Act One: Chapter Two: The Responsibility And The Guilt

Daniel Grayson,

After arriving at my home town, I didn't leave my bed until late afternoon. I went to take a stroll around the town. Aimlessly walking around the streets, reminiscing about numerous things. Wasting my time, until I reached the old church. I stared at it for a while, it had been two years since I went inside of it. I stood there for a while, contemplating whether I should go in or not until a hand tapped me on my shoulder.

I turned around to find, Mr. Turner, Sophie's father [Ah...Good morning... Mr. Turner] I said, he stared at me for few moments then he replied [Good morning to you to... Daniel]

He wasn't looking that good. He had a defeated look on his face, with dark bags under his eyes. There was an awkward moment. I guess a missing daughter would do that to you.

[Are you...visiting the church?] I asked if it wasn't obvious [yes...would you care to join me] Mr. Turner said politely and nodded in response

We went inside my town's old church and old it was. It was made in the late 18 century and stood the test of time. The outer walls were slowly decaying, but inside was furnished. My family along with Sophie's family were mostly regular attendees.

I traced the familiar hardwood bench, as we both sat in the same one. looking upon the christ statue on the wall. We both lowered our heads and crossed our hands, as we prayed.

Mr. Turner soon looked up [Daniel] he said my name and took attention [We can't live forever...So it is better to make of the best of what you have] Mr. Turner said as he reached for his shirt's front pocket and took a photo of Sophie, back from the time of high school [When Sophie came back...She wanted to be alone for a while, so she booked a cottage for a week...] Mr. Turner said in a week voice

He handed me that photo [Wait...Mr. Turner, I can't have this] I said [No, keep it, please...As a reminder, you also were someone important to her, who helped her more than we, her parents could have] Mr. Turner said with teary eyes, so not to offend him, I took the photo

After this Mr. Turner left, while I sat there in silence staring at Sophie's photo. I kept asking myself, was it all my fault? was it because I left her alone and maybe that's why I held myself responsible for her.

[Well now what a surprise?] A voice spoke from behind me

I turned around to find Simon, our town's priest. He was wearing his usual, white robe. He was a man in his thirties, black eyes with gray-sliver hair. He knew me and my family, well frankly he knew each and everyone in this town. I personally knew him since I was a kid, since the first time he came here from London.

I sighed [Oh... It's you, Simon] I said as I went back to staring at her photo [You look worried Daniel, it's Sophie's picture troubling you] Simon asked, I hid the photo away in my pocket and stood up to leave [Don't act like you don't know what is happening with Sophie... and you call yourself a priest] I said with little I anger I had in the pit of my stomach

As I made my way to the exit, he stopped me [Wait, Daniel...] I looked back at him [What is it?] I asked turning to him [You know you could have come to me when saw what was chasing her, I could have helped] Simon said and I stared at him blankly in response, then he smiled [It seems I have your attention, now...follow me if you seek answers] Simon said

He turned around and started walking, towards the back of the stage [Wait! hold on, Simon what are you not telling me] I asked while following him [Well, a lot actually, but all that could wait, right now...time is of the essence] Simon said 

He opened the door in the back and went inside before me. Beyond the door was a staircase leading down. He turned around in the middle and looked at me.

[Don't be afraid Daniel, this leads to the study] Simon said [I not afraid, why is there a study here anyway?]

I didn't even know that this place had a study. But, needless to say, I followed him down and he was not lying. The stare way connected to a hallway and leading to a big room. As soon as he opened the door, I was blinded by the light. It took time for my eyes to adjust to lighting. A bright golden light was illuminating around the room and there were tall bookshelves, like a library.

Total of seven tall bookshelves, full of old books and folders. While looking around I walked into the middle of the room. There was a pedestal and on it a bookcase. Decorated with gold and abstract patterns. Simon was standing on the other side.

[What is this place?] I asked slowly getting irritated by the sudden blinding light [You can call it an archive, all of the Town documents are stored here] Simon explained [Neet... so what am I doing here again?] I asked impatiently 

[I prefer this place while I am attending to important matters, such as...disclosing, what is happening, and what will happen to you] Simon said, then there was pause a moment when suddenly his eyes flashed blue, before going back to normal, I ignored it as it might have been the trick of light

[...You shouldn't have come back Daniel] He said [What you saw that day was a Demon, cursed upon Sophie, to haunt her] Simon explained, 

I stared at the face, he was serious, and not that I doubted him. I mean what else could you call it.

[Why, what did she do?] I asked [Nothing... it wasn't her, something happened before her family moved here...from a town few miles from the west, you can't really miss it...its mostly abandoned. If you want to find her, you need to go there and find out what happened there. if I remember Turner has a sister living there, that might help you] Simon said

[Simon, are you bullshiting me...] I asked confusedly, not knowing how he might have known, maybe Me. Turner might have told him, Simon sighed [We all have a part in this world, Daniel. As for me, I am an observer, a preacher, and an adviser, nothing more and nothing less, but you... your part in this world is much bigger]

He went to a pedestal in the center of the room and I followed him. There was a golden bookcase, which opened. Inside was a Cross, black and with a red outline, going around its edge. Its top was long enough to be grabbed with one hand and the bottom's both red edges were sharp. There was a circle in the middle, connecting into the sides and in the middle of the circle was a red gem, embedded into it.

[What the heck? A bladed cross, really?] I said looking at how dumb this looked [No, not just that... its something that can kill Satan, a demon is a mare fly for it. Just one can touch it, that all it needs] Simon explained with unneeded enthusiasm [What, kill Satan. Have you lost your dame mind?] I said

[Shut up and take it] Simon said irritated and annoyed [...You are the one who wanted help and I am giving it to you, so shut up and take it] Simon said

[Fine!] I said

I laid my finger on the gem and suddenly glowed bright red. It caused me to pulled my hand back quickly. I looked at Simon, wanting an explanation. But all I got was a disappointed expression.

[Well not best I would say, but I guess you will have to do] Simon said [Wait, why are you disappointed?] I asked and Simon closed the bookcase [Now take and get going, It will help in performing your part in this world, to find Sophie and all. Go to the town where it all began and reach it as quickly as possible before it gets you] Simon explained

[Get you? What are you talking about?] I asked [The Demon, of course, you dump brat] Simon insulted [Just to clarify, a Demon... will try to kill me] I asked again [Yes] Simon said with a smile

[Are fucking with me] I said angrily [No, not really, no] again with that smile

There was silence in the room and I didn't know what was happening, but I was not going to let this chance slip away.

[Alright...] I said [Thank goodness] Simon said in relief, I walked over and picked up the bookcase.

[One more thing Daniel, once you leave this church, keep in mind your life will be in grave danger. As an adviser, I will advise you not to stay at your home, you wouldn't want to get your family caught up in this mess, do you?] Simon advised

[Yeah sure, why not] I said [alright, get going] Simon said