The Hunter

Preacher Man

Gloria stood beside the front door. It had opened for her twice when she had no intention of walking through it and once when she wanted to see if the house would let her step outside for fresh air. Now she stood and twisted her fingers around each other endlessly while she waited. The man had seemed to know where to go, but Gloria wasn't sure where the house was. Would he be able to get there?

A knock at the door startled Gloria - because of or in spite of the waiting she wasn't sure - and she opened it quickly. The man standing outside the door was in his traditional black ensemble with the while bit in the collar. He held an old leather bag in one hand and an old leather book in the other. Gloria suddenly froze, her mouth dry and her tongue glued to the roof of her mouth.

"You must be Gloria. I'm sorry we're meeting under the circumstances you described on the phone." The preacher stood patiently a moment before smiling warmly. "If you feel safer with me out here I have no problem with that."

Gloria, still trying to get moisture back in her mouth, backed up to allow the man into the house. He stepped into the house and indicated she should lead the way as he closed the door gently behind himself. Gloria led him to the kitchen and sipped at her water before she offered him a glass of water.

"That would be lovely thank you." He sat back in his chair, the bag on the floor at his feet and the book on the table in front of him. "Now, you said you needed some help. What can I do for you?"

Gloria swallowed as she placed his glass of water in front of him. She'd gone off on him on the phone, telling him bits and pieces of everything in no order she could recall, and now she was wondering if she hadn't made a mistake. She opened her mouth, and burst into tears.

The man in front of her had clearly not been expecting that as he glanced around the room, into his pockets and finally dragged a piece of cloth from his bag and handed it to the sobbing woman in front of him. Gloria sobbed while he patted her elbow and muttered soothing sounds. When she had slowed down Gloria drew in a ragged breath and tried to answer the man.

"I think I made a mistake calling you. I think it's best if you leave, there are things going on you can't possibly know and -"

"Finn is the Hunter, you said you were told you were the Chronicler, this house is magical and really should have provided you with something by way of tissues or a hanky, Finn is actually acutely injured, and you said something about you going to Hell." The man interrupted with a gentle smile. "I can't help you with most of that, but I am hoping I can prevent the trip, so why don't we start with that?"

"Exodus 22:18." Gloria muttered.

"Yes? What about it?" The man smirked, as though he had this conversation often and knew precisely where it was going.

"I should be killed." Gloria whispered, unable to look at the preacher where he sat.

"If I may ask, are you familiar with this passage because of the internet or upbringing?" He leaned back on his chair and looked at the ceiling.

"Upbringing."

"I see. Catholic?"

"Yes." Gloria squeezed her eyes shut, certain she was about to be excommunicated at least and more likely condemned.

"And may I assume that no one else in your family has developed whatever abilities you have?" At Gloria's wordless nod he continued. "And when was your last confession?" Gloria shrugged and the man stood up. She watched as he turned his chair so he would not be facing her before indicating she should do the same with hers. After a few moments of him muttering prayers he asked her a question that was familiar and unexpected in the kitchen of a witch's house.

"Greetings my child. How long has it been since your last confession?" Gloria sobbed her answer and together they completed her confession and absolution.

The man turned his chair to face Gloria across the table again. He pulled a business card out of his bible after marking the page he was on by dog earing it, and passed it to Gloria. "My parish will welcome you should you choose to come. I will caution you that not all of my parishioners, nor my bishop, are aware of the literal magic in the world, but many are." He glanced at the clock on the wall. "I do need to get back shortly, but is there anything else I can do for you now?"

"Are you sure God won't hate me?"

The man touched his Bible and sighed deeply. "That is a very deep and heavy conversation. Let me summarize my side of it before I leave. We can discuss it more at a later date if you'd like." At Gloria's' nod he continued. "The words in this Book are law, but God is Infallible. If he gives some people abilities I cannot question the validity of his actions, and neither should you. Do your powers come from Him or some demonic pact you consciously made?"

"They came with puberty." Gloria admitted and the man winced.

"Ah." The man said with more understanding in that sound than anyone had shown Gloria in the last five years. "Where did you get my number from?" He asked after a moment.

Gloria passed him the book and flipped through it, marking some of the names with a worn pencil that had been tucked behind one ear. He passed it back.

"I have met, or am familiar with, these names. With the exception of Athena they are all recognized by the Catholic Church to be Angels of God, and calling on them will certainly not be considered a Sin." He stood and lifted his bag. "Calling Athena is also not a Sin if you are the Chronicler. She is - "He interrupted himself to consider his words. "You would consider her your direct supervisor, or your trainer. She won't require any worship from you, and may help you to learn to balance your Catholic upbringing with your current reality. Wisdom is one of her strengths after all." He reached out to grip her shoulder firmly. "I meant what I said when I invited you to my Parish. You will be welcome with us."

Gloria nodded and politely saw him out. It was too much for her to consider at the moment that her parents had been wrong. That her priest had been wrong. But it was still enough to have calmed her down significantly. She turned down the hall to check on Finn, too lost in thought to even notice the door at the end of the hall.