Thieves

by Othoniel Ortiz

  ***

  Constantly more news of wonderful and unexplainable occurrences followed this man, Jesus of Nazareth, wherever he set foot. The populace called them outright miracles. Shem seriously needed to go back and hear for himself what the guy had to say while he was still in Jerusalem teaching and performing miracles.

  Shem managed, on occasion, to elude Eber with some excuse and rush off to see the prophet. But, when Eber cornered him later that week and told him about the plans for the next day, Shem melancholically nodded approval.

  “Don’t ruin it by leaving me to work alone.” Eber’s irritation was clear after he noticed Shem’s hesitation. “Let’s go and check out the place and make sure we can vanish when we’re done.”

  Shem followed obediently in tow.

  They walked the passageways of the market, searching for the right opportunity, and there it was. Eber, leaving nothing to chance, had studied the old vendor sitting in the back counting his earnings for many days.

  “This one should be easy,” Eber said with confidence.