Bless Me, Father

Quiet Down, Little One

Back at Delilah's, the sun was down. The light inside the cabin was dusky and gold. Shadows spilled across the wood floor as daylight slipped behind the trees.

Delilah walked slowly. She removed her veil, stretching her neck as she glided towards the table.

She lit a candle and sat at the small table.

She realized she hadn't taken off her boots. Her fingers rested on the edge of the glass she'd poured an hour ago—but never touched.

She didn't like drinking alone. Sorrows were meant to be shared... with Barbara.

She narrowed her eyes at nothing, thinking about that... priest again.

The way he looked at her but not hungry. Not disgusted. Just...still.

She tried to pull something from him. A thread. A crack.

Nothing gave him away.

And that? That tickled her.

I'll figure you out, little priest.

She stopped. She stood like a statue, body still. Sensing someone nearby. The hair on her arms stood up.

A knock came. Then another. And another.

Delilah walked slowly to the door. She grabbed the knob gently, before yanking it wide open with force.

Her eyes gleamed but quickly faded as she realized who it was.

"Ellie," Delilah said.

"I need more." Ellie didn't wait. Her eyes moved desperately. Her chest heaving.

Delilah didn't move. She smirked.

Ellie was Father Vornero's niece.

A pretty young woman... tall, freckled, with glasses. Her corset tugged halfway up, her cheeks flushed with emotion. But even with that innocent exterior...

"You just had it." Delilah spat.

"It's not enough..." Ellie hissed.

Delilah rolled her eyes at the young woman. "You said that last time."

"Delilah, please!" Ellie said, a little too loudly.

Delilah yanked Ellie's hand, bringing her inside.

"Now don't be reckless! You show up at this hour, banging on my door, raising your voice?"

Delilah snapped, her eyes sparkled.

Ellie looked away defiantly but folded her arms.

She smelled like smoke and sweat, her face now flushed.

"You were here two nights ago! Tell that forbidden lover of yours to accept you as you are." Delilah hissed.

Ellie waved her hands frantically "Okay, stop!"

"I don't plan on giving you any more of the Virtue of Ecstasy. Have some self-control."

Delilah spilled those words with force, her face close to Ellie's.

Ellie teetered on the verge of tears... but didn't give up.

Her want was bigger than her feelings.

"It's fading..." She said. "Fuck... it's fading! it's fading, Delilah."

Delilah sighed softly. She moved to the counter and poured Ellie a glass of water.

She brought it to Ellie's mouth. Ellie drank slowly at first, then in gulps.

"You need to stay hydrated." Delilah said.

but Ellie pushed the cup away. "I need it!" She cried, grabbing Delilah's hand, refusing to let go.

"You don't understand. When I take it—" she paused looking at Delilah. "I feel alive. I feel wanted... desired. Everything makes sense. I feel in control of who I am. Without it, I'm nothing," Ellie pleaded.

"You're not nothing," Delilah said. "You're just small. There's a difference."

Ellie's mouth twisted.

"Just a tiny portion?" Ellie gave Delilah a weak smile.

Delilah looked conflicted for a second, but she finally looked away.

"No, I can't give you any more doses. You need to leave."

Ellie stomped her foot like a spoiled brat. "I said... I want more!" Ellie approached Delilah before she started slapping herself. Again and again.

"Do you see, Delilah? This is what you do to me!"

she cried.

But Delilah didn't stop her. Instead, she gave her a smoldering look.

Ellie realized that Delilah was enjoying herself, she abruptly stopped hitting herself, holding her cheek.

"You're a monster!" Ellie said, on the verge of tears. "Don't you see what a wreck I am? While you just stand there."

Delilah shrugged. Hiding a small smile.

"Are you done? These outbursts make me help you less and less."

What a delusional lady... so insecure and childish.

Delilah could see why Ellie drank her Virtue of Ecstasy.

On it, she was bold—carefree and vibrant.

She stood out like a sore thumb in all the right ways. But when she wasn't... she felt unattractive, small and disposable.

"I'm nothing! I'm nothing!" Ellie kept whispering.

Delilah moved to the door, urgency in her steps.

She had enough of Ellie for one night.

Delilah swung the door open, the dark night peeked inside, letting the cold air hit Ellie.

"Out!" Delilah spat.

Ellie's face changed, her dark green eyes narrowed at Delilah.

She walked towards the door but stopped, facing Delilah.

"I heard about your little visit to Helen's. You think people will respect you? Or forget what you really are?" she finally had some confidence, speaking sternly.

Ah... look at my work. The Virtue of Ecstasy still lingered in her veins giving her the courage she was never born with.

Delilah could smell her envy, like a natural scent she carried. She could feel the intensity of her sin now.

But Delilah froze, staring a second longer.

She sensed... something else on Ellie. Something fresh. But before she could dig further, Ellie spoke.

"You can save the town's children and they still won't treat you like part of the community... you'll still be damned." Ellie said, looking Delilah from her head to her feet with disgust.

But Delilah smirked.

"Noct'rel shai'vorn ez mel'kaar." Delilah chanted.

Delilah's eyes blazed.

Ellie's eyes widened in terror.

Delilah's eyes were pitch black.

Ellie's hands flew to her mouth, realizing her lips were sealed shut. She couldn't speak, almost forgetting to breathe!

She mumbled, almost trying to scream.

Tears filled her eyes, she raised her hand at Delilah but Delilah's voice thundered through the room.

" I wouldn't do that if I were you..." Delilah said, her voice silky, she laughed.

Ellie's eyes were red, full of tears and panic.

Delilah grabbed her by her french braid pulling her forward.

Ellie mumbled in pain and terror.

She couldn't believe the strength of this woman.

But Delilah laughed even harder, she saw the fear in her eyes.

"This is the real you right here. The weak and pathetic one."

Even with no mouth, and the fear in her bones, her eyes blazed with fury.

Still trying to scream.

She whispered in her ear.

"Now now, you're going to go home and be a good little girl, avoid your parents and go straight to bed." She flung Ellie outside.

Ellie landed in front of the cabin steps.

Delilah stepped outside. And made her way to Ellie like a predator finally catching its prey.

"Let this be a reminder to not cross me." Her eyes sparkled again, still black from her grim power.

"By tomorrow morning the seal will be lifted, and you will be able to speak."

Ellie scrambled from the dirt, avoiding Delilah and tripping on rocks, limping a little bit before running fast.

Never looking back.

Delilah watched her run towards the woods, back to town.

Run you little w***e. Run...

Delilah walked back inside, the door slammed shut as she looked at her hands.

Some black spots forming on her smooth skin.

She told herself Ellie deserved it. But her hands shook long enough after the door slammed shut.

Still human...

For now.