“Why?” He sputters, my shirt slipping through his fingers as I remove the knife and lay it carefully between us.
“You know why. You are no longer fit to run the church. You aren’t willing to do what must be done.” I shake my head, grabbing the man around his ribs and digging my finger into the wound. His shirt is soaked with blood, the dirty cream color turning a deep crimson. Leaning into his ear I add once last thing, “This would be the time to ask God for forgiveness, old man.” And with that, I thrust him over the side of the wooden walls of the wagon.
He hits the ground with a hard thud and rolls several feet, grunting out his pain. One of my men makes to jump down from his horse, but I stop him.
“Leave him, unless of course you want to join him.” Squinting at the potentially dead man walking, I wait for him to make his choice.
It only takes him a moment to choose, and then he turns face front, nudging his horse forward.
I did what needed to be done. I killed Vater Henry.
***
DAVID
Halfway back to the compound I had called a halt to the men around me. Up to that point no one had said a word after seeing the Vater lying on the dirty ground covered in blood, a pool of it quickly forming around him. But just because they hadn’t spoken out thus far, didn’t mean they wouldn’t once they thought they were safe from me inside the walls of the compound. I’d needed to make sure they knew they were never safe from me.
I had called everyone close around the wagon, and after they were all gathered, I’d told them the only way for them to live. I had told them the Vater was no longer fit to lead, and I’d said the Vater had done and said things inside that meeting that would constitute as treason, as heresy. I had made it clear that he was a danger to every member of the church, and it was our duty to protect everyone from him. That I had protected them from a psychotic old man who was no longer fit. Each man had nodded their head, although a few had unsure looks on their features. Those I would need to keep an eye on.
Once I was sure they understood that part, I went on, explaining only we could know how the Vater died. That people wouldn’t understand why we didn’t bring him back for a trial. I made sure each of them knew that we knew what was best for the people, and that we could use this situation to our advantage.
The gangs had already attacked the compound directly once, and they would do it again. We needed to rally the troops, and the best way to do that was to let the people, the council, think the Vater had been killed by the Diablo and Titan gangs as he was trying to leave the meeting. We would tell everyone we had no choice but to leave his body as we were under attack and had to flee for our lives.
Again, every head had nodded, and when I was certain we were all on the same page, we had set off again. But that wasn’t all I had to deal with. Brian hadn’t caught up with our group yet, so I still didn’t know the status on Elder Berry, but it was the elder sitting in front of me I needed to deal with first.
We were only about five minutes from the compound when I directed the elder to join me in the second seat, and he did.
“Elder, I know I don’t have to worry about you revealing anything that’s happened today, but there is another matter we need to discuss.” Turning to the elder and seeing his nod, I continue. “We need to discuss the issue of leadership within the church. What do you see happening?”
The man runs a hand down his face, letting out a sigh before giving his opinion. “Well, I think it’s clear I will be voted in as the new Vater. However, I would want you in my inner circle, as well as Elder McGee. The issue of Mutter Vater will have to be addressed as well, she won’t go down without a fight, as you well know.”
His hands hang loosely between his legs as I shake my head in his direction. “Wrong.”
“Wrong? What do you mean wrong? You don’t think the Mutter will be a problem?” Disbelief laces his tone as he studies me closely.
Scooting another inch closer as I reach for the knife that rests on the bench between us still covered in the Vater’s blood, I pause to let him worry. This knife is an obvious threat, and from the look on his face, he doesn’t miss the implication.
“No, I agree she could be a problem, but that isn’t the problem at hand. You are.” Without a single pause, I lunge once again, placing the blade against his vulnerable throat. “You don’t have to die today, Elder. There is one way out of this for you.”
“Anything,” he sputters with his eyes glistening and his breaths barely coming. He recognizes the smallest move on his part could end his life.
“Good.” Removing the knife but not setting it down just yet, I sit back casually and explain, “We will return to the compound, explain the gangs murdered Vater Henry, and that his dying wish was that I be made Vater. You will support my claim, as will Elder Berry if he wants to live, and you will ensure Elder McGee, along with any other elders you have in your pocket, do the same.” Turning in my seat to face him and steeling my features, I give him only a moment to think this through. “That is the only way
