Grim Echoes

Chapter 53 - Maeve

As Maeve and Will crossed the threshold to the dilapidated building, she was glad she held Will's hand. Inside was a hazard-zone. Ignoring the disrepair of the building, there were half finished weapons all over the place. The Pastor had areas for specific types of weapons but it was clear he had dozens of simultaneous projects. In the middle of tables and built in workspaces there was what could be called a living room. It had a couch and two chairs with a table and TV. The furniture sat in the middle of the warehouse, on a rug that covered the concrete floor. Will led her there, but before they sat an older thin man appeared from the left. His voice boomed. Maeve's stomach tightened.

"So glad you came to see me, Billy!" Pastor Mallory wrapped his arms around Will and squeezed him tightly. "Thrilled you're seeking a blessing. You know how important that is." he turned his gaze to her and smiled. "Must be your good influence on Billy," he said with a wink.

Maeve smiled back, not sure what he'd meant. Without warning, Pastor Mallory hugged her. She was stunned at the strength of the thin older man. She hugged him back.

He stepped back and looked back and forth between them. "Have you got him back in church yet?"

Maeve froze, unsure how to respond.

"Don't get too crazy, Pastor M. I agreed to the blessing because it was important to Maeve, but I'm not ready for all that." Will spoke quickly and saved her from saying the wrong thing.

Pastor Mallory nodded and gestured for them to sit. "One thing at a time, I suppose. Perhaps I won't have to pray for you and Andy's souls every night now. Just every other," Pastor Mallory said quietly and sat on one of the chairs.

Will took Maeve's hand, and they sat.

"How's he been?" Pastor Mallory's voice became serious.

"He's been doing better, mostly. He's on this mission but doing research right now. You know how he loves that shit."

"Language William, your bride to be is sitting beside you,"

Maeve's eyes widened when Will muttered a brief apology.

"The devil had a hold of him," Pastor Mallory said and hung his head. "Unfortunately, his experiences will always be with him but we saved his soul."

"We're vigilant, Pastor M, always watching over him, looking for the signs,"

Pastor Mallory nodded, and his face relaxed before he stood and patted Will on the shoulder. "I know, Billy, you've always looked out for your brother. Satan doesn't stand a chance with you and Mason watching over him." he wandered off toward the back table, covered in bladed weapons.

Brother? She thought Ander was Will's cousin, of course Pastor Mallory thought she was his fiance. He wrapped up what looked like a small sword.

"This is what Mason called about." he carried over the wrapped sword and handed it to Will.

Will took the sword and put it behind them on the couch.

Pastor Mallory stood there and stared at something behind them. He remained motionless until it was uncomfortable and then shook his head like he wanted to clear it. "So much to be done..." he shuffled to a different table that had various weapons, including what looked like arrows from a distance.

Will's eyes lit up, but he remained seated and waited until Pastor Mallory brought them over and presented them. Will took them from him and put most of them on the coffee table in front of them. He chose one and held it up and allowed the sunlight to reflect off its shaft and tip. To Maeve, it looked like any ordinary arrow. The way Will gazed at it seemed more like he was going to ask it to marry him and not her. She looked away as the thought ran through her mind.