Roses

Figuring things out

   Today I decided I was going to find whoever ran this place and I was going to figure out what all of it was about. I got up, got dressed and got breakfast. I ate a lot, having not eaten in a while. I went to Aspens room and knocked on the door. She opened the door and smiled at me. "Hello!" She said happily. "Can you take me to the main guy of this place" She looked at me surprised. "Are you sure you want to meet him? He's a bit crazy..." I nodded. "I want to know what this place is all about." She sighed and put her hands on my shoulders. "Prepare yourself." I had no idea as to what I was getting myself into. Based on Aspens reaction it wasn't good.

   We arrived at the office and Aspen knocked on the door. "Come in!" A voice came from the other side. Aspen opened the door. An old man sat at a desk with a typewriter. He wore a pope outfit that was white with yellow and red details. He had faded skull like makeup on as well, just like in the windows. "Papa Nihil, this is Flora. Flora, this is Papa Nihil." He stood up, he was very tall. He crossed his arms and looked me up and down. He seemed to be judging me. "Leave us." He looked at Aspen. Aspen bowed and left. My anxiety spiked. What was he going to do with me? I started to think of all the things that could happen. My heart was racing and I swear he could hear it. "What do you want from me?" He spat.

    I stuttered. "Um... I wanted to know what this place is all about." He seemed annoyed by the question. "We are a satanic church. We're here to serve our dark lord." He reached into his desk and pulled out a book. "This will tell you more." He handed it to me. "Is that all you need?" He crossed his arms again. "Yes, thank you Papa." He nodded. "Now leave." I bowed and turned around and left.

    Aspen was standing outside waiting for me. "How'd it go?" I shrugged. "It was a little scary." Aspen smiled and patted my shoulder. "He can be that way. Now come on, it looks like you have some reading to do."

   I made it to the garden and sat on a bench. I opened the book to the first page and began reading.

   After about two hours I finished the book. It was about noon. I got up and walked back to Papa Nihils office. I knocked on the door. "Come in!" I opened the door and smiled gently. "What?" He said. "I wanted to return this book, I finished it. Thank you for letting me borrow it." I held the book out to him. He took it from my hands and stuffed it back in its drawer. "Thank you. You may leave now." I bowed to him once again and left.

   Once I got back to my room I immediately felt sick. I threw up more flowers. I wanted to know what this strange sickness was. I shoved the flowers into the drawer and shrugged it off. There was a knock at my door. I opened it to see no one. I figured I was hearing things and flopped in my bed to take a nap since I was feeling dizzy.