My Sentence for my Deadly Sin (working title)

Homecoming

It was a dark and rainy December evening which was nothing out of the ordinary in the desert center in California. The rain had been coming down as if someone above turned on a shower and was holding the shower head directly over the small town for the past two days. She had just been listening to the rain while drawing in her sketch pad like she always did on nights such as this. She was of average height, average build for a woman in her early twenties, but save the different color hair and having multiple tattoos she seemed like anyone else nowadays. She was beginning to slowly drift into a deep sleep with her sketch pad and pencil still in her hands when her phone rang causing her to jump up scaring her half to death. And as she fumbled for her phone she finally checked to see who was calling her, it was her dad and brothers work number judging from the area code. Ugh she exclaimed as she fell back against the wall answering her phone. Hello? She said as she rubbed her eyes. Hello Miss Grace, this is Tom, I'm your father and brother's assistant here in New York the unknown voice stated. I kinda figured you worked with them since you aren't my dad or brother talking, what's going on? Graced replied with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. Tom took a deep breath before he spoke again as if bracing himself. I'm afraid there's been a terrible incident here at the church involving your father and brother. Your presence is needed immediately. Grace felt her heart drop at the sound of those words, she immediately responded. What do you mean a terrible incident? Grace asked with a sense of panic in her voice. I'm sorry my lady I can say no more till..Tom started to reply but he was cut off by grace. Wait a damn minute Tom she replied harshly and sarcastically. Where the fuck is my brother and father? Are they ok? What the fuck happened? Tom sighed as she lashed out at him. As I said my Lady, I can't say more till your arrival. I've already taken the liberty and bought you a ticket to leave within the hour. Some trusted associates of the church will be there shortly to transport you to the airport. Ugh! Fine fuck man! screamed Grace as she hung up on Tom. Grace got dressed as quickly as she could and packed with the same intense speed. Even though it was cold outside she wore jeans with rips in the pant legs, tank top with a quarter sleeve light hoodie which left her complete sleeve tattoo on her right arm exposed. She brushed her purple and green hair as she waited on her front porch with her mind racing with endless possibilities of what could have happened. She turned and looked down the street as two cars approached her house, they parked right in front of her and as she walked up to the second car she simply spit on the ground and muttered to herself. I swear if dad and Ryan got beat up by some gang for trying to convert them again I'm gonna lose my shit on a whole new level. She then got into the car and they set on the trip home. They arrived at the airport just in time for her to get on the plane. Grace hadn't been home since the day she turned eighteen but to her it only seemed like it was yesterday that she had gotten up early on the day of her eighteenth birthday just so she could sneak out in order to move out on her own without having to listen to her brother and father protests. As the pilot announced they would be landing soon all Grace could think about was getting to the church and seeing her father and brother. As she walked through the airport she thought maybe this was some big ploy to get her home to try to convince her to move back home and help with whatever work that seemed to always keep them busy. The thought turned her stomach every wrong way as she walked outside the airport and to no surprise to grace there were two cars waiting to take her to wherever they were told to take her. They drove through almost central New York for most of the drive but we were heading in the direction of Brooklyn which was odd to her. She leaned forward as she spoke, Hey I thought we were heading to the trinity church? I thought that's where my father and brother worked? The driver simply looked over his shoulder without a word returned to driving. And with a frustrated look on her face, Grace sat back in her seat as they continued to drive further from where she initially thought was their destination. They soon arrived in Brooklyn and continued to travel on the main road from the Brooklyn Bridge only for a moment longer then turned off onto the city back streets making all kinds of different turns and taking what appeared to be a random route. This made Grace vastly uneasy as they continued to their unknown destination. They continued to make random turns while the driver and other passenger appeared to be very attentive to what was going on around them. Then they finally had arrived by the looks of it. When grace stepped out of the car she looked up and saw that they were at Brooklyn Hospital Center once again her heart dropped. She began to shake slightly as the only thing that came to her mind was that she had already lost one parent she couldn't handle losing anymore of her family. The driver and passenger walked her inside the hospital and took her to an empty room where she was left alone. At this point Grace wasn't sure what to think of what was happening but as she started to get lost in her thoughts the door to the room opened to reveal her father being brought in unconscious and on a hospital bed. Grace gasped as her father had his entire right arm covered in bloody bandages and in a sling and it appeared his head was severely injured given that part of his face and head was covered in bloody bandages as well. Dad! Grace screamed as she rushed to his side and held his left hand with tears pouring down her face. What happened to you? Who did this..Grace started to wildly ask herself question after question while trying not to sob uncontrollably and with tears pouring down her face as she held onto her father's left hand tightly as she gathered herself just enough to remain standing. Just as Grace was about to undoubtedly cry uncontrollably even though she tried to keep herself together as best given the sight of her father in his current condition three unknown men entered the room all dressed as priests. Good evening mam, we do apologize for coming in unannounced but we came as soon as we could said the first man. He had the typical priest style haircut, had a deep scar on his left cheek, and by the looks of it was just barely taller than her father. The second one walked in and stood on the right side of her father's bed,he had slightly longer hair than the first priest, more heavy set, shorter too. We went to check on the site as well as the church before coming over. We wanted to make sure everything was handled correctly as per regulation. The third priest walked in but didn't speak at all just stood slightly to the right of the first man with his arms crossed. He was clearly the tallest of the four, and he had a short Mohawk, was very muscular and had a deep scar going across his face from his right temple to the left side of his jaw line. All three of them were clearly around the same age as her father but something about them seemed off Grace just couldn't place it. Grace was about to speak trying to make sense of things but  just then another male voice spoke up from behind the three priests that came into the room. I told your father that he should've had you come home sooner but he didn't want to listen to me. Grace recognized the voice all too well, it was her uncle Ken. The oldest of the two her uncle stood just slightly shorter than her father but was more muscular and was the lucky one who wasn't balding, he showed his happiness of this genetic miracle by having shoulder long bushy hair that required to be brushed out of his face most of the time. Uncle Ken! Grace shouted as she ran to him and hugged him tightly. Hey little angel you doing ok? I'd be better if I was able to have an actual grasp on what in the actual..she began to say but uncle Ken put his index finger to her lips. Now now a little and beautiful angel such as yourself shouldn't be using such language, leave that to the jackasses in this room that are still conscious. This is brother Alex, brother Amos, and brother Moe.They all work with me, your father, and your brother, they all had bowed their heads slightly as they were introduced. And this here my brothers is my granddaughter Grace, Ryan's older sister. She sheeply waved at them still unsure of what to make of the situation or what they had been remotely talking about just moments before but all that could wait the only thing that was bothering her emissly was the condition of her brother. She looked at her uncle once again with full intent to ask what had happened to her brother and father but her uncle cut her off. Now Grace, before you ask I'm only going to assume this is where your father and or brother say this is one of those famous times where We can't tell you what happened since this is work related. Grace wiped the tears from her eyes and stood up as she replied. Yes and this is where I say Bullshit! That's complete bullshit I want to know what happened? Dad is all bandaged up and Ryan is MIA when he should be here with his family like what the fuck? What kind of church work could remotely have this kind of risk? This whole I can't say anything because of work cop out isn't gonna fly with me this time old man! Tears had begun to flow freely down grace's face as her face has also turned a light shade of red from all the frustration built up from all the secrets that were obviously being kept from her. Ken placed his hands on her shoulders and smiled at her then gave her father a very stern look as he said, even your own son told you that she should know so she would be better prepared if this were to come to pass. Grace looked at her uncle then back at her father confused more than ever, what was so important that her own father would negate what both her brother and uncle had advised him in on how to best handle the situation? How do I know you'll tell me the truth? My own brother and father didn't. Fuck I don't even understand uncle, why wouldn't my own father hell even my own brother tell me the truth? To protect you child of course said an unknown voice from the hospital room door, everyone turned only to see what appeared to be another priest but it was an older man wearing glasses with short hair with a fade. He also had what appeared to be a toothpick in his mouth and he had a scar across the bridge of his nose. Why isn't it Bishop Hermès said Ken, I figured you'd be at the site or your office fending off the big fish. Well you know when I get news that two of my most promising priests are hospitalized while performing their holy duties I figured it best to see to this matter personally he replied with a smile. And this must be brother franks daughter grace if I remember correctly he said as he approached grace with the most somber of looks and sadden tone in his voice. He knelt down before her and spoke once more, please forgive me my child for this being the manner in which we have met, your brother and father always spoke highly of you. Grace was completely unsure of what to make of him let alone knew how to respond. Thank you she said sheeply, and they never mentioned any of this so I'm just; Bishop Hermès cut her off quickly. Yes your father was unsure of how to tell you given the circumstances of you leaving as soon as you turned eighteen to see the world as he phrased it he continued, you must be in a whirl of emotional and mental turmoil at this point please don't worry we will find those responsible for this. It was at this moment she then knew what was going on, what he was attempting to do. You can drop the act Bishop Hermès this concerns my brother and father who are the only family I have left! I'm not going to sit idly by while my family is being attacked. If you think I'll just drop this and let this fucking go you've completely lost your damn fucking mind old man! I don't care who's responsible, my father is unconscious and my brother is missing by the looks of it so whether you like it or not you're going to take me for the ride. It went silent in the room for what appeared to be an eternity after grace spoke, no one moved nor spoke a word till without warning the Bishop began to chuckle softly as he was still knelt down before grace. She looked down at him as she spoke, I'm afraid I don't see what's so fucking funny about what I said old man. The Bishop kept chuckling as he slowly stood up and looked back to Her uncle. Just like her old man brother Ken. And you know, he said turning back to look at grace as he spoke. Your father was right you are a hothead just like your mother. But don't tell him that, he won't let me live that down that I admitted to him being right hell it's hard enough trying to live it down with me being an Irish Catholic who shares the name as one of the Greek gods. He laughed once again but then without warning he again looked at grace with the most serious and somber look she had ever seen in her life he spoke with a matching tone of voice. Are you truly sure you want to go down this road my child? It is a long and difficult road to travel and once you start this journey there's no turning back. Grace simply stared at him confused and scared, am I really sure? She thought to herself over and over as he stared at her even though it felt like he was staring into her soul as they stared at each other, never in her life till now she's never felt more exposed or vulnerable. But with what confidence she had left she finally gave her answer. Yes she said quietly at first, yes I am sure. He folded his arms while he continued to look at Grace. Then all you have to do is ask my child, you must ask of your own accord. Her uncle Ken started to step forward most likely to protest or intervene in some manner but the bishop cleared his throat loudly which caused her uncle to stop dead in his tracks. Grace looked away from the Bishop and looked back down to her father and it was at that moment she realized that for the first time in her life she was genuinely scared, moving out on her own to live across the United States with nothing but the clothes on her back and ten dollars in her wallet was easy compared to this. They may never have seen eye to eye but seeing her father like this has put life in a whole new perspective. She looked back to the Bishop calmly and with what confidence she was able to maintain she spoke. I want my uncle to tell me the truth. Ken sighed as he sat down finally. Do you remember the first things your father and mother taught you and your brother when it concerned growing up? She looked at him questionably as she replied. Of course? To always do our best to be good people no matter what. To always do what is right and to grow positively as individuals. He smiled the best he could given the situation. That's a girl, what's the best way that they told you that your brother and you could accomplish that? By doing all we could to not commit one or more of the seven deadly sins. Upon hearing this he looked down slightly and she noticed a single tear sliding down his face.That's absolutely correct. The seven deadly sins are what keeps many individuals from being closer to god but there's more to them than just that I'm afraid, yes they are the seven most deadly attributes of a human being but throughout history there have been those who had proven to be more in tune I guess one could say with one particular sin and with that power they caused a lot of pain and suffering. Well yea we learn of many of them in school, Grace said trying to get a better grasp on what her uncle was talking about. History is full of people who aren't that great. Her uncle simply looked at her in such a fashion that made her feel as if she had been caught in a lie. What I refer to Grace is that there have been individuals that were found to be guilty of being the pure embodiment of each sin. That there have been individuals that committed horrific crimes that harmed innocent people, and they were erased from history. Any and all knowledge pertaining to that individual was destroyed in absolute. Grace's heart felt like it had stopped from hearing this, to be put on trial and found guilty of a cardinal sin then had anything and everything that was linked to you completely erased. She struggled to find her words as she spoke again, completely unsure of what any of this had to do with what had happened. But why? Just how many people has the church done this type of punishment too? Without a second passing by the priest Brother Alex spoke. Seven, only seven individuals in known history have proven themselves to truly be the embodiment of the sins. All from different time periods, different areas of the world, all put on trial, found guilty, all history of their heritage, their life, everything wiped from all forms of records and sealed. Sealed? What do you mean sealed? Grace asked, her voice beginning to crack from being unsure if she truly wanted the answer. This time brother Amos spoke up. Someone who has been found guilty of such a crime couldn't be allowed to continue to roam free causing more pain and possible death so those within the church who had been ordained by a higher power and authority sealed those found guilty in secret prisons in different locations. Without a second to process what she had just been told again her uncle spoke again, And after each sin is sealed a family within the church is selected to dedicate their families entirety and protect the prison site at all cost. To prevent the sins from ever escaping or falling under control of another power. Grace's head began to spin upon hearing all this, she wasn't sure how to take all this in. For her whole life she thought something like this only happens in movies and books. But just as it felt like her head was going to explode from the information and emotional roller coaster she felt a hand on her shoulder which brought her back to reality. It was her uncle Ken standing behind her smiling as he spoke. I know it's a lot to take in all at once which again is why I had told your father you should be brought in sooner in order to prevent this kind of reaction. She stared back at her uncle almost on a daze but then managed to find her words. Honestly uncle Ken I've probably would have reacted this way either way cause let's face it, it's not every day you find out that your entire family's life is supposed to be spent as a spiritual prison guard. Her uncle laughed at this as did Brother Amos as well did Brother Alex. Too right my child said brother Amos. But sadly that is the truth of the situation that we are in. Grace looked from Amos back to her uncle before she spoke again. So then Ryan was helping father stand guard watching some persons tomb? It was at that moment that everyone looked slightly away from her as did the other priest, the atmosphere in the room immediately changed, it had turned from slightly lightened to dark and intense quickly as day became night but darker. No grace said her uncle, they stood guard over one of the seven deadly sins who is very much alive. The color in grace's face had almost completely gone upon hearing this. But how? She thought to herself in utter disbelief. How could someone who lived ages ago still live? But uncle she stuttered, how are they still alive? She asked her mind in complete disarray, desperately trying to make sense of everything now. When one truly emerges themselves in the sin to which they practiced they cease to be human beings, they become the very sin that God and Jesus gave mankind guidance against said brother Amos in a frightening and dark tone that gave grace goosebumps. They become powerful and dangerous beings who are able to do unspeakable things. But they can not be slayed by mere mortals so instead they are sealed away to prevent them from committing any further harm to any innocents said brother Alex in the same dark tone of voice, it was also at this point that grace just noticed that she had fallen back into her seat with tears running down her face. Grace looked at her father shakily as she attempted to form her thoughts but she was barely able to keep herself together let alone keep her thoughts on track. Only after trying and trying to speak grace finally found the will and strength to form her thoughts into words. While still staring at her father as he laid there still unconscious, you said to keep them from falling under someone else's control who else knows about them? Her uncle let out a sigh while scratching the back of his head as the Bishop spoke. There are those who once belonged to the church felt that we should learn how to harness their unnatural abilities such as immortality he said. But many others such as us and your father thought we should honor the wishes and guidance from those who came before us and luckily the hierarchy agreed with your father and excommunicated anyone who wanted to go against them. Grace stood up and walked over to her father's side, gently as a mother reaches for their newborn child she grabbed his left hand and held his hand against her lips. Why didn't he tell me? She quietly asked. Why didn't either of them tell me any of this? She asked again her voice beginning to crack from choking back tears as she continued to hold her father's hands. She stood holding her father's hand silently for a few minutes as she tried processing it all, her family and other families have spent their lives guarding these tomb prisons and now it's most likely claimed her brothers life and horribly injured her father. Grace looked up from her father and stared at the Bishop directly in the face as she said. Which sin is my family's responsibility? The Bishop pulled the toothpick out of his mouth and flicked it at the ground, closed his eyes and held his arms wide open as he answered Grace in turn, Matthew 5:28 reads; But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart; The Goat sin of Lust my child. But please come with me and my fellows. They have told you much but there is more that you will need to know in order to properly fulfill your duties. They all exited the room quickly and quietly all of the priest seemed to to move in sync without speaking a single word while keeping her in eye sight of no less than two of them. Graces father always taught her to take notice of everything and everyone around you, it could very well save you one day he used to tell her. They preceded back to the car that had brought her to the hospital from the airport but this time the three priests accompanied her this time. Her uncle and the bishop both got in another blacked out car that was parked behind them. Once again the car drove through unknown neighborhoods she wasn't familiar with while taking what appeared to be random turns. After a few minutes of driving it had appeared that they had arrived at their destination, but when the car door opened all that laid before grace was what had been a church from the looks of it.