The Didymus Contingency

by Jeremy Robinson

  The other men laughed and agreed, but none took action. They were all too terrified to personally carry out a death sentence. Greagor, pleased that he had made the men laugh, thought it appropriate to further taunt the chained beast. He picked up a sharp stone the size of a fist, and heaved it at Samuel. The rock sailed through the air, sure to strike a painful blow. The soldiers’ eyes grew broad with anticipation. Whack! Stone slapped against flesh.

  Greagor stood up. He thought his vision must be playing tricks. But the other men, with petrified visages, saw it too. Samuel’s hand had a firm grip on the stone, inches from his head. He caught the stone...with his back turned! Greagor sat down and looked at his comrades. All were too timorous to say a word, lest they entice the beast to retaliate.

  Samuel looked at the stone through glazed eyes. He smiled and began to rock back and forth, muttering to himself, “Dimito desrafat fier tarsadun,” over and over again. Each time he finished the words, he cut a bloody gouge into his arm using the stone. Froth dripped from his mouth and mixed with the blood oozing from his arm. The sight only enticed him further and his rocking grew more fervent. His legs bounced at the kneecaps and his eyelids twitched as though in violent REM sleep.

  As Greagor watched with a new respect, he thought he saw something different about Samuel. He was growing more excited...or was it nervous?

  * * * * *

  The sea had been calm since the storm magically dissipated and no one had said much of anything. David had bound Tom’s wound as best he could, but it didn’t stop Tom’s head from swelling. The pain was intense at first, but had dulled slightly when Tom sat still, which wasn’t easy to do in a rocking boat.

  If only he were alone, Tom thought. He could make a quick jaunt to the future for some Ibuprofen and ice, but it was impossible here in the boat and would be even more unlikely as soon as they landed in Gergesa, which was now only one hundred yards away.

  From this distance, the city could be seen in its entire luster. Tall, white arches attached several columned buildings to one another. A grand theater bustled with activity to the south and a temple of Zeus stood tall and proud atop a hill to the north. This was the pinnacle of how Tom had envisioned the Roman Empire, its influence smearing even into the most distant territories. He enjoyed the view despite the drumbeat of pain pounding within his skull.

  Matthew, who had been resting on the side of the boat, craned his head up as though he’d been rudely awakened. “Disgusting. Look at all those pigs. Who would tend such beasts so close to the city?” he said to Tom.

  Previously, Tom would have thought such a comment to be peculiar, but having learned Jewish culture, Tom knew that pigs were unfit to eat and were looked down upon severely. The fact that such a large herd was roaming on the hill just outside the city must have enraged every good Jew for miles. But Tom wasn’t inclined to have yet another conversation about the foulness of pigs. He responded with a simple smile and the subject died out.

  Within five minutes, they reached the shore. “Someone else can get their feet wet this time!” Matthew yelled, “I’ve spent my time in the water!”

  Peter stood and said, “You got more then your feet wet,” as he climbed over the side of the boat, into the water. “Judas, give me a hand.”

  Judas rather reluctantly got to his feet and threw one leg over the side. As Judas put his other leg into the water, he lost his balance and fell backwards with a yelp, catching his robe on the oar and ripping it lengthwise. Peter thrust his long arm into the water and pulled the flailing Judas to his feet. Judas was panicked and coughed a large amount of water up after taking a breath. Tom wondered if Judas had ever been submerged in water. The poor man must have sucked in a mouthful.

  Judas attempted to collect himself but was clearly distraught. His hands shook as he clutched the side of the boat, knuckles white. Tom felt a deep compassion for the man. “Go ahead to shore, Judas,” Tom said, as he patted Judas’s hand, “I’ll help Peter.”

  Judas trudged to the shore and sat down with his head between his knees. Tom and Peter dragged the boat full of men to the shore.

  Tom then walked to Judas, who looked up with the sad eyes of a child whose new Christmas present had been broken only minutes after being unwrapped. “Look at this,” said Judas, as he held up his torn robe, “I look like a beggar.”

  “Can’t you just buy a new one?” Tom asked.

  “It’s not up to me. The tax collector has the money,” Judas whined.

  “Tax collector?”

  “Matthew, he used to be a tax collector,” Judas explained, “Honestly, I think I could do better with the money, but Matthew insisted he had the most experience.”

  “Why don’t you just ask for some?” Tom asked.

  “I don’t... I couldn’t...”

  “Then I will.”

  Judas attempted to stop Tom with an outreached arm, but he was too late, Tom was already approaching Jesus, who was still in the boat.

  “Your compassion is growing,” Jesus said, as Tom stopped at the boat.

  Tom paused. Jesus turned to him. “Helping those in need… aiding Judas. You’re learning my ways.”

  “I haven’t changed since the day we met,” Tom said, knowing full well it was a lie.

  Jesus smiled. “So you say. Ask your question.”

  Tom felt the urge to argue the point, but could see Jesus already had him against the ropes. “Judas ripped his robe when he fell out of the boat. I was...he was wondering if we could give him some money to buy a new robe?”

  “Of course,” Jesus said.

  That was easy, Tom thought, and then he went a step further. “Actually, Judas wanted to know if you could put him in charge of the money? Matthew is great with money and has experience as a tax collector, but Judas...he’s just not growing and I think he’s up to the challenge of handling our financing.” Tom smiled, attempting to hide his sarcasm over his, “Judas not growing” statement. He felt ridiculous saying it, but it seemed Jesus was taking his request seriously.

  Jesus mulled over the proposal. He called Matthew over and said, “Matthew, could I have the money purse?”

  Matthew handed a leather sack full of coins to Jesus.

  “Judas will be handling the money from now on,” Jesus said, “It will be good experience for him.”

  “Are you sure?” Matthew said.

  Jesus nodded.

  Matthew smiled and rejoined the other disciples who were mingling with a crowd of people who had rounded the outskirts of the sea in the same time the fourteen had sailed across it. Jesus turned to Tom and said, “If you have not become more compassionate, what are you getting for your good deeds today?”

  Tom looked over at Judas, still sitting on the sand with his head down and said, “A friend.”

  “Indeed...” said Jesus, as he handed the coin purse to Tom. “Go, tell Judas the good news.”

  Tom smiled and said, “Thank you.”

  Jesus watched Tom walk away, then balanced himself, threw his leg over the side of the boat and pressed his foot into the wet sand.

  * * * * *

  Greagor’s muscles twitched as Samuel’s head jerked back so fast that it seemed his neck would snap from the force. Samuel’s eyes ballooned, as if they would burst and he immediately stopped shaking. Slowly, mechanically, Samuel cranked his head toward the East, toward Gergesa.

  Greagor gripped his sword and slowly drew it, as Samuel stood to his feet. What in the name of Neptune was this man up to now? Perhaps a lion was prowling the valley? Greagor wished it to be true. Let the savages kill each other.

  Samuel’s body became rigid, silent, listening. Greagor looked to the East and saw nothing. Believing confrontation was inevitable, Greagor snapped his fingers once, gaining the full attention of his men. He motioned toward Samuel with his head. All four men slowly drew their weapons.

  Samuel took a step forward but was instantly stopped as the chains shackled to his arms and legs grew taut. Samuel looked down at th
e chains with disgust and growled. He slowly moved his right arm back, letting the chain go slack, and then surged it forward. Clink! The chain snapped like macaroni.

  Stepping forward, Greagor moved slowly, shield at the ready with his men close behind him. “Sit back down!” Greagor commanded.

  Samuel twisted his body toward Greagor and gritted his teeth together, hissing, “WE WILL NOT!”

  Clink! Samuel shattered the shackle attached to his left arm. Only his feet were still bound. Greagor knew that once Samuel’s feet were undone, he and his men would lose their advantage. “Attack!” Greagor screamed, as he raised his sword toward the blue sky. The four soldiers charged, ready to spill blood.

  Samuel turned toward his attackers and smiled.

  * * * * *

  Tom and Judas strolled through the crowded streets of Gergesa. Judas was all smiles, clothed in a new robe and proudly clutching the money purse. They had been perusing the many shops for almost two hours and Tom knew it was time to head back. After the ten-minute argument Tom had with David about going into the city alone with Judas, Tom knew that David would send out a search party if they weren’t back on time. And Tom also knew that he and David were the only two people in the world wearing watches right now, so David would know exactly what time it was and how late they were.

  “We should head back to the beach now. The others are probably wondering where we are,” Tom said.

  “Just a few moments more. These dates look delicious,” Judas replied, as he eyed a basket of dates being sold by a thick shop-keep.

  Tom looked at his watch casually, pretending to scratch his wrist. They still had ten minutes. Tom decided to use the time to get to know Judas a little better. “What happened to you in the water today?”

  “What do you mean?” Judas asked, looking down at the ground.

  “After you fell in. The water was only knee deep, you could have stood up.”

  “I...I don’t know. It happens sometimes. I—I get afraid. I panic. I don’t know why. Water, spiders, snakes, even goats...there are so many things. Sometimes it even happens before I know the danger exists.”

  “Extra Sensory Perception,” Tom said without thinking.

  “What?” Judas asked

  “Nothing...nothing. Hey, try not to worry too much. You’re with friends now, thirteen friends. One of us will always be there to pull you out of the water,” Tom said in earnest.

  Judas smiled. “Thank you.”

  “Now let’s get going. David’s going to be irate if we’re late.”

  “David doesn’t like me much, does h—” Judas froze mid-sentence and his eyes darted around like a scared animal.

  “What is it?” Tom asked.

  “It’s happening,” Judas said, arms shivering.

  Tom saw Judas’s hand shaking, his eyes wary and his teeth biting his lip. Judas was panicking. This was what he was talking about, but where was the danger?

  “Aiiiieeeee!” A woman screamed in the distance.

  Suspicious of the encroaching racket, Tom and Judas looked down the long street filled with people. A wave of screaming grew from the crowd and headed toward them. People ran in every direction and the crowd parted like the sea for Moses. Tom squinted as a figure ran toward them. All these people were running from one man?

  Tom turned to speak to Judas, but Judas was gone, ten feet away hiding with other frightened shoppers. Tom surveyed his surroundings. He was alone in the street. What did these people know? As the man approached, Tom could see that he was hobbling strangely and carried a sword. He decided it was best to follow the crowd’s lead and joined Judas on the side of the road.

  “What’s going on?” Tom asked a woman hiding with them.

  “It’s Samuel! The possessed man!” the woman whispered.

  “Possessed? You mean by a demon?”

  “Quiet!” the woman whispered, “His guards are surely dead. If it hears you, you will be next!” With that, the woman ducked down an alley and ran away.

  Tom didn’t believe in demons as much as he didn’t believe in Jesus, Heaven or Hell. This was all superstitious nonsense. Tom was tempted to confront the man and prove to these ignorant people that the man was not possessed, but he erred on the side of safety. The man was armed, after all.

  A hush fell over the frightened crowd as Samuel drew near; Tom could hear the man ranting. Against the tugging urges of Judas to stay down, Tom stepped out from hiding to get a look at Samuel, and then quickly took a large step back as Samuel passed, nearly tripping over himself and the others behind him.

  Samuel was covered in blood from head to toe, frothing at the mouth like a rabid dog. He had open gashes up and down his arms. Shackles and chains still hung from his arms and legs and clanked along the road. Tom focused on the sword and saw that it was Roman. That woman mentioned guards…could this man have really killed Roman guards with his bare hands, while shackled to a wall? From the amount of blood covering Samuel’s body, Tom was convinced it was true.

  As Samuel passed by, muttering loudly, Tom became aware of what he was saying. “Jesus... Jesus...We will kill him. Yes, yes. Yes we will,” Samuel said, oozing hatred.

  Tom stood up straight and watched Samuel head down the street...toward the beach...saying... Tom turned to Judas. “Jesus!” Tom shouted.

  “Is he gone?” Judas asked, arms still shaking.

  “He’s going after Jesus!” Tom said, as he headed into the street, “C’mon!”

  Tom began running toward the beach and turned back toward Judas, “If we’re going to be there for you Judas, you need to be there for us! Let’s go!”

  Judas shook with confusion. He was paralyzed with fear, but Tom was right. Perhaps they could beat the man to the beach and simply warn Jesus of the impending danger. They would have to move fast, but after a lifetime of running from his fears, Judas knew he was fast. Judas leapt from his hiding place and tore off down the street after Tom. They were going to save Jesus!

  * * * * *

  David hadn’t had many opportunities to speak with Jesus alone since their adventure began. So he was thankful when Jesus asked him to take a walk, while the disciples handled the crowd that had gathered on the beach. During their walk, Jesus spoke to David of things to come, things already gone by and the weather. Jesus never gave any indication that he knew David was from the future. And it seemed as though Jesus was more comfortable with David then he was with the twelve disciples. They understood each other. David imagined it must be a relief for Jesus to have someone who understood, like two quantum physicists in the middle of the desert…like with David and Tom.

  The walk was almost over and David could see the crowd, now much larger, gathered in front of the disciples. There must be three thousand people, David thought. “Looks like another long day,” Jesus said.

  “Indeed,” David replied, but then smiled. Another long day? In all his life, David never thought that Jesus got worn out, tired of people or stressed by life. But David was beginning to see things differently. Jesus was not only human, he was as human as David, Tom or anyone else, and all this activity, all these people, wore him out.

  David scanned the beach and glanced at his watch. Not only did the watch reveal the time, but also Tom’s general location. He wasn’t far, but still deep in the city. Then again, it looked as though Tom was heading back, and quickly.

  Tom was late, but then, so was David. It wasn’t that David didn’t trust Tom alone in the city. They had both blended into the society and could manage fine on their own. But he didn’t want Tom and Judas having an influence on one another. David was relatively sure how things would turn out, but there were so many unknowns about this past that were not recorded in the Bible. He wondered if his and Tom’s friendship would survive the years of living the very subject that divided them most strongly. Over the past few months, David had sensed Tom drifting away, becoming obsessed with debunking Jesus, but now, now Tom was becoming friends with Judas... What good could come of that? />
  “Jesus!” Judas yelled from a street running parallel to the beach, “Take cover! A possessed man wielding a sword is coming for you!”

  Jesus and David quickly hurried to Judas.

  “From where does this man come?” Jesus asked.

  Judas was out of breath, but managed to point to a street, which led up a hill.

  “Where’s Tom?” David asked, suddenly concerned.

  “He’s coming…I…passed him on the way…he’s a slow…runner,” said Judas.

  A howl from the top of the hill pulled their attention away from Judas. Samuel was at the crest, wielding his sword high in the air.

  David had never seen this man before, but the location and circumstances filled David’s memory, “Legion...”

  Jesus shot David a look. He had heard. He heard David say the name before it was known. David slunk back and pursed his lips tight as the disciples arrived with the crowd in tow, hoping his foreknowledge would be forgotten.

  Samuel screeched and lunged down the hill toward the beach, toward Jesus. Many in the crowd turned and fled; the rest, including the disciples and David, simply backed away. “Stand behind me and do not fear this man,” Jesus said, standing his ground.

  Samuel was like a freight train with a sword. He seemed immeasurably dense, like he could crash through a cement wall. And still, Jesus held his ground. Samuel was only ten feet from Jesus when, “Jesus! Look out!”

  Whump!

  Tom tackled Samuel from the side, sending both men to the ground. The crowd collectively gasped. The sword fell from Samuel’s hand, but he was not deterred from his goal. Samuel got to his feet and pounded toward Jesus. Tom was on his feet too, and preparing to make a second attempt.

  “Tom, don’t!” David shouted, but it was too late.

  Tom dove onto Samuel’s back and hung on like a baby monkey clinging to its mother. Samuel growled and thrashed about wildly. Tom had wrestled during his high school years and for a short time had considered trying out for the Israeli Olympic team. He knew the headlock he had wrapped around Samuel’s throat was unbreakable and should put the man in a deep sleep within a minute. If only Tom could hold on.