Chapter 72: It Begins

 Still at the courthouse the crowd was becoming bigger with every passing hour. Most of the world leaders had arrived but the most awaited leader was the president of Siberia. The whole world waited for her arrival as her country was the one that was most affected by the Serbian's Slayer destruction. His trail was evident in her country such that he was even included in the history books of Siberia. In the schools, it was taught that he was never caught but today would determine whether all the books would be recalled for editing or not

When she arrived with her team of delegates, she was welcomed by the crowd with cheers and applause.

Inside the courthouse things were running as normal as other cases were being heard , such as the likes of Hunters' case. When he was brought before the judge , his team tried to put up a fight but deep down they knew that his fate was sealed. The session didn't even last long before a verdict was reached. He was sentenced to fifty years with allowance of a parole after he had served thirty years. Hunters sunk into his seat as he wondered whether the man(Jason) who had visited him was right about the mayor and the state. He wondered whether the same man had abandoned him since he hadn't heard anything from him since the day that he had met him. He wondered whether it had been a test from the mayor to see whether he would rat them out.

He knew that he had definitely dug his own grave by agreeing to talk about who the Mayor and president had asked him to kill. He started regretting his actions from the moment he heard his verdict. He was doomed. In no way would he survive those years in prison. Slowly, he started accepting his fate knowing that he chose this life and knew there would be consequences. As he was escorted outside the courtroom, he was approached by a man dressed as a priest.

He was old but stood at an upright posture. The wrinkles on his face gave away his age and when he opened his mouth to speak, Hunters could see that old age had taken a toll on his teeth. He had on a friendly smile but Hunters wasn't in the mood for some spiritual awakening. He had had enough. This priest asked the guards if he could speak to Hunters alone before they escort him back to serve his sentence. The mere mentioning of the term 'serve his sentence ' nearly drove him over the edge. He felt like telling the guards to just take him back to prison but before he could do that, the priest tugged him to the side.

"I can see that you're angry. Probably because you think that you've been deserted" the priest said, "my name is father Paul and I know that you do not want to have a moment with me as I tell you about the Lord"

" For an old man, you sure do know what I don't want to hear right not. So if you don't mind then, I'll just go" Hunters said as he was about to turn around. The priest stretched his hand and got hold of Hunters' hand

"Before you go, I might not be able to get you closer to the Lord, but maybe you could do that yourself when your emotions have cooled down. It is by law that anyone who serves a prison sentence is supposed to be gifted with a Bible just for spiritual nourishment in the course of their sentence if they see it fit" the father said

" I'm not interested old man" Hunters said arrogantly

" I understand your frustrations, but the reason I'm doing this is because someone approached me and asked me to do this personally. He said that he had paid you a visit a few days ago and he had opened your eyes. He asked me to deliver this to you " the father said as he took out a Bible from a small bag he was carrying. The bible was still wrapped in a gift wrappe and looked very new. Hunters gave it a thought and wondered whether this was connected to Leo(the name that Jason used when talking to Hunters). He didn't know whether it was a genuine offer or an insult from Leo. 

The priest saw his reaction and knew that Hunters recognized the sender.

"He also asked me to repeat this words exactly word for word, 'in your hour of challenges, seek answers and you shall find them within'. " 

Hunters tried to make out the message in that statement and wondered whether there was any hidden meaning or whether Leo was just like any other person who had seen the best way he could help him was through religion. He chuckled at the thought that when Leo said he would give him freedom, he meant through the gospel.

The priest with a pat on Hunters back said to him before he walked away.

"The man who wanted you to have this seemed to be concerned about your well-being. Kindly see to it that you don't forget his words"

Hunters was escorted quickly to the parking lot where they put him in the back of the van together with the officer who was with him ready to take him back to the prison. Before being bundled into the back of the van he was able to see the prison escort parked next to the van. The one thing that didn't seem to make sense was that he also saw the car that Peter and Bennet were in although he didn't get a good view. He only saw a black car that didn't have any plates on. 

This didn't seem odd since he knew that with some world leaders coming to see the Serbian's case, various security agencies would be expected. He therefore thought that this was possibly one of the teams manning the parking lot just incase something was to happen.

Once inside the back of the van, one couldn't tell what was happening outside since it lacked any windows. The door at the back was secured with a lock that needed to scan the officer's hand from the inside to unlock. It also had a small slide door that opened to the front where the driver and his passenger sat. His hands were handcuffed together and tied to a chain that was fixed to the floor of the van. This was also done to his feet. This allowed for some room for movement. He held the bible in his hands as he was getting ready to head back to prison.

When the guard saw this, he simply chuckled and arrogantly said,

"You will need more than a saviour inside prison" 

As this was happening on the ground floor, Jason was just arriving at the courthouse a few minutes ahead of the team that the world had their eyes on. He looked around until he saw a familiar face. It was that of the father. He walked up to him and greeted him the the honour he deserved. He then confirmed what he was waiting for,

"Did you give him the bible?" Jason asked

" Yes my child " the father responded humbly

" And the instructions? "

"I passed them on to him as well"

"Thank you father, you might have just saved that man's life " Jason said as he sighed loudly 

" If you don't mind me asking, why was it so important that you pass him that message? "

" I'm sure you'd prefer if I don't tell you"

" I suppose so "

" Before I go, forgive me father for I have sinned " Jason said before leaving the father and going somewhere where no one could see or hear him. He tapped his earpiece to turn it on and tested to see if the rest of the group could hear him

"Can you guys hear me?" He asked

"Loud and clear" all of the answered simultaneously

" I've just arrived at the courthouse and I have been informed that Hunters' case has been concluded. I need a status update and whereabouts "

" We're in the parking lot getting ready to head out" Bennet responded

" I'm camping out in the city waiting for the package to land in the drop zone " Tyler said

" That's great, be on high alert from now. I'd like to also let you know that Hunters will know that we are coming for him today" Jason said

" How will he know that? " Peter asked

"Because I've just given him a clue. It's up to him whether he wants to learn more" Jason answered 

" One step ahead, as always " Bennet said without any hesitation

" Okay. From now I'll be able to hear anything you say to the moment that you finally do the snatch so don't go off on any of us" Jason said

" Understood " Tyler responded 

"I wish you the best out there. And don't forget, looking out for each other is our number one priority"