0172

The guards took Sol to Paul, who was in his office with some of the elders of the Church.

"Sol, come in, come in. We were just discussing John Paul's predicament. Please sit."

"Thank you, but I can't stay long, I have an appointment that I have to keep," Sol answered.

"Well then, perhaps you can just quickly recap your interaction with John Paul for us."

"He wasn't much different from when I last saw him."

"So he's still talking about prophecies and the end of the world?"

"I wouldn't characterize his words like that, but he is certainly changed from before his time from us."

"He is acting, I hate to use this term, but, crazy. Unusual just isn't a strong enough term," Paul said.

"He is acting like his faith has been renewed. Like his time away has reignited a fire that has been dormant for too long."

"So you are saying he is acting extreme?"

"No, I am saying that he is acting like a true believer."

"Sol, a true believer doesn't focus on tangential events that do not serve God's purpose. John Paul is talking nonsense. He is making things up."

"Do you know that for certain?" Sol asked. "I don't. So I listen. The worst thing I could do would be to act rashly, especially now."

One of the elders replied, "Sol has wisdom beyond his years. I agree with him. There is no need for rash action, let us sit with our brother. See what develops before we do anything."

The others in the room agreed by nodding their heads and saying things like, "Yes, he's right" and "I agree."

"Waiting is fine," Paul replied, "but what about the influence he has on the others. Some of us are not strong enough to realize John Paul's delicate situation."

"We've kept him apart from the others thus far, why not keep it this way for now?" asked an elder.

"We will do that, I just hope we can keep him isolated until we are able to come to a decision about what we must do," Paul said, mournfully.

"Sol," he continued, "I think it would be best if you did not see John Paul again for a while. It seems to upset him, it makes his condition worse. I hope you understand."

"No, I do not understand. Nor will I allow a friend to sit tortured with no one to talk to. I intend to see JP again soon," Sol said.

"I'm afraid the elders and I have decided that that isn't in John Paul's best interests. We will forcibly deny you access if we must."

"Then we'll cross that bridge when it comes. Gentleman," Sol said, turning to leave, "I have other obligations I must attend to."

He could hear Paul leading the elders along the path to John Paul's destruction, concealed in a facade of concern, as he left.


[Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006. All rights reserved.]