Post by vincentbelmont on Oct 1, 2010 16:29:25 GMT -5
Fr. Vincent finished packing his bag with a sigh.
He took a long look around his small bedroom, his eyes avoiding the spot on the floor where poor Edna had bled out and died. He shivered when he recalled that night, the night that his eyes had been opened to the cruel, evil realities of the world at large. How could he have lived his life in such ignorance, when there were all manner of sinister creatures lurking out there, just waiting to pounce on any unsuspecting individual...
He shook his head, trying hard not to feel overwhelmed. There were people out there who dedicated their lives to defending others who didn't even know there were things to be defended against! Those brave few, those "hunters" as they were generally known, had a thankless, difficult job, but they didn't shirk their duties. And he, a lowly, ignorant priest, would do whatever he could to ease their burden, even if only for a short time.
Picking up the traveling bag, Vincent left the small room, navigating the cramped hallway that led to the sanctuary. As he always did, the Father took a deep breath when he entered the cavernous room, the scent of incense helping him to relax, though it did little to stop the shaking of his knees. As he'd done in the bedroom, he took a long look around the sanctuary, imprinting it on his mind, as if he was afraid he'd never see it again.
And, in reality, that was exactly what he feared...
"Hello, Father," a young man wearing a priests' habit said, walking forward from the center of the room to shake his hand. "I'm Scott Schuster, its a pleasure to finally meet you. The diocese has sent me to take care of things here while you're away on your... trip." He smiled, but his brown eyes were full of concern. "You're sure you don't want to talk about the nature of this... leave of absence of yours? From what I understand, your reasons were a bit unclear..."
Vincent smiled, trying his hardest to look calm and composed.
"No, I'm fine Scott. I just need a bit of time to myself, to clear my head. It's been a long, long time since I had a break, you know? A little bit of time to just go out and experience life, I suppose." He stood there a bit uncomfortably as an awkward silence fell between the two men. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he cleared his throat and repositioned his bag on his shoulder. "Well, I should be off. Hold down the fort for me while I'm away, alright?"
Without waiting for a response, Vincent hastened out of the sanctuary, tossing his bag in the back seat of his beat up old Taurus before hopping in behind the wheel. A feeling of invigoration swept over him, and he couldn't help but grin. This was it. It was really happening.
And, terrified though he was of what he may learn or discover, Father Vincent found himself feeling alive for the first time in years.
He took a long look around his small bedroom, his eyes avoiding the spot on the floor where poor Edna had bled out and died. He shivered when he recalled that night, the night that his eyes had been opened to the cruel, evil realities of the world at large. How could he have lived his life in such ignorance, when there were all manner of sinister creatures lurking out there, just waiting to pounce on any unsuspecting individual...
He shook his head, trying hard not to feel overwhelmed. There were people out there who dedicated their lives to defending others who didn't even know there were things to be defended against! Those brave few, those "hunters" as they were generally known, had a thankless, difficult job, but they didn't shirk their duties. And he, a lowly, ignorant priest, would do whatever he could to ease their burden, even if only for a short time.
Picking up the traveling bag, Vincent left the small room, navigating the cramped hallway that led to the sanctuary. As he always did, the Father took a deep breath when he entered the cavernous room, the scent of incense helping him to relax, though it did little to stop the shaking of his knees. As he'd done in the bedroom, he took a long look around the sanctuary, imprinting it on his mind, as if he was afraid he'd never see it again.
And, in reality, that was exactly what he feared...
"Hello, Father," a young man wearing a priests' habit said, walking forward from the center of the room to shake his hand. "I'm Scott Schuster, its a pleasure to finally meet you. The diocese has sent me to take care of things here while you're away on your... trip." He smiled, but his brown eyes were full of concern. "You're sure you don't want to talk about the nature of this... leave of absence of yours? From what I understand, your reasons were a bit unclear..."
Vincent smiled, trying his hardest to look calm and composed.
"No, I'm fine Scott. I just need a bit of time to myself, to clear my head. It's been a long, long time since I had a break, you know? A little bit of time to just go out and experience life, I suppose." He stood there a bit uncomfortably as an awkward silence fell between the two men. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he cleared his throat and repositioned his bag on his shoulder. "Well, I should be off. Hold down the fort for me while I'm away, alright?"
Without waiting for a response, Vincent hastened out of the sanctuary, tossing his bag in the back seat of his beat up old Taurus before hopping in behind the wheel. A feeling of invigoration swept over him, and he couldn't help but grin. This was it. It was really happening.
And, terrified though he was of what he may learn or discover, Father Vincent found himself feeling alive for the first time in years.