When Ezekiel had become Jewish, it was a new life for him. He had hope that he would be saved. But he also understood that his past sins needed quite a bit of forgiving. He knew the God of the Old Testament could be vengeful. In order to secure his spot in Heaven, he made sure to go to the local synagogue as often as possible. He was there almost everyday. And he always came with one of his many leopard accessories. Ezekiel didn't care that leopard skin kippahs weren't in style.
On this particular Saturday, Ezekiel was early to services. He showed up at least 30 minutes before sundown. He would have shown up earlier, but he waited in his apartment for the torrents of rain to slow to a drizzle before he dared step foot outside. The time passed slowly and Ezekiel yet again sat thinking through his guilt. The things I did were bad things. There's nothing I can do to change the past. All that's left for me is to ask God for forgiveness. Even He won't forgive me for this. At least this leopard didn't die in vain. He rubbed the leathery inside of his kippah.
Before the service ended, a deranged man burst through the front doors. He needed a shower and a razor. His shadow of a smile was eerie, as if he knew something that no one else did. Ezekiel tried his best to ignore the interruption, but he could not look away until the man left. Only then could he continue his prayer. The things I did were bad things. There's nothing I can do to change the past. All that's left for me is to ask God for forgiveness. Even He won't forgive me for this. At least this leopard didn't die in vain...