Society of the L.A.M.B.

by DuCharme, Judy;

  “I’m not wet, are you?” they kept asking each other, touching arms and finding everybody dry. “So that was Lijah’s angel, huh?”

  Lily walked away from the others for a few minutes. “King Glory,” she said, falling on her knees, “thank You for sending Halal to help us. Keep us safe now, for I have no idea where we are or where we need to go. I don’t know this Josiah or even the two who went to get him. But I trust You. And I thank You for bringing us Lijah. He is such a good friend, and I know he hears from You. And thank You for all these new friends. Help me to help them. Bless us, King Glory.”

  Just then, Alex and Jeremy returned. “We don’t understand it, but we feel compelled that you need to stay with us and go into the colony meeting.” Alex’s eyes were almost pleading.

  “Actually, we ran into the watery wall and heard a voice tell us to bring you in. So we figure it’s the angel, and we had better do it.” Jeremy rubbed the back of his neck. “We’re in as much danger as you, but we think this watery friend, your angel, will help us all.”

  “Let’s go.” Alex led the group around the wall and into the metal building bursting with people shouting obscenities, loud raucous music, and worse smells than even inside the retraining facility.

  Lily covered her nose. I don’t know if I can cover my mouth, nose, and ears all at the same time. This is an awful place. Who would’ve thought anything held a stench worse than the retraining facility?

  Looking around, Lily knew they stood out and truly did not fit. The others clearly realized it too, but no one showed fear. Then she felt an indescribable peace. King Glory, I know You are with us. Thank You for sending us Halal. She felt a dribble of water on her arm. Lily giggled and waited with the others.

  * * *

  The speakers began. They celebrated their freedom from archaic ways and archaic gods that only brought bondage. “We are free!” The screeching words blasted out of the loudspeaker system. “We are free to enjoy the outer man. We can embark on our own destiny to override old rules. We can make our own laws.” People pumped their fists and yelled, “Yes, yes, no more laws. We make our own laws.”

  Blaring voices and lights gave Josiah a headache. The speeches, music, people, and lights became almost a blur as his head throbbed. He heard within himself again the verses about lilies and Elijah and tried to make sense of them. They don’t make sense to me, Jajireh. Forgive me.

  Fights broke out around him. As he and Zach wove through the colony, avoiding watchers and fights, Josiah found it difficult to focus. King Glory, Your peace is upon me. I speak to myself to be still. I know You, so I shall be strong and do great exploits in Your name. I trust You to lead us perfectly. The music seemed louder, and the lights flashed continually.

  As he rubbed his forehead and shouted within, I can do all things through Jajireh who strengthens me, he saw a different light out of the corner of his eye, a shimmery light. He glanced over, and it was gone. These lights are getting to me. And I used to love this.

  Then he saw the light again. This time, he moved toward it without turning his full face toward the shimmering. Zach followed at a distance.

  He found himself standing near a group—ten people or so—who didn’t belong in a colony meeting. No OGs or shades! This was dangerous. Sweat poured out of Josiah. What were they thinking? Were they LAMBers? Had they wandered in by mistake? Were they new recruits for the colony? Why hadn’t the watchers detected them already?

  The shimmering. It’s all around them. Is it a protection? Can anyone else see it? Who are these kids? They shouldn’t be in here!

  A few watchers went by, chatting about their OGs, their new shades, the music, how many retrained Lamers they had. They appeared oblivious to Josiah and the obvious group of outsiders.

  “Lily, I think Halal is protecting us,” one of the group whispered to a young woman.

  “Elijah was right. He usually is,” said another.

  Lily! Elijah! Josiah chuckled to himself. Forgive me, King Glory. I doubted the Voice. He turned to the young woman they called Lily. Looking fully in her eyes, he swiftly drew three circles with his toe on the floor. Lily looked down, saw the circles, and added the smiley face.

  “Follow,” whispered Josiah as he scuffed out the symbol. He found a way to an exit but did not go out. Wisely, Lily and her group didn’t simply traipse after him but meandered through the crowd to the beat of the music until they were in the general vicinity of the exit. They all then casually left the premises before Josiah and Zach.

  The two were about to leave when the two watchers who had observed them earlier stepped in front of the door.

  “You a Lamer?” one of them asked.

  Josiah stared directly at him. “No, I’m not a Lamer. Are you?”

  The watcher took a swing, just missing Josiah as he stepped aside. “I don’t like your attitude. Maybe we need to take you to our facility for retraining.”

  Lijah burst through the door. “Retrain or down the drain.” He laughed and began dancing around Josiah and the watchers.

  Josiah was stunned, not knowing Lijah, but a sense of calm descended that amazed him. As he watched the haphazard young man dance, their eyes met. He heard, “Elijah went up in the whirlwind.”

  One of the watchers nearby grabbed Lijah and jerked him. “Lijah, get back to the facility or you’re dead.”

  So indeed this is Elijah, and he’s creating a whirlwind. Again, Josiah was humbled.

  As the watcher tried to seize Lijah, the watcher was overtaken by a fit of coughing. Doubling over, he was unable to stop himself.

  Lijah grabbed Josiah’s arm. “We can go now,” he sang softly.

  Josiah and Zach signaled to the group to follow them. No one said a word until they were almost a mile away. Lily held the hands of two of the girls who struggled to keep up. Timmy encouraged the boy his age, and the oldest one stayed close to them. The rest limped and half ran. Lily continually thanked King Glory for giving energy to hurry. They found a spot in a small park in a grove of trees to stop and catch their breath. Quickly, Lily, Timmy, Lijah, and the others filled in the details of how King Glory and the angel Halal had given them freedom and direction. Josiah told his story as quickly as he could, emphasizing the Logos verses about lilies and Elijah. He and Zach gave them directions in case they got separated, and then they proceeded toward the boat.

  Alex and Jeremy arrived at that moment, out of breath. The kids tensed and huddled together, sure they were caught.

  “It’s okay, it’s us again.” Both young men bent, breathing heavy, and rested their hands on their knees.

  Lijah walked over to them. “You are good helpers. Thank you. Now we are going to Josiah’s on a boat.”

  “No, Lijah, don’t tell us. It’s better if we don’t know. We can’t go with you. We want to say good-bye. We have to stay at the facility. Maybe there will be others we can help.” Jeremy looked at Josiah. “Don’t forget us. We want to keep helping as long as we can. What they’re doing is wrong. We might get caught, but we’ll try to divert anyone who makes correct connections about what happened to this group. We can play dumb.”

  Lijah slapped Jeremy on the back. “Especially since I won’t be there. You can play dumb instead of me.” Lijah shook with laughter.

  Everyone joined him.

  Zach stepped forward. “Jeremy, head back the way you came. If you meet anyone looking for the kids, tell them you could not find any Lamers, because we are LAMBers, not Lamers. We will pray for you that Jajireh will keep you safe, keep us safe, and help you find others to rescue. Now all of us should go.”

  The two young men immediately turned and jogged back.

  Josiah prayed, “Jajireh, protect these men, help them, protect us, and thank You for leading all of us in Your most amazing ways.”

  * * *

  “Lijah, have you ever seen a Leviathan?” Timmy walked beside Lijah. The rescuees were behind Josiah, while Zach brought up the rear. They walked to the side of the road that led to
the bay. The woods between them and the road provided cover, but Zach and Josiah, in talking with Lily, felt Halal was giving them greater cover. Pine needles and leaves covering the floor of the woods muffled the sound of their walking. Everyone visited quietly, acting and feeling more relaxed than they had in months.

  “A Le-vi-a-thon?” Lijah punctuated every syllable. “Is that a long race for people named Levi?”

  “That’s clever.” Lily laughed.

  “Wasn’t it a big dinosaur-like creature from olden days?” asked Josiah.

  “Whatever it is, Timmy wants one.” Lily winked at Josiah.

  “Mama said one day King Glory would give me one,” snapped Timmy. His eyes flashed. “It’s in the Songs of the Logos. ‘There is that Leviathan, which you have made to play there. These all wait for you that you may give them their food in due season.’ I want one. I just need to figure out the food so I can keep it.”

  “Timmy.” Lily’s voice held a bit of exasperation. “I think it’s after we die and go to heaven that King Glory will give you one.”

  “Lily, don’t you know we don’t need food in heaven? It must mean here. Or—” Timmy scowled as if in great thought. “—maybe there’s an angel named Levi, and he could appear like a Leviathan.”

  Josiah and Lily exchanged knowing glances, trying hard not to laugh.

  Lijah looked at Timmy. “You know, there are a lot of angels. I bet one of them is named Levi, and even if he doesn’t run races, I bet he could be like your animal.”

  “See,” Timmy shouted, “Lijah agrees. Jajireh likes to do hard things to bless us. That’s what Daddy always said.”

  “You’re right, Timmy.” Lily smiled. “I am going to agree with you that you get your Leviathan, angel or animal.”

  “Me too,” chimed in Josiah. “And I want a ride as well.”

  “Thank You, Jajireh!” shouted Timmy and Lijah together, and they went running down the path.

  “Hey guys, wait up,” Zach called. Everyone slowed down to listen to him. “Praise Jajireh, He has kept us safe so far. We are going over to the right here, quietly. There is a hidden path down the side of the bluff, but we have to be careful because it ends on private property, not ours. So if they are watching for us, we could be visible there. I will go first, and Josiah will bring up the rear. No talking, and then we’ll go two by two to the boat.”

  “Halal will be nearby to help. I have his promise,” Lily said.

  “That’s the shimmering?” asked Josiah.

  “Yes, he’s an angel of Jajireh.”

  “We like angels,” Timmy said, and Lijah gave a thumbs-up.

  “I do too, and I think they like us.” Josiah smiled then started down the path.

  The path was as wide as a small road and had once been used for vehicles. It had long since overgrown with grass, weeds, and small bushes. Lily paused to view the vast panorama of the bay and the beauty of the day before descending into the next level of trees and filtered light. As they neared the bottom of the bluff and end of the road, Josiah steered them to the right behind a cropping of rocks common to the terrain. Even though the road they had ventured down did not seem to connect to another road, there was another narrow road very close that they assumed went to someone’s home.

  Josiah stood as close to the road as possible without being seen, and he hurried the group two by two across as Zach led them a winding way to the anchored boat.

  * * *

  The wind blew pleasantly through the trees as they traveled the last leg of their journey to the boat. It was comforting and relaxing, while also somewhat enchanting. It didn’t seem to come from one direction nor was it steady. Instead, it ebbed and flowed, seeming to wrap around them like long strands of hair, delicately touching their faces and arms with faint hints of light. As they followed the soft, flickering light, Josiah stopped.

  “What is it?” asked Zach, looking questioningly at Josiah.

  “Heard something.”

  “The wind makes it hard to hear.”

  Josiah cocked his head. “But it was in the wind.”

  “What was?”

  “A voice.”

  “The Voice?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t think so.”

  They started moving ahead. Again Josiah stopped. “Okay,” he said.

  “Okay, what?”

  “Zach, the Voice is in the wind but in me as well. It said I have to go back.”

  “Well, let’s go.”

  “No, just me.”

  “Josiah, I’m supposed to stay with you.”

  “I know, but the others need you more. This light—or voice or angel—will protect me. I sense an agreement inside me.”

  “I’ll go on,” said Zach, “but this I’ll shout for you and all of us, ‘The angel of Jajireh camps around those who honor Him, and He delivers them. Oh, taste and see that King Glory is good. Blessed is the man who trusts in Him.’” Josiah was almost out of sight when Zach finished quoting the Book of Songs as he led the others to the boat. “King Glory, You are so cool. I have no fear. None for Josiah and none for those with me. Thank You.”

  As Josiah returned the way he came, he heard the whisper on the wind. “Josiah, you are founded on Jajireh. You have been found of Him, and He is your foundation. Be strong and of good courage. Watchers have been following you. When you meet them, be bold. Proclaim the decree of Jajireh. All men must come to the glory of His presence.” Again, Josiah could not distinguish if the Voice was outside or within or both. He knew he must listen and obey.

  As he climbed the overgrown road they had just come down, Josiah noticed his group had left footprints. Not good. Josiah came around a small bend past the crest of the hill. There they were— watchers from the colony meeting.

  “Gotcha!” one sneered, seeing Josiah was alone. “You Lamers are too easy. We’ll have the rest of them in no time. Are you lost, sonny boy? Seems you’re going the wrong way.”

  “Glad you brought that up. You two are lost and going the wrong way. King Glory has sent me to tell you the truth of the inner man.”

  Both watchers cursed Josiah loudly and ran toward him. Josiah noted that they seemed to never get to him, to be at the same distance away as when he first saw them. He thought it strange but was too busy speaking to truly consider the phenomenon.

  Josiah took off his shades. “See, look in my eyes. There is life. The Over Garments don’t give you life. You’re dead inside. Be restored to Jajireh. It’s what you were designed for.” O King Glory, I know You are with me, because if You weren’t, I’d be dead or at least captured and on my way to jail.

  One of the watchers fell to the ground, covering his ears. The other sprinted toward Josiah, this time almost getting there. But mere feet away, he bounced back, looked up confused, screamed, and ran. As the other glanced up, he too scrambled backward, falling over roots and bumping trees. Finally finding his feet, he went racing after his partner.

  “Now we must continue, Josiah. They will not return, nor will they report this.”

  Josiah spun toward the voice.

  A wispy, airy, tall man, resonant with strength, stood before him. Peace and joy emanated from the figure.

  For a moment, Josiah just stared. “You are…”

  “SheMah. My name means ‘to hear and obey,’ as you have done. I am sent from Jajireh as a protector. The others are waiting at the boat. You have averted your enemy for a while and proclaimed the truth, but we are not yet done. There are others out looking and lurking about. They will be up ahead. You will speak. They will hear you but not see you. Again you will declare the truth and light to them.”

  Almost immediately, Josiah saw another pair of watchers hunting through the wooded area with flashlights. The day was moving toward dusk, and the shadows lengthened in the wooded area he traversed.

  “You with the light,” called Josiah. Both stopped, shining the light at Josiah, but their eyes were unseeing. Amazing! He spoke loudly. “Do you know that King Glory is the l
ight, and He wants to restore you so your inner man can live?”

  Flashlights waved wildly, falling again and again on Josiah. One of the watchers whispered, “Did you hear what I heard?”

  “It’s not possible. It’s not true,” hissed the other.

  Josiah smiled. “What you just heard is true. And it is very possible. Let the light of King Glory shine in you.”

  “This is crazy!” yelled the first one. “Do you see anybody?”

  “No. No.” Then the face of the second one went pale. Josiah could see it, for the light from their flashlights reflected back on them. “No. No. No,” the man continued to yell. “Oh, my. Oh my. Run! Run!” he screamed.

  Stumbling and gasping, the two dropped their flashlights and fled.

  “Did they see you?” Josiah asked.

  “Indeed they did.” SheMah chuckled.

  Josiah heard the watchers crashing through the woods like deer hightailing after being spooked. Branches broke, and “oomphs” bounced back as one and then the other ran into trees or tripped over roots and rocks in their panic.

  “Why couldn’t they see me?” Josiah asked SheMah.

  “I stood in front of you. Do you remember learning about refraction in science class? The teacher had two glass beakers, one smaller placed inside the bigger one. Then oil was poured into the smaller beaker. As it filled up and overflowed to fill up the bigger beaker, the small beaker disappeared from sight.”

  “It’s a great demonstration.”

  “The reason the smaller one disappeared from sight is because the oil and the glass have the same angle of refraction, so what came to your eyes was one and the same picture,” SheMah explained. “You, Josiah, are spirit and flesh. I am spirit and light. Spirit is the oil. My light is the outer glass, while your flesh is the inner glass, but your heart, your spirit, is one with Jajireh, as is all of me. Both our spirits come from Jajireh, from His breath. The spirit, or your heart, and my light have the same angle of refraction. So when I stand in front of you, I can cause the other to see only my light and not your flesh but to hear your heart, the truth of King Glory.”