Chapter 2 - Broken bonds
1733 Words
Archbishop Samuel listened to Doris's story as she said with details what happened.
- After Eunice calmed down a little she said that two men broke into their house while they were playing in their parents room. Abigail was the first to hear the noise and she recognized that the footsteps weren't their parent's. She told Eunice to hide under the bed and whatever happens, she can't come out! Eunice did as her sister told her and the men stormed into the room. They laughed at Abigail who tried to kick and hit them while they pushed her to the ground. Their eyes met with Eunice and Abigail smiled at her sister mouthing "Don't be afraid!" After that they grabbed Abigail by her hair and pulled her out of the room. She fought against them but they hit her and put her in a bag. Eunice heard them saying that they'll receive a good price for a young girl like her. - Fred got so frustrated that he grabbed the armrests of his chair with such force that his knuckles turned white. Doris couldn't continue, her husband took turn.
- We obviously called the police and the whole town started to search for Abigail. Doris stayed at their home with Helen and Eunice helping them to clean and praying that Abigail somehow managed to escape. Helen ran to Priest Alexander and begged him to pray for her daughter's safety and life. Five days passed. We searched restlessly, neither Helen nor Adam could think clearly at that time anymore. Another five days later, police gave up the search and Adam ended up hitting the officer half dead who led the investigation. Due to that he had to spend a night at the jail. The following day, while Helen, Doris and Eunice were at the church praying for Abigail's safe return, the side door swung open. A tiny body fell into the church with a soft bumping sound that echoed through the rigorous walls. - Doris continued while Fred took a sip of his tea. Samuel followed his example just to take a break.
- Helen ran there immediately, she recognized Abigail at the instant her body fell to the ground. She held her in her arms and ran to the doctor. We followed her with Eunice and I stayed with the little girl while the doctor examined Abigail. Helen bit her nails and walked in the waiting room like and encaged wild beast. Adam ran in the door swimming in sweat and Helen threw herself in his arms. Eunice ripped herself out of my arms and hugged her parents, burning her little face in her mother's skirt. Soon the doctor walked out and I felt the air froze.
- Mr and Mrs Brown, I'm extremely sorry for what happened. Abigail is in a horrible condition right now, and I'm afraid that she won't survive the night. My suggestion is to take her home and please prepare for the worst. Adam's pupils got smaller and he grabbed the doctor by his collar. He shouted at him.
"Go back inside and do your bloody job! Save my daughter!" Everyone who was present got shocked. We never saw Adam acting violently or heard him swear. Helen hugged her husband from behind and looked at the doctor with hate in her eyes.
"Our Abby is the strongest little girl in the world! If she could escape she'll survive and prove your incompetence!" Helen took Eunice in her arms while Adam went for Abigail. Although the doctor wasn't right, Abigail survived the night and recovered. - Doris went silent.
- I have the feeling that there is more... - Fred nodded and took the word from his wife who went to bring some wood to the fire.
- Your gut is right your Excellency. A year or two passed, Abigail was still weak, but she returned to her old self. It was Sunday again and Priest Alexander welcomed a newcomer to our town. That night, Adam and Helen returned home after the annual town hall meeting. They found the newcomer with Abigail. He was choking her, Abigail's dress was torn into pieces and her skin was already turning blue when they arrived home. Adam grabbed the man and pulled him off of Abby, but it was too late. Helen held her in her arms and looked around searching for Eunice. Abigail lifted her hand and caressed Helen's face. With her last breath she said. "Eunice is safe, I sent her to Doris for eggs when he came" After that she took her last breath and went to a better place... - in the meantime Doris returned with the fire wood and took her seat again. Her eyes were red and Archbishop Samuel knew she cried outside. He couldn't even imagine the parents pain. Doris sobbed and added.
- It turned out that this man and his friend kidnapped Abigail in first place. Adam beat him until he confessed everything. The neighbors called the police, if they didn't, Adam would have beat him to death. That night the man died in the jail. It was an untold truth that Adam paid for the guards to turn a blind eye while he tortured and brutally killed the man. He also paid for another man who was already on death row, to take the blame.
- It is truly horrible what this poor family had to endure. Also I'm sorry for the little girl Abigail, she must have been a true fighter. May her soul rest in peace and I hope their parents find comfort by the love of God. - Archbishop Samuel said and Doris laughed wickedly. His eyes opened wide while Fred tried to calm his wife. Doris looked at Samuel like a mad woman.
- Your subordinate never gave a proper goodbye to Abigail! He refused to do it! We buried her without a prayer! Alone!!! Only because her father killed her abuser! God... There is no God in this town your Excellency! And if you are interested in my opinion, what that bastard priest got in return of his "services" wasn't enough punishment! I'll excuse myself, good night gentlemen. - Doris hopped up and rushed to the other room slamming the door hardly. Samuel looked at Fred and he shrugged.
- She is harsh but right. Priest Alexander never assisted in Abigail's funeral. But what happened after that was even worse. Years passed by, Eunice turned twelve years old and no one ever mentioned Abigail again. Like she never existed in first place. Out of nowhere, Eunice started to act weirdly.
- What do you mean by weirdly? - Samuel asked. Fred leaned closer and lowered his voice.
- She talked to herself all the time after she turned eight. She usually laughed and smiled, just like when Abigail was still alive. Her parents never scolded her, nor told her anything regarding this attitude. We neither. But the kids started to exclude Eunice from gatherings and they started to bully her. She didn't mind at the beginning but seemed to be really hurt as the time passed. Eunice never went to the masses again after her birthday. She just waited for her parents to come out. I overheard the town's gossip lady while she asked Eunice, who was talking by herself again, at the door of the church.
"Who are you talking to dear?
*My sister. She said it's my birthday gift that I can see her again.
" Your sister? Eunice, Abigail is dead. She can't be here.
*Nonsense! I see her, she is right next to me!
" She can't!
* Why not?!
" Because her soul is in Hell! She died corrupted and without a blessing! So her soul could never enter heaven! You are talking to a demon, child! That was when I ran and stopped the conversation. That persona rushed in the church immediately and I grabbed Eunice's hand. She was crying in frustration and I hugged her. We hurried back to their house. I asked her while we waited for Adam and Helen, what she was talking about before. Eunice smiled and whispered.
*That lady is wrong! Abby is an angel now and she came to keep me company. She grow a lot too and she is shining with a white light. Also she has beautiful wings like a swan.* I grabbed her by her shoulders and said.
"Never, tell about this to anyone again!"
*But uncle Fred, why not? This is good news! *
"Yes, it is a good news and I'm happy for Abby, but keep this as a secret between us, okay?" Eunice swore to never talk about Abigail anymore to others. But my warning came late. Priest Alexander called her after the mass next week and made her confess everything. She grew up believing in God. She thought it would be safe to tell about an angel for a priest... Priest Alexander did something unforgettable. He claimed that the little Eunice was a witch. - Archbishop Samuel's eyes opened wide, he knew too well what Fred meant. Now that he reminded him, he heard about this incident when he was still a priest himself.
- I remember. She was burned at the stake on charges of witchcraft. Eunice Brown... Poor little girl. What happened to her parents? - Fred chuckled painfully.
- What would've? They left the town, cursing the whole world. I'll never forget what Helen wished on the last mass they attended. She stood up walked to Priest Alexander and slapped him so gard that he fell from his pedestal. She took his place and said.
" I'll pray to all ever existed Gods and Goddesses for you all rot in Hell!" Everyone murmured when she said all Gods and Goddesses. That was the moment when the always kind and sophisticated Helen said.
"Yeah you heard me right!" She turned to Alexander and said to him loud and clear. "I'll pray day and night for Satan to take your soul! To make you suffer endlessly the same way my daughters suffered!" What can I say? Her prayers were listened.
- What do you mean? - Fred grinned.
- Her prayers were listened, but not by God. So your Excellency, if you want to stop the murders, in this village, you'll make a deal with the Devil.
- Writer
