The Parish

by Clare Midgley

  “Sofia…” She stood at the end of the shed looking out through the broken window onto the moor. Taking him by the hand, she raised him up to show him the view.

  “I’m sorry to do this Paul, but I can’t seem to reach Eve.” Watching Neith gallop through the hillside, Paul saw the glimmer of a younger Eve straddling her back.

  “What is this?”

  “I’ve accessed your memory this one was the strongest in which I could pull you back. We have a problem…”

  “Eve’s pregnant Sofia...” As Paul sat down on the straw, she folded back her hood exposing the wounds to her face.

  “What happened?”

  “Angel….”

  “I don’t understand…”

  “Eve is pregnant which means her protection is focused on her and the baby. That’s why she hasn’t felt her, and that’s why I needed to access your memories to warn you.” As Paul coughed again, he fell to the floor feeling himself become weak.

  “Who is she? Angel.”

  “We haven’t got long. Angel was given as present to tempt Jacob back to the evil she’s a demon but not full. She can only influence not talk and move, and she’s come for Eve. She’s dangerous Paul. She’s earthbound and without a coven and she’s looking for revenge. Before you go, tell this to her. Her faith has already been tested, and it’s time to come home.” Feeling his body weaken once more the whole room disappeared into the darkness and as his breath returned he gasped loudly seeing Eve sat by his side.

  “The ambulance is coming. Just breathe deep.”

  “Listen to me…” Coughing and wheezing Paul rolled over onto his hands and knee’s feeling the tightness around his throat loosen. Seeing the lights flash around him and the crowd gather he knew this wasn’t the time or the place. As the paramedic put him into the ambulance, the oxygen seemed to relieve some if not all of the symptoms.

  “What was that about?”

  “I need to talk to you it’s important.”

  “Ok, but when I get to the hospital, I’ll drop the kids off first.” Bundling the children into the car Eve sped to Yvonne’s house, and after saying her goodbyes, she raced through the streets pushing her way through traffic. Reaching A & E, she forced her way through doors until she reached the cubicle.

  “Paul….”

  “Yes come in.” Taking hold of his hand, she kissed it softly feeling some small relief to be by his side.

  “The doctors checked me over, and everything is fine...”

  “But you weren’t you were struggling for breath and pale…” Her sentence trailed off distracted by a familiarity she hadn’t felt for a while.

  “Sofia...”

  “Yes.”

  “Your strongest memory was on the Brow but how! What’s going on?” Twisting his legs he stepped down off the bed, taking the monitor off his finger and putting on his jacket he took hold of Eve’s hand.

  “I’m ok now my wife is here to take me home.”

  “Sir…your medication.” Turning around Eve ran back to the desk.

  “I’ll pick it up later…” Taking hold of his hand, they marched to the car feeling the tension grow around them.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Sofia said something about Angel or an Angel...”

  “I know who Angel is….” As Eve clipped her seatbelt fiercely into the mechanism, she sped out of the car park not wanting to listen.

  “Sofia said your faith had been tested it’s time to come home.” Forcing down the breaks, Paul hit his head on the windscreen. Eve now in tears clenched and unclenched her fist several times feeling the anxiety grow.

  “I don’t want to.”

  “Eve look at me.” Her eyes now glowing wildly made everything he saw came flooding back. The images Peter had forced through his mind came back into focus and seeing the darkness within her he feared the reaction.

  “You're scaring me please I don’t want to do this as much as you, but I need to know that my children and my family are safe.”

  “Safe! Why hasn’t Sofia come to me?” Placing his hand on her stomach Eve rubbed hers over the top.

  “Also I kind of get the feeling we are having a little girl.” Shaking her head, she put her hand over his.

  “It’s impossible I can’t. It would be too dangerous. Paul, it’s just impossible.” Hearing the confidence in her voice, he shook off the feeling concentrating on what they had to do next.

  "Why is it impossible?"

  "Paul I don't want..."

  “So what's next?”

  “Ok. We need to find someone who would know where she’s been hanging out.” Putting the car into gear Eve turned around and headed out of town. Winding through the country lanes, she reached an old church and parked at the side of the road.

  “Why do you always take to me the places where I feel I’m going to shit my pants?”

  “You know the drill light in light…dark in the dark. Churches are no different.” As Eve took off her jacket, Paul could see her skin radiate in the moonlight.

  “What do I need to do?”

  “Nothing Paul you need to do nothing...” Hearing the voice Eve stepped back taking hold of Paul’s hand.

  “Here to test your faith! A Halfling who is trying to return to her shepherd. Very quaint.” Eve could see the demon behind his eyes and feel the darkness shift as he moved in the shadows.

  “It’s a Priest. You’re a Priest!” As he stepped into view Eve pushed Paul further behind her.

  “Don’t freak out on me. I told you this is a game where we are the pawns, and they are the players…” As the Priest clasped his hands together, the darkness seemed to move around him hovering behind like a cat waiting to pounce.

  “How are you, Father Bennett?”

  “I’m good my child all the better to see my creator.” Paul placing his other hand on Eve’s shoulder leant a little closer.

  “I recognise him. What do you mean creator?”

  “My child let me enlighten you.” Stepping forward his grin openly showed something not human, and as he moved around the front gate, Paul now understood.”

  “No need…”

  “Father Bennett I’m here to right my wrong. Do you understand what that means?”

  “Hell and damnation my dear…” Paul now under Eve’s full protection could see exactly what greeted her every day. He now understood why she avoided people and places and even though he’d already seen it first hand at The Parish he couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by its power.

  Eve’s skin glowed in the moonlight, and her eyes started to flicker like a gas flame. The orange and lilac lights seem to dance along with her lashes, and as she pushed him into the shadows, he contorted and twisted violently. As she wrapped the light around him, his demon counterpart was now exposed in the moonlight.

  “What now?” Hearing the cursing and spitting from the contorting Priest Paul stepped back feeling way out of his depth.

  “We need him to find Angel…”

  “How did you know about him in the first place? I mean after the paramedic at the hospital.”

  “I felt it cause I was part of what happened. It’s like Karma except well, you know the rest.” Dragging the Priest inside the Church Eve strapped him to one of the large altar chairs.

  “I need your help...”

  “Fucking rot in hell you motherless bitch...” Seeing the black ooze drip from the Priests mouth she took a phial of holy water and forced it down his throat. Seeing it burn through his skin like acid she realised his possession hadn’t matured. Taking a chair, she threw Paul a bible.

  “Read...”

  “Which bit?”

  “Doesn’t matter…” Taking his hand, she knelt at the side of him and felt his body shake.

  “Do you know why you always make me feel safe?” Shaking his head, he looked over to the Priest who was writhing under Eve’s control.

  “You soul is pure you’re not tainted, and you’ve never been to earth before this visit. Yo
u provide warmth and security that no one else can come close to and I see how good your heart is, and I know you will always push me to see the good even when I know, it’ isn't. Your love is always unconditional because you know no other way. So that’s why we make a good team I’m not the one with the power. I just make them do that…” Pointing over to the Priest the black ooze was now running like a river from every part of him, the screams and sounds coming from his throat sent chills down Paul’s spine.

  “What do you need me to do?”

  “Open the book and start reading loudly.” Standing in front of the Priest Eve cocked her head to one side looking for a way in.

  “She visited you. When?”

  “Go fuck yourself bitch...” Hearing the laughter Eve smiled taking a small bottle of oil which she’d collected from the cupboard.

  “Now I'm being pleasant is there any need for that.” Pouring the oil over him, he screamed again as it burnt against his skin. Pouring some of the oil over her palm, she struck a match watching her hand glow in the embers.

  “I will forgive and absolve you of all your sins, but I tend to do mine with fire, and I know how much all demons like playing with fire.” Setting his knee on fire Eve watched as the flames grew, hearing his screams and seeing the panic in his eye’s she knew she had caught his attention. Whispering under her breath her body seemed to break into several pieces, and as the memory played out, Paul watched as Angel entered the Church.

  Eve sat on the pew never taking her eyes off Father Bennett, ever flicker and flinch she seemed to mimic and as she saw Angel’s departure she signalled Paul to stand.

  “The Lord’s Prayer Paul...” As he recited the words, she captured some of the flames which had started to rise up from his body.

  “Your sins are forgiven, Father Bennett.” As she blew lightly on her palm, it engulfed the demon igniting the rest of his body. The chair rocked from side to side as the fire cleansed him Eve stood without a care or any emotion.

  “Eve…can we go...” Nodding her head, Paul threw the book into the pew feeling eyes all around.

  “Eve...”

  “This is his penance his sins have been forgiven, but he’s tainted his soul so that part still belongs to the darkness.” Seeing the shadows move towards the fire Paul watched as they took form. The grey bodies marked with scars and blood ran mechanically forward. They had no eyes and the skin tight, and raw pulled over their faces seemed to flex and move pulling them towards the Priest. They appeared to smell him out like prey around a carcass, and as they dampened the flames, the skin dripped from his body it congealed on the floor. As they all gathered around Eve turned dragging Paul with her.

  “Don’t look…” Trying to adhere to her warning Paul couldn’t help but look back. The screams of a man pelted out into the night as the grey beings feasted on his soul. Ripping him limb from limb their sharp teeth devoured him and dragged him down into the shadows once more. Eve kept on walking never looking back her step forceful and her aura high she pushed her way through the night as if she commanded it. As they climbed back into the car, Paul locked the doors feeling the presence still around him. Putting the keys into the ignition, he watched Eve stare into the blackness.

  “You know where she is don’t you.”

  “No, that part is still hidden…plus haven’t you seen enough.”

  “I thought I'd seen everything that night at Inlands Brow, but now I'm not so sure. What were those things?” Taking a deep breath, she placed her hand on the window.

  “They are the keepers. Tainted souls go to the keepers as they, in turn, are the souls of the damned. It’s all very fire and brimstone, but they too are kept in a constant source of agony waiting for the next soul to be devoured.”

  “Did he hurt anyone? I mean Father Bennett…”

  “He’d abused two little boys and started a select group of his own. However, forgiveness doesn’t mean shit when you prey on the innocent...” Seeing the glow around her hand, Paul watched as the flames started to rise inside the Church

  “Angel knew this would draw me out. The strange thing is I can’t feel her. It’s almost as if she’s protected, but I don’t know by who...” Searching into the darkness Eve could feel every ounce of evil except hers.

  “Eve…Eve...” Breaking her concentration, she seemed lost and confused and as he started to pull away, Eve couldn’t help but watch.

  “Are you ok?” Shaking her head, she rested hers on Pauls' shoulder hoping for his security to wash over her.

  “I feel like you’re lost again…”

  “I like hiding this side of me because I just want it to be us…but I promised my father I would see it through, and in turn, they promised me a peaceful existence.” Kissing her forehead, he felt her whole body sigh heavily.

  “We will get through this I promise.”

  Chapter 29

  “I hope you know what you’re doing. A Halfling especially her…” The old man battered and bruised lay at Angel’s feet. His bloodied face and the lack of answers made her temper ignite with every blow.

  “Don’t give me excuses old man just give me what I need.” Angel now sat at the glass coffee table took off her gloves and stared into the ocean. Every psychic, Walker and visionary had stopped her in her tracks and now frustrated and empty she needed answers.

  “Show me what you’ve seen...”

  “You don’t understand...” Feeling the multiple of hands force him to his knees Angel slapped him hard feeling her patience fray.

  “If you don’t show me I will dig it out of your brain myself once it’s splattered all over this floor.” Seeing the old man shake and quiver, he bowed his head waiting for his punishment.

  “Do as you wish…” Clenching her fists, she struck him hard making sure her long red fingernails dug into his skin. Ripping a hole in the side of his scalp, he fell to the floor, and as Angel watched the blood pour and pulsate from his brain, she felt a small sense of pride knowing destruction was what she did best. Only staying to watch the last ripples of life thud from him Angel made it a point of making sure she was the last thing he’d see and as he took his last breath she put back on her gloves and stepped over his body as if he was a bag of rubbish on the floor.

  As she walked down the promenade, she altered her appearance and clothes making sure her disguise at least on the outside was intact and as Angel reached the hotel, she sat in the bar primed and ready for a little light relief. As the gentleman sat at the side of her, she flicked her hair morphing into whatever fantasy girl he was thinking.

  “I’m…” Pressing her finger against his lips, she fluttered her lashes and pouted seductively making sure she held his attention.

  “I’ve had a dreadful day. I don’t need your name or your life story and baby you don’t have to work for it. I’m not your wife...”

  “I’m not married.”

  “No, of course not, however the last man I had, I broke so if you want to fuck me and never wake up in the morning it’s your call.” As the venom flickered in her eyes and demon bore into her smile she dropped his hold and knocked back her drink, and as he walked away, she smiled knowing he wasn’t the one for tonight.

  Grabbing her coat, she dragged her nails along the wall leaving a small indentation in the plaster and knowing the noise would miss most; she also knew it would catch the attention of her next victim. Seeing his reaction to her call, she spotted him in reception, and as she dropped her keys, he bent to help to see there was far too much flesh on show for him to resist.

  "Miss I think." Leaving them in his grasp, she watched as he followed every move. Hearing the knock at the door Angel answered wearing nothing but a smile.

  "I think I've made my offer are you willing to accept." Inviting him in she enticed him into her bed and after ripping his clothes from his body, she was ready to have fun.

  "I've never done this before."

  "You'll probably never do it again." Making sure sex was vigorous she bounced into t
he place she’d been waiting to visit all day.

  “Are you ready….” Transforming into her demon Angel made sure she saw the panic in his eyes, and as she delved her fingers into his chest, she found her fun flickering between alter egos. As her nails ripped at his skin Angel buried them deep inside him, and as she licked off the blood, she bounced around feeling the life slipping from his veins. Taking hold of his head, she saw the lights fade from his eyes and in the ripples of ecstasy her plan unfold. As Angel writhed around in pleasure, she wrapped his intestines around her body patting him gently for her delicious experience. Standing naked at her bedroom window she watched the trickles of blood run down the small impurities of her skin and ultimately pleased and satisfied in general she wrapped her prize up in the bed sheet and patted him again for a job well done.

  As she sang in the shower and waltzed around the room, she threw on her clothes occasionally preening herself in the mirror as she went along. Usually, she stayed to hear the screams of the chambermaid, but having Eve in her sight was much more important. As Angel stepped out onto the rooftop, she skipped along the edging eventually finding a dark alley, singing joyfully to herself as she went she jumped into the darkness.

  “If you carry on like this you’re going to start to upset a few rule makers...” Ignoring the jibe, she continued down the alleyway taking no notice of the warnings which followed and as she made her way out into the street she stood in the darkness watching the storm clouds build overhead.

  “I told you if you carry on you will make yourself known to the wrong kind of demon and trust me that’s not wise.” As he walked into view Angel smiled feeling the dark energy that surrounded him.

  “Don’t tell me! Influencer…am I right.” Sucking in her lip, she placed her hand on her hip and cocked her head to one side please again with work.

  “My dear I’m something far worse and let me say there are a few flaws in your plan that I don’t think you quite understand.”