02-The Holy Man

“She’s going to be so sad when she finds out I’m not seeing her that often,” I said to Lucas, we were in the hallway and I’d just put my coat on. My mother was still ranting and raving but we’d closed the door so she couldn’t wake up April,

“And I’m not going to be sad?” I looked at him, my brother was so strong nothing ever got him down so when he said that it made me want to start crying again, so instead I ignored it,

“Don’t let mother rule your life,” I told him, then slightly embarrassed about what I was going to say next I looked down at his bare feet,

“I love you,” I mumbled only just audible,

“Love you too sis,” Lucas said strong enough for the both of us, and handed me the bag. It was an old cloth one made years ago but it seemed to have survived the ages. I’m not sure what the original colour was but now it was light mustard.

“There’s snacks, $200, a blanket, two changes of clothes, your diary, and a toothbrush, I couldn’t find any toothpaste so I’m afraid you will have to find some,” I nodded grateful,

“Oh there is also dad’s old knife in the side pocket, I thought about giving you the sword but it would look a little awkward walking around with that on your belt and you might get told off so I thought that would do,”

“You shouldn’t have got me that Lukie, but thanks.” He smiled,

“Go before mother calls the police,” Lucas walked over to the front door and opened it, the darkness outside gave me a small inkling of fear but I shut it out, and walked into it. Once outside the rain fell onto my hair wetting it, I cursed realising it would go frizzy when it dried and flicked the hood of my jacket up.

“See you Lucas,” I said to him and walked down the driveway

“I hope you’re making the right decision Aldis.”

“I do too” I thought as I walked, but I didn’t look back.

The white streetlight lit up the grainy world casting shadows all over the ground, fighting all the while to push through the light drizzle. Small puddles lay all over the ground reflecting the light, I caught sight of myself in the reflection of one, a wet and miserable version of my normal self stared back at me, water dripped off the hood of my jacket and onto my nose, blue eyes looked at me sadly. A small scuffling sound gave me goose bumps and sent my heart racing as my imagination supplied me pictures of things that it could be, I took a deep breath and ignored it telling myself that it was probably only a hedgehog or something. I looked up, in front of me stretched a small graveyard, watched over by a proud stone church. The shadows of the gravestones spread out towards the church as if they all wanted something in death that they never got in life. Two sturdy wooden doors loomed over the gravel path; a stain glass window presided above them making it seem less daunting to approach the church, but doubts still started to enter into my mind, Why was I here? Why wasn’t I home? The thought of home brought images into my head of my mother, hitting April and Lucas in one of her angry drunk moments, hitting Bobby, hitting me. My resolve bolstered by the anger bubbling inside of me I straightened balling my hands into fists and walked quickly towards the doors. Gravel crunched loudly under my feet. I was so focused on getting to the door I didn’t pay attention to how far away it was. I stopped almost skidding on the ground. A took a deep breath calming myself, the fires of anger were still alight in my gut but at least now they were just small flickers to keep warm instead of a wild fire that threatened to consume me. I closed my eyes raised my hand and knocked on the door. A deep boom reverberated through everything; echoes of it chased each other down the path to the street bouncing off gravestones as they went. Inside the church I could hear them doing the same. I waited…and waited. Just before I was about to turn around and leave a light turned on inside the church, shinning out the window, a path of light cutting through the darkness, a small patch of brightness in an otherwise dreary and sad world. A key turned in a lock at the door opened slightly inwards, a small sliver of light escaping out of it. A wrinkled face appeared, long curly white hair hung to his shoulders.

“Oh my lord,” he exclaimed as he recognised me, his brow knotted with worry,

“Aldis my child, what are you doing here this late?” before I could answer he opened the door wide and stepped back ushering me in, I stood there for a moment as the warm glow washed over me.

“Come in child, get out of the cold,” I did as he said only just noticing I was shivering. The brilliant white marble floor lay out before me, wooden seats faced the alter and lectern. I took in a deep breath and crossed myself,

“Come child take off your bag and jacket.” I did as told and passed held them in my arms,

“Father I-”

“I think you can tell me why you are here over tea don’t you?” I nodded grateful,

“And while we do that I’ll put your jacket in my drier-”

“You don’t have to do that Father,” I butted in, he smiled at me,

“It’s the least I can do child, now come.” he walked off leading me into a small side area. I took my shoes off at the door and place my bag next to them  The place was bare apart from a few small items like a coffee table and couches. Red carpet spanned out through all of what I could see. He pointed to the couches,

“Have a seat child I’ll be out in a second just let me boil the jug,” I nodded again, and closed my eyes. Within a few minutes I was asleep.