Sympathy for the Devil - Reader X Ghost - Nameless Ghouls & Papa

Ch 8 - Roadside Chapel

Yellow string lights illuminated the pews of an isolated roadside chapel. It was the best we could do at such short notice. Dark and unkept, the ghouls managed to source some flowers and candles to create a somewhat fitting tribute.

Nothing felt too out of place until Terzo turned up.

"Are we ready?" He called crashing through the doors as if he was the one who had been waiting for us.

I couldn't believe what he was wearing. You'd be forgiven for believing an Elvis impersonator had just stepped in. White suit, popped collar, coiffed hair; where did he even find this shit?

Sunglasses, indoors. The icing on the cake.

"C'mon where is everyone?" He shrugged, disappointed by the dusty, empty pews.

No one had turned up yet. I'll admit, the ghouls and I were worried.

Promoting the baptism ran across a fine line. We wanted to get the word out, but we couldn't risk the wrong people finding our location. It was a risky game. One that I didn't fully understand and how could I even begin to explain to the ghouls?

Alas, I needed to see exactly what was supposed to happen with Terzo's blessings - free from outside influences.

I walked from the pulpit down the central aisle to meet him in the middle. "Terzo, it's-"

"Ah, ah. Am I not your Papa, Y/N?" He pined, whilst bringing his shades down just enough for his eyes to flicker at me.

I took a deep breath and swallowed it. Despite his comments being delivered in jest, there was still part of me that found him utterly insufferable at times.

"It's still early." I finished my sentence and held his gaze. The title was noticeably absent.

His eyebrows raised slightly. "Well then."

We stood in the centre of the chapel awkwardly. Clearing his throat, Terzo turned to watch the ghouls feverishly attempt to transform the neglected chapel. I assume the reminder that everyone marched to the beat of his drum reversed the humbling sentiment of my approach.

"Have you thought about your sermon?" I asked, hoping he wasn't going to simply wing it.

"Yes, yes... Ghoul! Get over here."

Dewdrop almost tripped down the aisle whilst running to Terzo.

"Show Y/N what we practised."

Dewdrop nodded his silver mask silently and ushered me back to the pulpit.

"Oh, before I go!" I turned back to see Terzo still watching me walk away, "A few of the Sisters of Sin from HQ came to support. They're in the vestry."

Few people could be trusted within the clergy, but there was something that could always be relied upon. That something? The universal dislike of Sister Imperator.

Where else would I have found willing Sisters of Sin, if not the rebellious type who sat right under her nose?

Not many church members would be inclined to fulfil unsanctioned duties. Who knows how the clergy would punish them? However, I knew all too well that Sister Imperator had a particular way of inspiring inner anarchy within the employees who she so readily abused over the years.

The mere mention of an escape plan for these unhappy members was enough to whisk them away from their HQ duties.

So, while Dewdrop began to show me a stripped-back, acoustic rendition of 'He Is', Terzo made himself busy in the vestry with the Sisters of Sin.

The night grew darker.

The ghouls became restless.

As we all waited for the first attendees, you could hear a pin drop in the chapel... and then, a car in the parking lot.

The tires slowly dragged over the sandy concourse.

A few ghouls quickly stacked up against the nearest window to watch the first people arrive. A gaggle of excited fans pilled out of the car and waited in the parking lot for more people to turn up.

My heart finally felt full. Instant relief washed over us all. My jaw finally unclenched from the permanent what-if thoughts telling me that no one would turn up. No doubt a shared sentiment from everyone in the room. We'd all been so terrified that no one would show. As the giggling from the fans outside echoed around the chapel, it became infectious. The ghouls and I couldn't help but laugh at our own dread, perhaps a sense of delirium had set into us?

Regardless, it was showtime.

The ghouls gave their Papa the 10-minute warning and we opened the doors. Fans poured in, eager to be involved in a ritual. Though the church didn't explicitly require a baptism, we had found that ceremony and theatre were the perfect draws to people who felt the need to feel 'part of something'.

Every pew was filled.

Even better - I didn't sense any of the dark characters I'd seen lingering while on tour.

For a moment, I felt like things were all going to work out. A serene reassurance.

Blanketed by the premature feeling of success, I stood back and watched the show unfold.

Terzo got things underway by entering as dramatically as he had done before. Heads turned as the main doors opened as if they'd fall off their hinges. Jaws dropped, hands clapped and hollering rang out around the chapel.

The Sisters of Sin ran through the central aisle dressed in virginial white lace. Fresh-faced and the closest thing to heavenly our church had ever seen.

Terzo was fierce, passionate and most of all, completely captivating.

Everyone in that chapel was eating out of the palm of his hand.

Of the 40 attendees, not one person left without selling their soul and carrying with them a fraction of Satan's darkness.

I finally saw it for myself.

Like black sand on the wind, Lucifer's corruption flowed through Terzo and into those attending the ritual.

Each black grain seeped into the cracks of their spirit. It welcomed the outsiders, warmed the grieving, reassured the afraid.

Lucifer's darkness would fester within them exactly as intended.

People talk of the Lord's miracles, but I've seen the Devil's work first-hand - and it is magnificent.

Just like Terzo's performance.

They ached for him, idolised him. Their deepest desires and fears unravelled with zero effort. Secret codes for Satan to seep right through into their hearts.

Even an American prime time TV pastor couldn't replicate his enthusiasm and confidence.

In that moment, to me, he'd earned the title of Papa Emeritus.