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Sawyer, Mr. Randoff, and the rest of Hannah’s friends stay in the parlor, waiting for any updates the police might give them. Many members of the parlor’s clientele come to offer their help and bring food. Mr. Randoff is amazed that Hannah has had such an impact on these people. These hard-living men and women are softies at heart. They care about his daughter and for that he is grateful. He then realizes that Hannah has the same effect on people that her mother did. Molly could make anyone love her without even trying. She had a quiet spirit, a calmness, yet extreme joy that radiated from her. Mr. Randoff is shaken out of his memories by police officers walking toward him.
“Mr. Randoff, may we speak to you in private?” Capt. Lee asks as he motions to Sawyer’s office with Officer Merritt.
“Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of all of us. We are all in this together,” Mr. Randoff replies as he waves his hand to everyone in the room. Capt. Lee nods his head once and begins speaking to the large group.
“We have had a significant lead. An employee from the café across the street told us of a man who has frequented there daily for about the same amount of time that Hannah has been staying with Mr. Monson. This man is short, stocky with glasses, and has an older make and model blue car. The car matches the description of the one seen speeding away from your parking area behind the building. We have a few names and my officers are on their way to investigate each of these men. We should know more in a few hours. In the meantime, we have set up a phone number for people to call in with any information they have. We have also released Hannah’s information and photo to the news outlets to gain more awareness of her situation. Do you have any questions?”
“Yeah, I do. What happens when you find her? Are you going to take that monster out? If you don’t, I will,” Sawyer states as he rises from his seat. Capt. Lee walks over and stands face to face with the angry man.
“Son, I’m going to act like I didn’t hear that because I really don’t want to haul you in for threatening a police officer. We will handle the situation as we see fit. You don’t need to worry about it, justice will be served according to the law,” Capt. Lee tells him in a hushed tone then strides out the door.
Sawyer sits down quickly and hides his face with his hands. He can’t stand this any longer. He doesn’t like the unknown, and right now Hannah is the unknown. He doesn’t know how Mr. Randoff has managed to live for fifteen years like this. It has been fourteen hours and he is a nervous wreck. He doesn’t know how much longer he can hold out.
Sawyer doesn’t realize that he has just spoken his thoughts aloud. Mr. Randoff comes over and puts his hand on Sawyer’s back.
“Sawyer, the only way I was able to survive these past fifteen years was knowing that God was with me. Molly brought me to the church when we were dating. She told me she wouldn’t consider marriage until I studied, and repented of my sins. I was a drinker and fighter back then. I had such a short temper and quite a sailor’s mouth. She somehow saw the good in me though. She broke down the walls I had built as a defense against letting anyone in. I had a rough childhood and turned to those vices to deal with my emotions.
I fell for Molly, so of course, I did whatever she wanted me to do. I began to study the Scripture with her and her family. I would go to church with her, not just Sunday but every time the doors were open. I started to pray, not just for me but for those I cared about. My universe went from revolving around me to putting others first. I was baptized after a lot of study by the preacher of our church. I then went on mission trips overseas with the congregation and Molly. It was the best decision that I ever made. During the year that followed, I finally got up the courage to ask for her hand in marriage. She agreed, she said that she knew I was the one because I changed for God and not for her.
So, Sawyer, that is the only way I can open my eyes in the morning and go to sleep at night. I am comforted by the knowledge that no matter how awful life gets, God is always with me. He is with you also. Don’t turn your back on what’s in front of you.” Sawyer turns to look the kind man in the face. Mr. Randoff softly smiles at him, which Sawyer reciprocates.
The others quietly join them, sitting on the couches that have been pushed into the middle of the large room. Bryce moves the television to where they are seated and turns on the news. The first image that appears is Hannah’s smiling face. Mr. Randoff takes a deep, shaky breath, staring back at the image before him. Elise and Chelsea cry quietly, Sawyer refuses to look. He refuses to accept that possibly the last time he would look at her would be on television. He wants to keep the picture in his mind from this morning when he gazed at her sleeping, peaceful face snuggled up to his pillow.
***
CHESTER WENT TO BOTH men’s addresses that were listed on their licenses. The man in Lawton, Beau Campbell, was not home. His neighbors told Chester that Beau said he was going on vacation so he wouldn’t be back for a few weeks. That marked him off the list with Chester.
The next house Chester went to was in Duncan. That man had died in a car wreck the month before according to the man’s widow. When Chester attempted to ask her about their red car, he had the door forcefully slammed in his face.
Chester is now back to square one. He knows that he has no choice but to meet with Savior Paul. He has to give up his title, his role in the plan of salvation. With a heavy heart, he turns the ignition and begins to drive to the headquarters located east of Lawton. When he is a few miles away from his destination, he notices blue and red flashing lights in his rearview mirror. Anxiously, Chester pulls over and cuts the engine. He hand cranks the window down and waits for the officer to come to the window. He looks in the mirror again, taking note that the officer is alone. Chester feels for his knife, but then remembers he has a loaded gun in his glove box.
“Good evening sir. I need to see your license and proof of insurance.”
“Officer, why was I pulled over?”
“You have a tail light out. Now, license and insurance,” the officer requests as he holds out his hand. Chester reaches for his wallet that is on the passenger seat, then opens the glove box reaching in blindly. He feels for the revolver, grasps it and puts his index finger on the trigger. He quickly removes the gun, aiming it at the officer. The officer is taken by surprise and hurries to reach for his own gun. Chester pulls his finger back and fires off one round after another into the officer’s chest. The shot man stumbles backward, eventually falling onto his knees, then on his face.
Chester grins as he peers out of his driver’s side window. He listens to the officer’s radio going off, requesting the status of the young man’s traffic stop. Chester manically laughs as he swiftly peels away from the scene, leaving the man on the road. When he pulls up to the gray metal building, he is met by five of Savior Paul’s protectors.
“Hello, I need to speak with Savior Paul now. Hurry up, do you know who I am? I am the master, and I demand that you do as I say.”
The men smirk at him, but lead him into the building to Savior Paul’s office. Chester smiles at the tall, lanky man with wiry glasses and a sharp nose. He notices the man’s hair is longer than it was since he last saw him.
“Savior Paul, I have dreadful news. Our mistress has escaped. I know you trusted me with her and I have failed. I did find her, but when I went to capture her she had already been taken. I searched the men who had cars that match the only person who I thought might have taken her. He is a demon who used to work with Lucifer. But our mistress wasn’t at those places. Then I was pulled over on the way here and I had to kill the cop. He’s on the side of the road. I’m sorry for that Savior. But, I promise I will continue looking for her. Don’t give up on me yet Savior!” Chester cries.
Savior Paul sits silently looking at the sniffling man before him.
“Stop your crying, you fool! What are you talking about? What Lucifer? Have you seen Satan around our mistress? Why did you have to kill the cop? Do you know how much attention that could bring here?”
“Yes, Savior. She has been staying in Lucifer’s apartment with him. She has also been in contact with his fallen angels. They have dressed her in worldly clothes, put make up on her, and even took her to a pool hall. That is where I saw one of the demons try to capture her. I was scared that the cop would arrest me and then I wouldn’t be able to search for our mistress,” Chester tells the man quickly.
“Chester Philatanus, you are excommunicated from the Salvation for the Saved assembly. Your punishment is to be carried out instantly. You will be sacrificed to our god. Protectors, lead him away to the altar,” Savior Paul announces piercingly.
Chester falls to his knees, begging the Savior to spare his life. All the members of the assembly begin to gather at the alter to witness the sacrifice. On his way, Chester believes that he can hear his mistress screaming. Yes, that is her! She is safe, the plan may continue!
“Savior Paul, is that my mistress I hear screaming? Is she here? Oh, what blessing our god gives! If she is here and safe, why must I be sacrificed?”
“You stupid little man. Did you really think that you would be the Master of Salvation? You are not worthy to even say the name. My brother has always been the rightful and most qualified master. He and I were selected by our god for the plan. Charles Dunnaway, could you please come here?”
Beau steps out from behind the group and stands at his brother’s side, smiling at the short, sweaty man.
“No, this cannot be! This thing is one of Lucifer’s fallen angels! He is the one that tried to attack our mistress. He cannot be master, he cannot!”
“Shut up! My brother has been going by the alias Beau Campbell for many years. We have kept him hidden to protect him. He is vital to the plan. Once the plan is commenced, I will take my place as our rightful god. This has always been the plan, we just needed you to do the ground work and help fund it. You were used for the greater good. Now, you will die for the greater good.”
One of the large protectors places a cloth bag over Chester’s head as they lead him to the large stone altar in the front of the room. Two women walk together to Paul with a purple robe so that they can drape it over his shoulders. Savior Paul takes his seat upon his large purple and gold throne. Beau sits to Paul’s right in a smaller purple and silver throne. The beating of loud drums deafens everyone as the sound fills the room. The assembly starts chanting in a unified manner.
“Salvation for the Saved. Salvation for the Saved.”
Chester is led to the altar and stripped of his clothing. He is forced to lie on the cold, stone altar and is then tied down. The protectors work in a coordinated style with each other as they tied each arm and leg down, with heavy corded rope, to anchors stationed beneath the table. The protectors then wrap tape around Chester’s head to secure him to the altar. Savior Paul stands and raises his arms to quiet the assembly. A hush swiftly falls upon the crowd.
“My dear children, we are gathered here to witness the ultimate sacrifice to our god. Chester Philatanus will be given to our god today. He has done things that could have greatly harmed our way of life. He has lied to us and has kept things hidden from us. He let our mistress runaway. If not for our true master, we would not have a hope of our god’s plan of salvation being carried out. Chester has also just killed a police officer on his way here. He has brought shame and dishonor to himself. We must stop him before he can further shame our assembly and our god.
Now Chester has accomplished a few honorable things. He did find our mistress and raise her. He chose a perfect female specimen to be the mother of mankind. Although he completed this vital task, he has failed us in numerable ways. Therefore, he must be sacrificed, for it is written that those undeserving of salvation shall be returned to where they came from.”
Savior Paul reaches for his large, shiny machete. He holds it high above his head and grasps the handle with both hands, facing the tip of the sharp metal down to Chester’s heart.
“In the name of salvation, I sacrifice thee!” Savior Paul yells as he plunges the machete into Chester’s chest with great force. The bound man’s chest sharply rises against the sword. Blood starts to pour out of the wound, traveling down the altar to puddle on the floor. Chester continues to flail and shriek as he tirelessly fights against the sword. Savior Paul withdraws the machete, only to plunge it back into the man’s chest. He repeats this action several times, finally resigning when the man’s body lays limp upon the altar.
“It is done. We can rejoice in the happiness this has provided to our god. Now, let us celebrate with a feast. Let us adjourn to the banquet hall. Come, my children, do not tarry.”
The assembly then files into two separate lines and begins the chant again as they leave the room following Savior Paul and Beau. Chester’s naked, bludgeoned body remains bound on the stone altar, his blood continuing to pool on the floor.