REDEMPTION

HOLY GROUNDS.

Just coming from a single class made him exhausted lately. The students were promising this year, yet, his expression was grim. Something seemed to be bothering him. Something other than his students and fellow clergy. He approached his desk, set his books aside and took a seat.

Since he could remember, his slim figure fooled many for some reason, they thought he was weak and defenseless, however, that… was not the case. His forest green eyes scanned his office thoroughly. Like he was looking for something. Or someone. Her words kept on echoing in his mind like an ancient mantra.

The events that took place that day made his mind churn. He tried so hard to come up with a reason for this. Sadly, none was arrived at. He was lost and for once… he felt weak!

*flashback*

“My child, what is it that you seek?” he paused. “I see you here everyday but not once have I seen you pray.” He mentioned while slowly approaching, startling her in the process. Who could blame her? She wasn’t expecting any company. The young man had seen her so many times though not once had she ever prayed.

Didn’t she know how? Wasn’t she sure of how? Or where to begin? So many questions raced through his mind but they had to wait for the right time. She always came to the church, sat on the last bench( it seemed like a custom to her) and space out.

“Redemption,” the word flew out of her mouth. He hadn’t expected her to answer so quickly making him halt in his tracks. Her voice was so calm and collected it made him shiver. His curiosity intensified. Who was she? He placed his right hand was on the bench as he continued advancing.

As he got closer, he took in some of her features. Her hair had a dark shade of brown, though on closer inspection, one could notice some white strands of hair. He sat down beside her and stared. Her hair was not only curly but it was long too. Shaking his head, he focused on her. Only to find her looking at him.

She giggled. This exposed her dimple. Her eyes were a sapphire blue contrasting beautifully with her tan skin. He felt relieved seeing her happy side. Taking the chance to strike the iron while still hot, he continued, “ Every soul can receive penance, one just has to ask for it. Would you like…”

“No soul of mine has that chance,” she began, clenching her hands slightly as she did. “My… uuh. Am a damned soul and a child at that, Father.”

A small smile spread across her face. If it was one of pain or content, was somehow unclear. The young nolady looked young and judging by her clothes and style, well off. As if on cue, she turned and faced him. The Father’s eyes widened a bit as he had not expected to see what was before him. Apart from the fact that her eyes were perfectly mismatched by contrasting colors, they seemed to hide a lot.

It was something a lady her age shouldn’t have seen or experienced. Her left eye was crystal blue while her right eye was emerald green. She seemed to be fighting tears that were threatening to fall and to deal with it she squeezed and unclenched her hand so often.

The smile plastered on her face seemed to be a distraction tactic so that her visitor could not pick up on what was going on. However, the man sitting with her noted every shift or twitch her fingers made but he still gave her time.

“Demons don’t get that chance, do they?” she said her voice cracking. She suddenly found her hands interesting as she let the young man digest the information. Her breathing could tell that she was holding back a lot.

She let out a sigh and raised her head. The look in her eyes was one of conviction. Almost immediately, 9her beautifully mismatched eyes shifted to a dark-fire ruby red color. The young man almost fled from his seat but something told him that if he left, he would not find out the truth.

“Sir, can demons be saved?” She asked as her eyes glittered. The question seemed to throw the young man off his game. He paused, mouth ajar… wanting to say that they could but knew of no ways. His face could tell you that thus was the first problem he had encountered without a solution.

After a while… he still seemed to be looking for an answer. The young lady let him think, she had hope written all over her face. This look somewhat shocked the young priest. He wondered how she could hope at a time like this. How she could smile. Whether she was joking around or if she wasn’t. Demons were known for their unending pranks after all.

“I have always found peace here. Funny and unrealistic, I know,” she answered him. He felt like she was reading his mind. “ Am not here to cause trouble. I know my place. All I want is…”

“Redemption,” he began, “ Am sure he heard you.” He felt that he had to convince her somehow. He had to show her that only she could be saved if she wanted to. That there was still a chance even if he didn’t have one at the moment.

“I know,” she said, pure certainty clear in her voice. This left him wondering what her true intentions were. Did she want to be saved or not? Was it her intention to involve him in a cycle of questions and answers that had the same end? What was the point if all this? And who was she?

The fact that the young lady had a demon inside her could have been enough reason for any person to run to the hills, never looking back but, her aura wasn’t one of death. It was comforting being by her side! Almost angelic! Her eyes were red, how could this be so? She was supposed to be a special class demon, so why did she have an aura of peace within her?

Something was off, but he could not figure it out.

“I have something for you,” she mentioned as she pulled out a ragged old book from her purse. She handed it to him and waited. He hesitated, wondering whether taking this so called `book’ was the right choice. Sizzling sounds were heard and he later found out that her hands were burning from holding the book.

He snatched the book from her not wanting her to endure the pain much longer.

“I can help you. You won’t survive but she will,” he sounded desperate. The lady looked at him and smiled.

“If I do that, we both die. And I can’t let that happen.” She avoided his gaze and continued, “ plus, she knows who and what I am. We are friends after all. Those that harm her and those precious to her are the ones that end up dead so don’t worry, am not gonna have a hunting streak or something.”

Her tears suddenly broke free running down her rosy cheeks. Her eyes turned back to normal and she stood up to leave when she seemed to have remembered something.

“Oh and sir Benedict, Edgar forgave you long ago.” 

*end of flashback *

She had mentioned Edgar, his little brother. No one knew about him. Not even his fellow clergy. He had told no one of what had transpired back then. Yet, she knew. He was flustered and frustrated. Before him lay the book she had given him. Benedict never touched it again let alone known its contents. He didn’t have the courage to.

And to some point, he feared it could be a trap. No one knew what was going on through his mind and he did not want to tell them either. He banged his fists on the table, ran his hand through his hair and sighed. His mind was blank.

Since that day, Father Benedict had not seen the young lady again. He felt that he had just missed his chance to find out what was going on. She had slipped right through his fingers and know she was too far for him to reach.

He then remembered, he didn’t know her name.