The Biker Brothers And The Golden Baby 68 Peace Be With You

Sunday came and the healing at the marketplace continued. Loduvico was exhausted but he was not giving up. This was his mission and he would persevere despite the fatigue, hunger, stress, and mockery. Yes, even through everything he had done, there were still many unbelievers who doubted and ridiculed his miracles. Yet, the number of his followers and believers was increasing, and that was more important to him.

Yesterday, he had touched and healed close to a hundred people. There were children and old people, male and female, faithful and curious, rich and poor, and all kinds of individuals. Now, the crowd was more than he could count. It was still early in the morning but Loduvico could hardly went to his usual spot because the people were pulling and pushing him from all directions. Their eagerness for his healing touch overwhelmed him and even themselves.

When he was finally in the midst of the crowd, he looked up to the heaven and raised his arms wide. The people gasped, wondering what he was doing.

"Before we start the day," Loduvico spoke up in a loud but soft voice, "let us offer first a prayer of thanksgiving."

One by one, the people kneeled down and bowed their heads. Even the curious spectators followed them, as if some unexplainable force was urging them to do so. In an instant, the marketplace was covered with hair-tingling silence.

"O Heavens, we open our hearts and present our sincerest grat.i.tude for the miracle of life...."

As if on cue, a bright light suddenly appeared from the sky and shone on the market area. While most were in fervent prayers, others saw it happened and were mystified. Firm believers became more convinced that indeed, salvation had come to Subangdaku. A hope against the outbreak was finally here.

While he was praying, Loduvico was filled with fire. The people counted on him and he would not fail them. As long as he had the gift, he would serve them. No matter what trials come ahead of him, he would not falter in his mission. Subangdaku needed saving. Once he was done saying graces, he began healing again.

"Let us give way to the very sick," he instructed the crowd. "They needed immediate help."

The people obliged. Those with severe cases of sicknesses were given priority. In fact, the sicknesses became more varied. Unlike the day before when only those who had cough, colds, and fever sought healing, people suffering from athritis, tubercolosis, cancer, and various ailments of the body came to the congregation.

Meanwhile, the number of churchgoers decreased as people attended the ma.s.s healing at the marketplace. It was obvious as there were several empty pews at every church, unlike the previous Sundays when it would always be full. The ma.s.s healing became the town's talk and the churchgoers were also inclined to believe in it.

"Several of my neighbors had already been healed yesterday," one confessed to the woman seated next to her as they waited for the service to start.

"It is the same case in our street," her seatmate answered. "My neighbor had severe pneumonia but she was instantly healed after the prophet touched her."

"What exactly happened to Loduvico?" asked a man to his fellow churchgoer. "He was just an ordinary guy before."

"You know him?"

"Of course, we were friends back when we were just kids."

And so went all the conversations in the churches of Subangdaku. Some claimed to be friends or relatives of Loduvico and they were too proud about it as they shared fond memories and touching stories. Others were quite hesitant, only listening or nodding during conversations so as not to offend the other party.

For the Biker Brothers, they chose to remain silent since they knew the truth. Their tongue might slip if they also engage in the conversations. Yet, they could not help but talk about it among themselves.

"Hey guys, over here!" Jamie called out his friends upon seeing them in the church.

Tonton and Kiko were all smiles as they saw him. Bogart was more thrilled as he waved his arms excitedly, his body wobbling as he ran up to them.

"Take it easy, man," Kiko teased him. "You might wreck your Sunday clothes."

They laughed as they gathered under a tree, just few meters away from their families. People were busy chitchatting around them so they were confident to talk about the incident.

"What's the plan now?" Tonton asked.

As agreed, they had not seen each other on Sat.u.r.day. It was a group decision not to meet up. What happened back at the construction site and the isolation camp was something they had not planned. The collapse of one side of the building was all over the news, and what they had found out about the doctor's plans enraged them. They shared their discoveries that Friday night and in order to calm themselves, and to prevent any suspicion from their families, they agreed to just stay at home on Sat.u.r.day. Besides, Jamie had not informed his parents about his experience at the marketplace.

"I don't really have anything in mind," Jamie answered.

"Me as well," Kiko said. "What we found out is beyond what I can imagine."

"But we need to do something to stop Dr. Alvarado's evil deeds," Bogart a.s.serted which made his friends instantly hushed him.

"You just can't mention his name so easily," Tonton reminded him.

"Try not to be careless," Kiko added. "It can get us into trouble."

"Sorry," Bogart apologized. "I just can't contain my anger against him. Planning this outbreak and then the secret facility."

"All the more reason that we should be careful," Tonton said.

Just then, people moved from their idle talks and slowly went inside the church as the service was about to start. The boys' families waved at them, calling them to join them.

"Let's meet after the service," Jamie suggested.

The other three boys nodded and immediately, they separated and joined their families. The service was quite tense and this was evident when the priest delivered his sermon. He talked about false prophets, judgment day, and human's weakness to believe in miracles and promises. The people knew he was referring to Loduvico and probably including Mang Tomas but they refrained from talking about it during the service. The priest's sermon took longer than usual, and when he finally delivered his last words, everyone sighed in relief. They were like holding their breath as they listened to him. The air lightened up as worship songs were sang.

"Peace be with you," the priest said.

The people echoed his words as they looked around them and nodded to every people they had eye contact with. The Biker Brothers did the same but the three boys suddenly froze upon looking at Jamie.

Jamie wondered at their reactions. It seemed fear, surprise, anger and all sorts of mixed emotions were written all over their faces. But they were not exactly looking at him but to the person behind him. Slowly, Jamie turned his head around and stared blankly at the first person he saw. Like his friends, he froze.

"Peace be with you," Dr. Alvarado said with a smile.....