Power Of His Gaze

"Get up!"

She woke up with a startle, eyes flared in shock glancing around rapidly as she felt someone tapping on her Shoulders hard, completely pulling her out of her slumber.

Aaliyah looked up to see two familiar faces staring down at her, their faces harder than she recalled. The Nuns watched as she threw herself off the mat, and pulled up to her Full length to meet their judging and cold gazes upon her.

"Sister Rachel. Sister Hilda," She called their names breathlessly, already wondering what she had done wrong this time. Aaliyah was pretty sure the church was sparkling clean, and she had run all the errands before going to sleep.

"Get inside the bathroom, soak in, and scrub every inch of filthiness pouring out of you. You have just ten minutes!"

They wanted her to take her bath? Aaliyah turned to stare at the window to confirm that it wasn't just her eyes and that it was still very dark outside. Confusion etched on her features, and she opened her mouth to ask what was going on, but the Nuns shut her up with a cold glare.

"Your time is already ticking, Child,"

Fear gripped Aaliyah from their words, and she scurried off into the bathroom where a pleasant, or rather, creepy surprise awaited her. The bathtub had been filled to the brim with water, and the shower was actually working for once.

The water in the bathtub was scented heavily, looking like it had been filled with many oils that brought out one thick scent that could clog up her airways.

Aaliyah stared at the setting for a minute, wondering what the hell was going on. Outside, she could hear sister Rachel and Hilda speaking in low and hushed tones. For once, they seemed scared and worried about something.

Swallowing, Aaliyah emptied her clothes and climbed into the warm bath. Nothing had ever felt more relaxing than this, and it felt as if the water was stretching out all her tensed muscles that had accumulated for so many years.

Aaliyah sighed in relief. She didn't know what was going on, but she would at least enjoy the goodness that came with it.

Just as instructed, she used the soap by the side and scrubbed off every corner of her body, not surprised to see how much the water's color changed from the filth that had been stuck to her.

Aaliyah scrubbed her scruffy hair and bathed herself properly till her body was squeaky clean like the huge mirror in the pastor's room.

Quickly, she rinsed everything off in the shower and dried herself with the clean towel she found hanging on the door.

As soon as she stepped out of the bathroom, Aaliyah was ushered to sit by the mirror where she found herself being prettied up by about five nuns, with Rachel and Hilda standing by the sides watching everything.

She could hear rushed footsteps moving back and forth outside and was getting more and more nervous as the seconds ticked by. Her hair was being combed all the way down her back, and more oils were applied all over her till her body was glistening.

By the time everyone was done, her mouth was agape. Aaliyah had light makeup on her face, her blonde hair tied up in a bun with a few strands left to fall. Her skin has never looked so pretty before.

"Wear this," Sister Rachel came up from behind and threw a dress at Aaliyah's face, "Take this!" And threw a small bouquet at her too. Aaliyah held both items in each hand and looked up at the Nun.

"Put them on, and go wait at the Altar!"

And Just like that, everyone left the room and the lonely place grew quiet once again.

Aaliyah was beginning to think they were gonna sacrifice her or something, but once she put on the dress and held the flower with her reflection staring back at her...Her eyes widened.

No way...Was she getting married?!

At that moment, she thought about running away for the umpteenth time. Her gaze moved to the window that had been broken for the past five years now and no one had paid attention to it. She could have easily climbed out of it, but her room was too high up the building.

She would die if she took a leap.

"Let's just hope...he's a good man," Aaliyah said to herself, a sad smile curving on her lips. But she knew the chances of that happening were very close to Zero. They were probably marrying her off for their own benefit... but something felt off.

Why were they all so on edge about it? Was he that cruel of a man? Worse than...them?

In the next minute, Aaliyah was climbing down the stairs with the Voluminous dress dragging down the stairs, almost tripping her several times. As usual, she had no shoes on and even though the dress was big enough to cover her toes, every step was still painful and agonizing.

It seems the hushed noises and movements had woken the other kids in the church. They were all peeking out their windows watching her. The little ones clapped excitedly, seeing her all dressed up like an upcoming bride while the older ones looked dreadful.

Nothing good came from this church.

"What is going on, Aaliyah?" Penelope, one of the older children asked.

Aaliyah smiled back, "Let's hope for once it's something good, right?"

"Are you... leaving?" Penelope cracked.

Aaliyah shrugged. She didn't know. She knew nothing. Right now, she felt like a puppet and Pastor Ramus was the puppeteer.

Standing on the Altar, Aaliyah stared at the rows and columns of seats in front of her. Candles hung on the wall and lit up the entire place. The whole place was awfully empty, and her heart ached. Her eyes accessed her surroundings again, but there was still nothing and no one.

Maybe she was really being sacrificed. Maybe the ground would suddenly open up and swallow her anytime from now.

The Crackling sound of the large double doors that led to the outside of the church flew open, and the Moonlight's rays fell into the church. It was still very much quiet, but Aaliyah could see some shadows coming from outside. It felt as if they had opened the door on purpose for her to walk through it.

Like a kitten, Curiosity kicked in and her legs moved. She walked down the Altar, and approached the door, moving through the path between the seats, her fingers tightening around the flowers.

Everything felt reversed this time. Why was she walking out instead of walking in?

"Don't go," A small voice from behind cried.

Aaliyah turned around to see Penelope peeking in from one of the pillars.

"It's not gonna be good." She added, her eyes big with tears, "If you go...I'll be next,"

Now, Aaliyah understood her worry. Aaliyah was twenty-one, while Penelope was eighteen. If truly, this was marriage and Aaliyah would be taken away, then all the hell Aaliyah had gone through would fall on Penelope's head. And it's not like Penelope isn't already going through so much.

She would be maltreated...and abused.

"I'm not going anywhere. Go back to your room," Aaliyah replied.

"Do you Promise?"

Aaliyah nodded with a tight smile, "When morning comes, it'll be like nothing ever happened,"

Penelope did not look convinced. But there was nothing she could do. She was scared of what they would do to her if she tried to interfere.

Aaliyah faced her front again, drawing a deep breath. Everyone was out there, patiently waiting for her arrival.

"It's okay," She said to herself, clutching her heart that was beating very fast, "It's okay. I'll be fine,"

When she turned around again, Penelope was gone. The Fear and emotions of terror crashed into her soul, making her knees buck. Anxiety kicked in hard, and tears gathered in her eyes but she refused to let them fall. The Nuns would be mad at her if she ruined their work with her tears.

Alone and feeling lost, she raised her chin with the little hope still shimmering in her heart and stepped out of the double doors to face her fate.

The First thing she saw was the Glory of the Full Moon up in the sky, casting her light on the people that stood to her right.

The Nuns were standing by the side, their gazes lowered to the ground while shifting uncomfortably on their feet.

Pastor Ramus stood by the other side, looking even more distorted and uneasy than the Nuns with his head lowered. Aaliyah had never seen the pastor so humbled before, and it only made her want to puke.

But when she saw the man standing in front of Pastor Ramus, she immediately understood why everyone was acting that way. The Power of his gaze alone had her wishing she had just jumped out of the window earlier and ended her life.

Truly, Nothing good will ever come from this place.