Chapter Five: Judas s Descendants.

That night after dinner, I took a quick shower and changed into a pearl white silk nightgown with a deep v with glitter. I blew my hair out and watched it twinkle in the moonlight, I sat on the cot unable to sleep looking up into the moonlight. Rosemairee was in my bed sleeping happily. I tried counting the stars but I was always thrown off track by a new one I saw, I remember when Brother and I use to do this. We would go past Judgment Gate hovering looking down on the Earth trying to count the stars, but Father always added one more than we counted to throw us off track. We would sit there for hours trying to figure out who counted the most stars. I smiled at the though; the bittersweet feeling from earlier coming back making my heart twist. I reached up and touched my necklace and smiled sadly. A tear fell from my eyes. I said a prayer for Eden, Daniel, and Cornelius; my traitors. I want Father to go easy on them because they deserve it, they don t know what they re doing right? They're born of sin, I m not, I know their destiny but they don t. Father have mercy on them for they do not know what they do. Tears came down my eyes for the love I have for Daniel but the love that never will be, I cried to Eden and Cornelius who loved one another more than they loved me. I trusted them, all of them, I fell for one of them, and they betray me. Tears slid down my face as I bit my lip to contain the shutters that came from it. I didn t want to wake Rosemairee up. I fell asleep crying that night and had a nightmare which was more like a vision.
I was sitting near a tree talking to Rosemariee, Daniel came up to me and pointed at me yelling, That s her! that s the one who claims she is the Redeemer. Redeemer? The other male voice, unrecognized, said. Redeemer of what? He laughed at me as Cornelius hauled me up and threw me towards Daniel.
Get her away from me! he backed up letting me fall face first towards the ground, You were wrong Judith, you re the one who is damned. Lax has opened our eyes. The mud was now in my hair making it clump, I tried to wipe it off while I felt something sticky and warm trickle down my face. Blood perhaps. I looked up from my crouched position, I was still on the hill, there was an orange tree growing, a little girl was behind it. She looked pale in the glow of the afternoon light, she had black hair and deep blue eyes.
Who is she? I turned back looking at Daniel and the guy I couldn t quite recognize. Daniel s foot kicked my stomach as I bent over and spat out blood. Oof! I called out as I laid on all fours. Hit her again! She lied to us. I heard Eden s motherly voice said. I looked up to meet her eyes, but she looked away to Cornelius who wrapped his arms around her. Eden. I said her name roughly as I coughed trying to catch my breath.
Shut up! Cornelius yelled at me roughly. Daniel looked at me with hurt in his eyes, like he wanted to cry. Don t fall for it Daniel. Cornelius said walking towards him placing his brown arm on Daniel s white shoulder.
She s so - We know. Cornelius said looking at me with pure hate. He looks just like Lax, evil and unforgiving.
Daniel. I cried out.
Shut up! Cornelius kicked me on my back and I laid staring up into the heated gaze on the sun.
The man with the unrecognized voice held Cornelius back and Daniel placed his hand on Cornelius chest to stop him. Easy there Cornelius. Eden yanked me up.
You claim you re Princess of Heaven, make our hard hearts soft as your brother did. I stayed quiet. Exactly. The laughed at me, all except Daniel who just looked down not meeting my gaze.
What shall we do with you? Eden questioned shaking my arm. Hang her! Cornelius said.
No, crucify her just like her Brother. The unrecognized voice said.
What do you think Daniel? Eden said mockingly.
Daniel was quiet. I think, he looked scared. He closed his eyes, hang her. I took a deep breath, I knew he would say that. Eden grabbed me and threw me down on the floor, pulling my hair so hard I thought it might come out of my head, I screamed out in pain. But then held it back knowing they love to hear my pain, I felt my dress being raised, I kicked to stop it, but Eden held me. The unrecognized voice came behind me and slid himself in me, violating me as Eden pulled my hair and Cornelius laughed with Daniel.
Daniel. I looked at him through the pain in my eyes, he watched me mouth agape and then ran down the hill. Cornelius turned and followed him. It was just Eden and that man now. When he finished violating me, he jumped on my legs and broke them. He then took my string from my dress and made a knot with it, Eden pulled me up as he hooked it around my neck, my breath was ragged yet I didn t cry. They looked into my eyes, with no sorrow or remorse and hefted me onto the tree. I start kicking and gasping for air. I saw Ruperts car pull up and out came Bethel and Rupert, they ran to us.
What are you doing?!: Rupert yelled.
They said something I couldn t understand since I was losing consciousness, I tried to listen but failed, I remember seeing Rupert point to me and then get on his knees bowing to me. Then it went dark.
I awoke with a jump crying and heaving, Rosemairee woke up running to me from the bed and wrapping her arms around me.
Judith. She said my name comfortingly.
Oh, Judith. She hugged me closely.
I had a nightmare. I spoke once I calmed down.
Of what? She asked tenderly.
I looked at her, wanting to to tell her, but I didn t. She can t know what my faith is, all she must know is that I m dying because I love them so much.
Death. I stood up, putting on my white silk robe and walking out of my room, I need air. I closed the door and walked down the stairs slowly replaying the events of the day.
Hugging Bethel, casting out Cornelius, kissing Daniel. I sighed once I opened the mesh door leading to the backyard. I sat on the grass looking up at the sky thinking about all Brother went through. I concentrated on my necklace as it glowed, Yes Judith? St. Peter? I was shocked, I was expecting Brother. Where is my Brother? He s taking prayers right now. That explains it, no one gets to Father unless they go through Brother. Can I help you? St. Peter s no-nonsense voice said.
Yes. I closed my eyes raising it towards Heaven. I need help St. Peter. I know who will betray me, I ve seen it in my dream Father has given me, which brings me out here. I don t want to stop it, but how soon will it happen? Thinking about that boy? A little. I nibbled my lip.
Don t get distracted Judith Cristal. Father would not approve. Was Your Brother distracted? No. I rolled my eyes.
Then don t be distracted. Things will come in due time. Remember that. I took off focus from the necklace. St. Peter was right, I m here for a mission, not love. I got up and walked to the front of the house to get a closer glimpse of the moon. Beautiful isn t it? That voice, it couldn t be.
But it was.
Lax. I spat, What are you doing at my house? Visiting. He walked closer to me wearing dark pants and a navy blazer with a black shirt underneath. Leave it to him to dress like this was a business meeting rather than a confrontation. You re not welcomed. I said to him crossing my arms.
I don t need your permission. He smiled evilly, you re in my territory now, the darkness. You wish, this is still my house. What will you do about it? He challenged.
I closed my eyes summoning the power of Heaven, it was faint but it was there,when I opened my eyes Lax was glowing darkness, his eyes pools of smoky inferno, his voice got deeper, Are you sure you want this now Judith Cristal? I was scared, I didn t have enough energy. He came closer to me as I backed up.
Scared? He said with a smirk. No. he grabbed my arm and twisted it, bringing me to bite back a scream. Shush Miss Cristal. Shut up Lax. He twisted it more bringing his face close to mine, his minty breath was so close to my lips. He leaned in, but then we heard footsteps and he smiled. Stop! Daniel s voice called.
Exactly, stop Judith Wat are you doing? Lax looked wounded.
What? I looked confused.
No, no, no, you tricked me. I said over and over. Daniel looked at both of us, Lax with hate but me with heartbroken promises. What? Daniel believe me. She s lying! Cornelius voice filled the air as he ran to us from behind me, Eden was nowhere in sight. What? Daniel said quietly. She kissed him, she touched his lips. Cornelius said.
Judith? Daniel questioned. Daniel is you don t believe me, then what can I do I already told you it wasn t true, if you still ask me clearly you need more faith. I stood quiet. Daniel closed his eyes and came towards me as Cornelius grabbed me from the back tossing me down. You lying bitch! he smacked my face making it echo throughout the quiet night, Rosemairee charged through the front door so did my parents.
Stop! Mom shouted.
I ll have you arrested. Dad shouted.
Cornelius what are you doing? Rosemariee gasped.
Stop. All of you. I said standing up, This is it. This is my time. I turned to face Cornelius as he smiled a sick twisted smile and grabbed my arm. My dad walked forward about to stop him when I stopped him, Dad, no. This is what has to be done. But it s so early, you have two years left Judith. I know, but Father wants it now, it must happen now. I turned and looked at Lax, Cornelius and Daniel. What do you want? My lip was bleeding. I summoned more Heavenly glory and looked at Lax targeting him. Oh no you don t! A females voice said to me from behind, I couldn t turn around, she was punched me and kicking me as I curled up in a ball on the floor.
A gunshot rang the air, I heard my parents scream, then it went quiet.
Who had the gun? Now they re taken care of. Cornelius said. Oh no. What do we do with her? Eden asked. Hey! Where are you going? you re part of this too Daniel. I know he said quietly. You won t touch her! Rosemariee threw herself in front of me. Rosemariee i said quietly, she didn t hear me though.
You guys are mean, and terrible, and traitors! Rosemariee shouted in her girly voice, How dare you do something like this. Rose - Eden began.
Shut up you murderer! She saved your life when you were dying on a hospital bed and this is how you treat her? Rose! Cornelius shouted. Stop it! Daniel shouted covering his ears. What is it now? Eden said angrily. Just - I stood up holding my stomach looking at them, when my eyes got to Daniel a hand grabbed me throwing me into the backseat of a car.
I can t count on humans for nothing! Lax shouted, he put the car in drive and started driving off.
I was in and out of sleep, I could see Cornelius car next to us and Daniel s car on the right of us driving. They were following us. How are you feeling? Lax asked.
Why do you care? I said silently.
I don t. He smiled twistedly. A moment of silence passed, Poor thing, they abandoned you. We got out and I looked up seeing a mountain.
On top of this mountain an orange tree is growing. Cornelius got out of his car, handcuffing me as Eden held me and led me up the hill. Daniel was a few footsteps behind, Cornelius took a tree twig and bore it in my forehead making me bite my lip from screaming. Daniel didn t meet my eyes. What are you looking at, no one will help you. Eden spat in my face, no one bothered to wipe it off. I stayed quiet. This is where my dream took place, and it s happening now. Better now than later. I looked at the same things in my dream happened, I was beaten and raped, except the unrecognized voice was Lax, he got the rope ready as I said a silent prayer. Daniel was down the hill with Cornelius. Rupert and Bethel arrived early arguing with Lax and Eden. How could you? Rupert shouted at Eden. Because she s a liar! She kissed him. No she wouldn t! Bethel countered, Eden crossed her arms.
You re just jealous the Lord chose her. To die for people who don t give a crap? Yeah. Eden said sarcastically. I closed my eyes savoring the moment before my death.