The Shepherd X

"For the Son of Man is coming in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works."

— Matthew 16:27

Part I – The Dark Night

It was 3:00 AM.

Mateo walked alone through the empty streets. He carried an open Bible under his arm. His face was serious. His steps were firm. There was no hesitation in him any more. Only purpose.

His destination was a hidden bar called El Refuge Oscuro — a place where the worst men gathered to drink, gamble, and commit crimes without witnesses. It was known for something more: rapists. Prostitutes. Killers. All kinds of evil.

Mateo knew he shouldn't go alone. Knew Samuel would be angry if he found out. But he also knew he couldn't wait any longer.

He stepped inside. The air smelled of tobacco, alcohol, and old sweat. Eight men sat around a long table, dressed in dark suits and black hats. They all turned toward the door when he entered.

"What do you want?" one of them sneered.

Mateo ignored the question. He approached the table. Opened the Bible. Began reading aloud:

"The soul that sins shall die."

— Ezekiel 18:4

The men started laughing. One of them stood slowly.

"Go preach somewhere else, kid," he shouted. "There's no God here!"

Another chuckled.

"And who do you think you are? A pastor?"

Mateo closed the Bible. Took a deep breath.

"I am the one who judges," he said. "And tonight… I'll judge all of you."

A heavy silence fell.

One of them nodded slowly.

"The Beloved Disciple."

Mateo didn't answer. He only pulled a small blade from his coat.

"Confess Jesus Christ as your Savior… before you die."

Part II – The Battle

One man lunged at Mateo. Struck hard. Mateo staggered, but did not fall. With a swift move, he drove the blade into the man's thigh.

"First," he said, "confess."

The man screamed. Tried to run. Another intervened. Threw a punch to Mateo's face. He hit the floor, but quickly got back up. Fired a shot at the second attacker.

Chaos erupted.

The others reacted. Guns came out. Knives flashed. Fists flew.

But Mateo didn't hesitate. Precise movements. Accurate strikes. Quick deaths.

One by one, they fell. Some begged. Others fought until the end. None survived.

When it was over, Mateo wiped blood from his knife. Looked down at the corpses.

"Now you know who I am," he whispered. "Who I really am."

Part III – The Return

He returned to the church just after dawn.

Samuel waited in the sacristy. Concerned. Angry.

"Where have you been?" Samuel asked, frowning.

Mateo met his eyes.

"I went to do what you taught me."

Samuel took a deep breath.

"You can't act alone. You can't decide who lives and who dies."

"I already did," Mateo replied. "You taught me to see them as guilty. To judge them. To end them."

Samuel shook his head.

"It's not your place. You're not my equal. Not yet."

Mateo stayed quiet. For the first time, doubt flickered in his gaze.

"Am I wrong?" he asked.

Samuel studied him carefully.

"No. But you're learning too fast. And that can be dangerous."

Mateo lowered his eyes.

"Then… should I stop?"

Samuel took the Bible. Flipped through its pages until he reached one verse.

"No. But remember this:

'Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.' "

— Matthew 7:21

He closed his eyes.

"Your path isn't complete yet. You still have much to learn."

Mateo nodded.

"Then prepare yourself," Samuel said. "Because tomorrow… we preach again."

Part IV – The Echo of Justice

The next day, a short news article appeared in the local paper:

"Nine Dead Found at El Refugio Oscuro. Police Investigating."

Rebecca read the report carefully. Lucas reviewed crime scene photos.

"This isn't random," Lucas muttered. "This is The Pastor. Or someone very close to him."

Rebecca nodded.

"But now there are two of them.

And one of them… is younger."

Lucas swallowed hard.

"Then we're getting closer."

"Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You."

— Mark 1:2