The Shepherd X

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of self-discipline."

— 2 Timothy 1:7

Part I – The Worth of a Woman

Rebecca looked at herself in the mirror before leaving her flat.

She carried no cameras, no recorders. Only her black notebook, a mind full of questions, and a heart torn between fear and determination.

She had read too many articles about murdered pastors. She had seen too many innocent faces vanish without explanation. And she had followed too many clues that always led her back to the same place:

The Redemption of Christ Church.

"If it's him… he must know I'm watching."

And if it wasn't… then he deserved an apology.

She took a deep breath and stepped out.

Part II – The Temple's Door

The church was quiet. It was mid-morning, and only a few faithfuls knelt in silent prayer.

Samuel Book was in the sacristy, reviewing sermons and preparing hymns for next Sunday.

When he heard someone knock on the door, he wasn't surprised.

He opened it slowly. And there she stood.

"Mrs. Hart," he said with a kind smile. "To what do I owe the honour?"

"I need to talk to you," Rebecca replied. "Seriously. Not as a reporter. But as a person."

He nodded and invited her in.

Part III – Words as Weapons

They sat face to face. Between them, an old wooden table and a closed Bible.

"Pastor Book," Rebecca began. "I've been investigating something… something that has taken me down dark paths. And everything seems to lead back to you."

Samuel looked at her steadily, unshaken.

"And what exactly are you investigating?"

"The Shepherd. The man who kills mobsters in God's name. The one who forces his victims to confess before killing them. The one who appeared five years ago with no known past."

Samuel didn't answer immediately. He closed his eyes briefly, as if in prayer.

"Do you think it's me?" he asked calmly.

"I don't know," Rebecca admitted. "But there are things that don't add up. Things that make me think you might be. And others that make me doubt it."

Samuel opened the Bible. He turned the pages carefully until he reached a verse.

"Listen to this," he said:

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

— Matthew 11:28

He looked directly at Rebecca.

"Do you feel heavy-laden, daughter?"

She swallowed hard.

"Yes. I feel like I'm searching for a truth that doesn't want to be found."

"Then," Samuel said, "maybe you shouldn't keep searching. Maybe you should let the truth find you."

A chill ran through Rebecca. The words were beautiful… but also deep. Too deep.

"Do you believe God justifies murder?"

Samuel didn't hesitate.

"No. But He also does not justify injustice. Or silence in the face of evil."

"Then who decides who must die?"

He looked at her firmly.

"That, daughter… is not our decision. It is the duty of the Supreme Judge."

Rebecca felt the ground shift beneath her feet.

"Have you ever felt that God gave you a special mission?"

Samuel smiled sadly.

"We all have missions. Some heal. Others teach. I preach. And I pray for those who have lost their way."

There was a long silence.

"You… don't seem like a killer," Rebecca finally said.

"Because I'm not," he replied. "I am a pastor. Nothing more."

Part IV – Doubt Grows

Rebecca slowly rose from her seat. She felt like she had entered that office with an accusation… and was leaving with even more questions.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I shouldn't have come. I have no proof. Just… suspicions."

Samuel stood as well.

"You don't need to apologize. You have the right to seek the truth. But remember this:

'Truth isn't always what we see. Sometimes, it's what we feel.' "

Rebecca looked at him one last time. His expression was sincere. His voice calm. His eyes… deep.

But she couldn't be sure.

"Thank you for your time, Pastor Book."

"May God bless you, daughter," he replied. "May He give you peace… and keep you safe."

Part V – The Exit

As she stepped out of the church, Rebecca took a deep breath. The sun shone brightly, children ran across the plaza, and everything seemed normal.

But she no longer felt that way.

She got into her car and drove aimlessly for a while. As she did, she mentally replayed every word Samuel had spoken.

"Is it possible I was wrong?"

"Or is it possible that he's so good at lying… he even fooled me?"

Finally, she pulled up in front of a local newspaper office.

She walked in with resolve.

"I need to see all the files on murdered pastors," she told the receptionist. "From the very first one."

"For nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known."

— Luke 12:2

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