Nameless Ghoul

Midnight Mass

As the little gathering in the woods wound down, everyone headed back indoors for Papa’s mass, as midnight was fast approaching. Papa’s ghouls and ghoulettes, barring Sunshine, were on security detail along with most of Secondo's and Terzo’s. They had been dispersed throughout the crowd. All of them wore their glamour to appear completely human.

Omega had told Itzal that the Abbey’s main chapel would be full to capacity. The members of the congregation who lived outside of the Abbey always made a special effort to attend and often brought friends and family with them.

Terzo had insisted that everyone had plenty to drink whilst they were in the woods, so most of them were glowing with the buzz from the alcohol. Itzal was nowhere near drunk, but he could feel the warmth of the mulled wine and he felt contented. He checked in on Sunshine through the bond. He was getting the hang of how it worked now, and she seemed to be on the same page.

By the time they got back to the Abbey it was almost time to begin and the chapel was full. Terzo and Secondo took their places near the front on the seats reserved for them, but Sunshine and Itzal stood right at the back, near to the main exit. Staying in the shadows on the edge was fine by him; he’d much rather observe from here than be in amongst the crowd. 

Itzal sensed one of Secondo’s ghouls close by and looked over to see Air standing to the side behind the congregation. The dark-haired ghoul was wearing a plain black tailored suit tonight rather than the military style clothing Secondo’s ghouls usually wore. Itzal supposed they were trying to blend in what with so many humans being present. He caught Itzal’s eye and nodded before his gaze resumed scanning the crowd.

The noise of conversation died down when Papa appeared at the front, dressed in his most extravagant robes and swinging his thurible, which filled the air with the smell of rich incense. It was not the same one that Santos had used; it was sweeter and gentler on his nose. The Clergy probably used that one because of the amount of ghouls that lived at the Abbey. Their noses were more sensitive than humans’, and overpowering smells often bothered them.

Papa offered a prayer to the Dark Lord, to which the congregation bowed their heads quietly in contemplation, and then he began his sermon. Itzal found himself captivated by Papa’s words. He was inspiring and the mass was uplifting. As he looked out over the crowd, he saw that they, too, were hanging off his every word. His charisma and his love for the Dark Lord shone through for all to see. He had been right. This was nothing at all like the sermons that Santos gave, which more often than not spilled over into a sacrifice or an orgy or some kind of ritual to gain power.

He felt Sunshine snuggling into his side and he put his arm around her shoulder. She looked up at him and smiled. Her cheeks and the tip of her nose were still rosy from the frosty night air and from the heat of the mulled wine.

When the mass was over and the bells had chimed midnight, signalling that Yule was officially here, the congregation filed out. They exchanged hugs and pleasantries with each other. Itzal and Sunshine waited where they were for the chapel to become empty. He sensed movement from Air’s direction and looked over to see that the ghoul was touching his earpiece. His brow furrowed as he listened to what was being said through the comms link. His eyes rose to meet Itzal’s briefly and then he turned his back on them, walking towards the side door of the chapel.

Itzal’s nose twitched just then. His heart jumped in his chest as he smelled the scent of blood and sulphur. Sunshine must have felt his anxiety spike as she clutched his hand.

“What is it?” she asked.

He didn’t answer as he scanned the humans who were leaving through the various exits. Towards the middle of the chapel, heading out of the side door, he saw a flash of pale hair and he started.