The Ministry Child

Midnight Mass

Midnight Mass

Chapter 19!

May 1996 - The Ministry, Los Angeles

The Ministry was silent, the hallways were empty. It was Friday night, the unholy church was winding down for the upcoming weekend. Most of the Clergy employees had returned home to their families, but some seeked company outside of this unholy place. Alcoholic beverages and partying until dawn in the nightclubs of Los Angeles, they desired sinful acts between the sheets. The atmosphere had changed since the attacks had stopped, it seemed like the security cameras and the nightly patrols had caused the sinister attacks to cease. Everyone felt safer now to roam the hallways after midnight, the unholy church was more relaxed.

Albany lingered in the chapel's doorway, she wanted to attend Midnight Mass at the Ministry. She had heard a couple of Sisters of Sin talking about it, she was curious about the services they held there. Taking a deep breath she approached the alter, there was candles and incense sticks burning. The scent of the incense reminded her of home, she sometimes missed the Italian Ministry. Lighting one of the candles she watched the flame flickering, blowing out the lighter she placed it on the alter before she took a seat on the front pew. Her hands cupping together on her lap her gaze wandered around the chapel, it was very different than home.

The alter was smaller and it bore a golden Grucifix, two marble statues stood on both sides of the alter with wall lights shining brightly behind them. There were stain glass windows linging the right side of the chapel. Vases of red roses and candlesticks burning bright in their candelabra stands, the darkness was kept at bay by the odd hanging chandelier above the pews. The chapel was peaceful and empty, the scent of incense sticks was comforting. It reminded her of home. She had no idea if she was too early for the Mass, there was three Sister's of Sin sitting not far away from her. Albany's thoughts were interrupted by someone sitting down next to her, she felt something jump onto her lap. She immediately looked down at herself, her gaze was greeted by a pair of dark eyes. It was a rat, but she knew this rat very well. It visited her on Friday mornings in the photocopier room, the rodent enjoyed the pastry crumbs she left behind for it on a saucer. Looking to her right she saw a familiar face gazing at the alter, it was Copia. He was dressed in his black cassock, his sideburns looked trimmed and he was clean shavened. She could smell his cologne, he looked well presented this night. His voice soon broke the silence between them, his speaking tone was low. 

" Hello, how are you doing?" He asked.

" I'm good, how are you?" She asked.

" I'm good, very good. Thank you for asking." He replied, he paused for a moment." And why are you here?"

" I don't have anything to do tonight." She replied before she itched behind the rat's ear with her finger tip. " My Brother is busy in his office, he's drowning in paperwork. I thought I would attend the Midnight Mass for a change. I've never really been to one before at this Ministry, is it always this quiet?"

" It's always empty, not many people attend Midnight Mass." He replied.

" Then why do the Clergy continue to have them?" She asked.

" I guess it gives us party poopers somewhere to hangout on Friday nights." He replied, his gaze met with her own. " This is right, yes?"

" You're right " She replied with a smile. " I don't really have many friends here, just my Brother. That's if you can call him my friend. I don't really socialise much outside of the Clergy, I've not even left the Ministry since I moved here. My Father probably wouldn't approve even though he was a party animal back in his youthful years, he use to cause trouble in the local Los Angeles nightclubs."