Hollow Children

Within the small dusty room, murmurs of a girl can be heard. Lying on her bed made of hay and a sheet, the girl sluggishly pull her blanket above her head, leaving only streaks of her obsidian black hair visible.

Today like clockwork, priestess Sarah once again arrived before the girl's room. After knocking on the door, Sarah lets herself in and open the curtains. The girl squirm a bit as the sunlight shining through stained window shower into her cozy sanctuary.

"Your Holiness, your daily duties awaits."

Sarah inquires with a slight bow. The girl slowly rises from Her bed, Her blanket naturally slides off of Her shoulder revealing the slightly blushed skin underneath it. Coupled with the rays of rainbow now shinning on Her birthday suit, She looks more radiant than the moon. After having Sarah dress Her up and done Her morning prayers in Her room, She is currently having breakfast in the mess hall.

"Today, Your Holiness duties are to attend to the wounded and sick, at the afternoon You will be having lunch with paladin from Vatican."

'Today's breakfast is meat patty and a salad on the side'

It's was Her Holiness favorite* dish, its crispy grilled exterior holding the juicy meat within and in the center is chunk of savory* melted cheese. it was a satisfying breakfast.

They depart from the dormitories on a stagecoach. from its window the peaceful village of Orn came into view. Houses built from cobble stones, the golden sea of wheat crops, the barns housing domesticated animals and the lush green valley waiting to be cultivated, Orn is a large village with a population of 1096. The clinic they heading towards is located at the center of the village, it is done so that none of the villagers will have extra trouble to seek treatment and the same is applied to all communal facilities while farmlands are located closer to the outskirts of the village due to space requirements.

*****

Sarah and Her Holiness spent the most of their time in the clinic providing check ups and handing prescriptions to patients, the patients will then bring the prescription to a local drug store in exchange for the medicine and a small portion of from the transaction is donated to the church.

"That is all for today's patient, thank You for Your hard work."

Double checking the name list the nurse reassures herself with a nod. Noting their job is done, Sarah and Her Holiness tidy up and prepares to leave, it is at that moment, a man in his thirties barges into the room with a desperate face but is quickly suppress by the staffs within the clinic.

"Please! Please save Arthur!"

"Sorry Your Holiness, please pay no mind to that man."

Gesturing the staff to throw out that man, the nurse does not even try to hide the fact that there is someone denied to receive treatment from clinic and the church and that does not rub priestess Sarah in the right way.

"Halt, the church does not discriminate against anyone. Dear sir, please guide us to the patient."

"Is that truly the will of Her Holiness, O Priestess Sarah?"

"I speak for and only for Her Holiness."

Leaving the displeased nurse behind, they arrived at a small house close to the outskirts of the village. The front door was painted dark red with blood, guilt is visible on the man's face as he came face to face with the door. Sarah and Her Holiness is led into most likely the guest room, there lies on the bed was Arthur, his body was wrap in bandages soaked red by blood.

"Dear sir, may I have you leave us alone with the patient. By no means are you allowed to enter until I said so, Her Holiness will now perform Her miracles."

Sarah proceeds to remove all the bandages on Arthur and offers up an prayer. Her Holiness acknowledge Sarah's payer with a nod, step forward, unveil Herself and lick on the wounds covering Arthur's body. What happened next was nothing short of a miracle, all the wounds are now healed, with only gashing scars remain as its testament.

"Thank You for Your hard work Your Holiness but it seems he is still having nightmares right now. May I make humble suggestion..."

*****

'Father... Mother...'

Those were the only thoughts in Arthur's black seas of consciousness. His father; Father's head was torn off by its jaw whilst torso pinned on the floor by its disproportionately large arm. His Mother; Mother's screech was silenced when it forcefully shove one of its many tails straight through her throat.

Turning his head Arthur started running, what prompted him to do so was that burning sensation in his right shoulder, bleeding does not stop as he traverse across the endless wheat field. Its icy cold breath can be felt on his nape like a cat playing with its prey, it trips him, claws at him, its bloodlust increases with each step Arthur takes. Within this limbo of cat and mouse game, how many times had he wish it would just end him painlessly, alas his wish is finally granted, its mouth snaps shut separating him from the outside world...

What greeted him when he open his eyes again is not his parents, not the monster, but an unfamiliar ceiling and a girl sitting beside him silently observing him. From his view one can see the intricate golden silk embroidery of lilies on the sleeves of her red cassock and her thin cherry pink lips beneath the veil.

"Please do not move too much, even though your wounds have been healed but you are yet to accustom to this body yet, unnecessary movement and strain might cause muscle injury"

Arthur's attempt to sit up was stopped by Her Holiness.

'Injuries? What is she talking about?'

Pupil within Arthur's eyes quickly contract after inspecting his own body, remind of the recent events. He ignored the warning and quickly stood up and drag himself to the window but the monster is no where to be found.

"I see there is no need for rehabilitation but there seems to be something still clouding your mind, please consider coming to the church for some consultation."

Stated Her business Her Holiness stood up from her chair and exits the room, priestess Sarah has prepared the stagecoach awaiting for Her, if they depart now they might barely make it for lunch with the paladin from Vatican.

Seeing his savior leaving, Arthur run after the stagecoach

"WAIT!"

"Thank You for healing my wounds! I will come for consultations later!"