Chapter 5: Sermonizer
1577 Words
Grace’s POV
As I watched Lucius go with mixed feelings, I wondered what to do with my life now. There were several thoughts running in my head. The one that repeated was—to head to another city.
I would’ve gone but I ran out of money when I bought myself a bag and few necessities. The remaining changes along with the accessories I bought were lost the night I arrived to this unfortunate city. With nothing in hand, it was impossible to leave this place unless I earn some money.
This idea made sense and I decidedly headed out to find myself a part time or full time job for a short time. But I had no clothes to change to.
Fighting the dilemma, I hesitantly rummaged through Lucius’ closet. It was fully stacked with clothes, formal, informal, casuals, cassocks, PJ sets and I wondered what to pick up.
My first choice was a maroon hoodie but then this random thought struck me—only girlfriends can wear them. Hence, I let it go.
It took me a little while but I managed to pull down a pink shirt that was big enough to reach my knees. I sighed in relief and headed outside not caring if the shirt was a bit loose on me. No sooner had stepped outside the front gate, I halted.
Lucius warned me not to leave the house in his absence and it gave me a wary feeling. I might be wrong to step outside but sitting at home doing nothing about my situation wasn’t anything like me.
Thus, shoving the apprehensive thoughts at the back of my mind, I inhaled sharply and walked out. Observing each and every corner of the city, I felt a chill run down my spine after few minutes. The constant feeling of being followed was not ceasing, no matter how hard I tried. So, I stopped at the shop to calm my racing nerves.
The shop owner gave me a questioning look and I watched him with an awkward expression.
“What do you want?” he asked seemingly rude as my first timer.
I lifted my eyebrows.
“Excuse me?” I was not going to appreciate that tone to me.
“Are you here to buy?” He gave me ‘you-are-a-tramp’ air that made me uneasy and angry.
One quick glance over my shoulder, I found nothing unusual. So I turned around and gave him a weird smile (somewhere between embarrassed and angry).
“No, actually I was just passing by and felt like someone was following me so I—” I tried to explain meekly when the man snorted.
“Sure! You should have come up with a better excuse. I can bet you’re here for stealing purpose just like the one you’ve stolen and put on! Now off you go before I call the police. Bloody rascals.” He shouted at me and I was bewildered.
Like what?
“Don’t you understand? I am giving you three seconds to f**k off from here or else, I am calling the police.” He said and the mere mention of police was drilling holes in my body.
I hated that fear and especially the new incident.
Could feel sweat forming but I wanted to give him a befitting response to how he treated me just now!
Unfortunately, I knew he wasn’t kidding when he phished out his phone and dialed the control room number. He was about to hit the call when he started the count.
I fumed in anger but had to leave just like that. My soul chided me for being a coward as I heard the insults but could you blame me? That night was hard to forget and knowing a slight mistake would land me into juvy due to my past karmas; I contained my anger.
Lost in my thoughts, burning in flames of humiliation and helplessness, I saw a shadow disappear at the corner of the road. It was not odd but somehow my heart didn’t give me permission to continue. Slowly, not wanting to attract unwanted attention, I turned on my heels and briskly walked back to the same route.
As I reached the same shop, I found the owner step outside with a hockey stick in his hand. Why did I feel scared of it?
Men wouldn’t hit a woman right?
But the fact that there were other people aligning beside him; I was uncomfortable. My steps faltered as I scrutinized each face. More people added and now there must be eight or ten of them. There were few male and few female. Their eyes were trained on me and I gulped in anticipation. No words were needed to guess what they were planning to do to me.
I felt my heart jump to my mouth when more people joined them.
“She’s the conman I talked about. Who would believe with that innocent face she’s a thief?” The owner spoke louder to no one in particular and I shook my head hastily.
“NO!” I said vehemently as I stepped backwards.
“SHUT UP!” one of them yelled while there was a murmuring followed by loud gasps.
“So, you are planning to seduce to innocent father Lucius Mile? What a shameful girl she is?” One spoke and an aged lady interjected in between.
“You would be cursed if you try breaking a priest’s celibacy! Evil girl, go away from this city.” She shouted and soon they spoke it like a slogan.
“Yes, yes, go away! Go back to where you belong.” They chanted while I saw few of them bend and pick up stoned.
Frightened, I turned around sharply and ran not bothering the direction.
I ducked feeling few stones hit my back but managed to run out of their grasp. This time, I was expecting something like that. Thus, I covered my head this time.
I kept running not daring to seek help from any bystander or the shop owner. It’s just the moment of time when these same people who were questioning me will start respecting me.
My legs were hurting due to the footwear I had. They weren’t comfortable for running but that’s what I have been doing in last forty hours.
I ran feeling air getting wringed out my chest and stopped seeing a huge and beautifully decorated church.
Without any other thought, I rushed into the church regardless of my belief that no god exists.
My chest heaved and I panted like a dog the moment I entered past the church’s door. It was heavy and difficult but the adrenaline made it possible.
Turning around, I felt every eye in the room staring; hated it but not anymore.
Feigning my composure, I took the mid section seat. I could feel judging eyes on me. Some pitied, others scowled at me giving profanity words as my adjectives.
I inhaled to zone them out of my head but as I lifted my head, my eyes locked with the mysterious deep blue eyes.
I gasped mentally.
Blimey!
Now what?
He would be so mad at me! Tsk… tsk…tsk…
Fidgeting with my fingers, I hesitated but was stunned to see Lucius’ smirk. It was too bizarre though since being a priest his focus should be equal on every disciple. I squirmed in my place feeling his intent gaze on me.
My fingers itch to put the strands of hair behind the back of the ear as Lucius stared at me. I bit my lips praying for the unforeseen magnetic attraction between us stop. It would only degrade my image than it already is.
Then I heard him sermonizing and I sat speechless. It was…surreal! The intonation raises and fell wherever that required.
His face was calm and composed, drawing people in to him. I heard him speak of forgiveness and loved ones. This pricked my insides and I fought to keep the sobs inside me. I glanced away from his handsomely features while trying to ease my breathing.
The sermon ended soon after. I was ready to run when a muscular man ran into me.
“Oh Miss. Grace, thank god you’re here.” I heard him say and frowned in my direction.
“Sorry but I don’t know you.” I said and he acted being hurt.
“I am your death.” He said and I gave him a confused look when everything happened in a blur.
A metal knife tore my skin and dug inside my stomach. He grasped my shoulder keeping me in place while I gasped with no voice coming out of me.
I heard people crying at the confession place or forgiveness while I battled to gasp for oxygen. It was awful not being able to crouch to help ease the pain. Instead, when I lifted my head up needing the answer to who he was and what he wanted from me, I saw him smile sinisterly.
“Good bye, Grace Martinez.” He chuckled under his breath and let go of me.
My knees gave away and I slumped down the floor; holding my stomach.
Soon, there appeared another aunties and I felt footsteps approaching me. I closed my eyes to fight the pain off but the only face I saw was—Lucius’!
His warm eyes and encouraging smile—I needed that.
I heard the chaos around me and soon an arm sneaked over my shoulder and waist; hoisting me up and against a hard chest.
“Lucius!” I muttered his name amidst the deafening buzzing inside my head.
My eyes dropped and I gave in…
- Writer
