Innocent Minds

Mommy and I stepped inside the church while daddy parked the car. We were twenty minutes early for the mass.

"Sweetie, come here, let's find a seat." Mommy whispered into my ear before lifting me up and carrying me. We walked to the front where we found a really nice seat in front of the priest.

Our local church was inhabited by bats, families of them. I could hear their high-pitched screeches as they circled above us.

After a while, daddy followed us in and kissed my forehead, brushing off my blonde hair from my face.

The priest started the mass, they were singing songs of worship and I sang along with them.

At a young age, mommy and daddy taught me religious songs, my favorite was 'One More Gift'. The lyrics flew into my mind again.

If there's one more gift I'd ask of You, Lord
It would be peace here on Earth, as gentle as your children's laughter
all around, all around.

My thoughts drifted off to other things. I looked up and there the bats were, circling above us.

The birds from outside entered the church and started circling around us too. They were circling in synchronization with the bats.

What if the birds were angels and the bats were demons? I thought to myself, I looked at mommy, she was praying so I looked back to the ceiling above us.

The ceiling was a solid white, with multiple chandeliers hanging above us.

I hated the ceiling, it was too dull. How I wish they made the ceiling glass, I wanted to see the sky.

Daddy always told me that whenever I pray, I look at the sky. I grew up loving the sky, it felt peaceful and quiet.

The bats screeched louder while the birds contrasted them with whistles.

The bats were demon soldiers, the birds were guardian angels. The birds protected us from the bats.

The bats were evil, trying to tempt us and keep us away from God but the birds were kind to us.

They soared above the air, bumping into each other, attacking.

What if the bats and birds turned to demons and angels when there was no one in the church?

They were battling for us, the birds for our salvation, the bats for our doom.

On a corner, I could see a bird being surrounded by bats. It looked frightened as if it was on the brink of death.

It was probably a novice, inexperienced and weak- for now. Somehow I knew that this bird would grow to be the strongest guardian of them all.

It flew away but the bats chased it, and attacked it, I witnessed how it fell down to the ground.

But before it hit the floor it opened its wings and flew again, soaring higher than ever before.

But the bats were tough, tackling it as it rose.

Poor little guy.

It fell down again, but this time, it hit the floor.

I ran to its aid, cradling it in my hands.

I held it close, stroking its back.

I gazed upon its eyes, they were black and seemed as if they were glowing, resembling outer space.

It was staring back at me but turned its gaze to the ceiling above.

I looked up to see where it was looking, the birds were perched on the chandeliers, all of them staring at me. The bats hung from the walls, watching my moves.

It seemed like they were stunned at my actions or perhaps, preparing to attack me if I hurt the bird in my hands.

I turned back to the little guy in my fingers. It looked ready to fight again. I checked on mommy and daddy, they were listening to the mass, it was almost done.

The bird nodded at me and I let go of it, it soared back up and battled once more.

Soon enough, the mass ended, so did the battle. I looked for the little bird, and found it perched on a chandelier with its comrades.

The bats were driven away, the birds were victorious.

"Let's go, sweetie." Mommy held my hand.

I stared into it as we went out of the church, I could read its eyes, they spoke to me in clear and gentle words.

We'll meet again, my friend.