Bless Me, Father

Oh, Barbara

Delilah stared at the priest as he disappeared into the woods.

She closed the door behind her, pressing her back against it. Her fingers brushed her neck, thinking of him.

The way he jumped to defend her from Cristina.

Now that was the true highlight of my night.

She rolled her eyes playfully.

A heat sparked between her legs, remembering how the demon in Cristina said Jacob watched her.

It excited her.

She ran to the window... he was a blur now, his silhouette swallowed by the forest.

That strong back, that steady walk.

Even if she couldn't taste sin on him... she could smell that little drop of desire.

But what were you doing in the woods?

Delilah licked her lips slowly...

"He lied to my face... bold little priest."

She started twirling a finger around her hair.

She then snapped out of it.

She knew things will be taking a turn after tonight,

she had exposed secrets, many eyes had seen her and most importantly... a death.

Those men didn't look convinced about the bear story... and Cristina, huh? That little devil. Who had she been whispering to?

Delilah began pacing the cottage. Boots off.

Cold night air pushed through the cracks.

Something's wrong.

She looked out the window again... a nagging sense that she was being watched.

She knew this town was going to blame her for Cristina sooner or later.

But she wasn't going down without a fight if it came to that.

Then... a thought about Ellie.

Damn her... I know what she's going to do now.

But she then laughed, holding a finger to her lips.

I mean she did deserve that.

She peeked out, looking far beyond the trees, faint lights burned. The Devil's Land stirred.

I wonder what the Devil's Land is up to tonight?

She knew Ellie's loose tongue couldn't go unchecked.

She narrowed her eyes. Knowing her next move.

She closed the window and removed her veil, feeling free.

Her mind drifted to Jacob again. His words. The way he gripped her arm, and how she briefly touched his strong chest.

She closed her eyes, leaning her head back.

The memory came flooding back.

—

Her younger self, hungry. Looking for ways to sustain herself.

She heard running again. One of the town boys had been following her.

She took off running through the woods.

It was like a game to her. She felt good and untouchable.

But that day, she was finally caught.

She had lost sight of the town boy as she descended on a rabbit.

The young boy saw her, he was trembling as he tried to hide behind a narrow tree, staring at her as she devoured the rabbit by chunks, fur still clinging to the meat.

She looked up, startled but she smiled at him.

"You've been chasing me?" she asked.

He ducked behind the tree, hoping the tree would cover his thin frame.

"Are you the girl lost in the woods?" His words came out shaken.

"Maybe."

Delilah saw a glimpse of him turning his head around, as if afraid someone might snatch him.

"Have you seen my friends? I miss them."

Delilah didn't blink. She kept chewing.

"No."

His father had called out for him.

A loud gruff voice calling out for his son.

"Jacob! Where are you?"

Jacob looked back where the voice was coming from and then back at Delilah, peeking a bit more.

Less afraid.

"I will bring you something to eat." He said whispering. "Be safe."

"Jacob!" The man called out again.

He dashed away, running towards his dad's voice.

She visited the oak river frequently but she never saw Jacob again.

__

Delilah was later found by Barbara and she decided to keep her far away from the town's scrutiny.

As she got older, she realized the boy Jacob had left town with his parents.

Barbara once said Edmund and his wife Estelle really left due to Father Vornero.

But nobody really knew why they left.

The cottage door slammed open.

Barbara rushed in, straight for her belongings not even looking at Delilah.

She opened the closet violently, taking out a bag and packing some clothes.

"You have lost your mind!" She panicked, dropping stuff along the way.

She scattered around, looking for what else to take.

Barbara kept muttering, "Mercy, God"

"I did tell you to leave town."

Delilah's voice cut through Barbara's frantic state.

She finally turned around "What in the hell, Delilah?!"

Barbara put her hands on her face.

"Oh God! Father Vornero! If he doesn't already know!"

She then pinched the bridge of her nose.

"We need to go now." Barbara ordered.

Delilah didn't flinch. Just looked at her, blank-eyed.

"So you've heard." She said nonchalantly.

"Heard?! Barrow's neighbors are already talking amongst each other! By tomorrow morning Little Harmonie will be informed."

"And the name on their lips: the witch and Cristina!" Barbara kept ranting.

"You go on, I'm staying behind." Delilah said.

"I'm tired of them trying to blame me for things out of my control."

Barbara scoffed.

"No! You are leaving with me! Part of the town may believe that bear story, but that won't stop them."

She ran to the window, peeking out the curtain.

She looked back at Delilah who found everything pretty amusing.

Barbara got closer, giving her a piercing look.

"Delilah... that priest isn't going to save you."

Delilah eyes gleamed softly, standing still.

Barbara gave a bitter chuckle "I had high hopes for the priest but even so... he still is a man of God, he may have lied to help you but he won't turn on Father Vornero for you."

Delilah laughed scornfully, throwing her head back.

"Oh Barbara, who said I need saving? Maybe the town needs saving from me."

Barbara looked uneasy, she crossed her arms just staring at Delilah.

"Delilah! They can hurt you and I—" her expression changed to sadness.

"I won't be able to help you."

But Delilah stepped forward, fixing Barbara's rumpled shirt.

"It's okay Barbara." Her eyes glistened, but this time darker than usual.

"They'd better pray hard that day," she hissed.

"Because I'll send them where they truly belong."

Barbara pushed her hands away, recoiling from her.

"Oh, quit it Delilah!"

Delilah sniffed the air softly like if someone was making a stew.

But it was Barbara's envy that rolled off her like steam.

She could sense it glowing and loud.

She stared at Barbara... a small hint of gloss flashed in Delilah's eyes.

"Keep thinking, you'll always be lucky, Delilah."

It still eats at her... she can't help it.

I am a curse... I always will be.

I wish I could erase their sins so they can accept me even an ounce... but that's never going to happen.

"Do you think of me burning on a stake?" Delilah asked suddenly.

Barbara looked at Delilah horrified.

"No! What!" Barbara spat, flabbergasted.

" I just hate your arrogance, you think you're untouchable! I worry for you!"

Delilah smirked. "You never know, Barbara. Maybe my family can move trees and mountains. We are true witches, after all."

A hit to her ego... it was a once upon a time dream of hers.

Barbara sneered hard, throwing her hands up.

Her jealousy was unyielding, suffocating, like a slow strangulation.

But I'm blessed either way.

They envy me, they want my power... either the circumstances... I'm chosen.

"Go to hell... good luck explaining Sister Renee's corpse and a mad girl in the woods."

She grabbed the remaining of her stuff.

Delilah's eyes followed her every movement.

She turned to leave, hand on the doorknob.

"What do you do all day, Barbara?"

Silence.

Delilah's words made her freeze at the doorknob, before she spun around. Wild eyed.

She marched forward with her finger pointed.

"How dare you! I would never hurt those girls." She spat venomously, spit flickering through her teeth.

Delilah stood still and commanding..."Answer the question!"

But Barbara smiled, avoiding the question intentionally.

She noticed the black veins appearing on Delilah's skin.

"You keep feeding your curse... continue by all means... your fall is inevitable."

Delilah was about to snap back but remained quiet, letting her have this battle.

Barbara rushed towards the door, slamming it hard behind her.

But Delilah looked at the window, opening the curtain again.

Time for a distraction.