THE HEADMASTER FROM HELL

Part 70 - THE MONK FROM HELL Part 1

Sean spoke to the head monk about staying in the guest house. The head monk remembered Sean coming before to take Daniel away and he was not particularly keen to have him there. But he felt he had to give him the benefit of the doubt

''Well i do have my doubts about allowing you to stay'' he told Sean 'However we never turn anyone away who wants to stay and since we do currently have rooms free we must welcome you here''

''Thank you very much!'' Sean said and he was pleased but Daniel was not

''Brother Daniel please show Mr Lewis to his room'' the monk instructed Daniel

Usually Daniel obeyed all orders from the head monk at once without delay or argument. But not today ''Ah must i ?'' he asked ''Cannot one of the others do it?''

''No i am ordering you to do it'' the head monk told him sternly ''I know you and Mr Lewis had problems in the past but you must not hold a grudge now.Its important to forgive and make the effort to be friends''

''I do agree'' Sean said

''Well i agree to then'' Daniel said but really he did not feel it. He only said it to please the head monk

Daniel took Sean to his room. The room was very basic. There was not much in there other than a bed, a sink, a few photos of Jesus on the wall and a bible on a table with cushions on the floor nearby to kneel on

''Its very basic as you can see'' Daniel said ''Not what you're used to at all''

''Yes i see. Well it will do for now'' Sean said       

''So how long are you planning to stay for?'' Daniel asked

Sean just shrugged ''No idea really. Depends on how long it takes me to get myself sorted out. And if i like it here i might stay a very long time''

''But surely this isn't a place that would interest you long term? I mean you're hardly the religious type so why would you like it here and want to stay long?''

''I don't know yet. But if i feel that it would be beneficial for me to stay then i will''

''I see'' Daniel said with a sigh

Daniel left Sean alone in the room to unpack and settle in. Later another monk came to fetch him for lunch

''We sit and eat in silence'' the monk informed Sean as they walked down the drafty corridors to the dining room ''Sometimes one of us might read from the bible for a bit during meals. But not every day''

''I see yes and it sounds thrilling'' Sean said ''And what will we eat for lunch today?''

''We have bread with cheese and chicken soup''

''Is that all?'' Sean was not very excited about this lunch ''I was hoping for something nicer. I am very hungry''

''Well in here we eat a basic diet. We do not over indulge. We don't even eat chocolate often and anytime we overindulge or get greedy we flog ourselves as punishment!''

''yes i see...'' Sean was beginning to wonder if these men were unwell in the head or something. He also noticed that most of the men were middle aged or older. Some were pension age. Daniel appeared to be the youngest monk there by quite some years. And now that Sean was staying as a guest he was the next youngest at 31. He wondered what enjoyment Daniel could possibly get out of living here. No men around his own age to talk to. Nothing very exciting to do it seemed. It was like being in prison but for some reason Daniel was happy there and Sean could not understand it. But then he knew that Daniel did take his faith in God very seriously. It was clear that Daniel was doing what he felt he had to do to show his adoration and commitment to the lord. Sean could almost admire it but he was still very angry with Daniel for giving up the chance to be a footballer to come here