In the town of Quaint..

A young man accompanied by his new bride arrive at Quaint. The man, Addison, filled with hope and an eagerness for the days to come. Brimming with a joyful optimism that he will, for certain, fulfil his goals and help strengthen the faith of those in this little town. His mission, to draw Quaint closer to the Lord. His job, a junior cleric. His young bride, Hadassah.

It had been 5 months since Addison had transferred to Quaint and everyday since had been fulfilling, not without a few hiccups here and there but that much is to be expected, I mean it was not the strangest thing that a few townspeople had their reservations and ultimately, did not trust him completely. To them, he was a stranger sent forth from the bishop to their little town with no one to speak for him save the regional pastor. Even so, they were a kind and charming people. They helped when they could and tried to accept him with as much enthusiasm as they could muster. Hadassah loved it here and so did he. Truly, he was glad and very satisfied. Part of this could be attributed to the regional pastor, who had taken him and treated him like his beloved son. A great father figure really, if one were ever in need of such. Not much unlike his own family… he missed them, but his mission was one of great import. He could only hold them in his heart until he could meet with them again, if not in this life then in the bosom of the Great Father.

Everyday for Addison was nothing short of a blessing, every shortcoming, every disappointment, every challenge was a learning moment; a means to make himself better, to grow his faith, to become an even better voice for the Lord and shape the not only himself, but also those around him into people worthy and well deserving of the love and grace of the Lord. He preached love and understanding, self-control and forgiveness. Not only did he preach such, he embodied them… in every word, every action, every thought. Addison was…

Addison, if any man were to be deemed virtuous, he would no doubt be the one. Quaint saw that and finally, they accepted him. Truly accepted him and they loved him. And they loved Hadassah as well. Hadassah mirrored him.

Hadassah, beautiful in person and character, was everything one would expect the wife of a cleric to be. She shared his vision and his dreams and when necessary, she offered comfort. She was his greatest supporter.

They cherished each other, they cherished the town, and they cherished themselves. What they had to give, they gave; for those who were hungry, they gave their food; those out in the cold, they offered warmth; whatever there was to give, they gave… they gave their time, their affections, their understanding, their forgiveness… only stopping short of carving out parts of their own bodies. It was frustrating sometimes but that was the nature of man, no matter how much you offer up, it was never enough. The town was demanding and they, equally as loving. Mind you, they were no pushovers, rather, just as headstrong and firm in their decisions and actions. An almost impossible balance to attain but they tried and eventually, succeeded.

But even they had something they longed for; both desperately wanted a complete family. They wanted more than anything, children of their own… or maybe just one. Whatever the case, they wanted it. Every month when she bleeds, a sadness would take root in their hearts. However, before disappointment could turn into despair they sought comfort in each other.

“It’s alright… when the time is right, we too would be blessed with children of our own.”

They prayed and prayed and eventually said “Even if, for whatever reason, we are unfit or deemed unworthy we shall not despair nor shall we waver, that is simply the way if heaven.”

Truly, they were a patient pair and this patient pair became a blessed pair as Hadassah would come to be with a child but that would be 3 years after the move to Quaint.

It was nothing short of a great joy for the two, to have, finally, an answer to their desperate prayers.

“Maybe I should have baked some bread.” Hadassah’s mused out loud with furrowed.

Addison answered with a low hum, taking off his coat to drape around her shoulders, he pulled her closer to him. He placed a firm hand around her waist to steady her as they walked along the uneven path of the lakeside. There was a pleasant chill in the air, spring had brought with her a riot of colours and the overwhelming scent of aggressively blooming flowers. He chuckled to himself thinking of how desperately every flower tried to stand out.

“Addy?”

He pulled her even closer, just to bury his face in her nape, slowly their pace by a considerable amount, prolonging their daily early evening walks. The riotous colours were not the only thing spring brought, the news of their child followed as well. 2 months. He remembered the pensiveness they both shared after the first month, worried that it would become yet another sorrow, another disappointment so they waited, and they hoped, and they prayed as the expectations in their hearts grew as each day passed until eventually, Hadassah’s patience grew thin, and she made the trip to the physician. Of course, he accompanied her as his patience had long since run out, but he understood that whatever pain, whatever frustration, whatever sadness he would have felt, she felt it too even more than he did. She was just like that, she felt deeply and fiercely. He admired that about her but it was just as easy for her to fall into self-blame, a situation they hoped they would never again be forced to deal with. And so, Addison struggled to hold it together, even while the physician examined her and when she returned to his side, her eyes were bright with joy, tears streaming down herself. He lunged at her, and before a word was said swept her into his arms. He knew, finally, that the answer to their heartfelt prayers had arrived. Since then he would cling to her like she was his life.

“Aren’t you cold?” she asked, moving to take off his jacket.

His hold tightened “Keep it.”

“But..”

“Don’t take it off.” He let out a content sigh into her nape “I’m fine. You should have worn something thicker. For you and for our baby.”

She struggled to shrug him off and he resisted “That’s all you’ve cared about lately.”

He finally loosened his hold on her, bringing their snail’s pace to a complete stop. Guiding her by the shoulders to face him fully, he regarded her countenance with the most serious expression.

“My love…” his hands grew heavier on her shoulders “…it could not be that you envy the little one, could it?”

A silent moment passed between the two as her features morphed from a pout to one of shock and then shame and guilt. Quickly, she hung her head, eyes fixed on the grass beneath her feet.

“I’m sorry” she started in a tiny voice “I don’t know what came over me. I just… I…”

Addison’s body shook as he struggled to hold back a laugh.

Clearly frustrated by the turn of events she swatted his hands away and sidestepped him, determined to continue the walk alone. He was teasing her again. His laughter, now unrestrained, grew louder as she stomped away.

“Hey!” he called out after her, but she ignored him and walked further away. With brisk wide steps he made his way to her side “Sorry.” He apologized but his tone contained only mirth “Hadaaassaaaah…” he drew out her name in a low indulgent tone as he swept her into his embrace “Did I upset you?”

She let herself fall into him but gave no response.

“Won’t you look at me?”

His question prompted her to bury her face deeper in his chest. He couldn’t help but chuckle at the action.

“I’m not jealous…” her voice was mousy but her indignance was obvious “…it’s just since the baby, that’s all everyone-” she stopped herself, perhaps concerned about how her words may be perceived. Drawing in a deep and prolonged breath “Forgive me, sometimes I just find myself wishing everything wouldn’t just be about… it’s difficult to put into words.” She clutched his shirt tightly as she stumbled to explain, face still buried away from view.

“I understand.”

“You do?”  Finally, she was willing to look at him, her eyes filled with unspoken affection.

He chuckled again “No.” he held her gently by the chin before she could hide away again “But I am glad that you are willing to tell me, even though I don’t understand.”

“Addy, I really do want this child.”

“I know.”

“And I love him.”

“As do I.” he planted a gentle kiss on her forehead “I love you too, I hope you know that, child or no, it would change nothing.” He watched tenderly as her eyes, filled only with his reflection, grew brighter. Feeling an itch in his heart, he glanced around quickly like a mischievous child. Satisfied that the immediate vicinity was empty, he planted another kiss. This time, on her lips, longer and more passionate.

Laughing again, as he watched her struggle to hide her embarrassment, he led her by the hand as they continued their walk. Soon enough, she was fully revived, pulling him into a conversation about the mundane.

Ahead, several feet away a drunken rowdy trio stumbled and staggered along the path talking loudly about no one knows what. Not that the couple were interested in whatever sputtered about. Addison’s displeasure was poorly veiled as he passed her hand from one to the other, placing her behind him, on the inner part of the pathway, shielding her from them and hoping to limit whatever contact if any. She wholeheartedly cooperated with him, trying her very best to limit her presence. The three were truly an unpleasant bunch, they know that as they have had the rather unfortunate displeasure of hearing about them.

And their efforts paid off, the three continued to stagger along the way, completely ignoring the couple on the pathway. It worked… at least for a while. They barely had time to exhale, unaware they were even holding their breaths, before one of the three called out to them.

Addison’s grip on her hand tightened, as his quickened his pace. Somehow, he was overcome with the need to put as much distance between them as he could. Pulling Hadassah along, he almost broke into a sprint.

“I’m fucking talking to you!” the voice grew louder, filled with impatience.

Addison quickly came to a halt.

Better not to agitate them, right?

He thought to himself as he once again placed himself between Hadassah and the three “Gentlemen…” he started with a polite smile “…out for some fresh air?”

Before they even came close, the couple was assaulted by the pungent odour of alcohol. It wasn’t even dark out but somehow, they had managed to get themselves completely inebriated, and the smell, heavens, what did they do? Bathe in liquor?

“You’rethatpastor!” one of the three exclaimed, he barely managed to get out the words before he staggered, tripping over nothing, only to catch himself before he landed face first into the ground.

“Shall I call a carriage for you?”

“What?” one of the men questioned.

“It’s dangerous to walk around the lake…” his gaze travelled from one drunken man to the next “…in your condition.”

The three exchanged a look amongst themselves “No.” one of the three spoke up, he didn’t seem particularly drunk, at least, he seemed to be the one most in control of his faculties of the three “Don’t mind us.”

“Alright the, goodnight.” Unwilling to prolong the exchange, Addison made a sharp turn on his heels and started to lead his well hidden wife away.

“He’s not alone?”

He heard someone from behind ask, with that, his pace hastened.

“Is that his wife?”

“Who else could it be? Do you think the pastor’s having a little tryst by the lakeside?”

They shared a brief laugh before one of the three spoke up “I heard she’s really beautiful.”

Addison had managed to put a considerable distance between them, but their voices were loud and unrestrained, and the evening breeze carried their words.

“Hadassah…” he started in a whisper “…if you have to, do you think you could run fast enough?”

His sudden question stunned her, “What?” she asked with a frown.

“I want to see her.”

Addison did not have time to explain when those words drifted over. He felt a chill travel up his spine. Hadassah felt it too. The unsettling feeling only grew as the seconds ticked by. The air, saturated with an eerie silence, seemed to thin. Neither dared to look behind, fearing to incur even more of what appeared to be sinister curiosity.

“Hadassah.” He rarely had reason to speak her name with sure a firm tone “When I tell you to run, you run. Don’t look back, just run.” He instructed decisively without ever slowing his pace. He felt her back tense up beneath his palm “Of course, I will be right behind you.” He added with a soft reassuring tone. She nodded obediently, quickening her steps to match his pace. In her bid to match his long legs, she almost broke into a light jog. The quiet air was now punctuated with light thuds. The sound of feet hitting the floor. Addison shoved her ahead “Run.” And she did just as she was told, with barely a glance behind, Hadassah broke into a sprint, moving as fast as her legs could carry her. She ignored the sandals that flew off her feet as she moved. He adored this about her, she wasn’t always obedient, but she knew when to push back, today was a time that called for obedience. He watched as her figure ran up the hillside, not a moment too soon, a figure ran past him at a frightening speed.

Hadassah had just made it up the steep hill, catching her breath, she began to call for help. She could see in a distance a gathering of the townsfolk, not sure what they were there for, but someone would certainly be willing to help. She screamed for help at the top of her lungs waving her arms frantically above her head, hoping that someone would eventually turn around and see her. She drew in another breath, preparing to shout again when a rough hand emerged from behind, covering both her mouth and her nose with one hand and the other, wrapped tightly around her torso. Her eyes stung as she struggled to breathe but he easily overpowered her, dragging her back downhill.

Addison has always been a pacifist. All his life never had he been in a situation where he deemed the need for violence, his upbringing taught him that much. Only a man with no self-control would swing his fists indiscriminately. Naturally, he had never been in a fight and there was no reason to be in one. He grew up in a peaceful household, they believed firmly in peaceful resolution. Rarely was there ever an incident that required him to raise his voice, opting often, to walk away when he found himself getting swept up in the heat of the moment, returning only when he believed he had thoroughly calmed himself. Well, all that changed tonight. He may have never been in a fight, but he had seen some. In his earlier years, he had snuck off with his brothers and friends to watch boxing matches.  He may not have had a first-hand experience, but he could imitate what he had seen. However, that could only take him so far as he was soon subdued. Pinned to the ground, he watched as Laine roughly dragged his pregnant wife back.

His child is gone, and Hadassah died.

Addison?

He could only watch helplessly as it happened.

In a bid to free herself from her assaulter, Hadassah bit into Laine’s palm with such force that she could have drawn some blood. He grunted and threw her violently onto the ground, hurling profanities at her as he kicked her. She curled up.

Mateo seemed amused by the scene “Don’t ruin her face, I haven’t seen it yet.”

With that, Laine eased up, dissatisfied as he stepped away, still muttering curses as he brought his injured hand closer to his face to be examined.

Mateo stepped forward, offering a hand to her like a saviour “Are you okay?” he asked, his mirth remained unhidden “Why did you run?”

Hadassah ignored him, looking up only to search for her husband. Seeing him pinned under Tristan, she ignored her own pain, barely managing to stand before she dropped to her knees.

“Addy?” she called out with a weak voice as she crawled to him.

Her call stimulated him, with a newfound strength, he struggled rather ferociously to free himself but it was all for naught.

Mateo, seemingly hurt by her deliberate disregard for him, sauntered to her side. He squatted in front of her grabbing her by the chin, he forced her focus away from the grunting Addison and on to him “I just wanted to see your face.” His voice was gentle, but his hand was heavy and his gaze, vicious.

The action caused Addison to growl, an action that earned him a mouth full of dirt and grass as Tristan to shove his head harder into the ground.

“I see even clerics have a taste for the finer things…” Mateo commented as he examined her face “…although, she seems like a rather feisty one.”

“Be careful, she bites like a rabid dog.” Laine interjected, still feeling vengeful.

Hadassah continued to ignore their comments, focusing her attention solely on Addison. An action that seemed to displease Mateo greatly. His hand grew heavier on her jaw “If you were a bit more polite, he would not be suffering so much.”

“What?” she whispered, his words confused her.

I should be more polite? To whom?

“I can let him go...” Mateo continued “…you just have to ask nicely. I’m not an unreasonable man.”

She dug her fingers into the ground, restraining the urge to lunge at him and claw out his eyes “Let him go…” she couldn’t help but snarl at him.

He chuckled “She’s like a cat.” A comment had drew out a scoff from Laine. “I like her a little bit.”

With that, Addison was thrust into a horrifying and hopeless nightmare. No, perhaps a nightmare would have been better as this was his bitter reality. He watched as they took turns to assault her, and when he managed to free himself just enough to offer aid he was struck on the head with a force filled with Tristan’s wrath. His body lay limp but his mind remained sharp as he could do nothing but watch as her mind retreated from her body and the life slowly drained from her eyes.

The sun rose early in spring. It wasn’t until the day had broken that he regained feeling in his limbs. He stumbled lifelessly to his feet. A few metres from him lay the body of the once lively and beautiful woman he cherished more than his life itself. He stared at her naked body… bruised, battered and bloodied. Her pretty flower dress had been ripped off and discarded. Her jaw hung loosely, a result of the ire she incurred from Laine when she struggled to escape them.

Calmly, without any wasted movements, he retrieved his coat that slipped off her shoulders when she ran, covered her exposed body as if to preserve her warmth before cradling her into his arms and began what was the most arduous journey in his life. Every step forward was more difficult and heavier than the last. No matter how deeply he inhaled, how much air he tried to draw in, it was just not enough.

An eternity had passed when he arrived at the sheriff's office. He held her closer as the shocked attending officer offered him a seat.

“You want to file a complaint?” the officer thoughtfully inquired for the third time. One only needed a glance to know what had happened. The man before him a face stained with dried blood, likely from the obvious blow to the head. His jaw and left eye spotted a rather unsightly bruise. He smelled strongly of grass and dirt. His face was bloodless, and he shivered uncontrollably, despite that, the only decent cloth he had on him was reserved for the obviously lifeless body in his arms. He clearly had a terrible night.

“Mister-” he started again.

“Last night, my wife and I were on a walk by the lakeside when we encountered Mateo, Tristan and Laine…” Addison started suddenly, his speech was slow and dull, each word tinged with a tremor “…who then proceeded to assault and rape my wife.”

Not only the attending officer, but every other person were stunned into silence.

The poor officer, how would he handle this case? Not that Addison’s story was too absurd to be true. It was believable beyond a doubt, those men were known for their poor habits and quite frankly, lawless attitude. It was not the first time they were associated with such despicable actions. In fact, the whole town was acutely aware of their escapades. In the past, there have been cases filed against them, but the complaints never amounted to anything of consequence for the trio.

Tristan was an army veteran, rumoured to have been dishonourably discharged, who returned from service to help his father, the town sheriff. Tristan currently holds the post of deputy sheriff, although he doesn’t do any work of importance. Where there’s Tristan, there’s Laine, his younger cousin, who always follows behind him like a loyal dog, and incidentally, he is also the youngest child of the current Mayor. And Mateo was the first son of the business tycoon, who probably owned three-quarters of the town. The prospect of facing off against the three would frighten anyone especially in this small town.

Do you understand now why the room was stunned silent?

The had been three days since Addison’s life fell apart and nothing had happened. The world didn’t stop spinning, the sun rose and set like normal, the earth did not split open and the waters did not overrun. Such is the nature of life, when one grieves the grief belongs solely to you and no one else. It is simply your world that stops and loses colour, only your life that is put on hold and loses joy. No matter how unbearable the pain of loss, it is only one’s pain to bear and no one else. This is how Addison felt. His empty gaze settled on Jonathan, the church elder, he was saying something but lately it was extremely difficult for Addison to concentrate.

“What did you say?”

Jonathan let out a sorrowful sigh “You have to organize the funeral, it isn’t right to leave her in the morgue like that Addy, she deserves a proper sendoff.”

“But the investigation is still ongoing.” He answered quietly, his empty gaze now fixed on the floor. After turning over Hadassah’s body to the officers for further investigation, he remained in the church not doing anything in particular, he just remained there seemingly lost in his own colourless world.

“Addison, go home, clean yourself up, have something to eat and get some rest.”

“But the investigation-”

Jonathan steeled himself, determined to help the young pastor regain some life “You wasting away here does not help the officers in anyway. Get up and take care of yourself, then you can so something for yourself.” He softened his voice, placing a hand on the younger man’s shoulder “Do it for Hadassah, for your child too.”

Two weeks… two agonizing and torturous weeks had gone by and nothing had happened. No, that is an inaccurate statement. The days that passed were indeed agonizing and torturous, for that there is no dispute. But to say nothing had happened?

First, the news had spread around town like wildfire. There were many opinions on the matter. Many felt pity, even righteous anger, as for the others… unfortunately, intelligence is not gifted to every individual that walks the earth. Either way, it was a rather stimulating topic of conversation.

Secondly, Mateo’s family stepped forward to offer up their sympathies. His father, Eisen, expressed great disappointment in his son’s action before offering compensation for his misfortune. Of course, it was money and a promise to help the church in fulfilling their mission. Even the dissemination of the gospel came with a cost. He was immediately rejected and politely escorted out.

Thirdly, the Sheriff, Tristan’s father and Laine’s uncle, seemed to have vanished. That, or he had a real knack for avoiding Addison. Same with the Mayor. The pair of brothers seemed to share the talent.

Finally, the funeral happened. It had to. He owed her… owed them that much. It was all that kept his mind from completely deteriorating. What started as a solemn service quickly became a sensation as Eisen, the ever-elusive Mayor and his Sheriff brother were in attendance, accompanied by their families including the accused trio. Addison gave the whole affair no attention, focusing purely on sending off family.