Crossed (BxB)

Chapter 19

Sunday rolled around and Theo had a particularly good morning.

He didn't have quite as much trouble pulling himself out of bed, he was actually confident in his sermon for the first time in a few weeks, and overall he was just in a good mood.

As he was getting ready to go out into the church, however, he noticed he hadn't seen Val all morning.

The demon had gotten in the habit of greeting Theo as he was drinking his coffee and following him around for the better half of the day.

It had become a routine in the last few days. Theo almost felt like his morning was missing something without their short interactions.

Nonetheless, he shrugged it off as the demon sleeping in. Theo had told him—once again— not to peek into the services so perhaps he was just staying back for a while.

And so Theo opened the door of the church and greeted the first few people to come in before going back to the pulpit and setting up his Bible and all his notes.

It wasn't until a few minutes later that he stepped down once again, about to join the others in small talk before the service began.

It wasn't just the usual group this time, however. The church usually consisted of 12 people, all of which Theo knew very well.

But now there was 13.

Everyone in the church was practically huddled around this 13th person, overly excited to finally have someone new show up to the church. It was clear they didn't get new people very often.

Usually Theo would be ecstatic about a new member. He always thought it was fantastic when new people moved out to their tiny little town and he especially liked it when they showed up to church.

This person was different though. Something about them made Theo feel.. off. Like they didn't quite fit in with everyone else.

Theo silently observed the person from behind the pulpit, staring shamelessly.

The 13th person was a man who seemed to be around Theo's age, maybe a bit younger. He had bronze skin and long dreadlocks that were pulled up in a half-ponytail and reached down to his lower back. He was dressed simple, a black button up with dress pants and a few pieces of silver jewelry here and there.

"Theo" a familiar voice called out cheerfully.

The priest snapped out of his trance and faced Paula, the elderly lady who he'd known since moving to that town. He honestly felt even more comfortable with her now that Val had confirmed she couldn't be the demon.

"Have you talked to him yet?" She asked gingerly.

She had clearly noticed Theo's staring, but Theo simply ignored that fact to save his own embarrassment.

"Not yet, perhaps I will after the service" he smiled and did what he could to hide his suspicions.

He was sure that guy was involved with the whole demon ordeal. Hell, he probably was a demon. He probably was the demon. Who knows what he had been doing all these years while everyone in the church was clueless.

As angry as Theo found himself, he was also a little relieved. If that guy was the one sneaking around the church, then that meant none of the members could be a demon. They're all human, just like he had thought.

"You should" Paula urged. "He is very sweet, he had good manners too. You can just tell he is a good young man"

Theo's jaw clenched and his fists balled up tightly. There was no way this 13th member was that good an actor.