The Unifier Read online

  “My mother suffered, yes, but even in her pain she never stopped loving Him,” Palm said, “You were there when she prayed for the both of us the very morning before she passed away.”

  They stood still for a while.

  “God cannot afford to let you befoul the souls of His people,” Palm added, “And for Tam, you took her away from me.”

  “You got that wrong, friend.” He said, “God did, if He cared enough He could’ve stopped it from happening.” He paused, “Come with me, Palm. Let’s put the past behind us. Join me and let us rule the world together. You can have any woman you want, hell, you can sleep with as many women in a day as you want. I can have an image of you be made standing next to mine and the world will worship you. The one you call a deceiver will make you rich beyond your wildest dream. You think God gives a damn? Well, I’ve got news for you; in the end, He will walk away from all of these just like He always did from things that are imperfect, and create a new world. He will abandon this one. And all of this people. God has abandon the world, Palm. You and I know that.”

  “You sound nothing near the fragrance of truth, friend!” Palm said, “He made perfect that which isn’t. God never turns his back away from those who consider themselves His own, and He never walks away from anyone who wishes to know Him. He’s always with those who put their trust in Him, and just because we’re passing through trials don’t mean He doesn’t care. It’s call life, Jessy. When He walked the earth in flesh, He Himself suffered for our sake, to show us the way. A good shepherd always walks with his sheep; be it in the mud, dust, under a heavy downpour or the scorching sun. That’s true love, Jes. And even the harshest of storms cannot stand against it. But He cannot dwell in the heart that harbours evil, He cannot walk the path of the wicked. This freedom you claim to have given the world…”

  “Do what thou wilt!” He interjected, “That is the only law man should savour, total freedom. Everybody gets to be free! No strings, no rules, no guilt! The world is happier than it had ever been! Can’t you see? Why be its enemy?”

  “God showed me what will become of you, Jessy.” Palm said, “In my dream I saw an unhatched egg fast falling from a tall tree, around the roots of this tree lied rocks floating on hot lava. I then tried to save it but the Lord told me that it was too late, that the egg left its nest at will and rejected the warmth shelter of its mother therefore, it cannot be saved nor stopped from self-destruction….and the Lord told me that you, Jessy is that egg, and the nest signifies the protection and love He offered to you under His wings but you chose the world. He who bites the fruit watered by the world the world devours! I then asked the Lord about the people of the earth, and He told me that they still have a chance because you helped the deceiver to cozen them. However, as much as the entire people of the earth allowed themselves to be deceived out of sheer ignorance into worship of this graven image, the world will not go unpunished; the earth shall be ruled by the dark one for a while. The dark one who made you think he owned the earth will come soon, and he shall seek and snatch that which you’ve traded, and shall he take away also all these emptiness you've embraced…and he won’t stop there, no…he shall first torment your soul even before he takes it, and because you have been instrumental to the opening of the portals that God himself kept closed for ages, a stool made of fire and brimstone placed next to the chamber of the ruler of darkness himself awaits you. And God commanded me to tell you that the woman you thought was your wife isn’t really Mariah, Jessy. Because of the deal you’ve made, Mariah’s soul was snatched by your new master and is now trapped in hades. Because she knew you were about to fall and never warned you. It is her body, yes, but whom you sleep with is no one other than the whore of Babylon herself; she is your handler, and when the time comes, the deceiver will take over your body and he and the harlot shall rule the people, then, and then the gates of hell shall be opened and its terror and the gruesomeness of the damned shall be poured upon the inhabitants of the earth, and they shall be tormented until the second coming of our Lord. You have no idea what you have incurred upon yourself and the world, Jessy.”

  Jessy stared at him.

  “I offer peace to the world!” Jessy bragged.

  Palm opened his mouth to speak but something held down his tongue. “Yes you did,” Palm said, “Because the enemy of Adam’s seeds has decided to withdraw his army, thereby creating this illusion you call peace. True peace can only be found in the bosom of the Lord. If the devil makes an offer to you in exchange for your soul, you should be able to know that your soul is far more valuable than whatever it is the devil is willing to let go off just to lay his hands on your soul.” He sighed, “You offered the world a lifetime of agony under the devil’s reign. Though the years of his reign shall be short but to the flesh it shall be like eternity, for the remaining years he’ll rule after he takes over from you, earth shall become hell itself. I am your friend, and you know that I have never lied to you, and have no reason whatsoever to. And that thing I told you about the woman in your house, when you go home, while she sleeps; look under her ears. There shall be an opening like a branchia.” Palm said, “She is not Mariah.”

  “You can’t get inside my head anymore, Palm.” He said, “This isn’t like before, my brother. The people want you hanged, Palm. You openly opposed me the day we observed the first annual day of sacrifice. Yes, we were friends, but standing up to me is same as standing up against the new way which the people have embraced.”

  “You pleased them by putting me in prison,” Palm said, “and I believe…”

  “Yes, I did, my friend.” He interjected, “And Tamara begged me to set you free, which I did, but we had an agreement. We agreed that you’ll stop talking to people about Him,” he giggled, “Few days later…somebody went about organising small gatherings and before you know it, Rel-Pol almost got overwhelmed. You can’t blame me for sending the dogs after you. Because if I don’t get rid of the sheepherder, there will be too many flocks dropping faeces everywhere, my friend!”

  “You had an agreement with Tam, not me,” Palm said. “I do not fear you. I know who wants me dead, that woman in your house wants you to have me killed, I know.”

  “I ordered for you to be searched but not harmed,” he said. “Mariah has nothing to do with this.”

  “That’s not what the Lord told me,” Palm said. “Go home, Jessy. Do as I’ve told you; look underneath her ears, maybe it might open your eyes.”

  "I've seen the devil, and may not really know him," he responded, "but Mariah, I know. So do not tell me anything about my woman."

  "That's not her, Jes." Palm said, "She's the whore of..."

  “Enough!” Jessy yelled as he turned and angrily grab hold of Palm by the neck, he held him up against the wall. His eyes turned red with anger. “Do not speak such of Mariah, you hear me?” He yelled, “She was there for me and by me all the way while you were busy trying to meddle in my affairs. So, shut up! Who are you trying to save anyway? God-never-cared!”

  “He wanted the two of you to have a good relationship, but you were more interested in what He’s got to offer to please your flesh than more of Him, which would delight your soul for eternity.” Palm said, “He loved you…but you broke His heart. If you had stood your grounds, all other things would’ve been added to you, Jessy.”

  They both panted, and stared into each other’s eyes.

  “What happened to you, my friend?” Palm added as tears fell from his ears and unto Jessy’s cheek.

  Jessy turned his face away and gently let Palm down.

  “I am so…sorry,” Jessy said.

  “Jessy, you need to stop.” Palm said, “Don’t be an instrument that’s being used to drown the people in an ocean of deceit.”

  “You’re too soft to be called a man.” He remarked, and slipped his hand in his pocket. “No wonder He was able to toy with you even though He made it clear He has given you free will.” Palm paused, and sighed. “Don’t say I didn’t try; if you w
ant to rot in here then be my guess. Goodbye, friend.” He turned to walk away.

  “Jessy…” Palm said, “You need to put an end to this madness.”

  Jessy ignored him and walked out of the cell.

  Palm moved to the bed and went to his knees in tears.

  “Father, I can’t do this.” He cried out, “If it is your will, strengthen me Lord.”

  As Jessy stepped out of the precinct, all the officers, bodyguards and the prisoners could tell he was upset. No one had ever seen him in such a state. He called the attention of the chief. Jessy wore his sunglasses and entered the limousine.

  “No one should know about his location, not even my wife. Feed him well and have him properly looked after.” He ordered, “Not a scratch on his skin. And I want the head of the man who shot his wife.”

  “Yes, your majesty.” The chief said as he trembled, “It is my nephew. My late sister’s son, Derick. It was an accident, your majesty. Exercise mercy upon him. I’m all he’s got, that’s why I let him join the force. To teach him something I felt would make him feel useful, his mother passed away when we weren’t in good terms. Please forgive him, your majesty.”

  “Send him on exile.” He said, “I want him away from the capital!”

  “Consider it done, your majesty.” The chief said in tears, “Thank you! Thank you, thank you very much, your majesty.”

  Jessy ordered the driver to drive off.

  Chapter Four: A Familiar Face.

  Jessy got home that night but looked disturbed. His wife, Mariah was not happy with his behaviour. He was quiet. After taking a shower, he sat down in the diner with his two hands on the table and stared at the meal placed before him.

  “Is anything the matter, darling?” Mariah asked as she poured some red wine in his glass. As if she could read his mind, “I’ve never seen you this worried, would you like to talk about it, baby?” She sat on the chair next to him.

  Jessy gently raised his head and gazed into her eyes, she smiled and turned her head the other way.

  “Darling,” Mariah said. “I am here for you.” She placed her warm hand on top of his, and smiled in a concerned manner, “I want you to be happy. You deserve to be happy, they’ll find him. Do not let…”

  “I’ll be in the study.” He responded, “Got a speech to write for this meeting coming up with these African leaders, darling. Will join you in the bedroom once done.” He got up, kissed her on the forehead and walked away.

  “It’s your favourite; lobster covered in egg on a bed of fried potatoes, darling.” She said, “Are you sure about…”

  “I’ll be fine, dear.” He responded.

  “Okay.” She said as she sighed heavily, “Love you!”

  “Love you too.” His voice fainted.

  Jessy took his time in the study, he waited until he was sure his wife was asleep. Around midnight, he walked into the bedroom and as usual, gently lied beside her. Mariah was on the bed; the right side of her face rested on the pillow. Jessy was behind her, he switched on the bedside lamp on his own side of the bed and picked a novel that was kept next to the lamp. After a long thought, when he was sure she was dead asleep, he gently brushed her hair as though trying to kiss her, and with his thumb he cautiously lifted her left ear. As Mariah turned, Jessy kissed her, she then buried her head in his chest.

  He could hear the sound of his heartbeat.

  Jessy was terrified with the glimpse of what he had discovered. Palm was right.

  “Goodnight, my king.” She whispered.

  “Goodnight, Mariah,” he responded.

  It took him a while to shut his eyes. Jessy’s mind wandered in fright. He tried to remain calm so she wouldn’t notice.

  The following morning, Jessy dressed up and was about to rush out when Mariah woke up.

  “Darling, where are you going?” She said, “What’s going on lately, I don’t understand you. Is everything okay, my love?”

  Mariah got off the bed in her night gown and walked to him. “I told you not to worry too much," she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "The Rel-Pol will find him.”

  “There has been some disturbances at the temple, I think some resistance tried to destroy the altar according to the message I received.”

  “Let the police and the temple guards deal with it, you can’t go about showing up every time something goes wrong, relax.” She said as she bit her lower lip seductively, “But if you insist then let me get dressed and follow you.”

  “No, my love,” he interjected. “I don’t want you putting too much pressure on this sexy body. You just stay home okay, you’ve really tried, you know, been with me throughout the festival and all. You’re a queen and should stay close to the throne.” He kissed her on the forehead then her lips, “Hmm! Your breath, just like jasmine.” He tapped her on the bum, “Your eyes, they always make me feel like my heart is riding on the fastest horse!”

  “Aww!” She responded, “Alright cowboy…just one ride before you leave then.” She bit his left ear. Pulled down her nighty and seductively walked backwards to the bed. She laid on her back and spread her legs to the delight of his sight, “Come, baby.”

  Jessy stood there for a few seconds, then walked towards the bed.

  “Take-off-your-shirt.” She commanded, “You naughty boy.”

  He took his clothes off.

  While they made love, she could tell his mind was far away from where his body was.

  Jessy didn’t hesitate to leave as soon as they were done. He kissed her, got dressed once more and quickly walked out of the bedroom.

  Jessy arrived at the precinct in his white limousine. As usual, he asked his driver to wait behind. On sighting him, the officers were about to leave as they did the previous day but he ordered them to stay. He collected the keys to Palm’s cell.

  “How do I get her out of Mariah’s body?” He said.

  “You can’t. That body must be destroyed before she vacates it.” Palm said as he stood to his feet.

  Jessy could not look him in the eye.

  “You were right.” Jessy said, “All along I thought…”

  “She’s your handler.” Palm said, “You don’t make this kind of deal with the enemy of man’s soul and expect to be in control of everything. You are a great asset to the kingdom of darkness, Jessy. So they made sure the right person to manage you is placed right next to your heart. This thing you did is not a joke, it’s not some dream you’d wake up from. I wish it was.”

  “Mariah.” Jessy responded, “What…where is she, how can I get her back?”

  “You can’t,” he answered, “She’s trapped on the other side.

  “Is she going to hell?” He asked.

  “I’m not the one to judge,” Palm said, “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. And all shall witness Him in His glory. He’ll pour His mercy upon the righteous and they shall be one with Him. When it’s all said and done there won’t be need for a human body, for it is like a tent. The children of God shall inhabit new heavenly bodies.”

  “She’ll make it. I know.” He said, “Do you think he’d ever…forgive me?”

  Palm sighted, walked to Jessy and placed his hand on Jessy’s shoulder then looked straight into his eyes.

  “I understand,” he said, “Palm, I now understand why she wanted you dead. You’re the only one I trust; if I was the ship, you’re that anchor that always secure me at the shore. Your words have always been a keystone to my heart. But I have failed you, and I’ve failed Him. It’s now I see why He placed you in my life; to support me and also to hinder me from making the wrong decisions. He placed you in my life so I’d learn from you. You always put your trust in him no matter what, even when death visited you, you called out to Him. I didn’t take advantage of such knowledge, I refused to learn anything from it.”

  Palm hugged him. They held each other and cried together.

  “I’m so sorry, Palm.” He said as he sobbed, “I am sorry about Tamara, I kno
w I can’t bring her back or undo any of these foolish things I’ve done. I know it’s unforgivable in His sight but, you have to find a way to forgive me. I’m sincerely sorry.”

  “Say no more, Jes.” He said, “Say no more. I’ll pray for you.”

  “Now, how do we kill this bitch?” Jessy said.

  “I’ll need any type of liquid once we get near her.” He said.

  “Let’s go and pay the whore…in her own coins then!” Jessy said, “But first, I want to pull something to its knees!”

  “You don’t have to,” he said.

  “Do you know what I’m talking about?” Jessy asked.

  “The statue.” He said, “It won’t fall, yes it was erected by men but shall not fall by their hands. It’ll stay erected until the second coming of the Lord.’

  “But I’m done with this shit, Palm!” He said, “This thing ends today, friend.”

  “No, Jes.” Palm said, “It won’t just end like that.”

  “What do you mean?” Jessy asked.

  “When you traded your soul for all of these, there were pages in the contract that’d stretch to ends of the earth you didn’t pay attention to, and won’t be able to even if given a thousand years to read.” He said, “You’re to lose your own life on the day of your awakening, which might be today. I am not sure. The deceiver himself will take charge of your body and continue to rule the people.”

  Jessy was quiet.

  “And once you go against her, he’d come because she’ll send a distress signal.” Palm added.

  “How do we stop her?” He asked.

  “We can’t, no one can!” Palm replied.

  Jessy turned his back on Palm and walked towards the bar.

  “So, if we kill her…he’ll come?” Jessy asked.

  “I think that’s what might happen.” He responded, “If we make an attempt to kill her, he’d come down, take over your body and rule the worlds with his queen by his side.”

  “I don’t get it.” He said.