Scattered Souls

Chapter 47 - Lucky Charm

"Do I really need to come along with you?" I asked Xypher the next day. I was really hoping he would say no. He left quite late the night before, which resulted in me not having any time to go through Gran's diaries - my main priority at the moment.

"Of course, I told you you're my lucky charm. And it'll be more enjoyable if you come along with me." he said, I was certainly left with no room for arguing when he used such heart melting lines on me.

"Okay, okay." I said. "I'll come with. As long as it doesn't take up too much of our time." I warned him.

"We just have one more priest on the list and then we'll be done." he assured me. "And he doesn't live too far out either." he added, probably still sensing my slight hesitance.

"Let's get going then." I urged him, I figured the earlier we left the better.

***********

"Is the priest all that's left for you to complete the ritual?" I asked him, as we were on our way to the last one on our list. I really hoped this one was legit.

"Yes love, the requirements for the ritual are minimal." he said.

"You're still not going to tell me what the ritual entails, are you?" I wondered. I honestly couldn't see any reason why he wasn't able to give me details.

"I don't have much of the details." he tried to explain, however, I gave him a look of utter disbelief.

"The dark souls will be communicating with the priest regarding what's meant to be done. I only know of the requirements." he added on.

"What are the requirements?" I couldn't stop myself from asking.

"My remains, the locket, the music box, Jordan's body, you." he listed.

"Me?" I questioned, wondering if I'd heard him correctly.

He looked like he was lost for words. I was certain he hadn't meant to tell me that I was one of the requirements just yet. His need to keep everything a secret annoyed me to no end.

"Yes." he said simply, offering no further explanation.

"How am I one of the requirements for the ritual?" I probed him further. He couldn't just expect me to be okay with him leaving me with a cliffhanger like that now, did he?

"Since you resemble Julia."

I had a feeling he wasn't telling me everything.

"This must be it." he said, pointing to one of the houses in front of us and slowing down the car.

I groaned internally. He always narrowly escaped having to share important information with me.

"Are you sure this is it?" I asked, realizing just how small the house we stopped at was. I decided to focus my attention on the situation at hand for now.

"Yes. 120 Glovehill Drive." he confirmed, looking down at the piece of paper he had with him.

"I was just expecting something more elaborate I suppose." I explained. I was definitely grateful this place wasn't as far away as the estate was.

We got out of the car and made our way to the door. Xypher knocked on the door. There was no response.

We looked at each other as he knocked on the door again. After three more tries, we were about to turn around and leave, when the door creaked open a little. Then a little more, an old man with grey hair peeped at us.

"Father Ronald Bennet?" Xypher enquired.

"Yes son." the old man croaked out.

"It is you. You're an Irish Priest!" Xypher exclaimed. I doubt there was any chance of him being able to contain his excitement. In his defense, he's been waiting for this day to come over a few decades. His excitement was valid.

"Come in." he said, opening the door a little wider for us.

The house was small but neatly kept. Everything was immaculate. The priest looked a little younger now that we were actually seated in front of him. He appeared to be in his mid fifties - it was the grey hair that was making him appear to be older than he actually was.

"What brings you'll here?" he asked us.

"We need your help with something actually." I started to explain.

"What is it that you'll need my help with?" he looked at me intently.

Xypher immediately dove right into sharing his story. Julia, the curse, the ritual he needed help performing. I wasn't expecting him to be so up front about things from the get go, considering it had taken him ages to start sharing details with me. However, considering he kept mentioning how short he was on time, I figured it was necessary for him to get right into all the details.

At first the priest didn't look very convinced with Xypher's story. He probably suspected he was one of the many disillusioned youngsters he encounters. However, when Xypher mentioned that the dark souls would be helping him perform this ritual - the priest appeared to be more receptive and intrigued.

"I would be glad to assist my child." the priest started saying, causing Xypher's face to light up like a Christmas tree, however I could sense there was a 'but' coming.

"But you see, the thing is, I've been retired for four years now." and with that one simple statement, the joy on Xypher's face deflated immediately.

"How about I entice you with a favor, Father." Xypher suggested, just as I was beginning to think that all hope had been lost.

"What kind of favor?" the priest asked.

"Anything. Ask and you shall receive. I'll do a favor that you ask of me, and in return you'll help me perform this ritual." Xypher bargained with the priest. From the way his face lit up at the mention of a favor, you could already tell he'd be performing the ritual for Xypher.

"Anything at all?" he asked, almost as if he needed confirmation to be certain. I'm glad I wasn't the only one that needed confirmation when Xypher was concerned.

"Yes, absolutely anything at all." Xypher assured him confidently.

"Many years ago I had a son that was given up for adoption." I'm pretty sure the priest surprised us both by this statement.

"Will it be possible for me to be reunited with him?" he asked.

"It's the only thing I wish for in this old age of mine." he added on, looking as if he was reliving fond memories of the past.

"Your son will show up at your doorstep in two days time." Xypher said, my mouth almost fell wide open at how quickly he was able to make such a promise.

"Are you certain, son?" the priest asked him.

"Yes Father. I assure you that he'll be here in two days."

"I'll uphold my end of the deal and then next weekend you can uphold yours." Xypher added.

"We shall take your leave now." Xypher said, as he ushered me out of the house.

I was still processing how quickly Xypher was able to make a deal with the priest.