Fallen

Chapter 5(edited 4/9/19)

For once, I got a little alone time. Nobody came into the church, which was sad if you were a religious type, but definitely good for my weary bones. I actually dozed off for a few minutes. That was a rare treat for somebody like me. True, beings like me didn't require sleep, but it was something I enjoyed all the same whenever I could get it.  That rare, blissful moment was interrupted when Father Nathan came back into the room, clapping his hands to wake me.

            "You give priests a bad name," I groaned, coming back to the waking world. "I thought you guys were supposed to be considerate of other people."

            "Eh, what are you gonna do?" the priest asked with a smile, taking a seat beside me and staring up at the depiction of the crucifixion. "Were you there?"

            "Where?" I asked, following the priest's gaze. I shook my head once I realized what he'd meant. "No. Can't say I was. I was on the other side of the world, still recovering."

            "A shame," Nathan sighed. "I always wonder what he was like."

            "Probably an absent minded asshole," I answered. "He probably took after his dad in that way."

            "I'll overlook that blasphemy since I know that you don't really mean it," Nathan replied coolly. "You are in his house. The least you could do is show a little reverence."

            "Forgive me Father, for I have sinned," I said sarcastically. Nathan sighed again and shook his head.

            "I pray for you, Gavin," he said despairingly. "That someone like you can have such a lack of faith astounds me."

            "It's all a little less mystical from the other side of the curtain," I replied, kicking my feet up on the back of the pew in front of us. The father gave me a look, but didn't say anything about it.

            "I'd love to get into one of our lovely theological debates, but I guess the matters at hand should take precedence," Nathan said dryly .I nodded my head in agreement.

            "How is she?" I asked. Nathan shrugged.

            "Shaken up, but physically she's fine. As far as mentally or spiritually, I can only guess at what kind of state she's in. Her life definitely hasn't been the easiest path to tread."

            "No. I could tell that just by looking at her," I agreed, looking at the door where the priest had led the young woman. "She's probably been able to see past the veil for a while. You know how that is."

            "Don't I," the father said grimly, his eyes cast to the past. "If it hadn't been for you and the church, I doubt I would have turned out as well as I have."

            "You would have been fine. You were a tough kid. Besides, you were decided for the guys upstairs before you were six. An angel or two would have been sent to guide you at some point."

            "I don't know if that should be a comforting thought or not," Nathan said wryly. I laughed, the sound echoing off the high walls and ceilings of the church.

            "Neither do I," I said after I regained control. "It would have depended upon the angel. Some of them aren't so bad, I guess."

            "But others are dicks," the priest finished flatly. I nodded.

            "Yeah, they are. Comes with territory," I replied, stretching lazily. "How long do you think it'll be before she comes back out?"

            "Not much longer. She was in the shower when I left her. I sealed the exits so she wouldn't be able to run. I even double sealed the windows in the bathroom.