Bless Me, Father

The Priest & The Witch

Delilah walked ahead fast, silent, her veil catching flickers of moonlight as the woods shifted around them.

Behind her, Jacob's shoes cracked against the twigs. His breath came harder now, uneven from everything he'd just seen.

The priest was pensive, his forehead furrowed in thought.

A bear attack...

If the town was on edge now... this incident with Sister Renee will make matters worse.

He walked behind Delilah, looking at her soft back.

You...

Jacob felt shameful as the demon's words echoed in his mind.

This town has derailed my plans.

Jacob sighed slowly.

He looked ahead, still not taking his eyes off her silhouette.

God forgive me, I have sinned. I lied to the townspeople.

And Sister Renee...

The thought was a raging flame that was quickly blown out.

He knew what happened to Sister Renee was not going to stay a mystery.

Father Vornero will demand answers.

But what Cristina said... the Gods? Who was she referring to?

He thought about his conversation with Father Vornero and Sister Renee.

He realized Delilah was far ahead and walked faster trying to catch up to her.

"Delilah, wait!"

Still nothing, Delilah kept on, as if she was walking alone.

She walked faster, more urgent.

Frustrated, Jacob tried to catch up to her without thinking, he gripped her arm, yanking her towards his chest. Her veil slightly lifted, revealing more of her face.

He looked at her and she looked at him.

Now that the priest had her attention, he was at a loss for words... he only stared at Delilah and she stood in his grip, not letting go, her eyes barely covered... but a small smile splayed on her face.

He let go, but his hand burned as if he had touched a roaring fire.

He didn't know if it was his thoughts about Delilah or her magic.

"I'm sorry, Delilah. I just... want answers. I want to know what is happening with Little Harmonie"

"Is it true what Roxanne was saying? Are you giving these girls some sort of tea" Jacob said.

But Delilah waved her hand at him.

"Actually... why were you in the woods?" She smiled triumphantly.

Jacob's jaw tightened, he stood quiet as if thinking carefully what to say.

"I wasn't. You can't believe the wickedness that comes out of a demon's mouth" He said.

Delilah stared at him, letting the lie linger in the air.

She smirked, turning away.

"I saw what you did back there. You—your eyes, your hands..." Jacob said cautiously.

"You saw what you needed to see" Delilah said.

"So it's true, then? What they say? That you're a witch?"

Delilah gave a short laugh.

She turned abruptly, causing Jacob to halt awkwardly as he almost knocked into her.

"What do you think I am, Father Jacob..." She said, her voice low, almost menacing.

He was silent for a second, he stood tall and faced Delilah with a sterner look.

"I think you're a curse. I think you are the one behind everything that is happening."

Delilah smiled... at his silence.

Jacob didn't speak.

He thought about it though.

Delilah turned around and kept walking.

"You think I'm the cause of everything wrong in this town?" She went on.

"Cristina. The disappearances. You think my teas are driving them into possession..." She laughed.

"If you are behind it... I won't hesitate and I will bring you—"

"To justice?" She giggled, cutting him off.

"Down..." he stared at her intensely.

The words landed heavier than he meant.

Delilah stared back at him intriguingly.

"Hmph... women come to me with swollen eyes and broken hearts. They want to be loved, touched, seen! They want to matter to those dense men they married too young or the ones who never look at them anymore."

Jacob squinted at her.

"They want potions to make love to their men continuously. Teas to make themselves softer. Or to help them sleep... not to cause possession, my God" She said

He looked away, disgusted or stunned or both.

"I don't judge, Why would I? No one else is listening to their prayers." Delilah said.

Jacob scoffed.

"You think that makes it right?" he asked, " You think feeding into their desperation is holy?"

Delilah lightly turned to face him, carrying a sly grin.

He took a small breath, looking at her, wondering what those grins hid.

"I never claimed to be holy, Father" her voice viscous.

He felt her words settle in his chest. Heavy. Dangerous.

She stopped again, but this time she turned and walked towards the priest.

"Are you?" The grin still lingered.

The priest didn't break character he gave her a serious look.

Only God knows what's simmering under those hidden eyes.

He studied her, as if trying to make sense of a memory.

His eyes darting between the veil and her lips.

"You don't remember me, do you?" he asked suddenly.

"From when we were kids?"

Delilah blinked. "No. Should I?"

Jacob hesitated. "You used to sit under that big oak by the river. Always alone. I think... I think I spoke to you once. You're the girl from the woods"

Delilah's expression didn't change.

"That little girl died a long time ago" She turned to walk away but froze.

Jacob knew something was wrong.

Delilah turned her head slowly to the right. Her eyes scanning the trees, narrowing her eyes.

"What is it?" Jacob asked.

"Let's keep moving, I feel something off."

Delilah walked faster, Father Jacob following her, reciting his prayers.

They walked, passing branches after branches.

But Jacob bent down, his eyes catching on a bracelet.

It was silver, with pink and green lucky charms.

He held it in his palm. "Delilah look!"

Delilah looked back, assessing the bracelet.

"That's Cristina." She looked left and right.

Jacob also turned around, looking at the trees.

They then stared at each other briefly.

Delilah walked off again. "She must have run through here."

All of sudden the wind picked up, and leaves rustled unnaturally.

Jacob turned to the side, his hand instinctively resting on his cross beneath his shirt.

Something was watching.

He put the bracelet in his pocket.

He saw Delilah's cottage flickered into view between the trees.

"You shouldn't be seen with me anymore," Delilah said over her shoulder.

"They saw me in The Barrow's house. With you. And now..." She paused, walking towards her cottage.

"With Sister Renee dead... who knows what the town will do now?"

"I will talk—" Jacob fell silent, staring at the figure.

There right in front of Delilah's cottage, rocking on her heels.

Ellie.

Delilah snickered.

Ellie saw Delilah, her eyes were wide.

And her lips... sealed by some invisible thread still.

"Sweet Lord," Jacob whispered.

"Did you do this?" He asked Delilah.

But Delilah didn't answer and continued to her cottage.

But Ellie started rushing towards them.

her eyes... feral!

Jacob's eyes widened in awareness, seeing her intentions, she rushed with her hand high to strike.

Jacob got in between them so fast, pushing a mumbling and ravenous Ellie back.

"Tsk... should have left her, she would have flown into the river."

"Ellie Stop!" he commanded with such force.

Delilah lifted her hand without a word. A flick of her wrist. The air shimmered.

Ellie gasped as her mouth unstuck. Her first breath came out broken, followed by a choked sob, still gripping Father Jacob's arms.

Jacob looked between Delilah and Ellie catching another glimpse of Delilah's magic.

"YOU WITCH!" She tried to move Jacob out the way, but the priest held her firm.

Ellie looked at Father Jacob, giving him a disgusted look. Pushing him away.

"Why are you even defending her!? Or here with her in the middle of the night!?" she gasped " And why do you have blood on you??" Her eyes darted between Delilah, Jacob and the woods.

"Wait until I tell my uncle about this!"

"Ellie please! It's been a long night, you will know everything—" Jacob said, palms up trying to calm her.

"You have your voice again, now go!" Delilah ordered.

Ellie was still furious; she gave Delilah a hateful look.

She walked up to Delilah "I'll tell the others and no one will buy your garbage again!"

"You'll regret trusting her! She's behind everything!" Ellie gritted her teeth.

But this time Delilah didn't smile, she was emotionless. Her eyes shimmered.

Ellie's voice turned venomous. "I'm sure whatever happened in town will lead back to you witch!"

She finally tore away from them and vanished into the trees.

Delilah remained still, her chest rising slowly.

She didn't look victorious.

She looked tired.

She stood on her porch opening the door.

The priest watched her, his face unreadable.

With the disappearances, Cristina, Sister Renee and you... witch.

Delilah turned around looking... hopeful.

"Would you like to come in... priest?"

He chuckled, looking at the blood on his clothes. "Sorry Delilah... I must go... I should get back to town."

Images of Delilah at the river couldn't come at a worse time as they rushed through his mind.

"Goodnight Delilah."

He walked away quickly, not wanting to see her reaction.

Even if he wanted to...

His mind wondered... If he would have entered...

Would I have fallen under her spell?