At the Kitchen of the Church of Jetkins

15th April

I saw a woman in her red rode dangling on one side with a summer dress inside from a distance. Her skin was as white as the snow where she’s standing. And her black shoulder-length hair was placed tightly on her back, showing no signs of damage.

The night was cold as ice, but she still never tried to cover herself adequately. She’s not moving an inch. Is she paralyze?

Hands closed tightly inside my coat’s pocket; I started to step my feet on the snow already haft foot from the ground. Seemingly, she didn’t notice my approach not making any move. And so, I fasten my walk despite the coldness I’m feeling.

The wind suddenly blew colder, and the snow has been pouring hardly.

“Hey!” I shouted as I’m a meter away from her. She didn’t reply nor face me. “Come on, woman. You’ll be freeze to death.”

I tried reaching for her shoulder, but in a second, she vanished, and only her red robe was left on my palm. For a moment, I stunned.

“This was not a joke.” Nervously I stepped back and ready myself to run but facing the back seems a mistake.

I found the woman that vanished a while ago in front of me, grinning and have her eyes dangling on her eye sockets. Blood covered her cheeks.

She reached her hand and saw what she’s holding.

A civil guard badge.

***



“ELITE OFFICER ASTRIDD LUIS FROM JETKINS DISTRICT. BEEN A CIVIL GUARD FOR ALMOST FIVE YEARS. AN ORPHAN AT THE AGE OF FIFTEEN (15) AND GRADUATED WITH FLYING COLORS AT NEW CICA COLLEGE INSTITUTE. BORN WAY BACK 003–So, she seems one of those people born during the New Cica’s development?” I’m shocked by the things I’m reading. Questions never leave my mind.

It was already one in the morning, but still, I’m awake reading what Reverent Scott handed me two days ago. My days went busy as the stay here at the church will come to an end. Session must be done twice a day and seems exhausting our mind and physical strength.

Reverent Scott mentioned that we’re at the last phase of the session and will be healed wholly and fully. Those greedy demons will not harm us anymore.

Making me read these documents, I have right after two days. This was just the day I’m free and have all the time consumed in these uninformative papers.

I throw the pieces of paper on the top of the table and covers my eyes. Those are the only things I have received. Basic information of the civil guard I’ve met once.

But why am I interested in her? She’s out of my league, and I’m not on the line of having such girlfriends. I’m more focused on how to finish my thesis as early as possible.

To calm me for such frustration, which I didn’t know why I’m drowning my reverie. I find myself walking the candle-lit hallway of the church to the kitchen. I need some water.

Having the church presence for almost two weeks gave me a nostalgic feeling. I have to leave the day after tomorrow. The session and healings are practically done, and I’m already healed—also, Abella.

Entering the kitchen gave me flooded memories of the four of us eating together. Reverent Scott helped me a lot. Without rendering something in return. I’m wrong that I tried to avenge him about my condition, which I thought he fails to do. I even mock him mentally. But in the end, he still helped me. Being anonymous to him, Reverent Scott never fails to reach his hand out.

I’m also thankful to Asst. McLinn, even she’s always missing-in-action every time we’re on sessions and just appearing after. She’s the one who was advising me to cope and lessen my emotional breakdowns every after sessions.

“I’ll miss them,” I uttered. Pouring my glass with some water, I stopped halfway. A question popped my mind.

Right after this, where would I go?

The church itself gave me scenes to witnessed and ponder. The district exhibited such normality unique on its own. People here have the faith; other districts don’t have. And it seems true that unknown killings happen here that, indeed, civil guards are investigating.

“If such killings are normal like what the woman at the diner expresses, I should not bother myself about it. Even the Higher Ups are not letting their eyes laid on the issue, why would I?” I heaved a sigh.

“You’re talking to yourself, again” Abella’s voice ended my deep sigh. She’s leaning on the doorway, and hands cross on her chest. “Such question should be dismissed and not talked again.”

“You sure?” I asked.

“About what?” She answers me with a question. I grunted made her smile.

“You sure to leave the church? Reverent Scott and Asst. McLinn?”

Before answering, she walks her way and stands beside me. She also looked at the pitcher and the half-full glass of water. Then reached for it and drunk it up.

“I’m sure in having a new life,” cleaning her lips by the back of her palm, she started. “Letting go all the burdens I have and face the new sunrise.”

“You also,” she added after a long pause. “Being problematic about the district’s situation, you should let the Higher Ups load that. We already throw ours away. Why getting another?”

She’s right. Why bothering myself about the woman civil guard? The killings? The district itself? If I just went here in Jetkins District to be healed? It’s my own life, after all. I’m not a politician, by course.