Father Gabril's Letter
1079 Words
Sensing the danger in Green's gaze, Father Peter instinctively shrank back. He bent down to pick up the folder that had fallen on the ground and carefully said:
"Father Gabril disappeared a month ago. The Vatican has been trying to contact him since then, but there has been no word from him."
"It was only after his disappearance that the Vatican learned of this church's existence through the information he left behind."
Noticing Green's increasingly grim expression, Father Peter quickly added, "It was Father Gabril who instructed the Vatican to do this in his letter. You can see for yourself! It's in the folder!"
Green furrowed his brows suspiciously, staring intently at Father Peter before him. After a moment of silence, he reached out and took the folder.
Upon opening it, the first thing he saw was a handwritten letter. Indeed, the handwriting matched Father Gabril's. Green skimmed through it briefly, glanced up at Father Peter, and dropped one word: "Wait!"
Without waiting for a response, he slammed the door shut and returned to his bedroom.
As he entered, he found Vanessa getting dressed. She noticed Green holding the folder and her sleepy eyes lit up immediately.
"I was just looking for you. Where did you go?"
"Someone came by."
Green casually replied as he sat down in a chair. He took out the handwritten letter from the folder and began reading it word for word.
Seeing this, Vanessa curiously sat beside him without asking any questions.
After a long while, Green put down the letter and let out a long breath.
The man outside was right; having the Vatican take over the church was indeed Father Gabril's idea.
In the letter, Father Gabril mentioned that he was heading to a small Eastern European country to find something. This mission was highly dangerous, and there was a significant chance he might not return.
Father Gabril stated that if the Vatican came to take over the church, it would mean he had died there.
He did not explain why he wanted the Vatican to take over the place in the letter.
At the end of the letter, Father Gabril comforted Green not to be sad. He believed that Green had learned all his skills and would surpass him, becoming an independent exorcist. After receiving this letter, the previous ban on Green performing exorcisms would be lifted. From then on, Green could perform exorcisms for others as a non-Vatican member.
However, Green felt no joy at this news. He sat numbly in his chair, sadness clouding his eyes.
Father Gabril... was dead.
Although Father Gabril had left the church, their connection had never been severed. Green often communicated with him via phone or video. Though they had only known each other for three years, Father Gabril had become like family to Green.
While Green was lost in memories, Vanessa suddenly exclaimed, "Green, look! There's a silver coin in the file!"
Green frowned slightly and turned his head. In Vanessa's hand was an antique-looking silver coin with a portrait on the front.
Taking it, Green recognized it as the gift Father Gabril mentioned in his letter.
Just a silver coin?
Holding the coin, Green examined it closely several times. No matter how he studied it, it was just an ordinary silver coin.
Father Gabril did not explain the origin of this item in his letter, only instructing Green to keep it safe and not lose it.
Confused but not delving deeper, Green placed the coin in his pocket.
Since letting the Vatican take over the church was Father Gabril's idea, there was no need for him to object.
With this thought, Green turned to Vanessa: "Help me pack our things. We're moving to your place today."
"Huh?"
Half an hour later, Green and Vanessa walked out of the church gate with bags in hand.
"Goodbye, Mr. Green! Once the renovations are complete, please come back to pray!"
Father Peter stood by with a smile, watching as the two loaded their belongings onto the pickup truck parked by the roadside.
But all they received in response was Green raising a middle finger.
Ignoring this, Father Peter kept his warm smile until Green and Vanessa got into their car and drove off.
However, just as he was about to enter the church, Green stopped him.
"Wait, Father!"
Green jogged up to the door: "When will your people from the Vatican arrive?"
"When?"
Father Peter paused, then answered, "The church needs specialized personnel for renovations. They should arrive in about a week. I'm just here to familiarize myself with the place in advance."
"That's good."
Hearing this, Green breathed a sigh of relief. "Goodbye!"
Before Father Peter could respond, Green turned and left. He almost forgot about the secret room behind the bookshelf in the bedroom! He had to figure out a way to move its contents before the Vatican's main force arrived...
Frowning, he sat in the car and started the engine.
Vanessa glanced at Father Peter standing at the gate, confused, then turned to Green and asked, "You still didn't tell me what's going on. Why are we suddenly moving to my place?"
"We'll talk about it later!"
Green's mind was somewhat chaotic now.
......
"Luckily we didn't buy that sports car; otherwise, we really wouldn't have fit all this stuff."
Waiting at a red light, Green glanced at the items in the car and couldn't help but comment.
Vanessa in the passenger seat ignored Green; she was excitedly counting on her fingers, completely forgetting her earlier inquisitiveness.
"We need to buy a new set of toiletries, and then get you some pajamas... Oh, and a pillow too..."
Looking at the excited Vanessa, Green couldn't help but remind her, "Uh, I'm just staying temporarily at your place. Once I find a suitable house, I'll move out."
"Damn it!" Vanessa rolled her eyes, "Can you be any more ofwhelming? Besides, after I move out of that crappy apartment, anyway!"
Her eyes suddenly lit up, "When do you plan to look at houses? Let's do it together!"
"After we finish moving," Green replied. He turned to Vanessa and added, "We'll find a reliable real estate agent together then."
Excitedly waving her fist, Vanessa said, "Great! I love you, Green!"
Faced with Vanessa's heartfelt confession, Green smiled without responding and drove through the intersection.
The apartment wasn't far from the church; it only took about fifteen minutes to drive there.
Soon, both arrived at their destination.
- Writer
