The Almighty God of Law

God of Law

A laugh echoed through the casino. Ezekiel lay on the floor. His eyes swollen shut. His body broken. Blood dripped from his lip.

The footsteps stopped beside him. The voice spoke again. Calm. Amused.

"The police siren ringtone really helped. They all scattered."

Ezekiel tried to open his eyes. He couldn't. Everything was dark. Everything hurt.

Two sets of hands grabbed him. Lifted him. He was pulled to his feet. He stumbled. Someone held him steady.

"Get him to the car. Now. He needs hospital treatment."

They moved. Fast. Ezekiel couldn't see. He could only feel. The cold air outside. The car door opening. The soft seat beneath him. The engine starting.

He drifted in and out of consciousness. The pain was too much. His ribs screamed. His face throbbed. His head pounded.

Then darkness.

*** ***

He woke up in a white room. The smell of antiseptic. The beeping of machines. The soft light from a window.

His eyes opened. Slowly. Painfully. His vision was blurry. But he could see a figure sitting beside him. A man. Tall. But Ezekiel was taller. He knew that somehow.

Ezekiel tried to speak. His throat was dry. Sandpaper.

"Water," he croaked.

The man stood. He poured a glass. He handed it to Ezekiel.

Ezekiel drank. The water was cold. It soothed his throat. He drank more.

The man sat back down. He looked at Ezekiel. His eyes were sharp. Intelligent.

"I've had my eyes on you for a while," the man said. "I had to save you on time. If I involved the real police, they would have thrown you back in jail. Visiting an illegal casino. You know the laws."

Ezekiel blinked. His vision was clearing. The man was young. Maybe late twenties. Dark hair. Clean-shaven. A suit. Expensive.

Then the man's tone changed. He leaned forward. His voice rose.

"Come to think of it. Have you lost your mind? Did you want to go back to jail? Did you want to get yourself killed?"

Ezekiel looked away. His voice was weak. Hollow.

"It would have been better. I have nothing. My wife threw me out. My son isn't mine. My parents are dead. My cousin took everything. There's nothing left for me."

The man stood up fast. He rushed to Ezekiel's bedside. He raised his hand. And knocked Ezekiel on the head.

"Ouch! What was that for?"

The man stared at him. His eyes burned with frustration.

"Have you forgotten who you are?"

Ezekiel rubbed his head. Confusion flooded his face.

"What are you talking about? Who are you? Why do you care about me?"

The man shook his head. He stepped back. He looked at Ezekiel with disbelief.

"Did they erase your memory too? You're the God of Law. The greatest lawyer this city has ever seen. The man who never lost a case. The man who took down the most powerful criminals. The man who was feared by everyone."

Ezekiel's eyes widened. The words hit him like a punch.

The God of Law.

He remembered.

The name. The title. The reputation. He had built it from nothing. He had fought for justice. He had won impossible cases. He had made enemies and allies. He had been unstoppable.

Then Grace came. Love blinded him. She didn't want a lawyer. She wanted a normal man. A man who worked a normal job. A man who was home every night. She asked him to choose. Her or his career.

He chose her.

He walked away from everything. He abandoned his title. His reputation. His legacy. He left it all behind. For her.

The man watched Ezekiel's face. He saw the recognition dawn.

"I'm Bryan Cornell," the man said. "I'm your new assistant. Your former assistant was my father. Phil Cornell."

Ezekiel's heart stopped.

"Phil? He's..."

"He's in the hospital," Bryan said. His voice softened. "He's old now. He can't remember who speaks to him. He doesn't even recognize me as his son."

Tears filled Bryan's eyes. He blinked them away.

"But there's one name he never forgets. One name he calls out every day. Every single day, Ezekiel. He calls for you."

Ezekiel's throat tightened.

"He's been waiting for you. We've all been waiting for you. For your comeback. For the God of Law to return."

Ezekiel stared at the ceiling. The memories flooded back. Phil Cornell. The old man who had taken him under his wing. Who had taught him everything. Who had believed in him when no one else did. Who had helped him reclaim everything he thought he lost.

And Ezekiel had abandoned him. For Grace. For love. For a lie.

He pushed himself up. His body screamed in protest. But he didn't care.

"Take me to him. Now. I have to see him."

Bryan nodded.

They arrived at the hospital. A different one. Private. Quiet.

Ezekiel walked slowly. His ribs ached. His face was still swollen. But he walked. One step at a time.

Bryan led him to a room. The door was open.

Phil Cornell sat in the bed. His back was to them. His shoulders were slumped. His hair was white and thin. He looked small. Fragile.

Ezekiel stepped forward. His voice was hoarse.

"Phil."

The old man turned. His eyes were cloudy. His face was wrinkled. He looked confused. Lost.

Then his eyes focused. A spark of recognition.

"Lawson," he whispered. "You're back."

Ezekiel rushed forward. He wrapped his arms around the old man. He hugged him tight.

"I'm back," he said. His voice cracked. "I'm so sorry, Phil. I shouldn't have abandoned you. I should have never left."

Phil's frail hands patted Ezekiel's back. His voice was weak but warm.

"I knew you'd come back. I always knew. I've been waiting."

Ezekiel pulled back. He looked at the old man. Tears streamed down his face.

"Why did I leave? Why did I walk away from all of you? From everything?"

He thought of Grace. The woman who had destroyed him. The woman who had used him. The woman who had never loved him.

Love was stupid sometimes. He had given up everything for it. His career. His legacy. His family. His purpose. And what did he get in return? Betrayal. Lies. Five years in prison. A son who wasn't his. A wife who never loved him.

If only he had loved someone better. Someone worth it. If only he had stayed true to himself.

But it was too late for regrets. The past was gone. The only thing left was the future.

Phil looked at him. His eyes were tired but knowing.

"Lawson. You need to make a comeback. Bryan will be of help to you now cause my time will soon be up"

Ezekiel stood up straight. His jaw tightened. His hands clenched into fists. It was inevitable. He had lost the 10 years he had to stay and share more memories with people that mattered even with his own parents.

Now it ends.