Work Text:
“We don't where where they've taken him!”
Mary Magdalene's words set everyone in the upperoom on edge.
John's feet moved without thinking and he ran.
Peter was right behind him.
The world blurred in a haze as his legs carried him to his deceased Rabbi or so he thought.
His chest squeezed and his ears rang.
"Jesus," was all his heart could muster.
John stared at the open tomb in front of him, taking small steps forward but halting at the entrance.
Screams.
Tears.
A cross.
Mary's cry rippled through the young man's mind, and he shuddered at the memory.
Blood, blood, so much blood pouring out of Jesus's skin.
A crown of thorns pressed against his skull, nails digging into his hands—wrist, and feet.
A face John no longer recognised but voice still familiar.
Soft. Gentle. Clear.
“It is finished.”
John bent over slightly, and peeked into the tomb and saw a glimpse of strips of linen lying inside.
His breath hitched at the scene.
His heart leapt and fell altogether.
His hands trembled at his sides and his chest heaved up and down, as he tried to steady himself.
His vision blurred in and out.
What-where? the young man's brown eyes glossed over, he blinked the tears away as he heard Peter's approach.
Badump.
Badump.
Heat spread throught his body, and he swallowed trying to rid the feeling of his throat closing.
John merely stood in front of the tomb; unable to comprehend or move.
Then Peter arrived, and without wasting time entered the tomb.
John didn't—couldn't—not yet.
“John!” Peter called, shaken. “Rabbi's not here!”
But the younger man stayed put for another moment, lingering, and hesitantly, he walked in.
The tomb was empty.
A chill ran down John's spine and goosebumps littered his skin, the Jew felt a rush of wind sweep over him.
He saw Peter standing near Jesus's burial cloth—which was folded by itself, seperate from the linen.
Intentionally.
John believed.
Yet he did not fully understand what had happened.
Inspired by John 20:3-9
John is traumatized, well he might've been at the time I realised while reading, and considering what he saw. Also this drabble has been in my draft's for some time. I might come back to expand on it.
31 December 2025
Jesus loves you dear one.