Midnight Air

16

"What do you mean the priest isn't here?" I could feel the irritation in Soja's voice. Someone got to the priest before we did. No doubt that Abigael had a hand in it. She probably already knew that we were closing in on her. That wasn't going to help us, but she would need to try a hell of a lot harder than that to get away.

The closer we got to her, the more I could feel my need to rip into flesh grow. Definitely didn't help her that I loathed being here. New York was not on the top of my list of places to visit. 

"Well, sir, a gentleman came in earlier this evening asking to speak with him. He said it was urgent. I don't know much else, I was in a hurry to head to the orphanage. Those poor darlings. Sir Calvin has been such a good man when it comes to helping the children. Uh- but after the gentleman came, I haven't seen him around. He must have gone out for a while. I'm sure he'll be back in an hour or so. He does this sometimes."

Soja was about to speak, but before he could I swiftly turned to her grabbing her arm. "Thank you sister. You've been a great help. Do you mind if we sit in the confessional and wait for him? It's important."

The nun smiled, "Why, yes you may sit in there and wait. I'm certain Calvin would be delighted to see you again, Miss Purity."

I gave her a smile and turned to walk towards the booth. As our footsteps echoed in the empty cathedral, Soja spoke, "How often do you visit the priest? I never took you for a religious type."

"It takes all types. I am religious, but not Catholic. I didn't kill him on any of my visits, just trying to get as much info on him as possible. That way I could savor every moment when I took his life. And I don't kill outside of the missions. That's a rule, isn't it?"

"You're right, just didn't know you came here so much. I thought you hated New York."

"I do. I've only been here a few times. The others, Calvin met me while traveling on 'business.' I know what he's really up to."

I stopped just in front of the curtain leading into the booth. Something didn't smell right. Calvin wasn't out, the priest wasn't even alive. I can smell death from a mile away. But it was mixed with something else. A hint of cinnamon and apples. It smelled familiar, as if it were only yesterday I had been planning the rest of our lives together.

"John?" The word came out barely above a whisper.

"What did you just say? Purity, are you ok?" Soja rested his hand on my shoulder and looked at me with concern.

I yanked the curtain back. Nothing. Just a small bottle of blood with a note.

My Dearest Purity

Take this bottle as a token that I will always be here to protect you, even if there's someone new. Just know that I still love you.

All my love,

J.G.

I felt myself wanting to cry. Why did I have such a strong emotion towards this man. I hated him. He killed my mother and took my life. And now he apparently took my kill.

Hot, angry tears started to sting my eyes and flow down my cheeks. I grabbed the wine bottle full of the priests blood. "Fuck you, John! Any feelings I have towards you are pure hatred. I'll fucking kill you next!" The bottled hurled to the ground shattering in a thousand tiny pieces. 

I turned to Soja, tears still streaming, "Why isn't he fucking dead? I shot the bastard, didn't I? So why the hell is he still alive?!" By the time I finished the sentence I was starting to scream.

Soja just looked at me in confusion. "I don't know how to tell you this, Purity, but John didn't kill you. His brother did."