A Priest's Deadly Obsession

Chapter 33 - Anxiety

(Still undecided if I will keep this chapter or not, I may delete/keep as a draft)

James was giving his last Sunday service before being put on his requested time of absence.

Obviously the church diocese were not at all pleased with his request and offered him counseling once he decided to return. Little did they know he would never be returning to the same chapel let alone the same town again.

With a heavy heart James lifted the chalice into his members mouths as they drank the blood of Christ. In his mind, he himself prayed for forgiveness, prayed for his soul, though ultimately he knew that he would face judgement.

The following member who presented himself woke him from his solemn state, before him stood Zach with red eyes.

"The blood of Christ," spoke James, to which Zach barely muttered an 'Amen' and drank, his eyes however remained fixed on the priest.

Once service was over, James said a few farewells to those who knew him the longest. He noticed Zach in the background eyeing him, his hands in his pockets.

The priest yanked his gaze away from the boy and walked over to his office, but Zach followed him.

"Father Beckford, I need a minute with you." he said sternly, the words made the priests stomach do somersaults.

James continued further into his office and pulled out a small box to begin packing a few of his personal things.

"I'm sure you do, but I am leaving this parish as of today. I need to gather my things,"

Zach narrowed his eyebrows at him, his fists clenched. He was angry; angry that all this had happened and that it seemed like no one even cared anymore.

Two missing girls and the world kept spinning.

"Sir, it's important I must insist you give me a minute," he stood in the doorway, if he had to block the priest he would do it without hesitation.

James did not want this confrontation, he could not get rid of Zach even if he tried. Not without Albert here, not on his last day and certainly not that he already got rid of his sister. There would be too many connections.

Instead James forced an unnatural smile and sat in his chair.

"Very well then," he motioned for Zach to sit down which he did. "First let me say; I am so sorry about your sister. You know, she and I were close and it breaks my heart that this tragedy has happened. I keep her in my prayers daily," he lied.

Zach felt unnerved by the priest, a sense of awkwardness filled the air in the small office.

"...thanks...actually I came to talk to you about Juliet."

James raised both eyebrows.

"She wanted to come and talk to you about something...something regarding Elizabeth." His eyes remained fixed on the priest.

But the priest merely kept his smile.

"Yes Zach, she did come to see me." James stood up and walk around his desk, both hands he kept behind his back. His stride was long and slow and with each tap on the wood floor added more and more adrenaline into Zach's bloodstream.

"I will tell you what I told the police,"

Zach's eyes widened at his remark.

"Yes, they also came to speak with me shortly after your sister went missing. I will re-iterate the same to you," James cleared his throat as he leaned against the front of his desk.