Thank you for reading and sharing my daily #storygram mini stories! Vote in the sidebar (at the bottom on mobile devices) for which story you want to become next month’s short film! And be sure to check out my film Portfolio!
The Story:
He had been walking for three days. With his destination near, his nerves were beginning to rebel. He longed for comforting words from someone. Anyone.
As he clung to this forgotten road, the rows of corn were pointing him to a small church. He hadn’t grown up in churches, but he trusted them, without knowing why. If he was going to die tomorrow, a church seemed like a good place to rest.
He reached the white building and turned an oxidized brass doorknob. Taking a slow step inside, he shut the door behind him and waited.
A man dressed in black approached him.
“How can I…”
The priest must have recognized him.
“How… How can I help you?”
“I’m Darren Saber.”
“Yes… I know.”
The priest motioned for him to sit in a pew. Darren accepted and sat.
“Are you headed up there?”
“I should be there by morning.”
“I see.”
The priest allowed him as much silence as he needed.
“Priest, what do you think of me?”
“Jacob. My name is Jacob. And it is not my place to pass judgement on a man. Only to show him the grace that is available.”
Grace. The very idea that he could be pardoned of his deeds was absurd to him. He smirked.
“Well, Jacob, if I took the grace, there wouldn’t be any left for the rest of the world.”
Jacob didn’t offer a rebuttal but simply looked down at the pew, thinking.
“I should go.”
Darren stood up and walked to the door but was halted by Jacob’s voice.
“What I think… What I think is that you’re courageous. But you carry the bloodstains of others on your soul. You are good, but evil pursues and sometimes overcomes you. You remind me of David in the Bible.”
He was somewhat familiar with the story of David.
“What was the remedy?”
Jacob looked as though he might cry.
“It doesn’t matter. None of it happened until after he defeated the giant. Your brother has to die, Darren. And only you can get to him. Get to the launch. Save us. After that, we can discuss repentance.”
Darren nodded and walked out. A short distance from the door, he picked up a pebble and put it in his pocket.