Neanderthal Messiah — 92

Nazarensis I

[Gaius, 16, in Roman garb handles Maryam at her home’s door:]

‘On a walk huh? You’ll be his ransom then.’

[Maryam:] ‘A hostage. ‘Ransom’ is the payback.

Do you know who’ll get that, Gaius?’

[Rolling thunder rumbled in the distance -

That they both looked to.]

[Jerking her hard, her ear hits her shoulder.]

‘Fuck that shit!’ said an emerging Josef

And stuffed his blade into the neck

Of Caiaphas’ son, Gaius.

[Gentle rain fell from the clouds.]