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LoopholeA Novel

JASON HOSTETLER


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Copyright 2015 Jason HostetlerAll rights reserved.

ISBN:ISBN-13:

This book is a work of fiction and should not be taken astheological treatise, or as the true word of God.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events andincidents are either the products of the authors imagination or used in a fictitious

manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events ispurely coincidental.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HolyBible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011

by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reservedworldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Versionare trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by

Biblica, Inc.


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To my girls Alexis Grace and Emma Olivia

You are the book I dreamt of writing.You are the shining star I reached for,

In my ever hopeful quest for life fulfilled;

The masterpiece I longed to paint.You are my children.Now with all things I am blessed.

To my beautiful wife Amy

Whose love, supportAnd dedication to me

no matter what the circumstancehas undoubtedly made writing this story possible.

You loved me at my darkest.Romans 5:8


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When men began to increase in number on the earth

and daughters were born to them,

the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful,

and they married any of them they chose.

Then the LORD said,

My spirit will not contend with man forever.

Genesis, chapter six


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Prologue

EDEN

5217 B.C.

Through the branches he watched as she walked. She was in

no hurry allowing her hands to run through the long grass. She

stopped at a bush and picked a ripe red berry. She held it up into

the sunlight filtering down through the tops of the trees. The berry

shone red, as if on fire, nearly translucent, it was perfectly round,

skin taut and supple.

She put the berry in her mouth and closed her eyes, then

smiled. Shes enjoying it, he thought.

He hated her.

She picked another berry and then several more, each time

flipping them casually into her waiting mouth. She chewed, her lips

turning bright red from the rich juice. Her hair was long, beyond

her waist and auburn, though it seems to change color with the

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JASON HOSTETLER

seasons and even as she moved in and among the trees it went from

auburn to gold to chestnut to raven black. She let it fall down overher shoulders and down upon her body covering her nakedness.

She doesnt see me, he said to himself and slid down the branch

and onto the soft grass below.

She walked alone, a few birds flew around her and one

landed on her shoulder. She reached up and rubbed its belly with

her finger and then, humming, she walked on towards a large

clearing in the distance.

He hissed and slithered through the grass ahead of her,

knowing where he would find her. He lay in wait, the sun warming

his skin.

When she entered the edge of the clearing she stopped and

looked first to her left and then to her right, she stopped under a

row of apple trees overlooking a vast meadow. She pulled on a

bright green apple, wrenching it free from the branch. She spun the

fruit around in her hand and then took a large bite. It was crisp and

the snapechoed across the clearing. She giggled and wiped her chin

with the back of her hand.She took another bite, and then tossed the rest onto the

ground. A small raccoon scurried from under a bush and picked it

up. He raced to a small stream that ran through the clearing and

turned the apple over again and again under the clear, rushing

water, then disappeared under the brush.

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LOOPHOLE

She turned and looked across the clearing. He sat and

waited.In the center of the meadow was a large tree, so large, in

fact, that she could not see the top, but just the edge, where some

of the highest branches jutted out against the blue sky.

Its leaves were large, the size of a mans hand. In the

morning, as it was then, they appeared light green, fresh and wet;

they glimmered and shone in the sunlight. As the day moved on the

leaves would darken into a rich, velvety olive. They would emit an

aroma, like the scent of fresh-baked bread and strawberries. In the

early evening, the leaves would begin to turn, first gold, then red,

then bright, fiery orange, the warm smell of smoke would fill the

wood and waft out across the glen. Finally, as the sun turned down

behind the horizon, the leaves would change again, dropping their

color, changing to a creamy white, like fresh milk, the sweet aroma

of cream filling the air. In the morning, when the first rays of

sunlight landed on its branches, the leaves would transform yet

again, their frosty white giving way to spring-like green.

She stood at a distance for several moments until he beganto wonder if she might turn and leave. Shes alone. Shes afraid. He

watched as she pulled a long strand of hair from in front of her

face, placing it behind one ear, took a deep breath then a long, bold

stride towards the tree.

There you go, he thought. It is tempting, isnt it?

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JASON HOSTETLER

She left a trail of bent, waist-high grass behind her. Her

hands trailed behind as if something was telling her to stop, but shedid not, and soon she slipped beneath the lowest branches and into

the shade of the great tree.

It is so quiet, she said out loud. The crispness of her voice

surprised her and too the fact that it did not carry but seemed to be

swallowed by the cool air. She could smell the richness of the earth,

its thick, succulent fragrance filled her nostrils and she breathed in

deeply.

I am surprised to see you here, he said, twisting around

the main truck which was easily the thickness of four grown men.

I thought I was alone.

She jumped at the sound of his voice, unfamiliar it was to

her. Yes, we do not come to this part of the garden. It is

forbidden.

I see, he replied moving just a bit closer, but keeping a

comfortable distance, the muscle along his back rolled and flexed.

But you are alone, he observed. She looked out from under the

massive boughs across the clearing to the opening in the woodsfrom which she had just emerged.

I suppose I am, she confessed. That is unusual. She

looked up into the branches at the fruit hanging all about her.

Its beautiful, isnt it? he said. She nodded, eyes wide.

The fruit was round, but elongated at one end, like a pear,

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LOOPHOLE

but not like anything she had seen before. The skin was translucent

and smooth, so that she could see, she thought, clear to the otherside. Suspended in the middle were small, star-shaped objects, red

and blue and green that floated about like fish in a pool. A faint

light came from the very center, almost too faint to see. I am seeing

things, she thought and then the color changed and she knew that it

was, in fact, a light, like the end of a lightning bug. Her mouth

watered.

Youve never wanted for anything before, have you? he

asked, watching her watching the fruit. She shifted anxiously from

one foot to another.

Why dont you try one, he suggested. I hear theyre

wonderful.

She blinked, as if awakening from a dream and looked at

him. Were not allowed to eat from this tree.

Youre not? That seems odd to me, he baited her.

Of any tree in the garden we may freely eat, she said, then

added softly, slowly, turning her eyes back onto the fruit, But not

this one.And why do you think that is? he asked. Why would He

refuse you anything? He loves you so.

She looked surprised, as if she had never considered that

question, and indeed, she hadnt. Well, I dont know, she said,

hesitatingly.

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JASON HOSTETLER

Maybe He is the one who afraid, he suggested.

What do you mean? she asked her eyes not moving fromthe fruit.

Perhaps, he said, sensing the moment was right, he

wont let you eat this fruit because he knows it will make you like

him. You will become gods, too, like him, and live forever.

Why would he fear that?

The trap is set. Because then you would not need him. He

would no longer be your master. You would be truly free.

She did not take her eyes from the fruit, her eyes watching

the stars fall through and around the light. She blinked and licked

her lips; they were red and wet. One bite cant hurt, she thought. She

rubbed her fingers together, took a deep breath and reached for the

fruit.

The light hovered over the water and they watched as it

moved low and fast towards them. Blood dripped down onto theirfeet and ankles. Their fingers were sticky and flies swarmed around

their heads. The animal hides felt heavy, cumbersome and hot. She

could feel her skin rubbing raw along her shoulders, back, and

waist. She turned and looked to him, hoping for a kind smile, but

he did not return her glance. He just looked straight out over the

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LOOPHOLE

water.

Adam, she asked, whats going to happen?I dont know, he replied, we were hiding from Him. We

disobeyed. I think we have wounded Him deeply.

She turned back to the water. The light was close, but still

off the shore. It pulsed and shimmered, reflecting the water beneath

it. A soft wind was blowing, swirling around the cloud of light. A

voice came from the wind and light, low and powerful, like the

rushing of many waters. Why were you hiding from me? He

asked.

Adam swallowed hard. He felt his voice crack, We were

ashamed because we were naked.

Who told you that you were naked? He asked and then

before they could answer, Did you eat from the tree that I

commanded you not to eat from? His voice was calm, but still

shook the water, rippling it out into the deep and up against the

rocks that lined the shore.

Adam looked at her and hung his head. Then he answered,

This woman you put here with me--she gave me some of the fruitfrom the tree, and I ate it.

The light shook and grew to twice its size before

contracting. What is this you have done?

She looked at the ground. Her toes were covered in blood.

Two flies buzzed around her ankle. She felt the sun beating on the

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back of her head. The serpent deceived me, and I ate it.

The light came close and they had to look away. They couldfeel its warmth and she longed to run and jump into it, like a warm

bath during the winter, a cool pool during the heat of summer. She

took a deep breath, the smell of sweet spices, filled her nose. A

single tear formed in her eye.

She waited for Him to speak again. The sun was setting

beyond the far mountains, and when he spoke, he spoke to the

snake:

Because youve done this, youre cursed, he said, cursed

beyond all cattle and wild animals. Cursed to slink on your belly and

eat dirt all your life.

The light moved out across the water, extending, like a

column of smoke, high into the heavens. Suddenly, it burst into

flames, roaring heat poured down on them as the three stood on

the shore, the air smelled like sulfur and smoke and they started to

cough and choke. His voice bellowed from inside the pillar of fire,

Im declaring war between you and the Woman, between your

offspring and hers.And then He whispered to him, out of the flames, Her

offspring will crush your head, youll wound his heel.

The pillar fell into the water, shooting a fountain of steam

high into the air, which disappeared into the sky forming small

white clouds. A light rose from beneath the water and settled before

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LOOPHOLE

the man and woman. It was small now; barely the size of her hand,

but it glowed and pulsed with life.He spoke to her, tender and tormented, Ill multiply your

pains in childbirth; youll give birth to your offspring in pain. You

will want to please your husband, but he will lord it over you.

Adam could not look at Him, but he hung his head. He

looked at his own legs and feet, covered in blood. Because you

listened to your wife and ate from the tree that I commanded you

not to eat from, the very ground is cursed because of you; getting

food from the ground

will be as painful as having children is for your wife; youll be

working in pain all your life long. The ground will sprout thorns

and weeds, youll get your food the hard way, planting and tilling

and harvesting, sweating in the fields from dawn to dusk, until you

return to that ground yourself, dead and buried; you started out as

dirt, youll end up dirt.

Adam fell to his knees and wept and she hung her head and

cried where she stood. The light moved away from the shore. The

snake slithered away and into the grass as the sun departed behindthe mountains.

They stayed by the shore until it was dark. The stars are

brighter than I remember, she thought. A wind blew across the water

and she felt her skin shiver. Adam stood slowly, first onto one foot

and then the next.

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JASON HOSTETLER

Come, Eve, he said. She looked at him in surprise. He has

never called me by that name before. He took her by the hand and startedto walk. We must leave this place. He has told me.

Eve dropped his hand, planting her feet in the ground. But

where? Where will we go? she asked, panic in her voice.

To the west, he said and as he turned to go.

Eve took his hand and walked with him, then asked in a

quiet, timid, voice, Will He come for us?

Adam stopped and looked at her. His eyes were wet and

red. Blood dripped from the skins hung round his shoulders and

waist. He will, he replied. Someday, he will come for us and for

our children.

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1

PATMOS

45 A.D.

It has to be here somewhere. His foot slipped on the rough

terrain and he could feel the skin rip from his knee. He cursed

under his breath and then quickly muttered a prayer for forgiveness.

He was alone and it was dark, which made progress slow. Below he

could hear the crashing waves. He slipped again and he could hear

the rocks slide off the cliff and into silence.

A thin sliver of the moon though the clouds gave him just

enough light to see up the hill. Large boulders clung to the earth,

tufts of grass and a few small trees propping them up, holding them

in place. Every twenty or thirty feet he could see a dark shadow,

perhaps a cave. Thats what he was looking for.

He climbed again, on all fours, placing each foot carefully,

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testing the hold gingerly before fully placing his weight and moving

up. It was a slow process. The ground was loose with dirt andpebbles and only thin grass for a handhold.

He had left his broadsword and cloak at the barracks and

was glad he had. I would never be able to climb with them, he thought.

And I doubt Ill meet anyone tonight.Still he felt bare and naked without

them.A soldier should never be without his weapon, or his colors.

The sweat started to form on his brow, even though the

breeze from the sea was cool and constant. His fingers were sore

and his knee throbbed.

It has to be close. I am almost to the top.

He pulled himself over a large rock and found himself

standing on a small ledge, between two boulders the size of a small

house. Between them the shadows were dark and he could not see

where they ended. He gathered a pile of dried grass, pulled a small

flint and knife from his tunic. Soon he had a small fire going,

enough to light a small torch, but not enough to alert anyone who

might be watching.

This is it. He had been on guard duty that morning,overseeing prisoners collecting rocks for a new armory, when one

had wandered to the edge of the cliff, slipped and screamed as he

tumbled down towards the water. Eli had found him, unconscious,

his head cut and bleeding at the entrance of the cave. He had taken

a few steps inside when he saw it, a broken clay pot, and then

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LOOPHOLE

another and another, dozens of them lining the walls. His eyes grew

wide and he wondered, Could this be the place, the cave of the apostle?Outside he heard voices calling out from above him, he

stole another glance before returning to the wounded prisoner to

wait for the soldiers that would soon be making their way down the

hill to them.

But he could not forget the cave and the pots. And so, a

week later, he stole away, under the cover of night and found the

cave. His torch flickered as he turned sideways and pushed himself

into the opening. He could hear and feel the gravel crunch beneath

his feet. The stone was smooth and cool.

The rocks gave way and opened up wide enough for him to

turn straight and soon he could barely touch both sides with his

arms outstretched. This might be it, he thought as he felt the

temperature drop. The stars above him were gone. All he could see

now were rock and root. He took a deep breath, said a quick prayer,

and pressed on.

He walked into the hill and the cave opened up even more.

It was not a large cave, but tall enough for him to stand, and wideenough that he could have laid down comfortably if he had wanted.

The floor was sloped downwards from back to front. He could hear

water dripping, echoing from somewhere in the dark. His eyes

slowly adjusted to the low light, but he wished he had brought a

larger torch. He moved deeper into the cave.

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LOOPHOLE

captain said returning to his parchment and waving him away

dismissively.Eli stood, frozen, unable, unwilling to move. He could hear

the other soldiers returning to their work. Outside men were

training, swords clashing, their grunts and yells wafted through the

open window. The sun shone brightly outside and he could see the

blue sky. A few, thin white clouds hung noiselessly, motionless.

His mind raced, thinking back over the course of the past

few months. He was working when he had heard the news. His

neighbor, a small weasel of a man had called him out into the

courtyard and told him his father had been found hanging from a

tree on the side of a hill, his neck broken.

They didntt know how long he had been dead. The city

had been in an uproar and in the confusion they had not even

known he was missing. His father was gone often, traveling from

town to town, following a new teacher. There were many in the

land in those days, promising freedom, liberation from the

occupation, from the very army he now sought to serve.

He hanged himself, Eli, the neighbor said.Why? Why would he kill himself? Tears streamed down

his face.

They killed his rabbi. Perhaps he was afraid they would

come for him, the neighbor had said, patting him on the shoulder,

then left him alone in the dust. He ran all the way home, his chest

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heaving with grief and exhaustion. The house was empty. Eli

scanned the room: everything seemed in order, but in his spirit heknew that something was amiss.

Shes gone, a voice said behind him.

Eli wheeled around. A small, bent woman stood in the

door, a shawl pulled up over her head. It was his aunt, Sarah.

Shes ashamed and so shes left. When she heard what your

father did, she could not bear to remain.

What did he do? Eli asked, tears again falling from his

eyes.

She did not answer, but set a small, heavy bag on the table.

This is for you. They said you could use it to buy a place to bury

your father.

He looked at her, eyes wide. Who gave this to you?

The teachers, she had said and turned and left.

Eli walked to the table and lifted the bag. The contents

clinked unmistakably. He pulled on the cord wrapped around the

top. He knew what he would find, but looked inside anyway. The

silver was dirty and dull, but still his heart leapt. Hed never seen somuch in one place.

Eli stood before the captain, tall, as tall as he could. He held

his hands straight down to his side and cleared his voice. The

captain looked up from his work.

Youre still here? I thought I told you we have no need for a

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LOOPHOLE

traitors son.

My father was traitor, true, but not to the Romans. He wasa great man and loyal to the Emperor. He delivered your greatest

enemy to you.

And who was your father, the captain said as he looked at

him, hands folded and under his chin.

My fathers name was Judas, Judas Iscariot.

The bed was rough-hewn wood. They did not give new

recruits a mattress, especially those who were not Roman-born. He

shivered. The wind blew off the sea up a small hill and through the

barracks. He body was sore and bruised. He could feel the bruises

on his back--he had taken several sharp blows in training that

morning. He rolled onto his side and felt his shoulder ache. It is

going to be a long night, he thought.

The bunk above him shifted and a fine cloud of dust and

dirt fell onto face and into his mouth and eyes.. He closed his eyesand could feel the grit on his mouth, working its way onto his

tongue. He wiped his mouth, his hand rough against his skin. Loud

snoring ripped through the small, cramped building, the acrid scent

of sweat on the breeze.

What a beautiful place, he remembered thinking as he and the

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others stepped from the boat onto the beach. The striking cliffs

stood majestically above the crystal blue waters. There were nobuildings other than the few barracks and officers quarters that sat

in a small cleared field just beyond the sand.

They each carried a small bag, a blanket, a short sword, an

extra tunic, a red cape--the color of the Empire--and a skin for

wine. His hair and beard had been cut short and he could feel the

sun warming his scalp. Weeks later it was red and peeling, sore from

long hours training in the hot Mediterranean sun.

He rolled onto his back again and closed his eyes and

mouth. He had no friends here. They were all outcasts. Outcasts,

whose last hope had been to join the enemy, to become

mercenaries, but less than that. He had no training. He was not

skilled in war or fighting. They will use us as fodder, he thought. Human

ammunition to throw at an enemy, to wear them down a bit before the real

army advanced to win the day. We are all expendable. They have told us as

much.

He listened to the waves crashing on the beach. Still it is

better than the alternative, living in Jerusalem, bearing the stares, the ridicule

and the embarrassment of my father. He crossed his arms against his

chest, trying not to shiver.

Eli.

He opened his eyes, the walls of the barracks were blue with

moonlight. He listened wondering if he had been dreaming. The

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LOOPHOLE

room was quiet, even the snoring had stopped.

Nothing. He closed his eyes again and just as he did it spokeagain.

Eli.

This time the room was brighter. He sat up in his bed and

looked. Before him stood a man. His hair was long and uncut. He

wore a white tunic that was cinched around his waist with a bright,

gold belt. His face was glowing, his eyes a brilliant blue.

Who are you? Eli felt like screaming, but something kept

his voice quiet and calm.

I have been sent to you with a message, the man replied.

You have been sent to Patmos for a reason.

What do you mean? he said shaking. He pushed himself

against the wall trying to increase the distance between him and the

man. I came here to train with the Romans.

The mans hand was on the pommel of a long, dangerous

sword. Eli watched as the man stepped closer. He felt behind

himself for his short sword. It was gone or beyond his reach. Id

never survive anyway, he thought.Do not be afraid, the man said. You have been chosen

for a great task.

Eli did not move. He could feel the breeze; it was warm and

filled the air around him.

What do you mean?

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The man smiled, There is a cave on this island.

There are many caves, Eli replied, his voice surprised him,it was calm and even.

This is a special cave. On the side of a cliff looking over

the sea. You will be lead to it, by another, but you must return to it

alone.

Why? Why must I do this?

Inside, the man continued, his voice was soothing, you

will find many large, clay pots. Eli listened intently. And inside

one, you will find a scroll, written in Aramaic, so you will know

them.

Eli felt himself leaning forward in the bed. He said quietly,

You want me to bring them to you?

No, said the man. His face grew dim and his body started

to disappear as if made of smoke and the wind had started to blow.

Eli could barely hear his voice as he faded from sight, I want you

to destroy them.

The cave was dark and his small torch provided barely

enough light for him to see beyond his outstretched hand. The light

flickered as he felt his foot crash into a large, heavy object on the

floor. He heard a crash and then a second one.

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LOOPHOLE

He lowered his light to reveal the remains of two clay pots,

broken and strewn across the floor. They had both been empty. Hepicked up a shard and turned it over in his hand. This is pretty new, he

thought. I wonder how it got here, who made it.

His light flickered again and just as he glanced up his eye

caught the shadow of something in the corner.Another jar.

He stood and stepped over the broken pots. It was a small,

no more than a foot tall and six inches in diameter. It was closed at

the top with a clay lid. Red wax sealed the container around the rim.

He picked it up. It was light.

Eli pulled out his knife and cut the wax from the rim. The

lid stuck for a moment, but then gave as he twisted. He set it aside

and tried to put his hand into the jar. The opening was too small so

he turned it over and shook. A small parchment scroll fell out and

onto the ground.

He sat, his back against the cave wall, wedging his torch into

a crack above him. The paper was crisp and white. It felt smooth

under his rough hand. He was shaking. He pulled the thin string

from around the roll, set it aside then unrolled the parchment.The handwriting was neat, thin lettering, but familiar.

Aramaic, he thought. His heart raced. He started to read:

It is with heavy heart, I pen these words. Our Savior has died, and

borne on his own self the iniquity of us all. And while he has risen,

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conquering the old enemy death, his blood, spilt for many, has given

birth to a new covenant.

Eli swallowed hard. He rubbed his eyes: anewcovenant, he

thought. What could this possibly mean? A new covenant and with whom?

He continued to read:

Yah weh is just and good and never-changing. Even to his enemies he

shows justice, even to a traitor. He can never change.

Eli felt a lump form in his throat.

And when our Lord has died, the justice of God, must open a new

door.

A tear formed in the corner of his eye.

For even his enemies are shown grace, to lead any they might persuade

to eternal damnation.

Eli let the parchment roll back onto itself. He leaned his

head back onto the cool stone of the cave. He closed his eyes, then

let his head drop into his hands. Its not over after all, he thought, his

heart racing. There is still a loophole.

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