CHAPTER 36 “CORDELIA”

©️ Opeyemi Akintunde
As Inspired by the DEEP ONE

“Before we go for the assembly, can I privately mourn her please”
I said as the tears flowed without an end… burning down my cheeks like acid. Father Soji’s eyes lingered on me for a moment, then he nodded slowly.

“I understand. I will have you called when everyone is
seated.” The door closed behind him. And the moment I was alone, I broke. I fell flat on my face, groaning like a wounded animal. I crumbled. I fell face-down on the floor, my tears soaking into the mat beneath me. My body shook so violently I thought my bones would splinter. “God, why have You forsaken me?” I screamed in my heart.

“Why are You silent at the moment I need You most? Do You not see? Do You not hear? How can I condemn Cordelia…the very one You I wept until my throat burned raw. My chest ached like it would collapse. The silence of heaven pressed down on me, heavy and cruel. Then a whisper came…not from outside but from deep within me. Esther. I remembered her again. Her trembling. Her patience. Her strategy. She had played her role until the right moment came. She had dined with Haman twice before revealing his wickedness. Could this be my banquet moment? Could this be the price I had
to pay to gain Father’s trust, to stay alive, to dismantle him from within?

I wanted to believe it. I had to believe it. If not, my mind would shatter into pieces. “Lord! Why? Why this way?” My fists pounded the floor. “Why bring me here, only to make me betray the one I came to save?

Is this how Esther felt before walking into the throne room? Is this how You felt, Jesus, when You cried, Why hast Thou forsaken
me?” But heaven stayed silent. Only my sobs filled the room. In that silence, Jesus’ words rang loudly in my ears: “My God, my
God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” I felt that cry in my bones. I felt the pain He must have borne on
the cross when He gave up His life for mankind.

Only, here I was, being forced to give up the life of Cordelia…my Cordelia. “Lord,” I whispered through my tears, “if this cup cannot pass from me except I drink it, then give me strength to drink. But please, let this not be the end of Cordelia. Hide her somehow. Save her, even if I must play this lie.” The sound of approaching footsteps jolted me.

The assembly was gathering. I wiped my face quickly, though the tears kept streaming. My body trembled, but I forced myself to stand. A knock came. A voice at the door. “Mother Eve, they are waiting.” I staggered to my feet, my legs trembling under me. I wiped my face, but the tears refused to stop. I walked toward the assembly
hall as if heading to my own funeral. *****

The hall was already full. Faces lined the rows, saints in white garments, their eyes turned toward me with awe and expectation. I could feel their gazes piercing into me, weighing my every move,
waiting for the new “Mother Eve” to speak. Father Soji stood tall at the center, his presence commanding
silence. His smirk was faint, but it burned into my soul.

He motioned for me to step forward. I walked slowly, my knees weak, my spirit groaning. Every step
felt like I was walking deeper into a grave. “Our Mother Eve,” Father announced, his voice booming. “She has something to share with us. A revelation.” All eyes fixed on me. My lips trembled. My palms were slick with sweat. My heart screamed, Run, Mabel, run! But I couldn’t. I knew what disobedience meant. I opened my mouth, and the words spilled out like poison I didn’t want to taste.

“Cordelia…” I began, my voice cracking. “Cordelia is not one of us. She has hidden rebellion in her heart. She is unfit for the fold.” Gasps rippled through the crowd. Whispers rose like snakes hissing. Some stared in shock, others nodded as if they had been expecting it. I wanted to collapse. I wanted to scream It’s a lie! But instead, I lowered my head, tears sliding silently down my face. But Father’s eyes urged me on. I knew silence would kill me. So I went further. “Cordelia and I…” I choked, but forced myself to continue. “We both came here as secret agents…sent to destroy the Fold from
within. But now…” I pressed a hand to my chest, tears streaming.

“Now I know better. The Lord has opened my eyes to the truth. I repent. I submit. But Cordelia still resists. She refuses to surrender.” Faces turned toward Cordelia. She sat frozen… her eyes wide, her lips trembling. Betrayal mixed with shock washed over her face like a wound ripped open. Her gaze pierced into me, pleading
silently: Aunty Mabel, no. Not you. I could not hold her eyes. My tears blinded me. “Did not the Scripture say,” I continued, my voice shaking but loud enough for all to hear, ‘A little leaven leaveneth the whole
lump’ (Galatians 5:9)?

“If rebellion remains in our midst, it will corrupt us all. If my hand offend me, shall I not cut it off? If my eye offend me, shall I not pluck it out? Cordelia has become that hand, that eye. For the purity of the Fold, she must be cut off.” The saints erupted with cries. Some wept. Some shouted, “Holy!
Holy! Purge the camp!” Cordelia’s face twisted with pain. I saw her chest heaving, her lips moving in silent words I couldn’t hear. Was she praying?

Cursing? Pleading?

And then my eyes caught him. The boy…the one who always communicated with me through his eyes.. the one who rescued me from the butchery. He stood at the back, his face blank, his jaw tight. His eyes met mine, and in few seconds, he allowed me to see the emotions he was feeling… I saw horror, disappointment,disbelief and finally… pity.

I couldn’t bear it. But Father Soji’s hand lifted high, sealing the moment.

“Mother, what should we do to her…?” He wanted Cordelia’s blood on my hands. He wanted me to give the order… I couldn’t bring myself to saying it. He urged and urged with his eyes, but the words could not slip out of my mouth.. instead I nodded…

“Then it is settled. Mother has given the order…Tonight, Cordelia will be cast into the lake of fire.” The hall roared in agreement. Chants rose to the ceiling. “Holy!

Holy! Holy!” But the sound battered me like stones. Because I knew there was
nothing holy about what just happened… However, that sound was nothing to what I knew was coming next, the terrifying sound of Cordelia been thrown into fire. So I walked up to Father…
“Can I retire to my room?’ I asked

“Not Yet.. You have to hear her scream, so the saints will know you are not weak!”

He whispered back…
Then he added…

“You know you just implicated yourself with that lie.. you said you were both sent here.. Don’t give them reason to think you still
have rebellion in you…” I saw the glint in his eyes.

Something told me he wasn’t speaking about the saints, he was speaking about himself. He wanted me to stay and listen to the cry of my daughter in the Lord, my sister who I betrayed. He wanted to be
sure my conscience was dead.

Good News💃.. CORDELIA IS NOW AVAILABLE ON SELAR.

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