The Parish

by Clare Midgley

  “I never asked you to do this. You volunteered, and I wasn’t strong enough to say No! I was scared, and you're right I am cold, but I have my reasons ones which I’ve apologised for.” As Paul sat on the edge of the bed, he wiped the blood off his hands trying to cool down his temper.

  “I’m sorry Eve…I didn’t mean I know you wouldn’t hurt Tom…Please. Please just sit with me so we can figure this out together.”

  “I think I should leave... Taking hold of the door handle, she attempted to leave however with Paul not willing to see her depart he leant on the frame jamming her between him and the door.

  “You’re everything to me, and I’m not prepared to take another breath without you. I’m with you no matter what. Do you hear me, Eve? NO MATTER WHAT.”

  “What if I can’t control this? What if I...” Kissing her shoulder, he rested his head on the nape of her neck.

  “I love you…please just don’t leave I need you.” Closing her eyes, she felt him for the first time. She felt his love and his kindness, and as it penetrated her, she couldn’t help but reach out.

  “Show me...”

  “Eve…”

  “We have a small window, and I need to feel you. I need you to show me because come tomorrow…” Kissing her, he gently lay her down on the bed, and as she closed her eyes the dark visions of Jacob started to disappear and as Eve took him in her arms she saw his pain.

  “Tell me you love me...”

  “Eve you know I do.”

  “Forgive me.”

  “There’s nothing to forgive...” Stroking her hair, he kissed her brow as she lay in his embrace and as she lay on his chest she listened to his heartbeat and counted the rise and fall of his breath. Wrapping herself around him, she felt complete.

  “You need to phone your mum and Yvonne.”

  “What am I going to say?”

  “Say I slipped down the stairs to the toilet A & E takes this long.” As he rolled over on his side, he wiped his hands through her hair and took another kiss.

  “I know you do what you do cause you love us.”

  “Feels nice to show it though doesn’t it.”

  “What about Jacob?”

  “He saw us but he doesn’t know where we are the good thing is he also doesn’t know your full name” Contemplating her next sentence she tried to muster the courage to spill out her feelings.

  “Paul?”

  “Yes...” Playing with her fingers, he could see the words on her lips.

  “I know….”

  “Let’s go home.”

  Chapter 17

  Jacob screamed out into the night knowing Eve had once again evaded him. Standing on the moorland, he could feel the cold wind batter his senses, but even worse he could smell Eve’s blood dripping through his fingers. As Jacob stepped down into the waterfall, he held his hands out hoping for the water to take away the ugly mess.

  “Transcendence will never work Jacob you should know that by now.” He looked around knowing the voice which echoed around him.

  “Show yourself, Cornelius, I’m sick of playing your bullshit games.”

  “But we’ve just started, and surely you can amuse an old man.”

  “An old demon...” Cornelious stood on the opposite side of the brook and now mirrored his stance Jacob stood directly in front of him trying to understand why he had suddenly appeared not least of all to him.

  “So old man impart your wisdom. I feel I have no choice in the matter.”

  “She’s too strong for you...” Clenching his jaw, Jacob felt his teeth grind together as his patience started to fray.

  “Get to the point as your starting to annoy me.” Feeling fingers around his throat, Jacob felt his body slam into the side of the cliff wall. As Cornelius took hold of his shirt collar, Jacob felt his body lift from the floor.

  “You’ve already been warned now it’s my turn to give you something. Stay away from Eve she will return one day, but until then you stay away.”

  “Is that all you have...” Throwing Cornelius back to the other side of the brook, Jacob stood and adjusted himself unshaken by his futile attempts.

  “Dear Dear Cornelius, maybe I should fill you in on some changes. Cara no longer has the control of the house I do and that unfortunate incident in the vestry well that sort of thing can’t be helped.”

  “I know what that power does, and you can’t change it no one can.”

  “You see that’s where you are very wrong. I don’t intend to change it I plan to use it and use it I will until my wife is back with me where she belongs….” Cornelius tugged at his collar feeling the heaviness lie against his chest.

  “She’s no longer yours.”

  “Ah the lovely Paul unconditional love is so hard to find these days, and yet here he is.” Struggling to breathe Cornelius felt Jacob at his side.

  “She’s not like you...” Catching each breath, Cornelius looked more and more like a gold fish out of its tank gasping for air.

  “She made a packed in front of God she’s mine She stayed in my arms because she’s drawn to me her blood is drawn to me and the darkness descending well that was going to happen regardless. Let’s call it fate just for sentimental reasons...” Seeing Cornelius transcend over the shard of the waterfall Jacob quickly followed knowing his power over him would quickly fade. As Cornelius disappeared into the horizon, he knew his message would soon be on Eve’s lips.

  As he gazed back into the waterfall, Jacob could feel Eve’s body surrounding him and the light in her soul drawing him back. The sweet perfume of her skin alone was enough to poison him

  “You’ve failed again...”

  “She won’t come to me. Cornelius said it himself.”

  “Cornelius is weak he has no sway either way.” Turning around the cloaked figure towered over him and the pungent stench of death consumed every ounce of rotting flesh.

  “Why are you here? This is not your fight.” Hearing the muffled animal laughter coming from beneath the cloak Jacob stood perturbed at the sound echoing in his skull.

  “You brought your fight to us by stepping in that church with her. Your betrayal, to her, will be your downfall and your family will spend eternity rotting under my feet…”

  “Why are you torturing her Eve...”

  “You did this Jacob, and now no matter what she does she can never be happy.”

  “Cornelius said…”

  “That old fool hides well she made an oath which you destroyed, and the balance is offset, and now she will pay for all of your mistakes until that balance is returned.”

  “The balance means shit there are indiscretions on both sides and you know it you covered them up!” The figure now looming over Jacob bore down on top of him squeezing his body into the dirt. Ripping off his hood the mangled face of a half angel stood in front of the full moon.

  “You! You were given free will just like the other…” Feeling the grip tighter Jacob could feel himself start to lose consciousness.

  “Did you say that to Mary when God raped her….” As the halfling flung him across the moor, Jacob hit the ground feeling his shoulder snap, and as he dragged himself to the mantle, Jacob stood his ground.

  “You heard what I said Jehoel...” Stopping in his tracks, the half angel stood confused as to how Jacob knew who he was.

  “You were sent to Abraham you were also sent to clean up Judas. Why you? Why does the half angel of death, decay and destruction get sent to sort out the demon with Angel’s choice and his weak mortal bitch…” Jacob held his shoulder tight unable to move more by fear than by courage. Confused Jehoel placed the rotting coverings back over his face, and as he brought his form back down to earth, he stood toe to toe with Jacob on the mantle stone.

  “Your kind good at lies; they are also born into manipulating the weak. We whisper our intentions, but we too are not infallible. Heaven and Hell have allowed you to be conceived and our kind has seen an opportunity to banish you back into the depths where you belong.
Eve is necessary for that to happen.”

  “He doesn’t know what you are doing?”

  “Not all light needs to be notified when darkness has the upper hand.”

  “She is too strong you came to me cause you can’t find her either you are trying to use me.” Feeling the skin prickle on the back of his neck Jacob soon realised he wasn’t alone.

  “She hides well…”

  “I am not your servant, and I will never serve you...” Seeing the light protruding from his chest and the pain burning inside he could see the white tip of the sword dripping with his blood.

  “We do not ask, and Michael will not be as patient as I., But one thing is right she will come to you, and when she does, we will be back.” As the sword ripped itself from his chest, Jacob screamed out once again into the night. As he crawled through the mud, he clutched at his chest feeling the half angel's plan replay over and over again.

  As the sanctity of The Parish came into focus, he pulled himself up the large stone staircase and through into the hallway. Falling through the door, he gulped for breath feeling the blood drown his lungs. Crawling into his chambers, he once again let out a blood-curdling cry feeling his skin knit its way back together.

  Lying in his bed, he watched the sunrise over the moor, and the shadow of the old church pass along the ridge of Inlands Brow. He remembered seeing Eve for the first time as she walked along the same ridge following the shadow of the Church and the freedom she seemed to take for granted before her initiation into The Parish. Looking for answers, he sat for hours staring into the desolate moor. He knew they needed Eve, but he felt compelled to know why. Looking for clean clothes, he saw the dagger mark on his chest, and as he contemplated the pain, he remembered Jehoel’s words.

  Ripping his way through the servant’s quarters, he spilt out box after box of their possessions. Old childhood photo’s s rippled onto the floor looking like an ocean of missing dead children. As Jacob clutched at his chest again, he could feel the guilt and remorse for all of them knowing his family was to blame. Box by box the memories fell to the floor unravelling a history of pain and sorry. Throwing them to one side, he shuffled up to the side panelling of the kitchen wall holding his head in his hands. Hearing movement from the corridor, he threw the remainder of the belongings into a pile. As Jacob stood gingerly, he tried to mask his concern and wanting to pull himself together his now self-assured exterior was on display.

  “I’m sorry sir...”

  “Why are you here? I banished you to the Brow?”

  “I’m sorry sir…but…”

  “Spit it out...”

  “My locket sir. I wanted my locket. It’s the only thing I have of my mothers and….” As he picked up the grey looking chain, he dangled it in front of the servant confused as to why this tattered old piece of jewellery had pricked his conscience.

  “Take it and don’t come back do you hear.” Timidly she stepped forward grabbing at the locket quickly as to not ignite Jacobs temper. Hearing her footsteps, he slid back to the floor clutching at his chest once more. Contemplating the servant girl’s sentiment, he replayed the dangling chain and the girl’s words over and over again.

  “Mother….Eve’s mother.” As he began to slam the wooden panels on the door, he knew Eve used them to move quickly around the mansion.

  “Where is it I know you needed it, Eve.” Reaching the stone archway before her old quarters, Jacob looked into her room. As he took a moment, he started to pull at the rocks surrounding the gateway. Digging through the stone his fingers began to bleed as the mortar scraped the skin away, but unable to stop Jacob continued knowing his way back to her lay underneath. Feeling the stone move he heaved it out and as it dropped to the floor, he saw his prize shining in the darkness of its crypt. Taking the silver chain, he gently caressed it with his fingertips, and on opening the locket, the family picture glowed in the moonlight.

  “What have I done…...” Clenching his fist tightly Jacob sat on the step feeling the tears, and as the glassy water stained the floor, he realised how human he had become. Placing the locket back into the stone he pushed it back into its crypt and as Jacob leant back and took in the beautiful stain glassed window he now realised why Eve had been drawn to them in the first place.

  All he needed to do now was find her.

  Chapter 18

  Paul stood at the jetty offices trying to make sense of his paperwork. His head felt like it was splitting in half and as the sun streamed through his window, it didn’t help. His thoughts consumed by Eve made it incessantly hard to concentrate, and because she had practically locked herself away after the incident at the nightclub, he knew he was on his own. To make matters worse, she was pregnant with their second child.

  “Right boss, that’s all done, and sorted are you ok?”

  “Yeah…Yeah, just a real nasty headache. All good just hate spreadsheets.”

  “I know that look. Eve being a bitch.”

  “No! No. why would you say that?”

  “Listen, boss; you can tell me to mind my own business and more than likely you probably will, but if you ask me that woman treats you like shit. Don’t get me wrong she’s a fantastic looking girl, but you’re looking more like a man downtrodden than an up and coming businessman.” Resting his chin on his hands, Paul looked out into the ocean unable to scream out what he needed to say.

  “I get how that looks but just take this from me you’re wrong, and she’s just having a hard time with this pregnancy.”

  “Sorry boss I didn’t know she was pregnant. Congrats. Now it all comes together.” Paul pushed a smile through his lips knowing there was more to it than another baby.

  Reaching home, Paul noticed his mum’s car in the driveway and as he reached for his phone, he could see there had also been several missed calls. Running through the door, Tom was screaming as Eve paced the hallway.

  “What’s happening?”

  “It’s time…”

  “You’re not due for another five weeks how?”

  “Paul” Spinning on the spot to the sound of his mother’s voice he suddenly realised the seriousness of the situation.

  “I know...” As he picked up Eve’s bag, he raced to the boot flinging the contents inside. Slamming down the lid, he took a deep breath feeling all the drama returning. Brenda helped Eve inside fastening her seatbelt and kissing her temple.

  “Phone me everything will be ok darling I promise.”

  “If….if the hospital phone will you tell them I’m on my way.”

  “Of course.” Closing the door, Paul sank inside heavily. His head felt close to bursting point, and he could feel his temper rise.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault….”

  “You seem angry.”

  “Not at you! It’s not at you.”

  “Paul” Grabbing his hand Eve could see him shudder. Placing his hand on the bump, she closed her eyes feeling out of control, and as Paul snatched his hand away, he couldn’t look at her.

  The trip had been practically silent other than the pants and whimpers from Eve as the contractions took hold. Opening the door, Paul froze seeing the blood surrounding Eve’s feet. As he glanced at her then back down at the slow developing pool he screamed for help, and as Paul raced inside, he ran past the front desk at A & E and through to the doctor's station.

  “My wife is five weeks early, and there’s blood lots of blood she needs help now.” Seeing the doctors run he knew this was serious and as his wife was rushed down the corridor, she seemed pale and lifeless. As he followed he was stopped as the theatre doors closed.

  “That’s my wife and my baby please.”

  “Sir you can’t go in there. I need to take some details from you, and I will show you into the relative’s room.” As he was ushered into the small grey lifeless room, Paul sat and answered as many questions as he could stomach. Twenty minutes passed feeling like a lifetime, and on hearing a little tap at the door he turned to see th
e nurse, but this time holding a small pink bundle.

  “Here’s your son.”

  “Another little boy he’s early is....What about Eve?”

  “She’s still in surgery, and he’s a little small but perfectly formed and all ok. “ Tears began to fall as the baby squirmed in his grasp. He looked exactly like Tom, and as Paul picked up the small milk bottle, the nurse had left he started to feed him knowing Eve would kill him for using formula. Smiling at his newly born son, he pulled him close feeling guilt for his anger.

  “Mr Haysham the doctor would like to see you now.” Following the nurse, he cradled his son in arms clinging onto him tightly.

  “Nurse will you take Mr Haysham’s son so I can take him through.” Kissing his temple, Paul handed him over confused as what came next.

  “Mr Haysham”

  “Paul please if you don’t mind.”

  “Paul. Your wife suffered quite a traumatic birth with your son. She has haemorrhaged causing quite extensive blood loss. She’s currently sedated, and we have given her many blood transfusions. Mr Haysham….”

  “Paul…”

  “Paul, your wife, is very poorly she is stable now, but we are still apprehensive for her.”

  “Can I see her?”

  “Yes, of course, follow me please.” As they left the office, the doctor’s words rattled around inside Paul’s mind. He felt completely unable to take in what had happened. He also could feel the guilt well inside like a rock sinking to the pit of his stomach.

  “She’s through into HDU Mr Haysham.”

  “Paul please just Paul.” Nodding his head, the doctor acknowledged Paul’s need. Stepping back the doctor then continued down the corridor regularly being followed by an ever annoying beep as he skipped through the door.

  Paul stood frozen at the entrance knowing Eve was surrounded by curtains and machines and Paul still trying to make sense of the doctor's comments he stepped forward waiting for someone to shake him to tell him he had a bad dream.