The Death of 1977 (Book 3)

"As you can see behind me, Sunday mornings are all the rage here in this lively Protestant church of 98 men, women, boys and girls! Pastor Junto Bena, who has pastored here for exactly 22 years, is the backbone of not only this very church, but also of this community in which he and the other parishioners inhabit!

Look around you; this is the joyous celebration of worship that these good people indulge in! Children in the choir clapping and singing. Instruments being played by even the elders of the church! Soon, there will be a baptism of a little girl here this morning, something that even I have yet to witness in my life!

Yes, the heavens even shine down on this very church today. Look outside at the glowing sunlight that...that...I can't do this anymore!" Silas gritted his teeth at Rebecca who was steadily holding her microphone up to the man's mouth.

"What's the matter?" Rebecca said aloud amidst all the noise of the choir and instruments in the church.

"I can't even hear myself think, let alone speak!" Silas griped. "How did I let that man talk me into this?"

Smiling, Rebecca patted Silas on the shoulder saying, "Don't worry, it'll only be two more hours!"

Silas dropped his shoulders. "We didn't come all the way from Scotland just to take part in a church service! I need a drink!"

Silas and Pastor Bena for a moment connected eyes. Silas immediately waved and smiled at the man before turning back to Rebecca and Robbie.

"Two more hours, huh," he haplessly snickered. "Can I at least have one smoke?"

Rebecca just pinched Silas' right arm before motioning to Robbie to continue filming the joyous service.

"They're good people," she whispered in his ear.

"I wish they were good to me." Silas kept his ingratiating smile glued to his blushing face.

The children's choir on the stage was singing 'A Mighty Fortress is our God.' They were all dressed in white tunics with red collars along with the pastor who was steadily leading a little girl up the steps that ended at a small pool. The congregation was still singing as the child shuddered while keeping her eyes on the three foot deep, clear water in the pool. To her, it might as well have been as bottomless as the sea.

The entire church was bathed in a coating of fresh white paint from corner to corner. On the four walls was only a portrait of Jesus looking upwards while a medium sized cross clear on the other side of the room hung next to a window where the sunshine blasted its way right inside. The song that the choir was joyfully singing was drawing to a close. The pastor, with the child standing in front of him, patiently waited until the very end before he began speaking. Robbie pointed his camera at the pastor while Rebecca made sure to keep her microphone positioned to where she could gather every word that was coming from the man's mouth. Meanwhile, Silas managed to sneak himself to a nearby, shadowy corner, away from the event that took years off of his life.

over to de Lord, dat her life may be washed anew in de holy water of baptism!" Bena

bated anticipation. Some snickered and giggled at the girl who was about to be doused. There were adults in the audience who were sobbing, praying or simply watching as the pastor slowly turned the little girl around to face the still, pool water. The girl, who couldn't have been no more than nine or ten years old, stood before the shimmering pool with jittery eyes just wondering how deep the pastor would dip her and how long he would have her under. As many times as she had been swimming with her family and friends at the beach, for some odd reason standing at the baptismal pool seemed to cause her

looking, auburn-eyed Arthur

camera crew, all stopped what they were doing at

all but become a memory. His head was completely bald with only a black goatee being the only hair present. His muscles behind the sweaty undershirt he wore bulged making them appear

The man strolled down the aisle with a courteous grin plastered all over his face. From pew after pew he studied each and every parishioner until he eventually made his way to the very front. Even the camera crew didn't know exactly what to make of him. All three just stood and watched Arthur present himself as though he

praise Jesus." Arthur smiled ever so graciously. "Even de little ones are

are here giving a baptism." Pastor Bena

pastor. "I am so very sorry for interrupting your ritual. I just came to give a testimony dis day. If you will take a moment to indulge me, den I shall

the camera crew who was

some time ago. I was a fallen sinner in my ways. My god punished me for my sins, and I suffered greatly. But now...now my god

woman struggled to get up

pastor motioned for someone in the congregation

possible. I will admit dat I have done wrong in my time. But den again, who hasn't?" He shrugged as he began to

see him before!" The old

scooted past one person after another on his way towards the lady. Once he was right next to her he pressed his right palm against her forehead and whispered into her

The woman's eyes opened as wide as they could before she slumped down into her seat and remained

not scared of dying, and I don't really care. If its peace you find in dying den let de time be near.' "My mother, my father, my brother and sister have all been taken from me. But I...I shall go on and on because I believe. And when I do eventually leave dis world, may I not scream

"We are very glad

stepping past him on his way towards a closed door where the three person camera crew was standing in front of steadily

stood in wonder at Arthur who was possibly the most fascinating thing he

opening the door, going into the room and shutting the door right behind him. Everyone, rather than going back to what they were doing before, all stood or sat in quiet astonishment at what had taken place. Even Silas, who for once didn't seem to have a word to utter, just stared oddly

"What...what do you think the lady meant when she said that

Silas just shook his head and said, "Who knows? But whoever he

door shot out. At first it sounded as if Arthur were in