A Devil with an Angel's Heart

Chapter 27, Part 1

||Jotaro

The poor state the church and its orphanage were in could be seen from afar. "Oh my, this looks bad." commented the old man. "It seems so." muttered Kate as she looked for any sign of movement. As they got closer they could see some children running about. Surprisingly enough, of the older children, one boy was trying to hit targets with his bow and arrow while another trained with his wooden sword. They seemed to be about twelve, maybe thirteen years old and thus to be the oldest children in this orphanage. All the others were younger. The youngest seemed to be about three to four. When they reached the big wooden doors of the church, Kate stopped walking. "Aren't you coming?" wondered Avdol. Kate shook her head, "I won't be stepping foot inside. Neither they nor he would appreciate it." He? Did she mean god? "All right, if you say so. I'll see what I can do for these children, so don't worry." assured her the old man. Jotaro patted her head and followed his grandfather inside, while Kate seemed to turn towards the garden, in which the children were playing. "Oh, hello. How may I help you?" a nun spoke up and quickly approached them. "If you need help or shelter, we will do our best, but I'm sorry to say there's not much we can offer, our funds are extremely low." "Oh no, we don't need help or anything, instead I'd like to offer help myself. A friend brought my attention to your situation and especially the situation of the children. I know she would like it best to help you herself but unfortunately she lacks the means to do so, so I came in her stead. Is there anywhere where we can talk?" explained Jiji. The nun looked at him, surprised at first, but quickly caught herself. "Of course! Please follow me, kind sir." The nun quickly lead them towards a office and knocked on the door. "Mother superior, I believe we have found a sponsor!" The door swung open, "Please, do come in!" So they stepped into the office and were quickly offered a seat and some tea. "We're very happy to have you here. I wouldn't be so worried or desperate if it were just us nuns, but the children...We try to feed them enough but sometimes they have to go to bed hungry and it breaks my heart. I was so desperate that I sent out two of my sister to go bounty hunting. They found someone with a high bounty. I told them not to, the higher the bounty the more dangerous they are. I don't want them to endanger themselves. The two came back emptyhanded but something was different. Sister Mary was enraged about something, saying something about seduction-craft and a siren-like demon, while sister Helen seemed to think deeply about something. I believe she went out again, I just hope she doesn't run into anyone dangerous...." the head nun spoke. In that moment the door burst open. "Mother superior! You must come, quick! The demon has stepped onto our grounds! We mustn't let her get near our children!" It was Sister Mary, clearly enraged and also worried about the children playing outside. "Please calm down, sister Mary. Panicking won't help. No demon would step foot on these lands. They usually stay away from churches. Has she done anything, yet?" spoke the head nun calmly. Sister Mary lost a little of her momentum, "...Uh, ...no. She is only watching them." then Sister raised her voice again, "She's watching them like a predator. She's just waiting to devour them!" "Sister Mary, are you sure. Often things aren't as they seem." declared the head nun. "She corrupted our Sister Helen!" yelled Mary, only then did she seem to notice the men in the room, "YOU! You were with that demon before! Mother superior, we mustn't let them stay here any longer! They conspire with the devil!" "Sister Mary!" now the head nun had raised her voice as well, "These men came to help us! Please show them the necessary respect!" "Actually, this demon is the friend I told you about. She saw how you went after the bounty on her head and figured you'd be desperate for money if you were going after her. And I assure you, she will not harm these children. She has the kindest heart." declared the old man. "Indeed, Kate is a very kind person and though she may not always say it, she cares deeply. It lies in her nature to want to help...to care. I am certain if you look out the window, you will see what I mean." assured Avdol. "Then let's go shall we, I want to see her up close and form my own opinion. I know the perfect spot to watch." declared the head nun and walked outside. Sister Mary and the three men followed.