The Learner Part 2.

[Living_Hellfire]

Father Seamus O'Malley knelt at the altar of Steel Canyon's St. Augustine's Church, his fingers interlaced, his eyes closed and head bowed before the crucifix.

 

"Holy Father, I come to you in prayer. I have been a faithful, if imperfect servant. I have led my flock as best I can, but I have lost a member. She is ambitious and capable. She is good and noble, but she is ambitious and young. She is... gifted, Lord. She is one of those blessed with special abilities and she has taken it upon herself to do what she considers to be Your work." The young man sighed and rested his forehead against his folded hands as he squeezed his eyes shut. "I have tried to dissuade her, to wait and to learn but she is impetuous and determined. Please, Father, guide me in bringing her back home."

 

The Sanctuary door creaked and closed with a bang, startling the young priest who got to his feet with a start. There, striding down the procession was man dressed in a flat, black suit tucking a still lit cigar into his breast pocket. The firelight from the votive candles reflected off burnt-orange lenses beneath the brim of a black fedora, the muffled sound of footsteps on the carpeting thumped through the place of worship.

 

"Ye called, Father?" He asked as he came to a stop, level with the first pew.

 

Father O'Malley shook his head. "No, not you, demon. You are banished from this place, and all other places consecrated to God. You cannot be here."

 

The Man in Black grinned. "It's Nephilim, nae demon. Did they teach ye aught at Seminary?"

 

The priest swallowed. "The Holy See has pronounced you blasphemous, I must ask you to leave this church immediately!"

 

The Man in Black stuck his hands in his pants pockets and took in the stained glass windows for a moment before speaking. "Father... ?"

 

"O'Malley." He replied, his bravery returning. He clutched the crucifix around his neck and held it out "And you are banished from this place, Abomination!"

 

The Man in Black sighed. "That's nae how it werks, mate. I dinnae despise them, they despise me. Now, I'm here tae render aid. I unnderstand ye've  a wee lost lamb. Tell me about this misplaced member o'yer flock already an' I'll consider meself well an' truly banished, aye?"

 

The the snapping of candles was the only sound for a moment before the priest gave ground. "Her name is Calliope Smith. She's a good girl, only eighteen years old but she's gifted with abilities like so many in this City. She told me... " He seemed to wrestle with his conscience "She told me in confidence that she has these abilities and that she intended to break up a demonic summoning circle in Talos Island."

 

The muscles of the Man in Black's jaw worked as the priest spoke. "What's the date, Father?"

 

The young seemed confused "It's Tuesday, the 19th."

 

"Nay... what year is it?"

 

The confusion only increased "Twenty-Nineteen. Why?"

 

"Four years.... "

 

"I'm sorry? What did you say?"

 

"Ne'er mind. Talos Island, ye said?"

 

"Yes, The Tsoo were to perform the ritual three nights ago and... Calliope has been missing ever since."

 

The Man in Black turned and strode down the procession to the Sanctuary door which opened of its own accord and he disappeared into the night. As the door creaked closed Father O'Malley turned back to the crucifix above the alter and made the sign of the cross.

 

"Forgive me, Father, for what I have just done."

 

Thunder rolled over Steel Canyon.