III
III
This is where our paths part ways, Eris," Abel said ML grandiosely. It was after sundown, but Central Station still bustled with travelers coming to and from the city.
"Sister Louise will escort you the rest of the way. Please don't treat her like you've treated me," he joked.
"It's very nice to meet you, Eris," Sister Louise said politely.
Eris shook the young nun's hand and smiled cordially. Then she turned and looked back over her shoulder at Abel. The nun seemed pleasant enough, but Eris was worried about losing her valiant protector. She gave him a pleading look that would have put a lost puppy to shame.
"I still have some work to do, Eris. You'll be safe and sound with the nuns. Just be your charming self, and they'll come to enjoy your company the way I do," he said, barely able to keep the sarcasm from his tone.
Eris playfully kicked him in the shin. Abel wasn't hurt, but he feigned it for her ego's sake. She ignored the priest and asked, "Are there any bathrooms here?"
"There are bathrooms on the train, Eris," Abel replied.
"I can't go while moving," she explained earnestly.
The priest looked at the pouting girl and sighed in defeat. "Same old Eris. Sister Louise, the train conies at ten past eight, platform number five. We'll be back in time to board. I saw the bathrooms over there," Abel said.
"We'll be back? Why are we going?" Eris asked in a bratty tone of voice.
"We're going together so you don't get into any trouble. Sister Louise, would you be so kind as to wait for us? Thank you," Abel said, grabbing Eris' arm.
Abel pushed her through the crowd. The lobby was lively. Hotel shuttles picked up customers, kids shined shoes for a few coins, and vendors of every type tried to peddle their wares. Abel and Eris paused in front of a kiosk that sold children's toys and trinkets. Abel picked out a key chain that caught his eye and bought it from the vendor, despite his limited funds.
"Here you are, my dear," he said.
"I can have it?" she asked.
It was a small black cat figurine. He put the keychain on her bag and patted her arm. "A going-away present.You like cats, right?" he asked.
"I love cats! Thank you," she said genuinely.
"You're' welcome." He smiled.
Eris put her arm around the priest as they walked through the station; Abel was positively beaming.
"Have you ever had a cat?" he asked, trying to make small talk.
"I used to have lots of cats and kittens," she said. "Back when my real mom and dad were still alive."
The priest's smile faded for a moment.
Eris thought about her words and tried to play it off before the mood got too sullen. "It's okay. It happened a long time ago," she reassured him.
Abel's smile faded completely and he paused to look at Eris.
"Mom and Dad . . . committed suicide," she said quickly.
Abel's expression was one of sadness and compassion.
"It was a double suicide, but I guess you could say that / killed them," she went on.
Now Abel was confused. It was a suicide, right? He didn't ask any of the questions running through his mind, but just kept pace with the girl as they wound their way through the crowded station.
"I'm sorry," he said awkwardly.
"I said it's all right. I'm okay. Don't worry about it," she said. She flashed a playful smile at Abel. "I'm not the type to get hung up on the past."
"You're a stronger person than I am, Eris," Abel said honestly.
"The world is full of bad stuff and bad people.And sometimes good people get caught up in the mix. It isn't fair; it's just life. If you think about it too much, you'll go crazy. I try and stay positive and not worry until I absolutely have to. If I constantly fretted, someone would take advantage of me for sure."
"Sorry," was all Abel could think to say.
"You're alone in this world. Even when the people you care about are around," Eris said, glaring harshly.
Abel looked on in dismay. "You're not alone, Eris.You've got me," he said.
"What do you mean by that?" she asked.
"The whole world isn't against you, and you're not alone. Not with me by your side," he responded.
"Are you hitting on me?" she asked.
"Huh? Wh-what?" he stammered. Abel turned pale as his stomach twisted into knots. His words were misconstrued in the most embarrassing way possible. "No. Uh, no. I'm, uh, I'm, uh, I'm a priest. Uh. I'm not allowed to hit on anyone. I don't hit on anyone. Uh." He stammered on and on.
"Oh, how boring." She winked.
Suddenly, Eris grabbed the tall priest by the shoulders and pulled him close, until his face was right in front of hers. She leaned in for a kiss. "I've really enjoyed our time together. I've decided I quite like you," she said. "But . . ."
"But?" Abel asked.
"I'm sorry," Eris said as she closed her eyes and pressed her lips against Abel's cheek.
Abel's world went black . . .
***
"Ungh,"Abel groaned.
He didn't know where he was, what time it was, or how he got there. It took him several moments to stand up; his legs didn't want to cooperate.
The room's light was dim, but Abel felt his way around until his eyes adjusted. Eventually, he made out a steel door in a strange hallway. Where am I?
He tried to clear his throat and speak, but no decipherable sound came out. That had him worried. He couldn't remember a thing. The steel door seemed familiar, but he couldn't place it. Something really horrible must have happened, but everything was so hazy, he couldn't think straight.
Tiny skylights illuminated the hallway. The sky above was black, but faint moonlight filtered in. Suddenly, the floor below him lit up with white light.
Abel's heart pounded. His instincts told him to run, but there was nowhere to go.
The white light below his feet morphed into a brilliant cobalt blue ball. It transformed into a beautiful planet. White wisps of clouds slowly swirled around mixtures of browns and greens.
He looked up at the steel door and took a deep breath. Something inside him was aching to come out. His head began to hurt, and a feeling of panic washed over him once more. Deep in the recesses of his mind, his past had been carefully shut away. Now, something broke the lock on his memories.
Abel placed his hands on the steel door, noting its unusual warmth, and opened it. The white light gave way to an infinite blackness.
"Hi, Abel.You're late," a voice said.
In the darkness, Abel could just barely make out a tall man who now turned to face him. His face was totally unfamiliar, but АЬеД felt like he somehow knew this man who had light blond hair and a boyish smile.
Then the smell of stagnant blood caught up to him.
The blond man had something in his hand. "You should be pleased. The negative element was eliminated." He held up something for Abel to see. The rotting odor grew stronger. "Now there is no one to disrupt our plan. The traitor is no longer alive."
The blond man was holding a female's head. She had a beautiful face, but now she was grotesque.
Abel screamed in anguish, but no sound escaped him ...
"Are you all right, Father?" asked the train attendant.
Abel blinked at a pudgy train station worker. The employee looked at the priest with concern. "Are you not feeling well?"
"Not feeling well?" Abel repeated.
Sweat beaded his forehead. He was confused and nauseated.
Someone bumped Abel with their luggage. The sounds of the train station filled Abel's ears, and blurry reality finally came back into focus.
"Your face is very pale," the train attendant stated. "Shall I take you to the first aid center?"
"Ah, no, I'm okay. Sorry," Abel said.
He shook his head violently, clearing the cobwebs. He remembered Eris kissing him, and then the world went black. Where is Eris?
"Eris?!" he shouted.
The train attendant jumped.
Abel whirled, frantically scanning the station for the girl, but Eris had disappeared.