.:: the young man choked, as what blood was left in his body seemed to pool in his throat. it truly was a sad sight, as he couldn't have been more than 18. still a mere child, she thought. settling herself on the ground next to him, Dulcinea pulled a black and silver beaded Rosary from her pocket. carefully pulling each bead through her fingers. it had become a ritual of sorts for her. her voice was low and almost soothing as she spoke to him ::.
Do you know why you lay dying now? Out in the cold... so lonely? Try to relax, dear boy, and I shall 'break it down' for you. It began years ago... I too lay bleeding... On the steps of my church. St. Mary's, it was. I had been attending for years.. True, it wasn't located in the cleanest part of the city, but it was my second home, next to the community college I couldn't seem to get enough of. Those were the days.
.:: the man-child writhed in pain and his eyes rolled halfway back into their sockets. ::.
Oh, no you don't dear, I've only just begun. You do want to hear my little story, yes? Do you see this??
.:: she dangled the Rosary over his face. the faint gurgle he emitted told her yes. ::.
This belonged to Father Thomas McKinley. He was appointed to St. Mary's directly after recieving his Holy Orders. Not being much older than myself, we began spending hours discussing the simple, and not so simple things in life, after midnight Mass. Some nights I wouldn't get home until dawn... I miss those little chats we had. Very enlightening, they were. This went on for years.. Harmless discussions soon turned into harmless flirtations.. Harmless flirtations.. Well, we both know where THEY go, now don't we, my dear boy.
.:: she seemed to almost laugh as she nudged her elbow into his broken ribs. hot breath caught in his throat, and he choked once more from the unrelenting pain. ::.
Aye, stay with me now.. I promise, this will all be over soon. It was a cool September morning.. The recessional hymn had ended, and I made my way back to the office to speak with Father McKinley... He was hanging his robes in the closet when I entered... Just as he had every other night. I suppose he wasn't the most conventional Priest, for under his robes, he was usually sporting a t-shirt and jeans... I always said he was far too attractive to be a man of the Cloth. Our conversations began as they always had... but somewhere in the middle we were lost.. We ended up having our respective ways with each other.. in the confessional, no less...
.:: the young man's muscles began to twitch, as the corners of her mouth turned up to a sly grin. ::.
You're tellin' me! I was a mess of emotion as I ran from that house of God that night... I had only just made it outside as I collided with what seemed to be a brick wall. I'd fallen backward onto the concrete steps, scraping my spine and jamming the funny bone in my elbow quite badly. As I looked up, it finally occurred to me that I had not run head on into a wall at all.. but a rather intimidating fellow... I tried to appologize and collect myself... What happened next, I have vowed to never forget, so long as I'm cursed to this world. This.. beast of a man knealt down beside me.. his voice was no more than a whisper, though it sounded like a thunderous growl in my head. He said, "Sinner. I've seen what you've done. Your God cannot save you now." He drained every ounce of life from me.. right on the steps of my Church.. my one safe place. So, I suppose you're wondering how it is I'm up and walking around.. Having been dead and all.. That, my child, is only for me to know...
.:: his eyes widened, he couldn't handle the torture.. the waiting.. he'd prayed for death. she'd turned on her side, her Rosary wrapped evenly around her hand, as a solitary finger traced the line of his jaw. her face mere inches from his own as she whispered softly to him. ::.
Sinner... I saw what you did to that girl... I watched as she pushed you away.. I heard her muffled screams.. I felt her anguish.. her torment... your torture. Do you think your God can save you now?
.:: not surprisingly, it didn't take much to drain the last drop of life from his broken body. as she rose from the side of the still warm body before her, she bowed her head. ::.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of Death... I will fear no evil... for Thou art with me..