The Wrath Walker (The Wrath Series Book 1) by Matthew Newson (moboreader txt) 📕

in the open chair across from me. That was the first time I wasn’t scared when I looked at him, even though there were two dead wise guys in the room.

I was comforted by his presence. He intervened just in time and saved me, and even though he was about to kill me, I knew what I needed to do to stop him.

I rubbed my sore wrists as I sat straight in the chair. “Thank you,” I said with a nod.

“You’re welcome, Brandon. Now, please share the secret you learned to stop me from releasing God’s wrath upon you.”

“Well, I did what you told me, and I read the story of Sodom and Gomorrah several times over. I believed the key to my salvation lay in the part about the destruction of the cities.”

“Is that what you believe I was referring to when I told you to study the story?”

“At first, yes, but then I realized that was just it, it was only a part of the story. I needed to widen my gaze to see my answer was in the entire story itself. It didn’t dawn on me until just recently what you’ve been trying to get me to see in it this whole time.”

“Which is?”

“Just like all of the people in those cities, I deserve to die for my sins, for which are many. I don’t deserve salvation or even to be spared God’s wrath because many were hurt over my actions. I remember hearing there is a scripture that says there is no excuse for ignorance, and I am guilty of a willing ignorance. I didn’t want to see what Ron was doing, and using me to do, because I valued myself over others at the time.”

“This is an interesting take because I’ve never had anyone tell me they deserved to be punished for what they had done. They usually beg or try and kill me. You do realize you’re not really making a good case for me to spare your life.”

“I know, but I just needed you to know I understand the reason I was added to your list.”

“I’m glad you see that, but tell, me why I should take you off of it now?” Wrath’s words were forced. He worked to a schedule and timing was everything to that man.

“Then I remembered the part when Abraham asked God if he would spare the city if God could find only ten righteous people in the entire city. Can you believe that? All of those people could have been saved just from the actions of ten people.”

“I can, because I was there, remember?”

“Yes, you were there. But what stuck out to me was how merciful God was in that moment as Abraham asked if all of those people could be saved all from ten righteous people dwelling among them. God seemed willing to spare that place, but he couldn’t find ten righteous people.”

“Are you going to beg me for mercy?” Wrath leaned toward me.

“No. I’m not going to beg you.”

“Then what are you going to do, Brandon?”

“Like I said before, I deserve to die for not wanting to see what Ron was doing, and for not being able to figure out how to stop you from killing him and the others. I am truly sorry for all of my sins, and I hope God can forgive me. All I ask is after you kill me, and I stand before the Lord, that God will show me the same mercy he was willing to show those other wicked people of those two cities.”

Wrath sat back in his chair and stared at me with great seriousness. I couldn’t tell if he waited for me to continue or if he was searching for the best way to kill me.

“Is that how you really feel?” Wrath asked.

“Yes.”

“Well then, I’m sorry, Brandon.” Wrath stood and straightened his jacket.

I sighed deeply because I thought God’s mercy was the key to stopping all the madness. I also remembered reading how Jesus was at the right hand of the Father, interceding for me, and I needed him to intercede on my behalf. However, it looked like I was about to get the chance to ask him in person. Wrath and I looked each other in the eyes, and I could tell he knew I had accepted my fate.

“You’re not going to try and run or fight back?” Wrath asked.

“No, what’s the point? It wouldn’t do any good, but all I ask is for you to make it quick.”

“So, it shall be,” Wrath said as he flattened his hand out, and placed it in front of my chest over my heart that pounded like a drum. I waited for the end to come as I expected a brief moment of pain as he crushed my heart before my life functions ceased.

“Are you ready, Brandon?”

“Yes.” I closed my eyes and prepared to be raptured into a tunnel of white light, and then I heard one of the most disturbing sounds that I will never be able to forget for as long as I live. I opened my eyes.

Wrath was laughing so hard that tears ran down his face as he sat back down in the chair across from me. I had no idea what was going on, or why he hadn’t killed me. I was as horrified as I was intrigued by the ever-changing circumstances, but I knew I wasn’t dead and that I was still in the basement of the Black Castle.

“Why are you laughing?”

“I’m laughing at you. Man, I got you good there a moment ago. You should have seen your face,” Wrath said in between spurts of laughter.

“Are you still going to kill me?”

“Oh, heavens no.” He wiped a tear from his eye.

“Were you ever going to kill me?” I was more than confused, and a part of me expected for him to jump out of the chair and end my life at any second.

“Oh yes, you were next on my list. In fact,