The Teacher

The Teacher: Part II Testament, Chapter 35

CHAPTER 35

ENERGIZED BEYOND ANY FANTASTIC imagining, like a group of dedicated Jehovah's Witnesses the Disciples went out to do their part to proselytize the campus community. Armed with impressive real powers of persuasion, they recruited novitiates in droves. Holden led the initial conversion followed by the Inception ceremonies until some of his Disciples gained enough experience to form and manage covens on their own. Holden set up a social networking web site like Facebook, but www.apollyon.com was only for Disciples.

The word, Apollyon, was a Greek translation of one of the original Hebrew biblical words for the Guardian's father, Lucifer. To join the web site a new member had to be authenticated by submitting a photo showing the Guardian's symbol branded on their neck. The information from Holden's original web site was linked-in and constantly updated the rapidly growing worldwide number of converts. Interestingly enough, yet completely predictable, reported in the media with no explanation given, Facebook membership began to decline day by day from its all-time high of three billion worldwide. At the same time, Apollyon membership began to soar.

It wasn't long before everyone on campus knew something incredible was going on at Delta Gamma. Holden had Property of Delta Gamma stenciled on all our bikes and electronic equipment, and nothing was ever stolen. If fact, one day a student who found one of our iPhones timidly returned it and like the scared landlord speaking to young Vito Corlenoe about his high rent, he couldn't get away fast enough when I tried to talk to him about the Guardian.

AS IN HIGH SCHOOL AFTER I'D JUST converted, getting good grades required no special effort, so Holden and I both easily earned academic honors. Knowing it would help his recruiting efforts if we were well known on campus, Holden went out for the Wisconsin football team. An unstoppable running back, he led the Badgers to a Rose Bowl championship. Not wanting to be outdone, I went to the first day of varsity tennis practice and made the team. I picked up the technique quickly and played #1 Singles, leading my team to the NCAA championships!

Over the winter, Holden played hockey, of course, and I decided to act in the drama department's adaptation of the Broadway hit, Spring Awakening, and was cast as Wendla. Holden attended the premier and decided to write and produce a similar musical designed to tour, first America, then the world, spreading the Guardian's message. In the spring it was track and field for both of us. Holden was a sprinter while I, now able to run forever without getting tired, competed in the 10,000 meter event.

During the spring sports it actually became a challenge for us to win our events as more of our classmates, along with students from other colleges, were now Disciples and shared our enhanced skills, strength, stamina, reflexes, and conditioning.

As the number of converts on our campus grew, it was necessary for them to feed, and that meant finding mortals to feed on.

HOLDEN HELD SPECIAL TRAINING SEMINARS for that purpose. The strategy was based on the fact that a mortal who was depressed, anxious, or frustrated was easier prey. Easiest of all was anyone contemplating suicide, as they had the weakest hold on their soul. The first meeting of this type was held at noon in the ballroom.

"You all know why we're here. Don't look at me that way. I realize many of you are hungry. You know the basics—you're looking for mortals who are upset—even better if they're suicidal. If they're not quite there, you can push them over the edge by using a few tricks. Start by probing their minds to pick up signs that they're worried about grades, or money, or perhaps they're lonely or frustrated with some relationship. Then, lure them back to Delta Gamma and feed the way we practiced."