Desolation //Imp Tweek x Pastor Craig //

Deliverance.

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'He's such jerk! And he thinks I'm the sinner!' Craig paced the room in a huff, his wounded hand clutching a bible while the other flicked through its pages.

'Shoulda punched him.' Tweeks voice rang, he was sprawled across one of the old discarded pews that had been moved ready for removal. He now dawned his human persona, no more fiery wings or cloven feet.

'Not helpful, Tweek.' The pastor continued his pacing.

'Look... Just go out there, see what happens. I've got faith in my pastor.' Tweek managed a wink before his jitters kicked in. 

'And say what? He's only doing this to make me look bad!' The pastor eventually stopped, slumping down beside the imp in defeat.

'Then-then don't let him! Here, look at me.'

'No...'

'Look at me...'

With a sigh escaping his lips, the pastor turned and met with glowing eyes.

'You've got this.'

Suddenly, confidence filled his veins. 'I got this... Why have I suddenly got this?'

'You got me, dude.'

...

Both strode out into the chancel when it was Craig's turn, Tweek was still invisible to the average human eye but happily remained disguised in his human form for now. Both gave each other a nod before Tweek departed to across the room for a better view.

'You've got this, Craig.' Tweeks voiced cheered him on within the confines of the pastors mind. His throat was dry, he felt the colour run from his skin and a shaky hand collected the microphone from its stand at the lectern. Feedback filled the room momentarily much to everyone's annoyance but Craig cleared his throat and brought the mic to his lips.

'Uh... Good morning, everyone. I hope that you are feeling a little bit more enlightened after Pastor Scott's stirring speech... I want to start by apologising for Father Maxi's absence today, I know we'll keep him in our thoughts and prayers as we ask the lord for a speedy recovery. I know many of you probably don't know who I am, you're probably thinking 'who let this kid up there? Who gave him a mic?' Right? Well, don't underestimate me... That's my fathers job. And Scott's too.' Craig flashed Scott a smug look.

A small chuckle came from the crowd before him, the seats were roughly half filled but almost everyone seemed keen on his words. A quick glance over at the imp, who'd managed to perch himself over them on a beam beside the stained glass window, told him he was working some kind of magic over the crowd. He went with it, if it became a wreck at least they'd likely not remember.

'So, my name is Craig Tucker... I am a youth pastor here for the church.' With those words leaving his lips, a few murmurs and whispered began to break out amongst the church goers. 'And this is my first-'

'You were attacked by those devil worshippers!' A gentleman stood up from his pew, his voice calling over the crowd. Clearly it was still fresh in their minds.

'Yes that was-'

He was cut off again.

'What are we going to do about these cultists?!' Another voice called.

'Why are they here?' One more voice chimed in.

'Will they hurt me next?' Another.

'They killed my parrot, they did!' What?

More and more voices, all speaking over one another erupted into chaos in the hall of the church. A frenzy of fear and anger.

'Woah, woah... My friends, we need to be civil!' Craig tried his best to boom his voice over the microphone. 'Sit down, and let's talk.'

They all did as he said. Weird. The imp simply flashed him a wave, forcing the crowd to listen. Thank you, Tweek.

'Right, let's acknowledge that this town has a problem - always has done. I've lived here twenty five years, some of you much longer. I see it everyday. This town lives in sin, in gluttony, takes too much pride... All this cult does is try to embellish it further! To lead you down a path of sin. They threaten to break down the walls of our sanctuary but I say no more! No more shall we cower in the dark while these heathens run wild. It's our duty to educate, to help save the souls of the damned and to bring about peace once again!' Each word began to feel more empowering by the second. But he was a hypocrite and he enjoyed everyone hanging off his every word.

The imp couldn't pry eyes away as the pastor revealed in his new found confidence.

'We need to work together to bring our loved ones, our friends and our family's to the light. We need to enforce our sanctuary first. God will smite those that oppose him, their time is up! So...' He breathed, catching some air finally.

The audience stood in awe, Scott stood baffled from what he had just witnessed. His plan of embarrassing Craig had backfired dramatically. Tweek folded his arms, a smug look upon his face, his job was done for now.

'Will you open your heart to salvation?'

And the crowd roared.

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