Disclaimer: The Big Boss (aka God), ALW and Tim Rice still own everything.
Author's note: Could We Start Again, Please? and Judas' Death, part 1.
I've been living to see you…
John looked around at the apostles. But were they still apostles, Jesus' disciples? Jesus would be killed, murdered by his best friend. John passed a hand over his eyes.
Dying to see you, but it shouldn't be like this…
They all sat listless on the steps of the old temple Jesus had been arrested in. Peter sat as far as possible from the others, only Andrew sat obstinate next to him. They hadn't blamed him for anything; even if they had wanted to, there was the listless feeling to stop them; the idea that it all didn't matter anymore. But he blamed himself, that was very clear. He had buried his face in his hands since they had come sitting here and hadn't looked up anymore.
This was unexpected, what do I do now?
Mary sat not far of John, the eyes empty. No, not really empty. There was a bottomless sadness in them. She had quickly woken up again after her fainting, but she hadn't spoken a word since.
Could we start again please?
What had happened? John thought. Everything Jesus had said had come true… what were they to do?
I've been very hopeful so far…
Simon got up, and Phillip followed his example. Everybody looked up, except Peter and Mary. "I'm- I'm gonna check how Jesus is," Simon said hoarsely, not looking at anyone.
Now, for the first time, I think we're going wrong…
"I'm coming with you," Phillip said, his normal shyness disappearing.
Hurry up and tell me this is all a dream…
They walked off the stairs and Simon was hit frontal by a man who came racing out a small street. Simon managed to keep his balance, but the other man was knocked off his feet. "Hey, look out where you're-Judas!" Simon's mouth fell open.
Or could we start again please?
The apostles jumped from the stairs, and even Mary and Peter followed. Here ended their inactiveness. Judas sat on the ground, where he had landed, staring at the ground. He hadn't reacted when Simon had said his name. He slowly came on his feet again and looked around. John shuddered when he saw his eyes. The normal mocking lights and live had disappeared. He was empty. He looked totally indifferent and didn't seem to recognise them. His clothes were torn, John noticed.
I think you've made your point now…
"You!" Mary started and hit with her small fists his chest, tears falling from her eyes. "Murderer! Murderer!" He looked upon her, still empty. It was scary, John thought. It wouldn't have been half as bad if he just had cried or even hadn't shown any remorse. Everything was better than this wrapping.
You've even gone a bit too far to get the message home…
Peter stepped forward and pulled her away. The meeting had brought something back. His eyes shone again, severe and autoritorian. John remembered that Jesus had asked Peter to take care of them."Judas?" Judas didn't look up. "Why are you here?"
Before it gets too frightening we ought to call a halt…
Finally Judas raised his head. There was a small spark of recognition in his eyes, which immediately was replaced again by indifference. "Peter." He looked around, to all of them, but the little spark didn't come back, until his eyes met Mary's.
So could we start again please?
He instinctively sat a step back. "Mary." She spit at him. "Mary," he repeated. Something was dawning on him, saw John. "Jesus." He was silent for a moment and then started laughing, like a madman. All the apostles' faces showed the same horror. Suddenly he pushed his hands against his face, moaning, and started running again, past them.
Could we start again please?
Past the memory.
Could we start a-?
Annas nodded. The death warrant for Jesus was looking well. "It's neatly done," he said, sounding slightly indifferent. The other priests quickly agreed with the best friend of the high priest. He received a hidden smirk from Caiaphas. They had them in the palm of their hands.
The doors flew open. A frantic looking Iscariot stormed in. "Oh, my God, I saw him! He looked three-quarters dead! And he was so wounded I couldn't look at him! You've beaten him so hard that he was bent and lame!" For a moment there was a consuming anger in his eyes while he looked at them, blaming them for what had happened to Christ. Caiaphas stood up and walked to the wall, indicating to Annas that he could act as he pleased. "And I know who'll get blamed!" But, saw Annas, there was also desperation in Iscariot's eyes. "I don't believe he knows I acted for our good! I'd safe him all this suffering if I was able to!" He took some steps in Annas' direction. "I really acted for our good! I'd save him! I want to save him!" He trembled violently. "I- I want that it stops."
"Oh please," said Annas, not even trying to hide his contempt. "Cut the confessions, forget the excuses. I don't understand why you're sorry for what you've done. All that you've said has come true with our vengeance; the mob turned against him, you backed the right horse." He pushed Judas in the arms of the other priests.
"What you have done will be the saving of Israel," Caiaphas said, coming closer. "You'll be remembered forever for it." Judas smirked for a moment. Annas wondered briefly why. "And not only that you've been paid for your efforts. Pretty good wages for one little kiss."
Annas motioned to the priests who held Judas that they should remove him from the room. When that was done, Caiaphas turned to him. "Why do you think he acted like that?"
Annas shrugged, a bored expression on his face. "Like I care. Probably got upset by seeing Christ. Maybe I shouldn't have let him watch the torture."
"Can he do anything?"
"I doubt it. We already have Christ, there are no laws to free him and the prison is safely guarded."
"Good."
After that they quickly settled down for some important business.
What is your very high appreciated opinion, aka review?
