The church was as run down as the rest of the Outer Reaches. Usually, they were opulent and grand—even when they were in the slums. But this one was well-cleaned but in a state of disrepair that was unbecoming of a place of worship. The structure once held beautiful sculptures and intricate patterns on the walls that were now barely identifiable blobs and scratches. There were no vandalisms, like other buildings that surrounded it, indicating respect for the place.

Or perhaps it was the priest. If Haram was as pious and untainted as Idris said he was, then how was he still a leader of a church?

‘Even in my world, you can’t really trust all religious figures,’ Jeff noted. ‘Pedophiles, money hoarders…hypocrites. Killers of life and dreams.’

Roth was surprised at Jeff’s belief. Of course, he knew about it, but it didn’t rise up to his consciousness until Jeff talked about it. It was like knowing you breathe but you’re not aware of it until you notice yourself breathing.

‘I thought you would’ve been more pious,’ Roth replied as he entered the run-down building. ‘You seem to be the type.’

Jeff snorted. ‘I’ve only ever met one preacher who actually said he believed in God, the writing in the bible, and actually lived by it the best he could. Never found him again. Sometimes, I think he was just a dream.’

Roth started to ask Jeff about the different beliefs in his would that could probably answer what was going on with them, but he stopped. He found that he knew. He didn’t have to talk to Jeff. And really he didn’t want to encourage the man.

Karma. Dying and being reborn…but usually as something else, depending on how you did as a human. You did horribly, you became an insect. You did well, divinity. But that didn’t make sense. Other religions believed in going to heaven or hell, but his world didn’t fit either description.

‘Sorry, can’t help you. Thought about those things too.’

Roth didn’t think he was sincere. Jeff did say he didn’t want to leave his body because he was dead in his own world. Jeff was the one who said that he would stick around.

‘I…’ Jeff hesitated knowing exactly what Roth thought.

‘Hypocrite, huh?’ The thought silenced Jeff in his head. The New Yorker was not entirely a good guy. He had his faults, but compared to Roth, Jeff was a holy man. And he kept his purity despite all the crimes he came into contact with at the crime lab where he worked. Roth had no right to call Jeff a hypocrite.

Neither called out to each other as Roth went in the temple and closed the doors behind him. It was empty but for the rows of worn knee pillows on the floor facing an altar that held a sculpture of nature and a light hanging in the middle. Standing guard on the sides were images of men. The founders of the religion, larger than life and seeming to look at everyone who came to worship.

“Haram?” Roth called out. “Anyone here?”

He walked down the aisle and studied the altar. It held nothing. Ahamadra believed in a god that cannot be conceived, but he—or it, whatever the god was—was there. At least that was what it was according to the scholars.

The temple was silent save for the shuffling and the creaking floorboards behind the door to the left of the altar.

“Hello? I need to speak with Haram.”

‘You could say please.’ Jeff said,

Roth ignored him as the door creaked open and a young boy came out quickly closing the door behind him. “I’m sorry, but Priest Haram is quite busy as of the moment.”

“Is it a life or death situation?”

Stolen story; please report.

“No, sir.”

“Then he can talk with me.” Roth moved toward the boy.

“I’m sorry, sir, but you can’t enter. This is the sanctuary for the servants of Ahamadra.”

“And you’re going to stop me?” Roth loomed over him.

‘Stop threatening the boy, you bully.’ Jeff growled at him.

“I will try sir.” The boy looked brave though he had a resigned look that said that he knew he was going to lose. The room behind him still sounded busy with all the scuffling and walking on creaky floors.

Roth took a step toward him, then stopped. Jeff might be a mild-mannered man, but his will was so strong that Roth was surprised Jeff had wrested control from him and he didn’t even realize it.

Jeff stepped back and sighed. He looked deflated and non-threatening and smiled at the boy. “I’m sorry about that. I’m just a little agitated. Please tell the priest that we really need to speak urgently with him. I mean no one no harm. It’s just that…I’m quite certain your priest needs to hear what I have to say. Could you please just ask him.”

The boy hesitated and sighed. “I’ll ask.” He ducked back behind the door.

‘See what you can accomplish with a little humility and respect?’ Jeff said. ‘You don’t need to be a bad guy all the time.’

Roth rolled his eyes. ‘I need my body back.’

‘If you promise to be nice and behave, I’ll let you take over.’ Jeff said.

‘How do you do that anyway?’

Jeff paused and scratched his chin. ‘I don’t know. I just do. Neither of us has any practice in this. And for some reason I can take control and I have to give it to you. We can ask the priest about that too, because I’m as clueless as you are. I’m sure you know.’

He could feel Roth seething inside him. The man was frustrated about the whole matter, Jeff understood. Even he would be angry at having himself knocked aside for control of his own body for some other to take over it. In fact, he might not be as calm about it as Roth was. Roth sat their patiently, biding his time and figuring things out. In his shoes, Jeff might be screaming and panicking making all the noise and confusion he could to gain control of his body again.

‘If you really know how I feel, give me my body back,’ Roth snapped.

Before Jeff could respond, a thin, old man in the blue-and-white priest’s garb of the Ahamadra came out from the door and looked at his visitor with a tired smile. He motioned for Jeff on the cushions and Jeff sat on one of them cross-legged. The priest sighed and knelt on a pillow opposite him, sitting on his heels.

“Panar said that you are in need of my help. What can I do you for you?”

“How do I start…” Jeff mused.

‘Let me out and I’ll tell him,” Roth grumbled.

“Well, you see I have the memories and the capabilities of two people inside me,” Jeff started. “Now, it might seem strange, but I know I’m not crazy because both of them are true. See, I’ve always been a—” Jeff cleared his throat before saying he was a thief. “A very athletic person, but I’m more than that now. Now, I can even…hear objects. Not that they speak, no. I mean, that when sound bounces off them, I can see them even with my eyes closed. Along with that are different memories that I never had before. So, what do you think?”

Haram rubbed his chin and have a low hum. At the same time, Jeff heard more scuffling, creaking, muttered voices and closing of what seems to be a door on the floor in the priests’ quarters.

“No, you don’t seem like you’re insane,” Haram said. “Can you tell me more about these other memories you talk about.”

Jeff paused considering what to tell the priest. He didn’t seem to be suspicious or judgmental. He looked genuinely interested. He opened his mouth, but closed it as more scuffling and voices disappeared behind a closing door.

“How many priests or priests in training are here? Or maybe guests?” Jeff said, “I’m just a little cautious of how many people might hear or know about my problem. You know how people gossip.”

“Oh no need to worry, there’s only three of us here,” Haram said with a smile. “This temple doesn’t have enough money for a full entourage of servants to the Ahamad. And guests are entertained here, so you’re the only one.”

“I see.” Jeff kept his face neutral. So there were people coming in and the priest was hiding them. If it weren’t for his acute hearing, he wouldn’t be able to hear the muffled noises. “Well, I guess I should recollect my thoughts about all these memories. I don’t know how to describe them. I’m not a very descriptive person. I’ll come back when I can piece my thoughts together. They’re still such a blur.”

‘What are you doing?’ Roth demanded. ‘No. Don’t poke your nose into something you don’t know! For all you know, that’s the Zobu family trying to get information!’

“Are you sure, young man?” Haram said, “You seem to still be troubled. Talking to me can help.”

“I’ll come back, I just feel a little confused. Maybe we can talk when it’s more private?” Jeff stood up smiling at the priest and walked out as the old man shook his head.

‘If it’s the Zobu family, then it’s all the more reason to find out what they know and be prepared,’ Roth said.

‘Why do I get the feeling that this is your forensic background urging you on more than your apparent care for our safety?’ Roth growled.

‘Look, the more informed we are the better prepared we can be. That’s you rule, right?’

‘But I never go into the lion’s den! Stop being curious!’