Past Pain

After a while running, Janice finally catches up to him. His long strides too fast for her short legs. She breathes heavily and bends over halfway to catch her breath.

" Kirieth! Slow...slow down will you?"

He looks halfway over his shoulder.

" Why're you following me?!"

His voice booms through the nuzzling streets as carts and horses gallop nearby.

" To keep you company! It could be devastating news!"

Her words make him stop abruptly in his tracks. Not looking where she's going, she bumps into his firm back.

" Devastating new-"

He repeats through gritted teeth. Then he turns to her fully.

" What's the worse that could've happened? The claiming of our old house, the burning of my mom's belongings or better yet, my good for nothing of a father's death?"

The words pour out his mouth with undisguised rage and hate which made Janice swallow her words and remain silent for some time before speaking up again.

" Who knows? Maybe even worse?"

He scoffs and turn around, walking away with the same hurried strides as before. Janice jogs again to catch up.

" I know it's hard for you but don't be like that. No matter what happened he's still your father!"

The motion in which he turned around made her flinch. His huge hands gripped her shoulders making her wince.

" He's not my father! He's been dead to me ever since he killed my mother with his bare hands and God help me that he's not here because I'll do worse things to him then he ever did to my mother?"

Irritation and rage falls over his face making his chest heave fast. Janice wince escapes her lips as a shriek and he lets go of her shoulders. He turns away with his eyes closed in an attempt to calm himself down. Janice massages where his hands were. He lets out a soft breath.

" I'm sorry-"

His features relax a little. She shakes her head in denial.

" Don't apologize. I'm fine. It's painful even more for you than a little bruise. Just let me help you. Be with you like all this while."

She rests her hand on his broad back and feels the warmth of his body.

" Fine. Let's go then"

They walk off side to side to the temple.

...****************...

The church doors swing open with loud creaks as they walk in. An elder walks over to them and leads them to the Priest's quarters. Their footsteps echo loudly in the faintly lite corridors. It's slight openings at the left ,serving as windows, casts eerie shadows as a result of the rising sun.

They stop In front of an almost rusty iron door. An engraved name hanging on the door.

< The Priest>

The elder knocks on the door and a muffled voice answers from behind.

" Come in, please-"

They push open the door and walk in. The sight inside makes Kirieth stop in his tracks. An old man with his hair all gray and his cranky skin and neck, makes something in him twist. His muscles twitch as he balls his fists.

" Kirieth-"

The Priest notices his irritation and steps forward.

" What is he doing her, Father? Did you call him here?"

Kirieth's voice turns cold. No sign of the softness shown towards Janice left.

" No, no. He came on his own. He needs to talk to you"

"Talk?"

He laughs in spite.

" We have nothing to talk about. It's either he leaves or I'll make him leave with my bare hands!"

"Enough! Son! "

The cranky and rough voice of his father makes his head snap towards him.

" Don't you dare call me that!"

" You are! I know you're still mad at me or despise me for what happened to your mother, but I need you to know it wasn't intentional"

" Mad? Wasn't intentional? I was there that night! I watched you stab her and break her neck. As if it wasn't enough, you pushed her down the stairs ensuring her death then you tell me not intentional?!"

Tears glisten in his eyes threatening to fall, but he pushes it all away not to show his weakness to his worthless Father.

Janice looks at him. Analyzing his distress.

" Father, wasn't there any better way to have avoided this situation? You know exactly how this would make him feel"

Janice tried to coo the situation that seems to almost spiral out of control.

" It wasn't my decision for this to happen. He was convinced meeting his son will make him suffer less"

Priest Douglas says looking between the three of them.

" Suffer less? Whatever it is you're going through is none of my business! And I don't care to hear them. I'd rather you died instead of her! "

His words pierce like a knife through his father's heart. He looks away and moves across the room with his came as an aid to support his half broken foot. He stops and looks at his son.

" I wasn't myself. I hurt her and more likely you. I broke the trust you both had in me as the head of the house. I was an idiot"

" And I suppose you aren't still?"

He asks mockingly.

" Yes. I suppose not. The world is coming to an end soon, and I need to be right with everyone before I depart from this wicked, evil world"

Janice and Kirieth share a confused look.

"Of course it is. With your kind in it, how wouldn't it end?! I've seen visions, I've had dreams upon dreams. What happened to that beautiful world The Lord created?! What happened to the hearts of mankind? All of it was knocked off once you let the Devil take over the pureness replacing it with greed, and wickedness. You didn't do it because you didn't mean to, you killed her because you didn't want to accept the truth that the Lord, is your King! "

Priest Douglas steps in as he sees his Father cornered and speechless.

" I speak peace over your souls. So let's make it happen. Jesus Christ wouldn't like it watching family hate each other because of him"

" Family be damned, Priest! He's the light, the truth and the way. I won't say I haven't sinned because we all are sinners. No sign is better than the other no matter how small or big it is. Sin is sin. And for him to stand here and tell me about the times, doesn't mean he's accepted his faith as what my mother wanted for us. He's still greedy and reeks of wickedness in his heart. And for that, I can't accept him. It's just too unappealing to the eye to see you stand before me. After so many years. This talk - is over!"

" Kirieth?!"

Janice calls out to him , buthe doesn't stop.

" Let him go. He'll come around"

Priest Douglas says, but Janice doesn't listen and runs after him.

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