The Dump - Part Five

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Then, as if from a distance, Andrew heard the words of the Prince. “I give you the authority to tell Sickslug to leave you …  Your chains are gone now.  Sickslug has no more power to force you to do anything you don’t choose to do. … You must resist in the power I give you.  If you try to resist Sickslug in your own strength, you will fail. Depend on Me. I will give you victory.”

I give you authority… Your chains are gone… 
He has no more power…

Depend on Me. Depend on Me. Depend on Me.

Andrew knew what he had to do. Suddenly, he straightened up and stood tall. Looking Sickslug right in the eye, he declared, “No. Never again! I may not be strong enough on my own to resist you, Sickslug. But the Prince has already beaten you, and I stand with Him. You have no more power over me. You know it. I know it. Now, get out of my sight. I want nothing more to do with you or anything you have to offer.”

As Andrew exercised his newly granted authority as an adopted son of the King, the smirk fell from Sickslug’s face. He suddenly seemed much smaller than he had before. The paper with the filthy picture fell from his hands.

“I’m leaving now,” said Andrew. “I won’t be back, except to invite these poor fellows who you have picking through your garbage to join me at the King’s banquet table.”

Turning, Andrew saw another young man in filthy, smelly clothes watching the altercation. Andrew recognized the hungry, empty look in his eyes. It was the same look that he had seen in his own eyes just the morning before.

“What about you, my friend,” Andrew asked. “Do you want something better than you have found here?” The young man’s eye’s spoke volumes. “Come with me,” Andrew invited. “I’ll introduce you to the King.”

Sickslug opened his mouth to protest, but Andrew silenced him with a glance that reflected the Prince’s authority. The dirty, ragged figure stepped toward Andrew and away from the garbage dump.

“Let’s go,” said Andrew. With his hand on the shoulder of his new friend, they walked together to the palace of the King.

Part One     Part Two     Part Three     Part Four