I am about to answer Gido when Longinus recalls his men. They promptly abandon their occupations and regroup. We are on our mutilated feet in no time and we walk through the eastern gate. The sun is intense and the heat knocks us out. I'm a little concerned that Gidon is right, but I refuse to be defeatist. Only hope allows me to move forward. Help would come.
Longinus kicks his horse in the sides and advances. Outside a crowd of people waits. Some are there for the spectacle of our crucifixion; Others are waiting to enter the city.
As Yonatan passes through the gate, the man who whipped him pulls out a knife, places the blade under the rope that supports the cloth of the loincloth and cuts it. I shudder as the guard stuffs the fabric in his pocket. I had forgotten that we would be stripped of this garment when we left the city. I'm next. I don't want to be completely naked even outside the city gates. Where was my friend? Did he convince this damned trader to recant? I had already suffered enough humiliation for a lifetime this morning!
I walk through the door and hear someone say, "Thank you for letting me do it." The voice is very familiar to me but I don't recognize it.
I feel the knife against my buttocks as it cuts the hemp tied around my waist. I find myself naked with my balls hanging down as the guard grabs the rag and retrieves the knife. " I wouldn't have left this pleasure for anything in the world!" I am very curious to see who had cut my loincloth.
They laugh mockingly. "I want to see his tail waving in the wind. You know how nudity really bothers these natives. »
I jump when the man puts his hand over my buttocks and walks past to face me. He grabs my penis and balls and starts playing with them. I get scared when I see it. It is the Greek trader.
I am amazed. I can only say, "What? What are you doing here? »
He continues to grind my with one hand while rolling my testicles between the fingers of his other hand. He laughed, "You're a handsome young man, but your member, he's still so small?"
I am so troubled that I do not react to the manipulation of my penis and empty-handed: "And my friend Menachem, did he talk with you? He had to offer you my offer. »
"Knowing you is enough for me. I have no desire to meet your friends. »
"So he never talked with you?" I hear Gidon start laughing.
The march resumes, the trader drops my balls and the rope begins to pull me forward. I am appalled that the merchant is here, waiting for me on the road up the hill. Slowly I realize that my offer has never been presented.
Tears come to my eyes. The panic increases when I realize that it is very likely that I will not escape punishment and I see myself hanging naked, nailed to the cross like Gido and Yonatan.
The merchant has remained at my height and enjoys my tormented face.
I'm still trying to convince him: "I can pay you 10 times the selling price for wrist bands if you withdraw your complaint. I will get the money as soon as I am released. Time is running out. You must ask Gallius for a hearing to withdraw your accusation. I will make it worth your moment. »
"Why would I do it insolent dog! I will collect my goods only after you die! All the gold in Midas' treasure wouldn't make me withdraw my complaint! You left my shop with my goods without paying! It's theft in my country! And obviously the laws are the same in Rome because here you are here, naked as an animal, your body whipped, wearing your crossbeam to be crucified soon. »
I started shaking uncontrollably. "Pity! Save me! I will give you everything! My wealth, my house, my belongings! I will be your slave. Pity, prevent my crucifixion until you come back having had me acquitted by the prosecutor. Pity! Don't let them nail me! »
In saying this my voice rises in volume and the people who come to watch us suffer and die, hear me and laugh. Gidon shouts from the head of the column, "See? I told you! You will soon be crucified naked with us. No reprieve for you, Reuven ! No forgiveness! You still don't realize that a Persian life is nothing to them? »
Demetrius sneered. "I will not miss them for anything in the world the spectacle when the executioners, after flogging you, drive the nails into your wrists and ankles! I will never stop your crucifixion! This is the just punishment for your crime. You deserve everything the Romans will do to you! And more! I can't wait to see you pinned naked on the cross. Maybe I'll still be allowed to play with your cock. »