saint Sebastian the Rose

by Glover, Michael W.

  Jacob looked up to Sebastian with a pleading look, a look that was not lost on him; it was a look he had seen before. Sebastian grabbed Jessica and helped her up, holding her in front of him. Jessica looked into his eyes and fell into his arms and held him tight, tighter than he had been held in a very long time.

  He stayed there for a moment, locked in the embrace, and he felt the warmth of her body even in the chill night air. He closed his eyes and lost himself. How he wanted this to last. He felt a hunger grow in him, so powerful he nearly forgot himself. He wanted her for more than the reason any person wants another. Sebastian felt her heart beating so powerfully in her chest that he almost forgot whom he was and whom he tried to be.

  Opening his eyes he looked over Jessica’s shoulder into the face of her brother, Jacob. He realized Jacob was taking him in, not truly knowing what to think of him.

  “We must go,” Sebastian stated.

  Sebastian moved to grab Jacob to spur him into motion and as he reached, Jacob stepped back. He had a look of terror and confusion.

  “We are not safe here. There may be more and I cannot be sure I can defend us all.” He tried to explain the danger and importance of haste. “We must get Jessica … both of you … out of the cold.”

  Jacob seemed to come out of his trance and Sebastian knew the look well; it was the look of eyes that have just seen their first glimpse of battle and death. He truly felt for the twins. who were so unprepared to experience what he used to call the devil’s game.

  “What …?” Jacob started to ask.

  “We do not have time,” said Sebastian as he grabbed Jacob by the shoulder and moved him along.

  The small party was off, but sped with caution, for Sebastian could not believe they would be out of danger so easily. Somebody wanted him, or wanted him dead. He was not prepared to find out which, and the time left in this night would soon be drawing to a close.

  Through the woods, without many words, the three crept from tree to tree, veering from their original path that had led them here. Jessica did not speak at all. Jacob helped Sebastian by keeping lookout as much as he could while looking behind them. They traveled for so long without speaking. Jacob wondered how far they would go.

  Jacob was concerned with the direction and the need for silence but spoke anyway.

  “This is not the way. You will get us lost.”

  “This is not the way to the monastery, you are correct, but we are not going to the monastery,” Sebastian said with no explanation. Jacob was not swayed by this revelation.

  “It won’t do us any good to wander around in the woods at night. We must get back to the castle.”

  Sebastian’s face revealed his frustration at having to explain his movements, but he knew it might be the only way he could get them to safety quietly and quickly. The night was running out, and he did not have time to explain.

  “We are not going to the monastery … it is too far and we shall not reach it in time … and the way is likely being watched.”

  “Time? Time for what?” Jacob interrupted.

  “Time to get to safety before they cross our path and we are forced to make a stand when we are not ready,” Sebastian said.

  Jacobs’s eyes opened a little wider with the acknowledgement, and Jessica seemed to come around a little as well for she was more alert than she had been before.

  “Then where are we going?” Jessica managed to ask.

  “Hopefully to someplace safe where we can hold out for the rest of the night. Come on. It’s not far from here, but we must be careful, and we must be quiet.”

  The night seemed to get a little brighter, and Sebastian knew the time was near, but this was not the reason for the change in light. They neared the edge of the woods, and the trees were less dense, and the snow reflected more of the light from the moon. He slowed before emerging, taking in all of the surrounding area before making themselves known. He looked at the twins who were looking around just as anxiously.

  They moved a little closer to the edge of the woods, and there appeared an incredible sight. The twins’ jaws dropped, and their eyes opened wide. Sebastian had talked about a safe place, and neither one of the twins could scarcely imagine this could be their destination. Nevertheless, there was only one place in front of them, and never had either of them imagined anything like it.

  Before them were the imposing remains of an old dilapidated church. With much of the structure gone, and gone for some time, what was left was still breathtaking in its own odd way. The church must have been there for a very long time, for it looked like it had been in its ruined state forever. The main part that was left was one of the four ends that would have made up one section of the cross.

  The end rose up high above the ground with its multi-tiered arched window now vacant of any glass. The bricks lay around the base as if the structure were losing them on a daily basis. There were little remains of the rest of the church, save for the scattered walls that only passed for small piles of stones someone might have heaped together. The windows that once may have shown light from reflecting candles, or the sun or the moon, were now completely dark, as though they were covered in black satin.

  The forgotten church was intimidating enough, especially on a night like the one they were experiencing, but that was not all they saw. There in the foreground of the ruined church were tombstones surrounding the grounds. Little black shadows dotted the ground everywhere the eye could see—a cemetery as old as the church itself, maybe even older. The grave markers leaned here and there.

  Sebastian started out into the open toward the old church when he noticed he was alone. He turned back to see the two siblings gripping the trees tenaciously. Quickly he went to them; morning was coming soon, and he did not know what to expect as he approached this forgotten place. As he neared, Jacob did not hesitate to speak up.

  “Are you mad? How do you think that we will be safe in there?” His sister said nothing, but her face seemed to mirror his thoughts and questioned the wisdom of Sebastian’s at the same time.

  “I know this place, and there are no other options for us. Either we take refuge and hide in there, or we face the night and what lies out there with nothing else but our wits,” Sebastian said, waiting.

  Jacob and Jessica reluctantly let go of their trees and moved swiftly past Sebastian into the open. They moved closer to the cemetery and looked there, observing the shadows as they appeared to shift from the tombstones like they were moving towards the twins.

  As they reached the edge of the first tombstones Sebastian took up the lead and entered into the midst of the graves. Jacob and Jessica followed Sebastian’s footsteps like they were walking in a minefield. The only time they looked away was to gaze up at the old church, as the wall began to loom over them like some dark sentinel standing watch over the fallen that lay buried in its shadow.

  To the wall of the great edifice they raced, taking only a short look around to reassure themselves they were not being followed. Of course the only evidence of this was the fact they had not encountered anyone on their journey. Sebastian looked to his wards and kept his eyes steady, as they entered into new and possibly dangerous territory.

  Along the barrier they walked till they came to the corner of the broken wall. Sebastian made his way around the edge and disappeared in front of the twins. Here all went dark; the interior seemed a black hole, almost unnaturally black except for the few direct lines of light that shot in like knives from the moon through the long and vacant windows—the windows that at one time must have been striking and beautiful bringers of light into a magnificent hall. Now they were only reminders of just how dark the hall was in the night.

  Jessica wondered how in the world Sebastian was making his way in the dark that was as black as pitch. Slowly their eyes began to adjust, and they could pick out the faint outline of the interior. The floor was littered with the debris that had fallen here and there when no one was around to take note.

  The inside w
as a shell, and there only remained the slightest hint of what were rafters leading up to form a roof. Here and there were some bits of tile that had only just escaped being crushed by the falling slabs of stone over the ages.

  Jacob’s mind was racing, fueled by adrenaline, when a small smile formed on his lips. Even in the midst of exceedingly uncertain events and great danger he could not help but feel the slightest bit of exhilaration at what they had just experienced. He was fully enjoying his feelings when he felt the tug on his sleeve from his sister who was giving him a very odd stare indeed. Even though she could barely make out his features, she could plainly see the expression splayed out on his face. She was not pleased. Time was flying by, and the only thing they wanted was the sunrise and the feeling of safety.

  Sebastian stopped, apparently finding what he was looking for. There in the floor was a spot even blacker than the interior of the destroyed house of worship. Once again Jacob seemed to come up with the words to fit his thoughts and his sister’s.

  “Are you mad?” Jacob chanced. Jessica looked from her brother to their guide, Sebastian.

  “I agree. Are you mad?”

  “I did not come here to hide behind a ruined wall for any to find us. We have to go down into the heart of the church; perhaps there no one will discover us,” Sebastian said, looking into the pit of darkness. “I have no other option right now. We must take shelter below.”

  Without seeking approval Sebastian began to descend into the blackness. Then he was gone without a word or any further argument. The twins looked at each other and knew Sebastian had left them no other alternative.

  The dark consumed them, and they felt disoriented as they put their free hands to the walls for some sense of the world they were entering. Then Jacob felt the solid floor after going down many steps; he cursed himself for not counting them as he went down.

  Without notice there was a heavy creaking sound and metal brushing against stone with some force, like the very gates of hell were being opened after so many millennia. The sound continued as if some type of being were in excruciating pain. Once again a hand touched Jessica’s arm. With blind faith she followed what she hoped was the hand of their guide, Sebastian.

  With Jacob and Jessica moving forward the sound came again but was quite different from the other side. The creaking and grating seemed intolerable and only added to the uneasiness. Then a thud seemed to punctuate the door closing them into their very own tomb. They stood in darkness and in silence. The sound of footsteps was the only sound they could pick up.

  A small scratching sound came behind them and there was a flash of sudden light. Quickly they turned to see a small flame coming to life at the end of a candle, lighting up the face of Sebastian. His face was above the flame, which put a terrifying shadow over his features. Even now Jessica marveled at the face she had grown so fond of looking at whenever she could.

  The twins took a survey of the room they now occupied, turning in place as Sebastian set the candle down on something solid and stone. After a full turn there came a familiar look to the twins’ faces, their jaws agape as they realized exactly where they were hiding.

  “A tomb?” Jessica gasped.

  “A crypt,” Sebastian replied.

  “Well, there’s a first for you, Sis,” Jacob added lightly, more intrigued than disgusted.

  “Are we really going to hide in a … a crypt?” she pleaded, wishing there were another option.

  “I am hoping we will be safe here for the night. The priory is not very well known, and the crypt is secure.”

  Jacob went over to the door to inspect what Sebastian was placing their trust in. He was not disappointed. The door was massive, made of solid metal, and had a bolt on it larger than any he had ever seen. Jessica was inspecting the stone slab Sebastian had set the candle on.

  “And who is buried here and will they mind us being here is my next question, if you want to field it all at one time?” Jacob asked.

  “This is the tomb of the founder of the priory here long ago. He was a great soul and a protector of all around these parts; he was a living saint, they said. Upon his tomb they built the great Priory of the Blessed Virgin,” said Sebastian.

  “He was said to be the guardian of all the souls that had lost their way … like a shepherd looking for the lost, gathering them unto himself so that they might rejoin the flock.”

  The twins stared at Sebastian with a look of exhaustion and amazement, not knowing if he was making this up as he went along.

  Sebastian sat down on the floor. He was no longer interested in the conversation. There were more important things to think about now.

  Jacob and Jessica both took seats across from Sebastian. They knew he was deep in thought, but they had questions, so many questions. Sebastian looked up, feeling the stares, and knew what was to come.

  “Sebastian, what happened?” Jacob said with as much curiosity as empathy. He did not understand what had taken place, but he understood Sebastian had killed someone.

  “I like to take walks at night. I always have,” Sebastian said as innocently as he could.

  “You like to take walks at night but sometimes run into people that like to try to kill you,” Jacob said sarcastically.

  “You shouldn’t have followed me.”

  “We were just curious where you were going,” Jessica added.

  “Who were they, and why did they attack you? And why do you carry around a knife and a sword?” asked Jacob.

  “You never know what you might run into out in the woods at night, so I go prepared,” Sebastian said, still avoiding the questions, not really knowing what to say. Jacob continued to stare, waiting for answers. Sebastian knew he would have to give up more information.

  “The monastery has a history and some say, enemies. I don’t know who they are. I went out to try to get information from someone who might know.”

  “That someone didn’t seem very friendly; then he vanished. But I think I know why,” Jessica said, thinking back to what happened.

  “We were watching you fight when we noticed something—when these people came at us from almost nowhere.” Jessica recalled what she had thought might be her last moment.

  “I thought we were done. Just then someone else came out of the woods and attacked them. It didn’t seem real because it happened so fast. Their movements didn’t seem natural. They moved so fast. Like when we were watching you.” Jessica looked up at Sebastian.

  “How did you learn to fight like that? I could barely keep track of you.”

  “I learned to fight since I was very little, and I have studied the sword all my life.”

  “You killed someone tonight,” Jacob stated.

  “I had to defend myself. You would have done the same,” Sebastian said with no remorse.

  “Have you killed anyone before?” Jessica asked with a look of disbelief. Sebastian’s face grew darker as he pondered her question and her tone, knowing what she might think of him.

  There was an awkward silence. Everyone present took a moment to soak in everything and to listen briefly for any hint their hideout had been found.

  “You think they won’t find us here?” Jacob asked.

  “I don’t believe they will find us, and I don’t believe they will stay to look for very long.”

  “Why?”

  “There is more there than I wish to tell you. You wouldn’t believe me anyway.” Sebastian smirked slightly at the situation.

  “Well, I wish to know, since someone tried to kill us tonight. And why do you think that we would not believe you?” Jacob said.

  Sebastian measured the twins as they peppered him with questions he didn’t want to answer. He tried to divert their questions by asking questions himself.

  “What time is it?”

  Jessica looked down at her watch.

  “It’s almost morning, 4:30 a.m.”

  “Why do you care about the time? Don’t you think they’ll look until they find us?”

>   “Because they will leave soon … dawn is coming,” Sebastian hinted.

  “Dawn?” Jacob blurted. “Dawn! You really think that they’ll give up the search because dawn is coming?”

  “Yes,” Sebastian said, still intimating.

  “Well, either they are lazy crazed killers or perhaps vampires. I don’t know. What do you think, Sis?” Jacob ranted.

  Jessica seemed content to listen to the conversation and see where it went, since her brother was coming up with all of the questions she herself could think of. Sebastian stared forward without saying anything and raised his eyebrows slightly.

  “Aghhh! Are you serious? Are you out of your damn mind?”

  “So they aren’t lazy crazed killers?” Jessica asked, refusing to take the implication seriously. Sebastian held his silence, making his point without saying a word.

  “There are things that are hard to explain. Does it not make sense?”

  “You didn’t just wound them badly,” Jessica said.

  “Like when I stuck my dagger into the back of one, or when I ran my sword through the chest of the other? Is that what you mean?” Sebastian said flippantly.

  “So let me get this straight: You fought vampires tonight. We were almost killed by vampires but saved by someone who also fought vampires, whom you had gone to meet to talk about … vampires? And now we are hiding in a ruined church, surrounded by a cemetery, in the depth of a crypt, hiding from vampires until … let me guess … the sun comes up?” Jacob jumped to his feet with this long exclamation.

  “Yes, if that helps you at all.”

  “And we just came along at a bad time?” Jacob reasoned.

  “Yes. All was good until now,” Sebastian said.

  Jacob sat back down and put his head in his hands.

  “You wanted an adventure, brother; I’d say you found it,” said Jessica.

  “I don’t believe in vampires,” Jacob said, as if trying to convince himself.

  “Doesn’t matter if you believe … they believe in you. Besides, we need to plan what to do next. I’m afraid this doesn’t end with the sunrise.