A Priest's Deadly Obsession

Chapter 68 - Forward

Rohan patiently waited in the hospital for what seemed like hours, pacing up and down the hallway for an explanation on when he could see his niece and why it had taken so long for him to be allowed entry.

He dropped everything in order to make the long drive to finally be reunited with her.

A doctor passed by and he immediately asked him if he could finally enter the room but the doctor shook his head and merely explained that he had to continue waiting for direction of the detective.

Rohan sat back down for a moment, his head in his hands. He knew she was alive, at least he was content with that for the moment.

Finally, after so much waiting he saw Victor emerge from Elizabeth's room. Rohan shot up and ran over towards him in a panic.

"May I please go in now? You've kept me waiting all this time!"

Victor placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, "In a few but I need to first explain some things to you." He pulled out his cigarette pack and placed one behind his ear. "Walk outside with me for a moment,"

Rohan's eyes were glued to the door, the blinds were drawn he couldn't see her inside. The detective caught his glance and gave him a short easy going smile, "I promise you she'll be alright. One of my men is in there, she's very tired and needs a lot of rest."

They both walked down the hall silently and out towards the door, to the further side of the hospital building was a smoking section. Victor took a seat but Rohan remained standing.

"I assume you know by now, the person behind your niece's disappearance?"

Rohan merely nodded and his eyes looked up at the darkened sky, black clouds hovered over them. His eyes grew glossy, "It's all been my fault. I introduced her to him, to the church."

Victor scoffed though, "Don't do that. A church is supposed to be a safe place, and priests are supposed to be good humble men that are there to help those in need, not steal them away. This was James' fault and not yours."

His words however, brought a small amount of comfort to Elizabeth's uncle, but it wasn't not enough to stop him from sobbing.

"Unfortunately..." Victor dragged on, "Your niece also blames herself." He stood up and looked into her uncles eyes seriously. "She's going to need a lot of extensive psychiatric help."

His advice was heavy on Rohan's heart.

"Oh god.." he clasped a hand over his mouth and turned away from the detective, ashamed at how emotional he was. Victor also felt guilty that he had even more dreadful news to deliver.

"Rohan..." the detective muttered softly, prompting him to turn and look at him, "...she's 4 month's pregnant."

He delivered the blow to him, the silence of the night drowned them both. Rohan was unable to absorb the news fully, but after he realized what that meant he fell onto the bench and lost all control to contain himself.

"I-I ...I failed to keep her safe, oh god..."he cried into his hands.

Victor pulled hard on his cigarette and took another one out, nudging Rohan to take it. But the sorrowful man waved his hand.

"Take it. Calm down." Victor insisted.

With reluctance, Rohan took the cigarette and with trembling hands put it to his mouth and inhaled. He coughed very hard though, he had never smoked anything before.

Victor sat next to him and patted his back, "You're lucky Rohan. You might not see it right now but you're very lucky. Juliet's parents can't exactly say the same." he explained, to which Rohan pulled on the cigarette a little harder. Somehow, as unhealthy as it was, it gave him something to concentrate on rather than his remorse.