Pray For Me

Breaking Free

"Jude! Jude," Timothy yells, wrapping his arms around her waist and dragging her towards the door. He came running straight from the infirmary when he'd heard her screaming.

"That's right father, protect your whore!" The demon cackles, spitting towards them. Timothy drags Jude into the hallway, kicking and screaming.

"Stay here," He orders, turning back to the room. Jude cries softly, running her hands through hair, clutching her wimple in her left hand.

"I was weak," She mutters to herself over and over again. Mary Eunice comes up to comfort Jude, and the two girls watch on, their anxiety levels rising with the Monsignor's voice.

Timothy exorcises the demon successfully, and Jude sighs. Both Jude and Mary Eunice pray for the soul of the possessed boy. Jude begins to feel light headed, and clutches the door frame to steady herself. Timothy turns to the sisters before Mary Eunice collapses, along with Jude.

Jude opens her eyes groggily, groaning and staring up at the ceiling. She was alone in the infirmary, and grateful for it. She hears footsteps, and closes her eyes again, pretending to sleep to avoid interaction.

"Jude?" Timothy calls, entering the room. He sees her sleeping figure on one of the beds and sighs. He perches himself on the edge of the mattress and smiles softly.

"I'm truly sorry, my rare bird. I should have protected you. I promise to make it up to you. It is my personal duty to look after you, and I failed," He says, brushing a few stray curls from her face. He admires her, having never seen her out of her habit. Even though she is only wearing one of the sheer white nightgowns provided by the church, he still finds her strikingly beautiful. He gets close to her face as he covers her with the thick wool blanket, smiling to himself.

"I love you," He whispers, stroking her hair back once more before leaning down to kiss her forehead. He glances back one last time before heading for his room, which is one floor above the infirmary.

Jude opens her eyes when she is sure she is alone again, and smiles. She sits up and thinks about Timothy's words.

Timothy is getting ready for his evening prayer, when the door to his room bursts open. Jude stumbles in, carrying two suitcases full of her possessions. She looks frantic.

"Jude?" He asks, standing up from his spot on the floor and tucking his rosary into his pocket.

"We need to go. Now! Collect your things," She orders, speaking in a hushed whisper.

"What are you talking about?"

"There is no time for questions! Do you trust me, Timothy?"

"Of course."

"Then do as I say," She snaps, falling into her role of strict nun once again. She is wearing a black dress that hugs her curves. It takes him no time at all to realize she is out of her habit and in civilian clothes. He obeys her, scrambling to throw his things together.

"Let's go," She says, grabbing his hand and pulling him into the hallway. They run down the stairs, bolting straight out of Briarcliff and towards Timothy's car. They get in and he takes a moment to catch his breath. Jude is paranoid, and stays that way until Timothy drives off quickly.

"Jude, what is going on?" He asks once they are off the grounds.

"Please, just find us somewhere to stay." She's still paranoid and frantic, pushing her hair back where it falls from it's half ponytail.

They drive for a while until they are close to the state line, and then stop off at a motel. Jude pays up front with cash and they enter the room. She is on edge as she relays to him the information she's found out. She tells him about Arden's confirmed Nazi past, and how sister Mary Eunice is possessed by the devil. To prove her point about Arden, Jude pulls a large envelope out of her suitcase, full of research from the private investigator she hired.