We The NUN

The Southern Parish.

          We had finally past the waste lands and we could see the dome of the Southern Parish coming closer and closer. Although we were far we could still see it.

     From what I could tell, it had a golden bell at the top of the dome which reflected the sunlight . The colour of the dome was dark navy blue. I couldn't see the rest of the architecture till we had drove three kilometers. The rest of the building were made of blocks. It looked like the structure had been there for decades due to the vines at every corner of the building. Some parts were cracking and others grew out weeds. It was almost overshadowed by the trees surrounding it. It looked so deep in the forest. I thought that all Parishes were like ours free, open and beautiful, but it seemed like this structure was way older than our Parish.

     " Father? Why are there cracks on the building and why can't they pay a labourer to get rid of the vines clinging to the walls?"  I asked.

     " Don't get the wrong impression. The Nuns here aren't dirty and neither are they lazy".   Father told me.

    " They called a town's boy all the way from the Eastern part of the village to clear it out but he fell from his ladder  while on the job and died. Although his body was never found, it was assumed he fell due to the splatter of blood on the floor when they got there".  Father continued.

   " What happened to his family?"

    " I heard they were compensated with a huge some of money by the Sisters fellowship of the Eastern region".  Father answered.

      " You know they didn't stop at that in hiring people to get rid of the vines but everyone who came for the job always had an accident. It was either instant death while on the job or  impaired body parts. The lucky ones ran mad."  He told me. 

      What scared me the most was how father could still say all of this with a straight face. He didn't look bothered or concerned about the tragic events. I wonder how many souls have been lost because of the vines on the church. Perhaps, it was of God's doing. Maybe the vines protected the church against demons or carnal powers and besides why haven't the so called 'seers' foreseen the reason for the deaths of these men.

   " Father, why can't they foresee the occasional death of these men? I mean this is more than a mere accident".  

     " You can't force a vision. At the appropriate time it will be revealed."

       I didn't want to force uncertain answers from Father. He was only telling me what he was told. I felt like there was more to it than that although, he was right. Visions can never be forced. I didn't force my first vision. It came on its own.

     We finally got to the gates of the parish. It was a see through gate. The iron bars were thin and rickety although, it wasn't rusted. The premises was full of dead leaves of the trees surrounding the church. It was dark at most corners. The gate was opened by an old man and here I thought they were no men. I guess there were some positions women couldn't occupy.
         I was surprised to see that we weren't the only ones to arrive here. I thought my kinds were rear gems. The church premises was a bit scarce but I could spot a few Nun here and there. We parked close to a black vintage car. It looked rather classy and razzle dazzle. The girl at the back seat looked around my age and was also in the same attire as I. She seemed to be praying. There was a lady at the front seat. She looked a lot like the girl at the back. I could tell they were related. She didn't seem to care about the prayer of the girl, she was to busy reapplying her lipstick on the side mirror. I couldn't lie they both were beautiful.

      " Stay here". Father ordered as he left the van.

          The bang of the van's door caught the lady and the girls attention. The lady greeted Father and so did the girl. She watched Father walk away till her eyes landed on me. She stared at me. I was sure she felt like waving but she wasn't the type that makes first gestures. I didn't mind, I waved her with a smile. She was just about to wave back when a good looking and corporately dressed man opened the car's door from the other end, ordering her to come down. She got out the car and her suitcase was brought out the trunk by the man. He took her hand and left towards a door in the building. It didn't take long for the lady to get out the car too. Her gown was rather fancy.