Angels of the Fallen

A Night to Remember

I watched her as she walked down the street. Yes, I realize that is something that would be considered creepy but I couldn't help it. The heat in my face lingered for a long time, so long that when Miss Kelly inevitably returned she asked me if I had a cold. I tried to reassure her but it didn't stop her from checking my forehead and pinching my cheeks.

After I was able to pry her from my face, she informed me of the various duty's that were scheduled to take up the rest of my day. So to my dissatisfaction I was unable to daydream about my strange visitor for very long. The parish won't run itself after all.

After a while I noticed the sun was starting set through the church's stained glass window. I reflected on the beauty of the sight when the image of my visitor flashed into my mind. I bathed in the peaceful moment and wonder if I was to see her again. I know it's probably not the best thing for me to be thinking about.
I am a priest after all, but there was just something about her... I couldn't put my finger on it. Maybe it was the fact that there was no possible way for me to be with her, considering I'm supposed to be a celibate.

Miss Kelly was finishing up filling the pews with fresh programs when the echo of the phone we had in the office filled the space. I was the first one to the phone.

"Hello, St. Benedict parish office this is Father James Austin speaking,"

"Hi Father, this is Matthew McKinley. I was wondering if you could check and see if my daughter, Casey, is at the youth group meeting today?" He sounded frantic and out of breath on the phone.

I replied a little confused, "Umm I'm sorry Matthew but I believe youth group is held on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays. What's going on is everyone ok?"

There is silence for a few seconds before he answers, "Me and my wife have been calling my daughter for 2 hours now and she won't pick up. We went on a last minute camping trip before it gets to cold and left Casey at home. We are driving over right now but it's going to take us a few hours," It was hard to catch anything he was saying because he was going a mile a minute.

I try to keep my voice calm and reassuring for the man on the other line, "Well Matthew I have the perish directory and could maybe find someone in your neighborhood that also goes to our church. Maybe, I could make a call and have them check on your daughter. She probably just lost her phone, you know how kids are,"

"Oh, yes umm I believe Mrs. and Mr. Schneider live a few houses down from us," he says with a noticeable relief in his voice.

"Excellent, I'll call her right now! But Matthew I'm going to have to put you on hold while I'm helping the Schneider's check on your daughter ok?"

"Ok..." he sounds dejected and tired.

I put him on hold and can't help but feel pity for the man. I whisper a silent prayer for Casey as I wait for someone to pick up the phone. "Hello, Mrs. Schneider this is Father Austin. I was wondering if you could do me a quick favor,"

"Father Austin! Oh, your not calling to ask for money again are you? Because I have 4 kids and a grandchild on the way-,"

"No, Mrs. Schneider I'm not asking f-for money. I was wondering if you could go down to the McKinleys house and check on their daughter Casey for me. She won't answer her phone and they are getting quite worried,"

"Oh ya of course. Those kids and their phones I swear you can never get their attention these days. You should do your next homily on them. They are surely the work of the devil-," I rub my eyes as she's ranting but her silence now grabs my attention.

"Mrs. Schneider? Are you there?"

"The door... it's been broken down-,"

The purpose of my meeting earlier today makes me suddenly very frightened. 'Is Casey the girl Jophiel was going to see today? Are they there now?'