Chapter 1: Zared Stays Behind
Zared had no choice but to stay behind, it was what the Burning Bush wanted. But to Zared he wasn’t sure if this was the right path. He could see that the only place that hadn’t been evacuated was the al-Aqsa Mosque – formerly the Second Temple. Jaron was still held up inside with his fellow settlers not willing to let it go.
“Here goes nothing” sighed Zared.
Zared knew this was going to be the moment he had been hoping to avoid – direct confrontation with Jaron. But here he was preparing to move towards the mosque. Mirac and the rest of his men had already started to escort Palestinian and Jewish Israelis away from Jerusalem. The meteorite was coming and time was running out.
“What’s he doing?” asked Zephan.
Zephan was confused on why Zared was heading this way, he had no military supporting him, no politicians – it was just going to be himself.
“They have to be saved” thought Zared.
The Burning Bush wanted to try to save Jaron, if anything its authority would be the only key in preventing Jaron from causing further disaster. Zared took a few steps up towards the mosque and towards the front door. Joel didn’t know whether to raise his rifle or let him in.
“I don’t know if he means any harm” said Joel.
Joel expected a fierce fight, but here it was just Zared coming towards the mosque and nobody else. Dara and Zaydd had already fled Jerusalem anticipating the arrival of a meteorite heading on the way. Zared continued to take step after step, slowly as possible.
“He’s still moving” said Joel.
One of the settlers felt he should strike Zared down now – but something inside him told him no. Zared’s eyes glared at his former comrades – it gave off a strange kind of energy that they hadn’t seen in years.
“YOU SHOULD LET ME IN!” shouted the Burning Bush.
That wasn’t Zared speaking – but the Burning Bush! Zared was really its vessel instead! Still Zared pressed forward and Joel had no choice but to let him in. Jaron was shocked this had come so quickly and fast.
“What do you want, I won’t leave this is the Third Temple!” proclaimed Jaron.
Jaron then gave Zared the constitution of the State of Judea.
“We’ve worked so hard to achieve all of this, do you think we’re going to be this foolish to let it all go?” asked Jaron.
Zared took one look at the constitution that was written by Kader. The Burning Bush also was skimming the page after page.
“I’m not sure what to make of it” said Zared.
Jaron could see there was some inner conflict going on still between Zared and the Burning Bush. He was unsure what Zared would actually do, as for the Burning Bush its patience was running low with the constitution. It saw the constitution as a form of blasphemy, but first decided to consult with Zared about the constitution. Zared knew it would be a long process, but one that needed to be finished.
