Combing back long hair from my eyes with my fingers, I embraced my twin, seeking solace in his familiar arms, and sighed, “I am well.”
Judah pulled back and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, guiding me on the decorative path in the personal prayer garden at the back of my new housing quarters. Although, the name “quarters” did not seem appropriate. My new dwelling was a large columned white house, ostentatious in its interior decoration and vast in size. It boasted many bedrooms, reception rooms, lounges, and a large kitchen, all filled with expensive furnishings. The landscaped gardens behind it seemed never-ending and too much, but this small prayer garden appealed to me, filled with its fountains and greenery. It was a place I could escape from all the craziness of late.
I was not sure I could do this.
Was not sure I could do all that was expected of me.
Hell, I was not sure I wanted to do this.
I did not feel like a prophet. I felt like a man who’d just had his heart ripped out and served to him on a platter. And now I had an entire flock of people to lead. I was twenty-four and had to lead an entire commune.
I was so out of my depth.
Judah squeezed my shoulders, obviously seeing the worry in my expression. “This is the most glorious of times, Cain. Do not fear it. This is the year you ascend to your rightful place amongst our people. The year you are introduced to the Chosen as our prophet, our Lord’s servant on Earth… our redeemer and savior. This is the moment we have prepared for our entire lives. You are meant to be here.”
Judah stopped us and turned me to face him when all I gave him was silence. He completely believed in our mission, but I just could not get up to speed. He should be leading, not I.
“I am your right-hand man. I am with you every step of the way in both guidance and support. You are my twin; our bond is more than merely brotherly or one of blood. We were one in our mother’s womb, split into two by the Lord who prophesied our future glory as his messengers. We shall rule and prevail together. I will do whatever you command. I serve to please you, to help you share the burden of your quest as the twelve disciples did with Jesus Christ.”
Judah was like a balm to me. Always present to calm me down and remind me of why we were here. But having spent years with The Hangmen, and then loving Mae so fiercely, I often felt that his efforts were a lost cause.
I nodded and cupped his bearded cheeks, trying to reassure him I was fine, even if I felt anything but. “You are indeed correct, Judah. This is our destiny. I will not let you or our people down. I am ready to do the Lord’s bidding, and I know you will be there for me in both the good and the challenging times.”
Judah clapped his hands together and grinned wide while I released a slow exhale. “Bless you, Cain. Bless you.” With a friendly slap on my back, we began walking at a leisurely pace, turning left to follow the cobblestoned gray path that transformed into a graveled trail through the acres and acres of green land.
Judah gestured to the commune. “So what do you think of New Zion?” Judah’s face appeared nervous as he waited for my answer. He so desperately sought my approval, believed completely that I was his prophet.