Chapter 195: A Man Of Action
The imaginary enemy is more dangerous than the real enemy, because when the real enemy is in front of you, the imaginary one is in your mind.
Right now, for Zane, everything was in front of him.
He was busy talking with Xavier and he made sure to talk in the lowest voice possible all the while appearing completely focused on the church and the priest.
Yet, even after such a performance...
SWISH!
"What’s so interesting you are talking about that you can’t focus on praying, friends?"
The Flamekeeper was right in front of Zane.
The gutterborn saw and felt nothing and the man was already in front of him.
That was probably faster than Draxus.
The others sitting with Zane were also taken aback and Tesla was ready to exit the church altogether. He couldn’t afford the Flamekeeper to get closer to him.
On Zane’s right side was Xavier and on his left side was no one.
It was a red carpet.
He had taken the first seat of the row.
Beside Xavier was Jammy and the janitor squinted his eyes to see the expressions of the priest.
In a few seconds of watching, Jammy relaxed for some reason and rested his head on the back of his chair.
But Zane couldn’t relax at all.
Neither could Xavier.
"What were you talking about?" The flamekeeper asked again.
I can’t stay silent for too long.
Zane had to say something.
The longer the silence the higher the chances for suspicion to rise.
He glanced at Xavier and the man was ready with his fists clenched.
Why does he always go to attack mode?
Now Zane had to think something even faster as Xavier might start bashing the man and create more problems.
What was his name again?
Zane recalled the name and grabbed onto it.
"You are Birgham, right?" He asked, his voice heavier than usual. Different from the Zane Atlas people knew.
Birgham nodded. "Why, yes. I just introduced myself a few seconds ago."
"Yes. I know. I was just confirming it."
Zane smiled.
He calmed down his raging heart as he decided to steer the conversation somewhere where he could get out of this.
"Why are you asking my name again?" Birgham asked.
Zane laughed. "It’s stupid. You wouldn’t like to know."
Birgham beamed.
"No. No. I would like to know. I called you my friend, remember? You can share anything with me. I am here to help everyone and listen to everyone."
Zane’s lips twitched.
I can’t tell if he really means it or just acting.
"Tell me." Birgham pressed.
Let me think first.
The Flamekeeper watched Zane with his big brown eyes and they had shine in them as well. Some kind of purity.
But forgetting that, Zane focused on the thing he should make up now.
Birgham really wanted an answer and Zane had to give a good excuse for talking while praying.
Wait. Before that...
"How did you get to know we were talking? We used low voices and we were focused on the prayer as well. So how?"
Birgham laughed lightly.
"It wasn’t you. It was because of this guy here. You might be paying attention but he was talking to you with no worries as if he was on a park bench."
Zane jerked his head at Xavier.
Xavier raised his shoulders.
So if he had been more careful this wouldn’t be happening. Anyway, since he brought me into this situation, I will pay him back.
Zane made up his mind and focused on Birgham once more.
"The thing is..."
Zane sighed.
"Don’t worry. It’s a safe space here." Birgham said.
Zane nodded and while pointing at Xavier, he revealed:
"He likes men."
GASP!
Everyone gasped.
Xavier too.
Heck, he jolted from his seat.
"I like girls!" He yelled.
Zane said nothing.
But Birgham, the man placed his hand on Xavier’s shoulder.
"I understand now." He said.
Xavier smiled. "You do? Thank you. Seriously I am no-"
"You were talking about how to convey your feelings to me with your friend."
"Motherfuc-"
Xavier punched the seat.
"Refrain from cursing in the church, my friend."
"I am not your friend. And I don’t like men. I like girls. I touch myself thinking about them. I am a pervert!"
"..."
All eyes glued to Xavier.
Hena buttoned her shirt to her neck.
Women covered themselves with their hands.
I was only kidding and he ended up exposing himself for real.
Zane held back his laughter but Jammy, Tesla and Draxus did not.
Birgham removed his hand from Xavier’s shoulder and with a light bow to Zane, the Flamekeeper went to the stage.
"That’s all for the prayer. You all can leave now."
"Hey! Don’t just leave me hanging! I am not a bad man." Xavier yelled.
But no one listened to him and as soon as the door of the church opened, people dashed out.
Women were the first one to leave.
Xavier’s knees went weak as he slumped on his seat.
"My life is ruined."
He hid his face between his knees.
"I am sorry." Zane said. "I was only teasing you but you went on and said all that other stuff. I had no part in that."
Zane said his feelings and stood up.
The whole church was empty now.
Only Zane and his five mates were left.
Seeing Zane standing up, the others did the same.
But Zane told them to stay seated.
"Father." He called Birgham in a voice filled with sincerity.
"Y-Yes?" Birgham replied and the stutter in his voice conveyed he was also shaken with Xavier’s confession.
But after Xavier’s confession it was time for someone else to do the same.
Zane stood straight, pumped his chest, broadened his shoulders and said:
"I wish to make a confession."
Brows shot up.
Even Xavier looked up.
They didn’t know what Zane had in mind.
Birgham’s eyes lit up hearing that but the next second, his shoulders slumped.
"I hope it’s not something like that again?"
Zane shook his head.
"No, Flamekeeper. Tonight..."
His gaze turned serious.
"I am a man of action."
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