not getting into a big debate about it Lucy!" she said smiling broadly as Lucy opened her mouth to speak. " Honestly…" she said, rolling her eyes. " One of the key scenes in Jesus Christ Superstar is about to happen and you want to discuss Mr. Pradon's performance…as amazing as he is, I don't think this is the time…do you?" Rosie tutted and turned to Marius, trying to stop herself from bursting out laughing. He was, she noticed, looking quite amused at Guillaume's confusion about the whole thing. " And I don't know what you're grinning at sunshine…if I'm not mistaken…he played you too!" she smiled sweetly before turning and looking back at the crowd in front of them. Guillaume sighed and shook his head. It seemed he was doomed to never completely understand this world that the friends had come from. He glanced back at the man Rosie had called Judas and frowned.
" He doesn't look anything like me…" he grumbled under his breath. He was about to turn back to the others when something caught his eye. As Judas moved to go and stand nearer Jesus, he revealed a girl who had been standing behind him. " Jo!" Guillaume shouted and started to run down the steps towards her but the masses of people were in his way. " Jo!" he called out, looking to where he had just seen her. She was gone. He frowned and searched the crowds for her face. He ran back up the steps and looked once more.
" Guillaume? What are you doing…?" Mark looked concerned.
" It's Jo…I've seen her!" Guillaume's voice was all at once brighter and his eyes shone.
" Where?!" Phillipe demanded, scanning the crowds with his pale eyes.
" With him…with Judas!" Guillaume pointed, a smile crossing his lips.
" I…I can't see her…" Jenny looked intently at where Judas was stood alongside Jesus.
" Me either…" Lucy shook her head.
" Are you sure…are you sure it was her…?" Rosie asked quietly. Guillaume span around to face her and took hold of her shoulders.
" It was her…" he said quietly.
" Wait a minute…" muttered Marius, " There's a girl…you can just see the top of her head over Judas' shoulder…" he pointed.
" To be honest I couldn't definitely say whether that was or wasn't…the top of Jo's head…" Martin frowned. Lucy took his hand in hers and squeezed it firmly causing him to yelp in surprise.
" Sweetheart…you're not helping!" she said smiling through gritted teeth.
" She's here…I saw her…!" Guillaume said, some of the brightness fading from his voice.
" She's moving…!" Marius shouted as the head behind Judas moved towards Jesus. The group stood with baited breath waiting for her to appear. Judas shifted to the other side to reveal a young woman with a slight frame, she was wearing a long red dress, and her dark hair was up and off of her face. Her skin was dark and her eyes the same. She looked at Jesus and he smiled warmly at her. There was an audible sigh of disappointment from the group of friends.
" That's not her…" groaned Amos.
" Who…?" started Martin.
" That's Mary Magdalene…" Rosie explained, keeping a watchful eye on Guillaume.
" I'm sure I saw her…" Guillaume kicked the ground in anger. " I swear I saw her…"
" I…we…believe you…" Mark put a consoling hand on his shoulder. " But she doesn't seem to be here now…does she…?" he said gently.
" That is if she was here at all…!" grumbled Phillipe, folding his arms across his chest.
" I'm telling you I saw her…" Guillaume shook Mark's hand off of his shoulder and walked over to Phillipe. Squaring up in front of him, Guillaume opened his mouth to continue…
" There!" Jenny shouted triumphantly. " There…stood next to Simon!" The others dashed over to her and looked at where she was pointing animatedly. Next to the blonde haired young man that they had met near to the garden was indeed stood a young girl. Her back was turned to the group but her hair was long and dark like Jo's and fell in waves over her shoulders. She turned to talk to someone next to her and they could see the twinkle of a nose stud.
" It's her!" Lucy smiled gleefully.
" Look at her neck though…there are no marks…remember the bruises from The Man…there's no way they could have faded this quickly…" Martin said quietly, not wanting to point out problems. They heard Jesus calling to someone, they couldn't here the name he called but she answered to it and wandered over to him. They watched as he introduced her to Mary and as she turned to take Mary's hand they saw a smile and two green eyes that they knew all too well.
" Oh my god…" Rosie said, her breath catching in her throat.
" I told you…" Guillaume all but shouted. " Jo!" he called, his voice carrying over the crowd. Many people turned to see who it was that was shouting but Guillaume didn't notice as he shouted her name once again. " JO!" This time even more people turned around, including Simon. Still Jo didn't seem to have heard. " JO!" Guillaume called out, his voice almost screaming. This time she did hear, as did just about everyone in Jerusalem. She glanced up and scanned the crowds Her eyes met Guillaume's, she frowned and looked away. His beaming face became stunned, he tried to call out once more but all of a sudden his throat had become very tight.
" She looked at me…" he gasped, " But…but…it was if she didn't even see me…" He said, his voice growing more and more tearful.
" Maybe she can't see us from there…" Amos offered, trying to sound hopeful. However the fact that the friends were stood at the top of steps that overlooked the whole of the square seemed to make that seem highly unlikely.
" Maybe she chose not to see you…" smirked Phillipe. Rosie turned to him, a scowl evident on her face.
" In case you hadn't noticed Phillipe…" she spat, craning her neck to look up into his eyes. " She didn't seem to see any of us…and we, unlike you, have done nothing to upset her!"
" What's wrong with her…?" Marius' stunned voice asked.
" I don't know…" Mark shook his head and frowned, " But something is definitely wrong…" The friends looked back at those stood around Jesus and wondered if that was Jo, why didn't she recognise them? What had happened to her? The watched as she went up to Jesus and took him to one side.
" Jesus…" 'Jochebed' whispered, " You need to stop this now…"
" But why…?" he started, his eyes looking into hers.
" I don't know how I know but…I've seen something. There will soon be guards here and Simon…Simon will lead the crowd in a…a demonstration…" She looked anxiously around, " Please…you must stop this…people will get hurt…" Jesus glanced at Simon and frowned as his eyes met those blue eyes of his disciple. He looked back into her green eyes, confusion evident in his.
" But how…I mean…" Jesus stammered and then stopped himself. " Doesn't matter…I must stop this before it starts…" his face became determined. He squeezed her arm before turning to the crowds.
" Friends…" he started.
" Romans…countrymen…" mumbled Rosie up on the steps.
" What's happening…?" Lucy frowned. " I don't remember this bit in that video you insisted to playing to me!"
" Oh come off it - you loved it!" Rosie grinned and then frowned, " But you're right…this…this isn't what's supposed to happen!"
" …I know that you have come here today…to come together but I ask you now…to leave…" Jesus continued and a few groans arose from the crowd. " I have heard that Roman guards may well be on their way…" Panic covered many faces stood before him.
" We can defend ourselves!" Simon announced grandly, standing up next to Jesus.
" No!" Jesus said firmly. " Fighting is not the way forward…" Simon looked crestfallen.
" But…Jesus…we can beat them easily…I mean Christ we must outnumber them ten to one…it'd be an easy victory…" he pleaded but it was obvious that Jesus had made up his mind.
" Show your strength…but not by fighting!" Jesus looked back to the crowds, " Now please…do not stay…" Jesus smiled gently at the crowd and looked relieved as the people started to drift out of the square. Simon frowned at Jesus and walked away from him. Judas looked more than happy to see Simon slink off into the crowd, his pride more than dented. 'Jochebed' glanced up to the group, stood at the top of the steps. There was something about them, something that she was sure…
" Come on you…" Judas took her arm and steered her away as they followed Jesus out of the square. She smiled and followed them, glancing back over her shoulder one last time to look at the group and the young man who's piercing eyes had met hers. She frowned and sighed as the group vanished from her sight as Judas took her around a corner. Back in the square Simon had climbed the steps and had made his way over to the group he encountered near to the garden.
" So I guess you found your way here then?" he smiled warmly.
" Yes…thanks for your help…" beamed Rosie.
" So what was that about…?" Lucy asked nonchalantly. " I mean Jesus calling the gathering off…"
" Oh who knows…" Simon rolled his eyes. " I guess something Jochebed said to him but have gotten him frightened."
" Jochebed…? Who's Joch…?" started Mark but Rosie interrupted him.
" Who…er…who was that young girl with Judas…?" Rosie asked as innocently as she could.
" That's Jochebed…" Simon said matter of factly. " Although that's not her name…"
" Ok…" frowned Rosie. Simon laughed.
" You see…no one knows what her name is! Judas found her in the Garden of Gethsemane last night, she'd hurt her head I think he said and she can't remember anything. Her name…where she comes from…nothing! It's like she just appeared…" He said in a wondrous voice, " She knows things too…like my name…she knew me before she met me…and Jesus she knew him too."
" So she can't remember anything about her life…?" Jenny muttered.
" Nope. Completely blank. She said some names and words in her sleep but from what I understand they sounded like nonsense!" He smiled.
" You say she'd hurt her head…is that all that was wrong with her…?" Guillaume asked suddenly.
" Well…she did have some marks on her neck, really painful looking too!"
" And what happened to those…" Marius asked quietly. Simon's smile grew.
" Jesus." He answered.
" Hey! I was only being polite!" frowned Marius, " I only asked you a question…" Rosie squeezed his hand.
" No! He's not having a go at you! That's what happened. Jesus! He must have healed Jo!" she hissed.
" …oh…" Marius sighed.
" Well…" sighed Simon heading off down the steps. " I'd best head off and try to apologise to Jesus…for whatever it is I've done now!" He smiled and turned back to them. " Unless...you want to come with me…"
" We'd love to…but I don't…" started Martin.
" Thanks," smiled Guillaume. " That'd be great!" he said following Simon down the steps. He glanced back at the others. " Well are you coming or not? We lost Jo once already…I'm not losing her again!" his voice was firm and his eyes had regained their sparkle of energy. The friends looked at each other and shrugged before following Guillaume and Simon down the steps.