Chapter Three : Domino

I rushed in, the doctor ahead of me. The Arch-Bishop was right in front of me, struggling to keep his eyes open, struggling to grasp a few last breaths with what was remaining of him. I ran on to beside him, holding his hand as he clutched on to life, with a soul that was fading away.

"Remember," he began, his voice stuttering. "He must leave. He will appear in a guise, don't let The Lord deceit you. He is ..."

He was well beyond his time. He collapsed, as I held his cold, lifeless hand, trying to infer even an infinitesimal piece from the warning that he had just tried to convey to me. I closed my eyes, however, a sneaky tear running down my cheek quickly gave away my suppressed emotions. I shook myself to my senses, as I wiped off my tears. Really, there are people around in this world, that sew themselves into your lives, even by virtue of the few short-lived moments they spend with you. Tearing open those old wounds. Awakening the demons of your past, sleeping deep within you.

I walked out with a heavy heart, as the Pastor walked up to me.

"What happened?" He began. "What did father say?"

"He left behind a warning," I began. "Before he collapsed, lifeless."

There was a pause, as Pastor Charles tried to contain and recollect himself, but alas, to him, the hand that had fed him had dropped dead. He broke into tears, falling to his knees, mumbling prayers along with complaints, as he did. Grief enveloped the place as my last sentence seemed to resonate with the air surrounding us. Rosalia lowered her head uttering her prayers as Natalia, overwhelmed by grief grabbed on to me tightly. I followed, embracing her, feeling her loving warmth, trying to find some sanity, trying to make sense of all the madness that was going on in my life. She was just as stressed out and confused as I was for a day starting off with some unknown medical condition, and transitioning into death? I believe it is safe to say that most certainly is no sane person's fantasy.

We sat in deathly silence as the petrichor embraced the air. I sat motionless, pondering, trying to make whatever little sense out of the strange warning that the arch bishop had left behind.

"Okay," said Charles, as he somehow managed to get up on his feet. "No point crying over spoilt milk," said he. "What was the warning that Father left behind?"

"Rather cryptic," said I. "He will appear in a guise, do not let the Lord deceit you."

"He just collapsed, lifeless before he could complete." I continued.

His brows tensed as his grieving look turned to that of confusion. "Don't let the Lord deceit you?" he repeated. "He actually said that?"

"Yes." I replied.

"That is rather uncanny," said Rose. "Why would a man as devoted as him ask you to be wary of God?"

"I don't understand," said Charles as he murmured his prayers under his breath.

"I'm scared." Said Natalia, "Is everything going to be fine?"

"Don't worry," said Charles, "I promise, I'll finish Father's work." He said as he turned towards me. The stern look in his eyes was enough to make anyone uncomfortable.

"Is everyone here weird?" I whispered to Rosalia.

She turned to me, visibly pissed by my distasteful remark. "What?" said I, "I ain't used to this."

"Cut the small talk," Charles began. "I believe there is something gravely wrong with you. We've got lots of talking to do."

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