Irreconcilable

Oh

Once they finished laughing Alex what the first to speak.

"Here we don't worship your god." I guess they say the confusion in my face and elaborated more, "let me explain. You," they point at me, "have the almighty God with a capital G. That's not what happens here."

"I'm still confused."

"Look around kid what do you see?" Cain states, his voice boomed throughout the church.

"A church" I look around again and see everything my church has. "A dark church." I pause. "Without a cross in sight." I look at Alex and they give me a small smile. Then at Cain and he just rolls his eyes I think I even hear him say oblivious but I'm not sure... "I don't" I look around and something clicks. The black and red everywhere, the way they are dressed, the chapel set up. Realization that their religion is... "oh."

"He's no different than the other Christians." His tone shocks me. The way he said Christians with suck disgust and hate...honestly surprised me. No one has ever said it like that in front of me.

"What does that mean?" I didn't catch it before it slipped out and I instantly regretted it by the look on his face. He look at me and I can't describe it. I couldn't control my body, I shrunk away before he got to me. And all of a sudden he stopped almost like he was taken back by the sudden action but he wasn't. At least his face didn't show it.

"It means you are a small minded Christian just like the rest! You aren't any different. You are just as fucked up as them." He says it full of hate.

I'm frozen. I can't look at up I just stare at the ground. I'm still tensed up and ready for him to beat me. I'm ready, I have to be ready for it. I can only prey to god that they won't kill me.

"Hey," Alex says "you are shaking. Are you okay?"

Then black...again.

•••

These lights actually belong in hell.

"And he's up!" Alex says off to my side sympathetically smiling over at me.

"What happened?" I say my voice raw, it hurts to speak.

"Go get home some water" they looks to my other side. I follow their gaze and see Cain and I flinch away from him remembering everything. "Hey it's okay! He didn't hurt you. I think you blacked out  from fear. But you are pretty beaten up." They look me over. Suddenly I feel really uncomfortable and go to sit up, every thing starts swirling and I have no choice to go back down.

"I didn't mean to offend him. I- I just didn't know people who practiced...um.. this? ...actually existed before today." I look at Alex and see the surprise in their face.

"They really do keep you sheltered," they shake their head, "here let me help you up." I finally manage to to sit up and stay. "I figured that they would be preaching about how awful we are considering.."

"Let me talk to you" I flinched at his voice behind me. "Alone."

"Here drink the water. I'll be right back." Alex smiles then gets up and walks in the other room. I can't hear what they said but I can only imagine. He hates me. For my religion! Of all things. I get up on my feet and steady myself on the wall. Once the world is spinning a little less I make my way to the door.

When I get to the door my vision is going dark so I pause and shut my eyes, waiting for it to pass. I'm not sure how I'm going to get home but I'll figure it out somehow. I start opening the door being as quiet as I can but it makes a loud creaking sound that echoes off the walls.

"Hey! Where do you think you are going? You are in no shape to be going anywhere." Alex says rushing up to me, Cain lingering behind not caring, probably wishing I would leave. "Well?"

"Home." I say quietly

"You'll never make it on foot." Alex leads me to sit down. "You shouldn't be going anywhere like this."

"No I have to leave. My parents, my dad, isn't going to be happy. I can't stay here you all don't want me to be here. I'm fine. Just let me go." I state frantically and all rushed not knowing if it sounded like gibberish.

"Your parents can deal it's not like they'll kill you," little do you know... "what makes you think we don't want you here.? We are fine with you being here."

"Speak for yourself!" Cain mutters earning a book being thrown at him.

"Honestly we don't mind."

"He does. I don't understand why he hates me because of my religion."

"You're one to talk" he scoffs.

"You," Alex  points at Cain, "shut the hell up motherfucker." They turns to me "you," Alex points at me, "are a Christian so.." they trail off.

"I just said oh because my slow brain just put all of it together. I would never judge someone based on their religion," I look at Alex "I'm not my parents. I think it's cool, obviously I've never heard of you all so I don't understand it completely, but I think everyone is allowed to believe in what they want." I pause and glance at Cain his features still unreadable, but his eyes doesn't seem as mad.

"Not like the others." Alex smiles at me and looks over their shoulder to give Cain a mocking look. Then I hear church bells and I'm completely confused. "Three o'clock!" Alex looks back at me and smiles.

"THREE?! Oh please God don't let him kill me! I have to get home! I have to go I need to" I feel warm tears run down my face but I don't care "I have to go!"