He was a real prince among men.
The more time that went by, the more I disliked the human race. They were mean to each other to the point of death.
Death was busy so I was left to my own devices to find out what was happening, and who was behind it. I found a cult I was surprised to find. It was leaders of different backgrounds with one commonality. They all wanted power and money. Greed, the ultimate thing for those who craved more.
It sounded like a sick P.R. slogan. End a life and get more. After watching the news bulletins and people, I decided it was time to act. I would attack those who could end the sickness and death. Those leaders would share in the demise of others.
I started with those in this cult who could have stopped the virus. They were mourned, but no one outside knew the truth. Those who did, made sure that they could not have the sickness. I turned the fan on and watched the virus flow. Away from the innocents and toward those who introduced it to the masses.
The drug companies made money, and their scientists became ill and died. They wanted people to take their poisons without it being tested. Of course, it couldn’t be tested on them. The cult allowed more to die while ones who had the actual cure survived. They even gave the cure to some innocents to make it look like the poisons worked.
The cult leaders were called out repeatedly for their ways and every conceivable excuse was made.
Death had seen enough. He was done watching innocents die while the corrupt cult thrived. With one swing, there were thousands of deaths. No more sickness or pain. They were too far along for a cure, and he wasn’t going to let them become guinea pigs for someone else’s profit.
Another swing and ones who did nothing to stop it, fell ill and died by the hundreds. More would fall due to their greed. They would lose family for their ways.
For the first time in years, I was powerless to help and Death cried.
There would not be an easy end. The cult had the power and the only way to take it from them would be to purify the earth.
End...
Katie Jaarsveld
Katie lives in the Netherlands with her husband, dog and 2 cats.
When not spending time with her husband, pets, family and friends, she can be found engrossed in a favorite book, reviewing an Author’s latest to be released or writing her next story.
You can read more from Katie in the following Anthologies:
Blood Pool in the Anthology MUTATE by Samie Sands.
The Unit, and My Skin Crawls are both in the Anthology ELECTROMAGNETISM by Samie Sands
Condemnation, Time Frame and From Death to Dust Bunnies are included in the anthology NIGHT MARES compiled by Samie Sands
Time and Rewind is in the anthology It’s Behind You compiled by Samie Sands
Strange Behaviors is in the anthology DOOMSDAY by Samie Sands
SOLD and Clown in the Mirror are both in the anthology SIDESHOW compiled by Samie Sands
Life in There and Elementals are in the anthology EVIL LURKS compiled by Samie Sands
By the Skin is in the anthology PANDEMIC: An anthology of affliction compiled by Samie Sands
A Transplanted Dr. Franksis in the anthology AFTER: UNDEAD WARS compiled by Samie Sands
The Heart Knows and For Life or Death are in Twisted Love anthology compiled by Samie Sands
Tears for Valentines in the anthology series A Book To Last The Year anthology Vol.3
2020
Hidden Consequences in the Bitchcraft anthology
To Be Released in 2020:
A Screen Across Ages is in the Curses anthology compiled by Samie Sands
Growing Into Courage in Breaking The Silence, Domestic Violence anthology
Blooming in Kansas, in the Statesmen series
Say Never in Netherland, in the Countrymen series
Death Drained, In The Woods, and Evil Shaman will all be single releases.
Note: Charity anthologies are not listed as they are out of print.
You can follow Katie at:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@KatieJaarsveld
Facebook at Katie Jaarsveld
The Sanctuary of Father Soone
Greg Bennett
“Welcome, my sisters and brothers, to the sanctuary of Father Kiemann Soone. Please, walk this way and Brother Simon will direct you to the dressing chamber.”
Joseph watched as the small group of people casually followed Simon through the crimson curtained hallway. Some were apprehensive; others excited. They truly fit the old saying, ‘they came from all walks of life’, however, unbeknownst to them, they were alike in subtle, important ways. Joseph had to smile...they were wealthy...and judging from their researched profiles and background checks...highly receptive to suggestion.
The hallway opened into the high-ceiling dressing chamber; a long, wood-paneled room, softly lit by central chandeliers, with individual dressing cubicles along each wall. An ornate swinging privacy door adorned each cubicle, reminiscent of the saloon doors seen in old west movies. Inside, each had a small locker, table, and an upright wooden chair with a white, half-sleeve spa robe draped over its back. The floor was covered in a low, Berber carpet that coordinated with the deep, rich stain of the floor-to-ceiling paneling.
Simon turned and stopped the group in the middle of the room. “Each of you please enter a cubicle, undress completely, and place your clothes and valuables in the locker. The robe provided to you is to be worn as an expression of your commitment to the teachings of Father Soone. For true appreciation of his work, he expects you to be one with your brothers and sisters; free of your daily distractions and tribulations, and to present yourself with a clear and open mind.”
“You will be in classes for some time, so a glass of pure spring water has also been provided for your refreshment. Additionally, please visit the restrooms near the back of the chamber, if you need to, before we proceed further.”
When everyone was finished, and some good-natured “robe fit” banter had subsided, Simon led them down a small corridor that eventually opened into an expansive seating area. Rich hues of violet shimmered along the walls, as floor-to-ceiling curtains gently moved in the draft from the HVAC system.
Like the dressing chamber, numerous small, clustered chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, enveloping the room in a soft but uniform light.
Spaced evenly across the floor were individual high-backed seats, not unlike those one would see in an upscale movie theatre. They were spaced, however, approximately two meters apart, providing a sense of isolation for each occupant. The seats’ padded light-gray upholstery was luxurious, with onyx-black glass trim on the upper armrests and other decorative areas. The upholstery and design cradled the occupants, positioning their arms and legs in a relatively upright, but slightly reclined, seating position.
As with the dressing chamber, the entire room was carpeted in a deep, golden, bronze color, but the carpet in front of each seat was a different style, being very low and tight. This carpet was also a lighter contrasting color, accentuating the numerous seating rows in the room.
AT THE FRONT OF THE room was a small, circular stage.It was flanked by two huge ornate wooden doors, rising about a meter above the floor, its perimeter trimmed with a deep olive-green curtain. Near the doors, small side sections were open in a series of shallow steps to the floor.
Entering the stage from one of the side doors, Joseph motioned to the group of people below.