Patient Darkness: Brooding City Series Book 2
Page 24
The priest’s face was grave, and Brennan noticed for the first time just how many lines actually showed on that usually jolly face of his. “There may be an answer to explain what you are feeling,” Father Dylan said, “but I fear you will not be pleased to hear it.”
Brennan sat up a little straighter. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
Father Dylan cleared his throat. “There are stories as old as storytelling itself that depict a chosen one, a hero borne of legend that succeeds in performing great feats where others have failed. Greek demigods are the ones you might be most familiar with, such as Hercules and Achilles.”
Brennan shook his head. “Last I checked, neither of my parents was a Greek god.”
“These are not the only examples, though,” Father Dylan argued. “Gilgamesh, a great king who defeated terrible monsters before succumbing to his own dark quest for immortality. According to some Mormon beliefs, John the Apostle—a man who performed miracles in his time—still walks the earth as he waits for the Second Coming.” The priest smiled wryly as he said, “Even today, we have comic books that depict the epic battles of such heroes. They have a wellspring of power within them, and gifts that cannot be explained by the average man.”
“Are you suggesting that I’m some kind of…superhero?” Brennan asked.
“That is for you to decide. Personally, I have not witnessed such a thing, but I would not be surprised to find that it is true,” Father Dylan said, the smile on his face widening. “I believe that God has, over time, selected individuals to be his Chosen, those who perform great works in our world.”
Brennan frowned. “But with the exception of John, all of those figures eventually gave in to darkness or death. Even the superheroes have their off days when they nearly destroy the earth.”
“And why should they be any exception, hmm? Everyone has villains they must face, inner demons they must quell, even the best of us.” Father Dylan leaned in confidingly. “It is how we choose to address these monsters that matters most.”
“So if I’m one of the Chosen, then I’m destined for great things?”
“You have already accomplished great things,” the priest countered. “You disbanded a violent gang of drug peddlers and stopped a misguided fool from immolating half the city. Ask the question you truly have in your heart.”
He breathed out slowly, and his heartbeat seemed to slow to a crawl. His wife’s murderer was still out there, and Benjamin had promised that he could help. There was darkness there, Brennan knew, patiently waiting to consume him. Just as it had consumed Kellogg. “If I break the law in my pursuit of justice, how am I any better than the criminals I put down?”
“You mean put away?” Father Dylan asked mildly. Brennan met the question with a frown, and the priest sighed. “The Chosen have always had an unorthodox life compared to their contemporaries. I believe you are a good man, and that you will remain in His favor as long as the core of who you are remains true.”
Brennan ignored the growing sensation that was spreading across his back. “And if I am changed in the process?”
Father Dylan regarded him sadly. “Then you will be one of the Fallen.”
About the Author
Tom Shutt writes paranormal suspense with generous helpings of humor and a sprig of mystery thrown in for good measure. Sometimes he dabbles in fantasy, but in all cases, he strives to push the boundaries of modern fiction in search of good answers to hard questions.
He lives on the perpetually rainy East Coast with some cats, dogs, and a basement full of mistresses. His favorite authors are Jim Butcher, George R. R. Martin, Jonathan Stroud, and Eoin Colfer. He knows how to hide a body from the police, and the research for his novels has likely landed him on a few security watch lists. He enjoys reading, gaming (Halo, Civilization, BioShock, Call of Duty, Minecraft), playing pool, chasing deer, hunting deer, riding deer, and lying about what activities he does with deer. His favorite shows include Supernatural, Game of Thrones, iZombie, and anything created by Joss Whedon.