Hidden Messages

Part 5 - Rehearsals with the Devil

Striding hurriedly through the corridor, you grasped the cup of fresh coffee tightly. Its warmth seeped into the palm of your hand as the strong aroma hung in the air.

Tucked under your other arm was your laptop enclosed on a folder containing the last documents that you had finished last night. You rounded the corner, ducking down the next left and knocking on the first door with your free hand.

"Come in," Sister Imperator's stern voice sounded from the other side.

You opened the door, trying not to drop the laptop precariously held under your arm.

"Good morning, Sister," you greeted her as you made your way over to stand before her desk.

She sat in her chair, a set of glasses perched on her nose. Her greying hair was done up in a tight bun with a few loose strands falling around her face. The suit she wore was a smooth grey.

"Morning. Do you have everything that I asked for?" She replied, her voice stern. That was how it always was though, and it was the one word that perfectly described her entire demeanour.

"Right here." You handed her the folder of documents. "And I emailed the rest of them as well."

Sister nodded as she flicked through the pages, skimming each one. Your eyes wandered around the room, scanning over the various novels and grimoires stuffed into the dark bookshelf that took up most of the room.

Practice started in ten minutes, and you were hoping this meeting would be short. You could have had extra time if not for Cirrus, who hadn't wanted to let you go just as Dewdrop had the morning before.

Ghouls were so much like cats.

It was a similarity you had marked several times throughout working with them. Although, when you had brought it up to Phantom one time, he'd vehemently denied it, even though he'd literally been purring loudly right before you said it.

"Did you sort out the issue with the venue?" Sister asked, snapping you out of your thoughts.

"Yes, they needed an extra few forms filled out for the pyrotechnics. I filled those out, just waiting now for their confirmation, which we should receive some time today."

She nodded, finishing flicking through the files. "Excellent work."

"Thank you, Sister." You smiled graciously.

"What are you planning to do today?"

"I was going to watch the ghouls and Papa practice. But if there's something you need my help with, I'll gladly lend a hand."

Sister Imperator's gaze roved over you. It always felt like she was somehow seeing through you and into your mind.

"No, that's fine." She looked back down at the papers again, shuffling them, before glancing back up. "The ghouls seem to be very fond of you."

You blinked, unsure what to say. "Yeah, they seem to like me."

Sister's piercing eyes moved over your face, as if analysing your thoughts and feelings just by taking in your features. A chill ran up your spine before she ended the brief silence.

"Don't ever forget that they aren't like us. They aren't human, no matter how convincing they may seem." Her words were etched with warning. "I'd hate for you to get hurt. You'd be so very hard to replace."

You nodded respectfully, her words and their possible meanings running through your mind.

"You may go." She waved a hand, and you hurried out of the room, holding your laptop tightly under your arm. Was she trying to warn you?