| She sat up in bed and clutched her knees to her chest, holding the blanket to her. She peered into the darkness at the figure of her lover. She didn't need to look at him to know what he was doing, he was searching through her bag, thinking she was sound asleep. Carefully, she laid her head back onto the hotel's pillow and rolled over. She knew she'd made a mistake with him, taking him on. It was deliciously difficult at first, but now it was just growing tiresome. She closed her eyes, feeling his body standing over her, watching her. His tense body climbed in beside her and laid there in a state of unrest. She turned and buried her head in her pillow, trying not to laugh at his misery. She had him, and there was no going back now. Morning arrived with birds chirping. Laughing bitterly, she thought how ironic that was. A cliche scene right out of a Disney cartoon. But she didn't feel like Snow White, or Cinderella for that matter. Throwing the covers back, she noticed with disgust that she was alone, as usual. Damn him! This has got to stop! She knew just where he would be, she knew him all too well. Throwing on some clothes, she stormed down to the lobby. "Um, hi there. Can you tell me where the nearest Catholic Church is please?" She waited as the girl scribbled down the address and the directions, then hailed a cab and took off. The church was grand, better than the last one. She paid the driver and stepped out. She stared solemly up at the double doors and climbed the steps, wrapping her arms tightly around her. Entering the church, a strong odor stung her nostrils. That's what I get for not being Catholic. Her eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room, and she searched for him. She finally spotted him at the side alter, lighting a candle on bent knees. Rolling her eyes, she approached, trying hard to be quiet. "JC?" she whispered, pulling at his shoulder. This church frightened her in a way the others had not. She stared up at the large statue of the Blessed Mother and shrank back a bit. "JC, come with me," she urged. He didn't move, didn't even turn to look at her. He stayed there, hands clasped together, head bent, deep in prayer. She felt the anger boil up inside her. "Josh! Now!" Nothing, not a flinch. She sighed and peered around. The place seemed to be empty so she took a seat on the alter steps and glared at him. He was rocking back and forth slightly, almost in a trance. She held her head in her hands and laughed, lowly at first, then louder and louder, until it was almost a shriek. JC looked up carefully. He blinked a few times, and focused. "You!" he shook with fear. "Why are you here?" She threw her hands up in disgust. "How many times do we need to go over this? There isn't any escaping me. You're mine, for eternity. You sold your soul, and you're mine. Jesus, JC, you really aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer are you?" She stood up and brushed the Catholism from her jeans. "Now, if you're done with this hideous ritual, let's go. I have things for you to do." JC struggled to stand up. He approached the alter, trying not to look at her, praying for a priest to show his face. He knew none would though, he knew her power prevented them from entering the sacred area while she was there. Day after day, he tried to escape without her knowing, hoping against hope that he could make it to a church without her finding him. No matter which city, which country, she was always there. "Please," he cried weakly, "please leave me alone." She loved to see him break down. It didn't happen often, so she relished it when it happened. "Oh Josh," she smiled, almost angelically, "come here. Let me hold you. I can make it better if you would just stop fighting it and let go." He looked at her, disgust and terror filled his eyes. She moved to him, the coldness that constantly surrounded her attacked him. "JC, come to me." He pressed his lips together and looked around. There was no one to save him, there never was. It was always the same. An empty church and sometimes, only sometimes, he couldn't even feel God there with him. Cautiously, he went to her, knowing she would only force him to if he didn't, and that physically hurt him. He flinched as her arms wrapped around him. She stroked his hair and he felt her icy breath on him. The shivering always came next, and she tilted his face to hers. "I want to kiss you." Her eyes challenged his, and she savored the words she would speak next. "Actually, I want to fuck you, right here on this alter." She watched him closely, as fear twisted in his eyes. "No, please. Let's go back to the hotel. I'll do anything. Don't make me disrespect the Church anymore, God." He was pleading, his blue eyes brimming with tears. She adored when he begged, and he had no idea that she couldn't actually have sex in the Church anyway, it was against the rules. But there was no need to tell him that, and ruin it all. She pressed her hand in his, and lead him out. The smell was starting to overpower her, and even though technically she wasn't mortal, her stomach rolled with nausea. A haunting feeling encompassed her, something she hadn't felt before. Her pace quickened. Something wasn't right here, there was a power stronger than hers in this Church, but why? The doors flew open suddenly, letting in the bright rays from outside. She was thrown back by the force of it, and laid in the aisle, stunned. She reached for JC, but he was being drawn toward the sun. "No!" she screamed. "Let him go! He's mine!" She attempted to get to her feet, but a strong force held her down. Rage filled her eyes. "He's mine, goddamn it! I won him. He sold his soul to be Mr. N Sync, and get his fame. Now he's mine." JC felt a loving pull guide him to the doors. He wasn't afraid anymore. It was okay, God had forgiven him and was here to save him. He smiled for the first time in years, feeling free, feeling love. He reached the outdoors and turned to look inside. There she sat, her normally green eyes turned a deadly shade of red. He laughed heartily as she was dragged backwards to the alter. Her screams were muted and JC stepped back just as the huge doors slammed shut, locking him outside. He looked up to the sky, and saw a rainbow appear. It puzzled him, as there had been no rain. But suddenly he understood. Smiling through happy tears, stared up at it. "I'm sorry, Lord. So sorry. Thank you for forgiving me." |
| SAVING A SOUL by destiny |