Fiction: Lying reaches an outrageous peak when three eccentrics write for the revolutionary party

The next morning, Spider decided to take his daily walk in the same direction that Pillai had taken. He would keep an eye open for any untoward signs. He didn’t know what to look for, though. He broke into a slow run along the deserted road to get away from the worrisome thought.

It was then that he saw something that chilled him to the bones. There it was, lying a few hundred feet ahead – a black, broken thing with a small head and half-folded wings, lifeless. Spider froze in his tracks.

So, it was all over! Pillai either had an overdose of desire or had run into a predator. The eminent hangman and relative of Jesus was no more.

Warily, Spider looked around for the Enemy, but all he saw was a cyclist pedalling in his direction from a distance. Spider walked towards the still shape on the road with trembling feet.

As he got closer, the thing on the road seemed to take another form. Spider was startled. Oh! He’s still shapeshifting! Maybe he’s alive!

As he got closer, it changed shape again. “Oh, no!” Spider shouted. “Mr Pillai! Be as you were! I’ve come to save you.”

By now, it had assumed the form of…

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