The choir sang songs glorifying and praising the Lord. Prayers were given before the reading of the opening scripture of the service. Offering was done in a row-to-row march format. A sermon by the head pastor was preached to the congregation. The Holy Ghost had its way and fell upon anyone who was willing to receive it. For those who attend Truth's Tabernacle Apostolic Church this is what happens every Sunday morning. Out of all the churches in Mount Vernon, New York there's not one church that has the same impact as this one.
Theo "Phantom" Jefferson is sitting on the left side of the sanctuary. Behind him is a clock and a set of stairs that leads you either to the restroom or to one of two ways out of the church. Dressed in a sharp three-piece suit that helped him blend in with the congregation, Phantom tucked a pocket pistol inside one of the breast pockets. To give God praise and thank Him for life was not the reason he was attending the service. An assignment was given to Phantom that he couldn't turn down (or at least he thought). On behalf of the Criminal organization he worked for, Phantom was given the task to take out Keith Reed, Sr., Head Pastor of Truth's Tabernacle Apostolic Church. According to what was told to Phantom a half of million dollars was sent to the organization by Keith Jr. to take out his father Keith Sr. The reasons sprung from differences in teachings and leadership to Keith Jr.'s youthful ego. Having to kill a man that was a bishop, a father, and a pillar of a community was not on Phantom's pay raise. However, the job was given to him and his money was getting funny. The mission was a one, two, three scenario. All Phantom had to do was get close enough to Keith Sr. and pull the trigger of the pocket pistol, using a silencer. Keith Jr. would than throw himself at his dying father, causing a diversion. Phantom would now have room to avoid attention and make his way to his car to escape the scene.
A keyboard started playing and a fellow bishop took the mic to give members of the congregation an opportunity to go to the alter. From each row men and women that heard the Word of God gathered at the altar. Studying and observing the sanctuary, Phantom discovers that he has a million ways to complete this mission. Out of nowhere the atmosphere shifts and Phantom loses his train of thought....
Doctors and Lawyers. Activists and Advocates. Politicians and Educators. Future-potential Noble Peace Prize recipients. Hard working mothers and fathers. These are the list of individuals that were buried and taken away from their loved ones by the hands of Phantom. Back in 2018, Phantom's wife Lauren, filed for divorce and dark days would follow. Inside of a shack of an apartment and sleeping on a rusty couch, Phantom's only friend was a bottle of Coach Royal. Brian "Sticky" Johnson, Phantom's childhood friend and partner in crime, took notice of his downward spiral. When Sticky offered Phantom to work for his boss, Nathan "Biggs" Thomas he almost had a fit. "What you got to lose man? Just look at yourself. You ain't got no woman. No real dough is coming your way. Baby girl Raven will only see you as a memory now." Balling up his fist with a head full of steam Phantom was left with a harsh reality he had to accept. "Make the call". Phantom replied in his tenor-bass voice. On the day of his interview Phantom wore the best clothes he could pick out. Siting face-to-face with Biggs inside the four walls of a luxurious dining room of his house in New Jersey, Phantom earned the respect and confidence of his new boss. Both Phantom and Sticky pulled so many hits together that Biggs gave Phantom the option of picking and choosing the hits himself in less than four years.
"The Lord is like a loving father", said the bishop who was standing in the midst of the alter. Crying, surrendering, and the falling on the knees took hold of the congregation....
Lifeless bodies lying helpless at his feet doesn't make Phantom feeling off balanced or cringy. Between eighteen to twenty-one Phantom served his country as a Navy Seal. From Al-Queda in the Middle East to Boko Haram in Africa, Phantom112 has taken out even more notorious big shots before becoming a hitman-for-hire. By the time his fourth year as a seal arrived, Phantom was offered an opportunity to join SEAL Team Six. Craving more time as a civilian, Phantom turned down the offer. As a civilian Phantom attended The University of Maryland, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. While serving in the Navy, Phantom learned the ins and outs of the installation of explosives and coding. This would come in handy for his future endeavors.
Keith Sr. grabs the mic from his fellow bishop and drives his message home. "It doesn't matter who you are or what your background may be. But with trusting in the Lord any sin you've ever committed can be washed away." Phantom felt an inner piercing as Keith Sr. stared at him with a face displaying love and affection....
Frederick Douglass High School, located in Baltimore, Maryland is where Theo spent the majority of his teenage years developing as an individual. 2009-2013 were the years that Theo attended this school. A native of Baltimore, Maryland Theo grew up a fan of the Ravens. For seventeen years Ray Lewis would play for this team in the Lineback position. Idolizing Lewis and being told that he resembled him, Theo decided to try out for the Frederick Douglass Knights. Football was more than a way to show off his skills, physique, and natural ability. It was also an outlet to release pain and inner turmoil. There wasn't an obstacle that Jefferson couldn't achieve. If you needed to put away the away team's quarterback on his back, call on #44. If you needed an interception to win a game after being fifteen points behind, call on #44. It wasn't what he did, but how he did it. Some of his fellow teammates and players from other schools have said that he moved like a feline hunting down his prey. Others say playing against him was like playing against an invisible juggernaut. One particular day while at practice Corey Williams, the team's quarterback and captain was having a conversation with one of the wide receivers, Michael Davidson about how Theo bagged all the chicks they wanted. Corey, being the one that was on his feet, was caught in a bearhug that he didn't see coming. "Oh shit," Michael would say in a voice of amusement and suspense. Now on his back Corey had forgot what he was talking to Michael about. Looking up from the ground. Corey, said "where in the hell did you come from? It's like you're a Ghost." "More like a Phantom," Michael added. The nickname that was spoken amongst teammates became Jefferson's middle initial.
Usually, it never takes Phantom this long to complete a hit. For reasons unknown and unexplainable a state of numbness has overtaken Phantom. An usher that was stationed in the back of the sanctuary walked towards Phantom to check up on him. Staggering to stand, Phantom uses his hand to wave off the usher saying, "I'm good." Something that's much bigger and mightier is taking control of the atmosphere and is showing Phantom that this is His territory....
Empty liquor bottles and the stench of strong urine was a commonplace in Apt. 2C inside building B of the Booker T. Washington Houses (Baltimore, Maryland, 21206). Arguments that sprung from rent to religious authority haunted Theo's psyche as though there were nightmares. Theo's mother, Loraine worked in the field of Social, and worked hard to keep a roof over the head of her three children. Benjamin Wilson started off as a good guy with dreams that evolved around handywork. Starting a family with a woman who was a single mother and wanting to achieve goals is a challenge in itself. However, letting out your frustration on an innocent child that's not even your own is downright low. Him being thirty years Loraine's senior, Benjamin thought he knew it all. To make matters worse, Benjamin was a church-going bible-stomping Christian. Some say that religion mixed with ignorance is a dangerous combination. Theo believed this to be correct. One summer when Theo was sixteen, he was working for a Jewish nursing home, on behalf of a Summer Youth Program (SYEP). At the computer in the living room Theo was blasting music (something that teenagers frequently do). Sitting at the table in the dining room was Benjamin, reading his bible with a glass of Hennessy on the side. Irritated and under the influence, Benjamin yells at Theo saying, "turn that junk off" (his West Indian accent didn't make his tone anymore pleasant). "Excuse me, do you pay bills in this motherfucker," Theo answered back. Getting up from his chair, Benjamin stares down Theo saying "boy, who you think you talking to." Being the wordsmith he's always been Theo answered back saying, "I don't see anyone else in this room but you." Pointing his index finger at Theo, Benjamin called himself trying to give a piece of his mind to a young bull. Tired of taking all the B.S., Theo threw a punch, and WWIII started. Bottles of Hennessy and Guinness were thrown across the apartment. Benjamin was forced to hide in one of Theo's younger siblings room until Loraine came home. Loraine than decided to hide anything that could be used as a weapon. Theo and Benjamin never patched things up after that incident. During Theo's senior year at Frederick Douglass High School was when Loraine and Benjamin decided to separate. To be a good sport, Theo was forced to shake hands with Benjamin. Looking into Benjamin's eyes, the bitter taste of good riddance wore on Theo's tongue. That taste comes back in small squirts from time to time.
The Holy Ghost fell on the entire sanctuary so strong that no one could control themselves. Even Keith Sr. was laid out in the spirit. The sense of numbness had disappeared. Phantom wanted to lift up his hands and worship but stopped himself from doing so....
Wilma Jefferson, Theo's grandmother died in 1999 when he was just five years old. Within those five years Wilma taught her grandson more about manners and etiquette than any teacher or any decent adult could ever. The one thing that Theo never forgot was the fact that his grandmother was a woman of faith. Loraine, Theo's mother and her three sisters grew up in a Pentecostal old Mount Zion type of church, located somewhere in Baltimore. Whether it was Sunday, Wednesday, or a special service, Mother Wilma was always at the church. Tagging behind her was her favorite grandson, Theo. On their way to church Theo looked like a little bishop in the making wearing a sharp three-piece suit with his children's bible between one of his arms. During the last hospital visits Wilma would feed Theo the food they tried give her. The fall came and plans for Wilma's funeral took place. Theo wasn't the same once his beloved grandmother passed away. Although she didn't get a chance to see her favorite grandson grow up to become a man, her prayers worked.
Suddenly, everything went into a mute. It was as if Phantom's life flashed before his eye's. The cross that was designed in the front of the pulpit stool started to glow and shine brighter than any star in the galaxy. The glory of God was so strong and mighty. Tears started rolling down from Phantom's face. His knees trembled. Ready to fall to the ground, the same usher he once waved off grabbed him by one of his arms and escorted him to the altar. With all of his heart, soul, and might Phantom cried out to the Lord. All of his burdens and heartache was placed at the foot of the cross. Keith Sr. edged passed a few people to comfort Phantom. Still amongst those that are still at the altar, Phantom was speaking in an unknown tongue. Embracing Phantom, Keith Sr. says to him, "you are speaking an heavenly language given to you by the Holy Ghost through God. Receive it. Receive it now." Behind the keyboard, Keith Jr. is having a fit and is about to have a nervous breakdown. What the Enemy meant for evil God meant it for good. While Keith Sr. aided him, Phantom noticed something. The whole time that Keith Sr. was praying over him he never sensed danger knowing that a pistol was tucked inside his chest pocket. Switching from tongues to spoken word, Phantom cries out, "Jesus I love you. Jesus I need you." "I got to have this," thought Phantom. Inside of a changing room Phantom is given an undershirt, underwear, long-johns, flip-flop, and a blue overcoat. Standing inside a pool of water, Phantom was buried in the name of Jesus Christ. Rising out of the water he was a new creation (which was the name of the sermon Keith Sr. had preached). Every member of the congregation stood up and clapped to give God the glory, knowing that another soul was saved and one more member was added to the Kingdom of Heaven. Before leaving the church, Phantom was given a bible by Keith Sr. that had his full name already in it. After giving hugs to multiple members of the congregation (including the usher that helped escort him to the altar), Phantom entered his all-black Mitsubishi Evo 8. Not even two blocks away from Truth's Tabernacle, Phantom tasted the intensity in the air.
At 12:00 am the next day four mask men are sent on behalf of Biggs to carry out a hit. According to a source (identity concealed), their target, a gentleman by the alias "Phantom," was last seen entering his house at 10:00 pm the previous day. Observing enough of the climate, the four masked men decide to each take a separate entry into this residence. For a house that was located in Connecticut all four of these men were astound with the taste their target had. Come to think of it, they almost lost track of time. Though everything was on inside the house there was no sign of this "Phantom." Mask man #1 saw no sign of him. Masked man #2 saw no sign of him. Mask man #3 saw no sign of him. Masked man #4 saw no sign of him. Out of thin air a loud beeping sound came from the kitchen. Tumbling towards the kitchen the four masked men got the shock of their lives as a bomb sat on the table. Only five seconds were left on the timer. A word, thought, or plan didn't get a chance to take place. A blast went off killing the four masked men and left the house in decay. Operating a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, nearly 19,000 ft in the air, Phantom looks down at the trap he set and grinned. On his way to a disclosed location a new beginning awaits him.
A keyboard started playing and a fellow bishop took the mic to give members of the congregation an opportunity to go to the alter. From each row men and women that heard the Word of God gathered at the altar. Studying and observing the sanctuary, Phantom discovers that he has a million ways to complete this mission. Out of nowhere the atmosphere shifts and Phantom loses his train of thought....
Doctors and Lawyers. Activists and Advocates. Politicians and Educators. Future-potential Noble Peace Prize recipients. Hard working mothers and fathers. These are the list of individuals that were buried and taken away from their loved ones by the hands of Phantom. Back in 2018, Phantom's wife Lauren, filed for divorce and dark days would follow. Inside of a shack of an apartment and sleeping on a rusty couch, Phantom's only friend was a bottle of Coach Royal. Brian "Sticky" Johnson, Phantom's childhood friend and partner in crime, took notice of his downward spiral. When Sticky offered Phantom to work for his boss, Nathan "Biggs" Thomas he almost had a fit. "What you got to lose man? Just look at yourself. You ain't got no woman. No real dough is coming your way. Baby girl Raven will only see you as a memory now." Balling up his fist with a head full of steam Phantom was left with a harsh reality he had to accept. "Make the call". Phantom replied in his tenor-bass voice. On the day of his interview Phantom wore the best clothes he could pick out. Siting face-to-face with Biggs inside the four walls of a luxurious dining room of his house in New Jersey, Phantom earned the respect and confidence of his new boss. Both Phantom and Sticky pulled so many hits together that Biggs gave Phantom the option of picking and choosing the hits himself in less than four years.
"The Lord is like a loving father", said the bishop who was standing in the midst of the alter. Crying, surrendering, and the falling on the knees took hold of the congregation....
Lifeless bodies lying helpless at his feet doesn't make Phantom feeling off balanced or cringy. Between eighteen to twenty-one Phantom served his country as a Navy Seal. From Al-Queda in the Middle East to Boko Haram in Africa, Phantom112 has taken out even more notorious big shots before becoming a hitman-for-hire. By the time his fourth year as a seal arrived, Phantom was offered an opportunity to join SEAL Team Six. Craving more time as a civilian, Phantom turned down the offer. As a civilian Phantom attended The University of Maryland, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. While serving in the Navy, Phantom learned the ins and outs of the installation of explosives and coding. This would come in handy for his future endeavors.
Keith Sr. grabs the mic from his fellow bishop and drives his message home. "It doesn't matter who you are or what your background may be. But with trusting in the Lord any sin you've ever committed can be washed away." Phantom felt an inner piercing as Keith Sr. stared at him with a face displaying love and affection....
Frederick Douglass High School, located in Baltimore, Maryland is where Theo spent the majority of his teenage years developing as an individual. 2009-2013 were the years that Theo attended this school. A native of Baltimore, Maryland Theo grew up a fan of the Ravens. For seventeen years Ray Lewis would play for this team in the Lineback position. Idolizing Lewis and being told that he resembled him, Theo decided to try out for the Frederick Douglass Knights. Football was more than a way to show off his skills, physique, and natural ability. It was also an outlet to release pain and inner turmoil. There wasn't an obstacle that Jefferson couldn't achieve. If you needed to put away the away team's quarterback on his back, call on #44. If you needed an interception to win a game after being fifteen points behind, call on #44. It wasn't what he did, but how he did it. Some of his fellow teammates and players from other schools have said that he moved like a feline hunting down his prey. Others say playing against him was like playing against an invisible juggernaut. One particular day while at practice Corey Williams, the team's quarterback and captain was having a conversation with one of the wide receivers, Michael Davidson about how Theo bagged all the chicks they wanted. Corey, being the one that was on his feet, was caught in a bearhug that he didn't see coming. "Oh shit," Michael would say in a voice of amusement and suspense. Now on his back Corey had forgot what he was talking to Michael about. Looking up from the ground. Corey, said "where in the hell did you come from? It's like you're a Ghost." "More like a Phantom," Michael added. The nickname that was spoken amongst teammates became Jefferson's middle initial.
Usually, it never takes Phantom this long to complete a hit. For reasons unknown and unexplainable a state of numbness has overtaken Phantom. An usher that was stationed in the back of the sanctuary walked towards Phantom to check up on him. Staggering to stand, Phantom uses his hand to wave off the usher saying, "I'm good." Something that's much bigger and mightier is taking control of the atmosphere and is showing Phantom that this is His territory....
Empty liquor bottles and the stench of strong urine was a commonplace in Apt. 2C inside building B of the Booker T. Washington Houses (Baltimore, Maryland, 21206). Arguments that sprung from rent to religious authority haunted Theo's psyche as though there were nightmares. Theo's mother, Loraine worked in the field of Social, and worked hard to keep a roof over the head of her three children. Benjamin Wilson started off as a good guy with dreams that evolved around handywork. Starting a family with a woman who was a single mother and wanting to achieve goals is a challenge in itself. However, letting out your frustration on an innocent child that's not even your own is downright low. Him being thirty years Loraine's senior, Benjamin thought he knew it all. To make matters worse, Benjamin was a church-going bible-stomping Christian. Some say that religion mixed with ignorance is a dangerous combination. Theo believed this to be correct. One summer when Theo was sixteen, he was working for a Jewish nursing home, on behalf of a Summer Youth Program (SYEP). At the computer in the living room Theo was blasting music (something that teenagers frequently do). Sitting at the table in the dining room was Benjamin, reading his bible with a glass of Hennessy on the side. Irritated and under the influence, Benjamin yells at Theo saying, "turn that junk off" (his West Indian accent didn't make his tone anymore pleasant). "Excuse me, do you pay bills in this motherfucker," Theo answered back. Getting up from his chair, Benjamin stares down Theo saying "boy, who you think you talking to." Being the wordsmith he's always been Theo answered back saying, "I don't see anyone else in this room but you." Pointing his index finger at Theo, Benjamin called himself trying to give a piece of his mind to a young bull. Tired of taking all the B.S., Theo threw a punch, and WWIII started. Bottles of Hennessy and Guinness were thrown across the apartment. Benjamin was forced to hide in one of Theo's younger siblings room until Loraine came home. Loraine than decided to hide anything that could be used as a weapon. Theo and Benjamin never patched things up after that incident. During Theo's senior year at Frederick Douglass High School was when Loraine and Benjamin decided to separate. To be a good sport, Theo was forced to shake hands with Benjamin. Looking into Benjamin's eyes, the bitter taste of good riddance wore on Theo's tongue. That taste comes back in small squirts from time to time.
The Holy Ghost fell on the entire sanctuary so strong that no one could control themselves. Even Keith Sr. was laid out in the spirit. The sense of numbness had disappeared. Phantom wanted to lift up his hands and worship but stopped himself from doing so....
Wilma Jefferson, Theo's grandmother died in 1999 when he was just five years old. Within those five years Wilma taught her grandson more about manners and etiquette than any teacher or any decent adult could ever. The one thing that Theo never forgot was the fact that his grandmother was a woman of faith. Loraine, Theo's mother and her three sisters grew up in a Pentecostal old Mount Zion type of church, located somewhere in Baltimore. Whether it was Sunday, Wednesday, or a special service, Mother Wilma was always at the church. Tagging behind her was her favorite grandson, Theo. On their way to church Theo looked like a little bishop in the making wearing a sharp three-piece suit with his children's bible between one of his arms. During the last hospital visits Wilma would feed Theo the food they tried give her. The fall came and plans for Wilma's funeral took place. Theo wasn't the same once his beloved grandmother passed away. Although she didn't get a chance to see her favorite grandson grow up to become a man, her prayers worked.
Suddenly, everything went into a mute. It was as if Phantom's life flashed before his eye's. The cross that was designed in the front of the pulpit stool started to glow and shine brighter than any star in the galaxy. The glory of God was so strong and mighty. Tears started rolling down from Phantom's face. His knees trembled. Ready to fall to the ground, the same usher he once waved off grabbed him by one of his arms and escorted him to the altar. With all of his heart, soul, and might Phantom cried out to the Lord. All of his burdens and heartache was placed at the foot of the cross. Keith Sr. edged passed a few people to comfort Phantom. Still amongst those that are still at the altar, Phantom was speaking in an unknown tongue. Embracing Phantom, Keith Sr. says to him, "you are speaking an heavenly language given to you by the Holy Ghost through God. Receive it. Receive it now." Behind the keyboard, Keith Jr. is having a fit and is about to have a nervous breakdown. What the Enemy meant for evil God meant it for good. While Keith Sr. aided him, Phantom noticed something. The whole time that Keith Sr. was praying over him he never sensed danger knowing that a pistol was tucked inside his chest pocket. Switching from tongues to spoken word, Phantom cries out, "Jesus I love you. Jesus I need you." "I got to have this," thought Phantom. Inside of a changing room Phantom is given an undershirt, underwear, long-johns, flip-flop, and a blue overcoat. Standing inside a pool of water, Phantom was buried in the name of Jesus Christ. Rising out of the water he was a new creation (which was the name of the sermon Keith Sr. had preached). Every member of the congregation stood up and clapped to give God the glory, knowing that another soul was saved and one more member was added to the Kingdom of Heaven. Before leaving the church, Phantom was given a bible by Keith Sr. that had his full name already in it. After giving hugs to multiple members of the congregation (including the usher that helped escort him to the altar), Phantom entered his all-black Mitsubishi Evo 8. Not even two blocks away from Truth's Tabernacle, Phantom tasted the intensity in the air.
At 12:00 am the next day four mask men are sent on behalf of Biggs to carry out a hit. According to a source (identity concealed), their target, a gentleman by the alias "Phantom," was last seen entering his house at 10:00 pm the previous day. Observing enough of the climate, the four masked men decide to each take a separate entry into this residence. For a house that was located in Connecticut all four of these men were astound with the taste their target had. Come to think of it, they almost lost track of time. Though everything was on inside the house there was no sign of this "Phantom." Mask man #1 saw no sign of him. Masked man #2 saw no sign of him. Mask man #3 saw no sign of him. Masked man #4 saw no sign of him. Out of thin air a loud beeping sound came from the kitchen. Tumbling towards the kitchen the four masked men got the shock of their lives as a bomb sat on the table. Only five seconds were left on the timer. A word, thought, or plan didn't get a chance to take place. A blast went off killing the four masked men and left the house in decay. Operating a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, nearly 19,000 ft in the air, Phantom looks down at the trap he set and grinned. On his way to a disclosed location a new beginning awaits him.
TO BE CONTINUED....
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