He’s right. We’ve planned it all out. I just need to be patient.
Funny how he’s the one with his head screwed on this time.
Just like I knew they would, the Fathers and the girl head inside the chapel. The doors close with a heavy thud, and then I hear the lock click into place.
“What if they don’t drink the wine this time? They could already be hurting her.”
“I’m afraid you’re just going to need a little faith, little sinner. This will all work out, I promise.”
We wait a few long and agonizing minutes before we make our move.
Earlier this evening, Zack and I entered the chapel to spike the communion wine with enough sleeping pills and LSD to immobilize all of the men.
From my past experiences here, the Fathers always have their fill of wine while they sit with their chosen girl, telling her how God has spoken to them, and that she’ll be filled with his light.
I remember the first time they said that to me, and I believed them. My mom had recently died, and I longed for any comfort. I thought those men could be actual father figures. As soon as I had nothing left, they stopped hiding their true intentions.
“It’s time,” Zack says softly. I look up into his caring eyes, and all the bad disappears. This man is the only person I’ll ever trust. I’m thankful for whatever brought us together, be it luck, fate or divine intervention.
Heading around to the back door, we quietly slip inside. Zack fetches the duffel bag full of rope and knives that we hid here earlier and slings it over his shoulder. He hands me a knife, and I pull my hood up as we make our way through the cold, musty rooms toward the main hall. The door is slightly ajar, and the candles on the wall sconces help me to see a little inside. A few figures stumble around, and others are slumped in the pews. I push open the door just enough to see where the girl is.
She’s standing in only her underwear in front of the altar, trembling. Wine goblets are scattered around the feet of the men. None of them know what’s going on. The ones still standing can barely walk straight.
It worked.
I smile back at Zack who winks at me.
“Better get started. We have a wedding to attend.”
I take a deep breath, and straighten my spine.
This is it.
The heavy, wooden door creaks as I push it open, and my heels click against the stone floor. All heads turn my way as I step inside. Their faces are filled with confusion as they try to see who I am underneath the hood.
“What…what’s going on? This is a sacred place, you can’t just enter without invitation.” I recognize the man as Father Stone. He’s old and frail, so I’m not worried he’ll hurt me. He doesn’t stand a chance getting near me with Zack looking out for me, anyway. A swift shadow rushes past me and Zack shoves the man into the nearest pew.
He groans and tries to get up. The man next to him, a new Father I don’t recognize, attempts to help him, but Zack stabs him in the gut and knocks him back down. Father Stone shrinks into the seat in fear as Zack starts to tie them both up.
Another Father tries sneaking up behind him, but I get to him first and plunge my blade into his ribs, leaving it there. He doubles over in pain, and I grab him by the collar to pull him to the pews next to Zack. Once he’s finished with the first two Fathers, he secures the one I just left.
Half a dozen of the men are knocked out by the drugs already, and only three remain on their feet. Well, two of them are on their asses as pleas for their God to save them tumble from their mouths. They’re all so pathetic. I was just a girl, a child, when they first terrified me into submission. Now, I’m a monster of their making ready to watch them all tremble in fear.
“Somebody, please save us! Please, God, please!” Thefinal Father runs to the main doors—he’s a young man I don’t recognize, perhaps he’s Father Daniels’ replacement. I step forward to stop him, but Zack stands in my way.
“I’ve got this one, darlin’. You go help her and the others. I’ll finish up here and be waiting for you at the altar when you’re ready.” He grabs the back of my head and kisses me. Both of us draw blood as we devour each other with our love.
It pains me to pull away from him, but our brief separation will be so worth it in the end.
The Father hammers against the door and frantically searches his robes for a key as Zack stalks up behind him.
Someone grabs my arm, and I startle, my head whipping around to face them.
“Who are you?” Teary eyes bore into me as the girl clutches desperately to my sleeve. She holds her clothes to her front with her other hand.
I let myself relax and give her a reassuring smile. “That doesn’t matter. What’s important is if you’re willing to put an end to all of this?”
She quickly looks around us at all the violence then nods. “I want to go home.”
