The Parish

by Clare Midgley

  Paul stood at the back end of the kitchen trying to comprehend the tragedy that had unfolded. Watching the way Eve looked at him he wished he could hold her.

  “Am I interrupting something I heard noises, and it seemed quite serious.” Jacob stood tall releasing his embrace and puzzled as to who this man was.

  “Eve can you explain.”

  “His names Paul Jacob, I found him on the Brow, he was half dead by the time I brought him here, he needed shelter and medicine, but he won’t be with us much longer.”

  “I’m sorry things have just been.....How are you feeling?” Paul nodded his head pulling the sheet around him.

  “A lot better thank you if it wasn’t for Eve well I think we all know.” Letting go of Jacobs' hand, she propped herself up against the dresser. Still pale and gaunt Jacob couldn’t leave her.

  “Paul will need some clothes, Jacob; I would be grateful…” Breaking his gaze, he relinquished his attention back to Eve and feeling like he had no other choice he stepped back playing the gracious host.

  “Of course….of course, Paul follow me it will be easier that way Eve needs some rest it’s been quite a morning.”

  Following Jacob down the series of interconnecting corridors, no words were spoken. The silence on both sides felt the most suitable concourse and instantly the feelings both men had for Eve was the only thing they had in common. Reaching Jacobs quarters, he ushered Paul into the alcove.

  “Please stay here until I have checked…thank you.” Hearing footsteps Jacob waited in the corridor checking Eve’s guest hadn’t been seen.

  “There will be something for you inside that wardrobe, and the bathroom is the third door down on the left…..please take what you need I insist.” Arranging his clothes Paul dressed quickly feeling the tension rise between them As he checked out his appearance he felt almost human especially after his ordeal on the Brow. Jacob waited in silence staring out of the window, the desolate moorland sprawled out in front of him reminding him of his insecurities.

  “Thank you…I appreciate...”

  “Don’t worry about it...it is my pleasure honestly.” Paul knew his look and felt his pain with his love life almost mirroring how Jacob was feeling

  “You love her, don’t you? I know it’s impertinent of me to say so, but it’s obvious.” Jacob didn’t flinch inviting the conversation to grow.

  “Is it that obvious! My family, my family, is different, and my mother forbade it. I do love her with all my heart.” Paul sat on the chair in complete understanding of his plight.

  “I was married once, loved her so much I would have given my life to make her happy turns out I did; she has everything, the car, the house, even my business but throughout everything, the only thing that has hurt is knowing she never loved me the same way….Eve well I thought she was an angel from God at one point and she sacrificed what seems to be her safety to help me. No one has ever done that for me. Not even my wife. If you understand where I’m going with this, you’ll understand that women like Eve don’t just drop into your life they are a once in a lifetime experience. Love her Jacob, and she will be yours forever don’t let your family ever get in the way of your happiness even when it hurts it makes you realise how good it felt for that short time.” Standing Jacob held out his hand staring back Paul mimicked his action.

  “Thank you, Paul I didn’t realise my feelings were that obvious.” Paul smiled, and as he exited the quarters, he nodded to Jacob again.

  “Follow these you won’t be seen, and Paul thank you.” Knowing his presence had been a secret he followed carefully the directions Jacob had written. As he squeezed his body down the small passageway, he could hear the rustle of covers and little sighs of Eve as she lay in bed. He could hear her toss and turn as the pain gripped her shoulder. Every time she moved Paul moved closer trying to help her the way she helped him. As she turned to acknowledge his presence, he knew she was putting on a brave face. “How are you feeling?”

  “Still a little sore you know.” Behind the pleasantries, she smiled sweetly trying to hide the fact that she would have to make a stand with Cara if she had any chance of surviving. Seeing the sunlight fade, she watched avidly as the red light painted the sky wishing she was a million miles away.

  Paul in Jacobs’s clothes, however, looked like a different man and she couldn’t help but notice how handsome he was. As he smiled, Paul had a kindness and tenderness that seemed to provide her with security, and as he sat on the bed next to her, he looked concerned that he had put her in this position.

  “Did I have anything to do with this?”

  “No no this is something else entirely.” Eve gulped down a large breath trying to mask the pain from her shoulder.

  “Is there a point where you’re going to talk to me about what happened today or do I have to guess?” Paul’s response was as calculated as she expected and even though she knew he meant well discussing The Parish was never going to be an easy task.

  “I suppose we need to have a chat however with this place all I can say the less you know, the better you will be for it.” Huffing out a small sigh Paul picked up some pillows and placed them on her shoulder. Resting back on her side Eve felt his warmth penetrate through the covers.

  “Shall we start again? I’m Paul I’m divorced. I have no children, no home, no money and no job I ended up on the moor as a result of my car breaking down and having nothing to help me. I have nothing here” Eve interrupted placing her hand on his mouth.

  “Don’t say that you must have a family, please say you have a family.” Eve’s hand still firmly placed on his lips muffled any response he gave.

  “Yes, I have my mum and dad on the Isle of Wight and my sister in Portsmouth” as he finished his sentence Eve’s relief was evident.

  “I’m puzzled as to why you ask?” Placing her hand on his, she seemed distant trying to liquid down any explanation about where he was.

  “Nice to meet you Paul but my story is probably a little bit longer so you may want to get comfortable.” Standing he fluffed the pillows again and straightened the duvet, jumping onto the left-hand side Eve took her place on the right.

  “I’m all ears go on.”

  “My story let’s just say some of it will be more uncomfortable for me. I lived with my mum and grandmother in Newcastle upon Lyme in Staffordshire. I never met my father, but I think according to my Grandmother he was more like a fling than a relationship. My Grandmother died when I was six leaving my mum and me on our own. My mum by this point had developed a severe drug and alcohol addiction, and by the time I was twelve I had been put into temporary fostering over eight times.

  She died when I was fourteen; I found her dead from an overdose she’d choked on her vomit. I had no other family so again they packed me off to care. By this time I’d started a habit of my own, pills, drink men anything I could get my hands on and at fifteen I worked as a prostitute, the woman said escort, but you know. That didn’t work out well because I was gang-raped one night and left for dead.” Feeling uncomfortable Eve moved towards the circular window to look out onto the moor.

  “The thing was when I come out of hospital I didn’t feel human anymore. I still didn’t care, but I knew my behaviour was wrong.

  I was lucky that my health hadn’t been affected, but I was back out on the street, and I needed to escape, so I ran. I made my way here and stumbled across Inlands Brow when I was sixteen. For the first few months, I lived in a tent before Jacob found me and brought me here. You see The Parish has one rule. No family so I fitted the bill. No one missed me or cared for me so these were the only people who would take me in.

  Doc patched me up no more drink drugs or sex. I’d been celibate and clean for fifteen years. The thing is there are lots of secrets on the Brow, and The Parish is one of them the residents call them evil spirits that’s why the church is the largest of all villages. The Parish takes what it wants lost souls are more straightforward when it comes to explaining disappearances, but me
I wanted to belong, and regardless of whether it is evil or magical they gave me a home, and I’ve served them well.” Paul sat in silence, her tale pulling at his heart strings and as he wrapped a small blanket around her shoulders he tried to comfort her.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t realise.”

  “There are lots of kids that end up like me all you want is a chance, somewhere to belong. A family. This place has an evil, the kind of evil that consumes everyone especially those that don't protect themselves. That’s why you need to think of your mother and father and run to them. Get out of here as quickly as you can. What happened today was just the beginning all because I thought I fell in love.

  I broke my vow.

  I made love to Jacob under the waterfall on the Brow cause I thought he loved me, but we can never be together.

  The only saving grace is Cara can’t prove it. I thought I could handle her, but she is someone you can’t mess with without knowing what you are doing.

  Trust me when I say this you can’t stay and I know you feel like you can save me but you can't, and I don't want to be. I gave my life, and they have been the only family I have known. That’s why I stay, but you can leave”

  “I know you love him Eve but if this place is that dangerous come with me.” Smiling Eve turned back to face the moorland.

  “It’s not that simple Paul I’m tied to this place, and she knows it. Just promise me now to run and never look back.”

  “I can’t leave you not after this you saved me, regardless of what happens here I can’t forget that.” Paul now holding her hand placed it tightly against his chest.

  “You’ve cared for me put your life on the line for me, and I’m a complete stranger. That speaks volumes I’m not saying you have to be with me Eve just let me return the favour.”

  “I’ve already arranged for a car to pick you up in the morning. All paid for to take you far away from here. Take this.” Eve held out an envelope, and as she passed the contents over, she realised how important Paul's escape had become to her. Opening the packet Paul ran his fingers over the large fold of money deep inside.

  “I can’t take this. You.”

  “I know you needed help or you wouldn’t have been up here. Just promise me that you will leave..” As he pulled her into a hug, he wrapped his arms around her feeling a pull within his soul.

  “Ok, Eve I promise."

  Chapter 4

  Jacob paced his quarters unable to settle and as the moonlight streamed through his window Eve beckoned him away from sleep as the events of the morning stained his memory. Feeling the shadows coursing through his veins he needed Eve, and as he closed his eyes, he toggled his thoughts back and forth from the Brow.

  Feeling his memory pull it catapulted him into his mind and as he extended out into the moorland, he found himself back under the waterfall. Watching his thoughts vividly come to life he felt like the third party within his dream. As it drew him to watch closer Eve’s skin gleamed as the water caressed each curve and as her beauty extenuated by the coldness of the water brought him closer he felt mesmerised and weakened by the love which penetrated his heart.

  Eve stared back unashamed of her nakedness and wanting him to touch her more than words could express, as he opened his eyes, he felt his senses being dragged back to the present and the pain he felt prayed on all his reasons. The incessant need for her to be with him heightening with every thought and knowing the darker side of him was starting to take control he screamed out into the night as he felt the flex within him Jacob became consumed by desire.

  He had always toiled with his demons, but he was part of the darkness; he was part of the family which had fed on darkness since the fourteenth century, and as her blood coursed through his body, he closed his eyes wanting to feel her again.

  Eve, on the other hand, lay wide awake feeling the turmoil inside Jacob. His thoughts surrounded her, she knew his will had grown firm, and as she ran her fingers over the symbols on every doorway, the letters bounced off the stone as if a ray of light had been forced into the carvings. As she lay down on the bed, she began to build a ball of fire inside her mind surrounding the bed and covering the room. Reassuring Paul, she took hold of his hands

  “Lie down and whatever you do stay in the light. Do not move.” Her eyes sparkled as if luminous spheres had been placed within them. The lilac glow filled Paul with fear but unable to understand and paralysed with the unknown he did as he was told.

  Jacob lay on his bed knowing the transcendence was wrong and unable to control his urge to take her it grew stronger willed by the desire which fed on within. As he drifted back to the waterfall, he felt like an outsider in his fantasy observing every small detail. Eve stood still waiting for him to take her and as he ripped his shirt off his body, he saw himself lift her against the cliff face. As he lowered her into him, every pang of ecstasy elevated his senses even more. Every kiss every touch bore deeper into his soul, and as Eve responded to his advances, she begged him deeper inside her wanting every muscle to satisfy her appetite. With her body pressed against his skin, he needed to please her never wanting it to stop. Quenching every hungry kiss, Jacob arched back forcing himself deeper wanting every movement to satisfy both the light and darker sides of his soul. Opening his eyes to see her satisfaction he placed her hands on his chest, and as she climaxed in his rhythm, the cries echoed out into the darkness.

  Jacob once again screamed out into the night.

  Eve concentrated harder trying not to be swept up in his emotion. The light circulated them acting as a force field and as the shadows started to assemble inside the room the pitch black mist descended quickly on top. As she opened her eye’s Eve was face to face with Jacobs’s demon, his dark black eyes burnt into the light coaxing her from within and forcing her to react. Unable to take form Jacob’s shadows whispered throughout the darkness like a small child waiting for his playmate to succumb. As the voices grew louder within the bedroom Paul opened his eye’s seeing the black mist hovering above; grabbing hold of her hand, the intensity of its gaze increased and as the shadow contorted its face into an unholy design Paul could feel the evil surrounding him.

  “Eve…what the fuck...” Still, in full control, she refused to lose concentration, her eyes sparkling wilder than before.

  “Close your eyes Paul he doesn’t want you” Breathing deeper Eve moved her hand to the edge of the light.

  “I forgive you Jacob it’s time to leave.” As she touched the outside of their circle, the darkness retreated almost cracking like thunder as it was pushed from the quarters and as it finally left Paul stood up straight petrified.

  “Eve what the fuck was that your eyes his eyes. Why?” Eve stood trying to take hold of his hand but unable to touch her he moved to the other end of the room.

  “I told you there was an Evil running through this place that was part of it but it’s misplaced, he doesn’t want to hurt me, Paul.” Trying to catch his breath he hovered over the window ledge.

  “You’re telling me that…. that fucking thing above you was Jacob and this place is some evil vortex bullshit. What the fuck do you think I am? I’m not nine, and I haven’t just watched Nightmare on Elm Street for the first time that was bullshit...”

  “I’m not going to insult your intelligence, and that’s why I need you to go. Listen I don’t want you dragged down in this. Please listen to me. There is a power here that even I don’t fully understand. Jacob's Grandfather is an elder he schooled me ok…he’s an outcast here as he still believes...” Eve cut off her sentence understanding that if she said anymore, it would drag him further down into the chaos.

  “Listen just put it down to things that we can’t explain and leave here for good. Please, I want you” With Eve's heart heavy with guilt and despair she reached out trying to make him understand.

  “I want you to be safe and live a normal happy life my life was already fucked up before I came here. Please Paul for me leave and never come back.” Seeing her upset he
took hold of her hand, the sincerity and pain that oozed out of every pour made the unexplainable disappear.

  “I don’t want to know anymore. Just let me say if you ever need me I will be there for you.” Holding her in his arms, he wanted never to let go. However, he knew staying would now put her in more danger.

  Upstairs Jacob sat on the end of his bed with his tears staining the new silk cover of his duvet. He had always promised Eve he would never do anything to hurt her and tonight he had put her in danger. Rocking backwards and forwards the experience had left him hollow, and as he fell to his knees, he asked for forgiveness, pleading for mercy to be granted.

  As the morning sun rose over his anguished body, he welcomed the rays to warm his skin as it penetrated over the horizon. As the taxi pulled up outside the gate, he wished for peace, and on seeing Eve escort Paul to the cab, he felt sick knowing the repercussions of his descent into darkness. As Paul wrapped his arms around her, he wished it was him, and she watched Paul disappear off down the track and away from the manor she saw the sorry stance of his shadow leave his window. Gathering a few things Eve made her way to the main hall knowing Jacob would be there.

  “You promised me, Jacob! You transcended last night, but you promised me remember...” Jacob stood in silence knowing nothing he could say would make a difference.

  “Cara made this Jacob I felt you last night do you know that…Everything” Seeing her anger he wanted to hold her to apologise.

  “What do you want me to do? I’ve told you how I feel and regardless of this place I love you.” Feeling his pain and his self-loathing she made her way up the staircase.

  “We knew we had to fight Jacob call it or I will...” Confused by her request, he stopped at the foot of the stairs.

  “Aequalis you can’t be serious that dissension hasn’t been given for centuries…”

  “I will do anything you want me to Jacob, but you know that this law has to be nominated before we can be together. I’m mortal your part of the Fallen and the only child ever to have been conceived. You have the right we just need to stick to the principles. Call it Jacob because I need you on my side…” Jacob knew she was serious. Eve’s steely determination was evident in anything she set her mind too.