The Ministry Child

Home, Sweet Home

Home, Sweet Home.

Chapter 15!

March 1996 - Los Angeles

The bright lights of the city whizzed by the window of the cab, the sounds of the nightlife were muffled out by the radio playing inside the vehicle. Albany's gaze lingered on the book she had open on her lap, she could barely keep her eyes open anymore. The journey had been long and tiresome, there had been a delay at the airport. She had ended up waiting five hours before she boarded her flight to California. Fifteen hours later and she had finally arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport. A cab had been arranged to drive her to the Los Angeles branch of the Clergy, her Brother had been too busy to meet her at the Airport like they had planned. But she didn't mind, she got to see a few of the sights of the city before she began to doze. The taxi pulled up outside of the Los Angeles Ministry, the jerking of the vehicle soon woke her up. Getting out of the cab Albany took her suitcase and handbag from the back seat of the car before she paid her cab fair, the driver of the cab soon drove away. 

Looking up at the Ministry before her she marvelled at it's beauty, it was lit up with white lights. It's tall structure and spire dominated the landscape, it's giant colourful arched window pierced through the night. This unholy church had white stone walls and two dark large wooden doors, it's pale steps led towards the pathway. There was a car park on one side of the building, she was surprised to see so many parked cars at the hour. Her attention was soon drawn to a light creeping down the stairway, a shadow emerged through the doorway. She soon saw Terzo walking down the steps towards her, his arms outstretched he welcome his youngest sibling with a hug. She awkwardly hugged him back, she hadn't been expecting this kind of a greeting from her Brother.

" You are finally here, Sister." He said before he pulled himself away from her. " You look in one piece, a little unkempt but that's understandable with the long flight. I bet you are tired, yes?"

" I'm exhausted, I'm ready to drop!" She said.

" Well yes, the flight was long. But you're here now." He said, he took her suitcase from her hand and guided her towards the stairway. " How was your flight? I heard there was a delay in Rome. You were meant to be here this morning. Papa called, he wants you to call him the minute you arrive at the Ministry."

" My flight was fine, but do I have to call him right now?" She asked.

" Don't worry, you can deal with him in the morning." He replied.

" I'm happy to hear that, I just want to crawl into bed right now." She said.

" Well, if that's the case we have your dorm room made up for you." He said. " I will show you around in the morning, the tour can wait until then."

" Thank you." She said.

" Come now, let's get you to your room." He said before he glanced over his shoulder. " Would you like any supper before bed?"

" Don't mention supper, my stomach is still recovering from airline meal." She replied. 

" Okay, you can skip supper." He said.

Albany walked up the stairway with Terzo, he gestured for her to go in first while he closed the door behind them. She stopped not far ahead of her Brother, the long hallway looked similar to the one back home. There were candelabras lining the hallway, the ceiling above them was painted with many satanic murals. The walls were golden in colour with wooden beams built into the higher parts of the building, there was an arched stain glass window above the doorway. It was clean and beautiful, she could already smell the familiar scent of incense lingering in the hallways. Her thoughts were interrupted by Terzo resting his hand on her back, he guided her along the hallway and up some stairs. He pointed out a few offices along the way, he told her he would give the full guided tour in the morning. They continued walking until they reached some double doors, they swung behind then while they made their way down another hallway. Terzo stopped his Sister by a door, his hand curling around the handle he opened the door wide before he entered the room.

" This is your room, it's number twelve." He said before he turned on the light. " There's two bolt on the door on the inside, the windows also have locks. But you are on the second floor, it's very safe here."

" That's a lot of locks for one room." She said.

" It's for extra safety and privacy, but come in and take a look at your new room." He said.

Albany entered her dorm room, her gaze exploring her new surroundings she placed her handbag down on the single bed. The room wasn't overly big, the walls were light grey. There was a medium sized window with dark curtains near a wooden cabinet, the bathroom was small with a shower, toilet and wash basin. There was an armchair with a side table next to it, a painting of an odd looking house overlooking a restless ocean hung over her bed. There was a white  kettle and two cups on another side table with a tiny refrigerator beneath it. Three colourful pots to store beverages sat behind the kettle. It felt cosy, it reminded her of her bedroom back home.

" What do think?" He asked.

" I like it." She replied before she turned around to face him. " It kind of reminds me of my room back home, but it's missing a few things. It doesn't matter though, it will look better when I unpack."

" That's good to know, but for now get some sleep." He said with a smile. " Enjoy the rest of your evening."

" Thank you, I will." She said.

" Now make sure you bolt the door behind me, it's for safety reasons." He said, he placed the suitcase down on the bed. " Something is not quite right at this Ministry right now, but we are investigating the odd disturbances. Just don't answer the door if someone knocks after curfew, stay in your room until daylight."

" Curfew?" She asked, her voice was filled with curiosity. " Okay, you're worrying me now..." 

" No, no. Don't worry about it!" He replied before he approached her. " You are very safe, I will tell you more in the morning. You have a telephone in your room, my number is next to it. If you need me just call, I promised Papa I would watch over you."

" Okay, I will remember that." She said.

" You will be fine, I promise." He said while he cupped her hands in his own. " It's very good to see you again, Sister. I will even say I missed you, but for now we can work together has a team. I will show you around the Ministry in the morning, I will take you on a guided tour of my financial department. My office is located on the forth floor and your desk is not far away from mine."

" I have my own desk?" She asked.

" Well yes, you are my clerk now." He replied.

" Holy shit, that's so cool!" She smiled.

" I thought you would like that." He said.

" Are Primo and Secondo staying at this Ministry too?" She asked.

" Not right now, but they do visit on the odd occasion." He replied. " Now get some sleep, I will see you in the morning."

" Okay, goodnight." She said.

" Goodnight, Sister." He said.

Terzo affectionately patted Albany's hands before he kissed them, he told her he would meet her outside of her room in the morning. She gave him a nod of her head and followed him towards the doorway, she waved to him before she bolted the door behind him. Leaning back against the door she listened to her Brother's footsteps echoing down the hallway, they soon faded away. The building became silent, there was no sounds to be heard. Sighing deeply to herself she took off her coat and hung it on a coat peg near the door, her fingers fidgeting she looked around her room.

" Home, sweet home." She said