Chapter II - Infernal Power
Michmethah truged up the aisle, Malachi's head grasped firmly in his hand. Michmethah stared straight ahead. He knew that every eye in the church was on him, criticizing him. Somewhere in the back one of the younger children started to cry. Michmethah took no notice. Michmethah reached the altar and stood square in front of the large, monumental cross.
"My children! hear me now. I have slain the great Malachi. Now justice has finally prevailed! Due to the fact that I am his heir, I take it upon myself to fulfil his role and lead to He Who Walks Behind The Rows." Michmethah paused. "Now you must answer to me..." He added in softly.
"Why did you do such a thing?" Screamed Rebekah, a young girl of eleven. "Malachi has always been there for us! He cared for us, he'd put our lives before his very own-"
"I somehow doubt that, young Rebekah." Michmethah interjected cooly. Michmethah turned around, reached up and thrust Malachi's head onto the top pike of the cross. His face contorted, forever to remain in it's anguished cry. "Behold! The great Malachi!" He exclaimed ecstatically.
Rebekah continued. "I can't believe that you did such a thing!" By now she was on the brink of tears. "He was our leader... He... He... And you just did that... Why..." Rebekah trailed off. She pointed accusingly at Michmethah. "No one can replace Malachi! You're going to drive us into the ground! How dare you kill Malachi so that you can so greedily steal his place of honor!"Rebekah rose to her feet.
"You dare have the audacity to talk to me in that way?" Michmethah walked towards Rebekeh. "Surely you don't want your fate to coincide with Malachi's..." Michmethah whispered to her.
"You wouldn't lay your hands on me..." Rebekah said menacingly.
"Wouldn't I? Oh, so naive..." Michmethah chuckled to himself. "My poor girl, I don't think you understand exactly what I'm saying to you."
"I understand. Of course I understand... However, I don't believe you. You wouldn't touch me..." Rebekah moved out of the pew to confront Michmethah.
"Do not tempt me, Rebekah." Michmethah warned.
"Why don't you do it? Do it Michmethah, do it! Do it, do it, do it.." She singsonged. Michmethah clenched his fists. He stared strangely at Rebekah. It was if he didn't blink or breathe. Suddenly, he smirked.
"Very well Rebekah, I will do it. Ezekiel? Hand me your dagger." Michmethah commanded to the boy sitting in the pew ahead of Rebekah.
"But..but Michmethah.." The boy managed to sputter out.
"Do not try my patience. Hand it to me." He commanded again. Ezekiel obediently handed Michmethah his dagger. Rebekah's eyes widened in fear. Michmethah switched the blade around in his hand, so that he was holding onto the blade. He proceeded to hit Rebekah over the head with it, thus rendering her unconscious. "Well, is there not anyone who will help me bind this rebellious girl? Come now, don't make me choose..."
"Why must we bind her?" Inquired someone from the back.
"We are binding her because we are going to crucify her..."
-
Michmethah finished tying her right arm to the post. Rebekah was starting to rouse out of her slumber. The occasional groan or sigh could be heard as she lolled her head from side to side.
"Welcome back, Rebekah. I'm afraid you won't be with us for very long." Michmethah half-whispered. "Very well! Hoist up the betrayer!" He yelled. A few of the older boys began to raise the cross. Rebekah began to scream.
"How dare you do this to me! Why? What have I done?!" Rebekah began to cry. "What have I done..?"
"Don't worry, child, you will be with Him soon enough. And to the rest of you! Rest assured that there is more than enough space for you to join Rebekah!" Michmethah shouted while pointing at the group. The Children stood in awe and horror, staring at Rebekah. Poor, damned Rebekah. The only sound were her anguished cries for help. Her tear fell freely, dotting the ground. "Shhh, Rebekah, shhh. Don't waste your energy on petty screaming. You know that no one will come to your aid." He said coldly to Rebekah, his head cocked to one side. "Well, let us be off!" Michmethah led the others off, heading out of the clearing.
"Stop! Don't you leave me here! Don't go..." She trailed off. "You bastard! You can't do this to me! You cruel man! He will wreak his revenge upon you! All of you!" Rebekah continued screaming. She struggled against the rough ropes, alas, to no avail.
"Amos, do me a great favour.. Take care of Rebekah for me." Michmethah said without turning around.
"What do you mean take care of her? Make sure she doesn't pass away, or kill her."
"Amos, must I clarify it?" Michmethah sighed. " The latter of the two. Here, take my dagger." Michmethah handed Amos his dagger. "Well, what are you waiting for? Off with you!" Amos turned around reluctantly and headed for Rebekah.
"Oh bless you! Bless you! Finally, someone is helping me!" Rebekah gasped between sobs. "Cut me down.." Amos looked down towards his feet.
"I'm not here to help, Rebekah." He half smiled at Rebekah, trying to calm her nerves. "Good-bye, I wish you the best." He whispered to her, guilt evident in his eyes.
"Michmethah! You shan't be forgiven for this atrocity! You will never live this down! Never!" Rebekah's cries were in vain. Amos drew back his dagger and dragged it straight across Rebekah's gut. Rebekah gurgled as her blood spilled forth out of her mouth. Her pretty pale blue dress became drenched with the warm, red liquid. A small amount of vomit leaked out of the corner of her trembling mouth. Suddenly, the small amount of flesh left sealing in her organs ripped open. Her innards spewed out of her stomach like a dam bursting. The fight was over for Rebekah, her soul fled her body. She was to remain there, to be feasted upon by the creatures. Never was so fair a girl condemned to rot eternally as carrion.
Michmethah half chuckled to himself at this somehow amusing sight.
"Does anyone else dare defy my rule? Anyone at all?" He threatened. "Amos, hand me my dagger please." The blood slowly dripped off the blade. Amos looked as if he were about to be sick. "Amos," Michmethah tried to flatter him, "the warrior, are you alright? You don't seem to be well."
"I.. I'm fine. I'm just a little.. nauseous, that's all. That's the first time I've ever done... that." Amos somehow managed to sputter out.
"It may be your first, but I assure you, it won't be your last..." Amos gagged. Michmethah glanced over to the sorry sight of Rebekah one last time before departing. He noticed the blood pooling on the earth beneath her. "That's sure to please He Who Walks Behind The Rows." He whispered to himself. Michmethah and his group fled from the clearing. The sky was beginning to darken, the winds pick up, and there were still sermons to be had.