"For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?" — Matthew 16:26
PART I – THE VOICE OF HELL
The rain had stopped.
But the air still smelled of wet earth… and death.
Samuel walked through the back alley of an underground club. The echo of distant music vibrated faintly through the walls. Beneath his black trench coat, the Bible rested open in his left hand.
—Get up.
The voice was cold. Empty.
In front of him, kneeling among trash and blood, was Victor.
Shaking.
—Please… don't kill me —he begged, wiping blood from his face—. I helped take them down! I'm a protected witness!
Samuel stepped closer, steady and firm.
—That doesn't save you —he replied—. Only God can.
Victor tried to stand.
—You're no one to judge me!
Samuel raised the gun and aimed straight at his chest.
—I am the echo of your sleeping conscience —he said—. I am the shadow of your sins.
One more step.
—I am the last minister you will see before facing the One who can forgive you… or condemn you.
Fear became absolute.
—Confess —he commanded—. Confess Jesus as your Savior… and die in peace.
—No! —Victor shouted—. There's no salvation for people like us!
Samuel lowered his gaze.
Closed his eyes.
—Maybe you're right…
A second of silence.
—But it's not my place to decide.
He fired.
The body collapsed.
The sound of the gunshot blended into the silence of the alley.
Samuel took out a small vial.
He sprinkled holy water over the corpse.
—Rest in peace, brother… —he murmured—. May you find the forgiveness you did not seek here.
PART II – THE DISCIPLE'S DOUBT
That same morning.
The church.
Light. Order. Peace.
Lucas Kane entered, as he did every Sunday.
Young. A police officer. A believer.
And more and more… uneasy.
He sat in the second row.
He watched Samuel step up to the pulpit.
Something about him didn't fit.
—Brothers and sisters —Samuel began—, today we will speak about the vanity of the world…
Lucas frowned.
—Many seek justice with their own hands… —the pastor continued— …and end up staining them with blood.
Lucas's heart tightened.
—Some believe they can take God's place…
Silence.
—But only He has the right to judge.
Lucas didn't look away.
"Then… why do I feel like you do?"
Throughout the entire sermon, his mind would not settle.
He remembered details:
The nighttime absencesThe strange glancesThe slight tremor in his hands
When the service ended, he approached.
—Pastor Book… may I speak with you?
—Of course, Lucas —he replied with a smile—. What is it?
Lucas hesitated.
—Sometimes… I wonder if we truly understand the difference between justice… and revenge.
Samuel looked at him steadily.
For a second…
The mask seemed to crack.
—Human justice fails —he said slowly—. But divine justice… always prevails.
Lucas felt a chill run down his spine.
PART III – SHATTERED MEMORIES
Later.
Silence.
Solitude.
Samuel was in the sacristy.
Standing before an open drawer.
Inside…
An old photograph.
His family.
His father… preaching.
His mother… smiling.
His siblings… alive.
A memory of light.
Of peace.
Of a time that no longer existed.
Samuel took the photo with trembling hands.
He remembered.
His father's sermon.
The message:
"Love your enemies."
Cruel irony.
He slammed the drawer shut.
Took a deep breath.
—Forgive me… —he whispered.
A tear fell onto the wood.
He pressed the Bible against his chest.
—If this is a sin…
Silence.
Darkness.
—Then… this is my cross.