Apocrypha

Chapter 9

“He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.’”
Acts 1:7

HOURS PASSED and it was almost night. After their showers, the men went outside and joined Mamillius, who wanted to show them the bottom of a rock where several pill bugs and centipedes crawled about. 

Gabriel received his first task: cleaning the dishes. He didn’t seem to mind the number of dirty dishes in the sink. But suddenly, everyone in the home had cups and plates that they had kept in their rooms that needed cleaning. He spent over an hour scrubbing dried food or sticky juice, and in the end, his fingers were pruned. 

Afterwards, the falling leaves needed raking from the driveway. He managed to finish his chores right on time for dinner, which was similar to lunch. Once again, there was not enough food, and he had to clean all the dishes. 

He did this with a smile on his face, since his belly was somewhat full, and he had taken a relaxing shower earlier. He truly had nothing to complain about. 

The clock rang mid 8 pm. The sun was still out, but the night was approaching. Gabriel entered the room and saw Lysander lying on his bed with some earphones in while reading a book. Lysander removed one ear phone from his ear. 

“Everything okay?” he asked as Gabriel walked to his own side of the room and sat on his bed. The old mattress let out a creak from the springs inside. 

“I’m fine,” Gabriel replied. “Just tired. I cannot wait to finally sleep in this bed.”

Lysander raised an eyebrow in awe. It was an old mattress that was covered with a spare blanket found in the deep crevices of the basement. Three pillows were on the wall for extra support. It may not be 5-star hotel quality, but it was interesting to see Gabriel be excited for the bare minimum. He did not complain. 

“Best to brush our teeth before sleep settles in.” Lysander said. Gabriel retrieved his small bag of night wear and went to the nearest bathroom. The door opened and a young man appeared. 

The young man had dirty blonde hair, not as bright as Gabriel’s. The bridge of his nose was painted with freckles sparsely scattered on his cheek. He was smaller than the blonde-man, just 5 inches shorter.

“Hi,” Gabriel said. The young man jumped and then froze in place. “We haven’t met. I’m Gabriel. What’s your name?” 

“Uh,” The young man muttered. His amber eyes glanced around, feeling threatened. “H-Horatio.” He muttered.

“Horatio?” Gabriel replied. 

It started with Lysander. The name was off to Gabriel. It didn’t sound like the names he’s already used to in DC or even the ghettos. Then there was Silvius, the tailor. And others: Mamillius, Phrynia, Timon, and now Horatio. He wondered where these names came from. Did people make them up? Is it part of a culture that emerged after the establishment of the Dynasty?

Gabriel remembered from his textbooks in school that some places formed small circles of traditions. Some, primarily those that were completely isolated, began to worship pagan gods or practice pagan rituals. These places were destroyed. 

Could the names have survived? Or is there another bigger reason for the name?

“Pleasure to meet you, Horatio! I hope we can be good friends.” Gabriel said with a smile on his face.

“Mm,” Horatio muttered.

A voice called for him. “Horatio!” The two men turned. The door next to Gabriel and Lysander’s room was open. A man peered his head out. This man had dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. His demeanor, while not as scary as Alcibiades, was still terrifying.