Surviving Armageddon

15. The Manyth Deal

"Again the Devil took him along to an unusually high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him: 'All these things I will give you if you fall down and do an act of worship to me.'" - Matthew 4:8-9

[Days Prior To Armageddon]

I could feel their eyes on me, the subtle glances, the stifled laughs. It was an unspoken truth, a reality I faced daily. My name is Patrick, burdened by my body's weight and the world's expectations. At school, I was a spectacle, unwanted attention drawn to the visible struggles I faced.

"Hey, slowpoke, can't you move faster?" A voice echoed down the hallway, accompanied by stifled laughter. I kept my head down, pretending not to hear, trying to blend into the walls. But their words were like shards piercing through my fragile shield.

At home, I avoided the mirrors, dreading the reflection that would greet me. The whispered comments and concerned glances from my parents spoke volumes. They wanted to help; I knew that