Unsainted

8: Trial Through Fire

Atrox sprinted from the police station, and into the night. He ran through the field and into the woods, with an unnatural drive. Only two things guided him, the high pitched screams and a bloom of orange light; deeper in the forest. Atrox gladly let his body run through the forest, there was nothing he could do. Nothing he ever could have done. 

'What am I?' 

Atrox asked himself as he ran through the undergrowth, occasionally sprint on all fours when it was too hard to stand. Unknowingly he bared his teeth, and had his face cemented in anger; purely out of aggression.  

'Taken by someone who I trusted as much, as my own family. Did I do something wrong?'

Atrox closed the distance to the commotion that drew him in; and saved Victoria. A much more cautious side of Atrox came out, leading him to hide in one of the few bushes that was on the forest floor. 

There was quite a commotion ahead of him. Within a clearing; stood a majority of the town, men women and their children. Some armed with rifles and shotguns, others with torches and crucifixes. In the middle of the clearing was a massive bonfire, made from several small trees and scrap wood. Enough to illuminate father John and his bound victim. A girl, not much older than Atrox with long black hair, tearful grey eyes and dirt covering her pale face. John stood over her, wearing a purple robe; with a bible in his left hand.

'You'

Atrox growled, snarling silently to himself and nearly cracking his teeth.

'You're more of a monster than I am. And by whatever God is really out there, I'm going to make you pay for what you did to me'

John raised his right hand above the girl and began chanting a prayer; one normally associated with exorcisms.

"In the name of Jesus christ, our lord and God, strengthened by the intercession of the immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Blessed Michael the Archangel, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and all the Saints. And powerful in the holy authority of our ministry, we confidently undertake to repulse the attacks and deceits of the devil" John exclaimed in a commanding voice. 

The girl squirmed on the ground, in a vain attempt to loosen the rope that was wrapped around her.

Atrox turned to a nearby tree and slowly began to climb it; using his claws to dig into the tree, and being careful not to make too much noise. 

"God arises; His enemies are scattered and those who hate him, flee before Him." John continued, "As smoke is driven away, so are they driven; as wax melts before the fire, so the wicked perish at the presence of God."

That line of prayer caused a small uproar from the crowd, and even more distress from the girl as John continued his exorcism. 

Victoria and Andrey arrived at the scene in a squad car, drawing attention; but not interrupting John. The car stopped and Victoria stepped out of the driver's seat; pistol in hand, alongside Andrey who had a shotgun much to big for him. 

"John what the hell are you doing!?" Victoria yelled, marching towards him with her pistol aim at the ground.

"Miss please help me", the girl cried falling on her side, John broke from his religious trance and turned to face Victoria.

"You mustn't interrupt me" John said clutching his bible closer to his chest. 

Victoria shook her head and aimed her pistol at him.

"And what exactly am I interrupting? The end of a witch hunt? She's just a kid John, not a fucking monster" Victoria said angrily. 

The crowd started to become restless and in response, Andrey moved in between them and Victoria; racking his shotgun as a threat.