Father Thomas

I awoke to the light strumming's of Vilvadi's The Four Seasons. My mind and body are sound, as my silken covers caress my smooth skin. Father Thomas' scent runs through my home as I leave my bed and stride to the kitchen. The outside world is hidden from view as ambient light fills my home. Violins ring through my eardrums as the stench of well-done meat fills the air. Father Thomas is sitting on the bar stool eating a T-Bone steak smothered with steak sauce. The leftovers of mash and greens left a light stain on his plate. Yet, the arrangement leaves an unimaginable distasteful nature in my stomach for food does not caress my hunger any longer. This is a part of my penance. That which comes from the field or walks the earth are rancid: similar to trash which has been rotting away in the muggy summer air. Yet, in order to keep up appearances with humanity, I can eat rare steak. That way I can still taste the blood of the animal in order to encourage my hunger.

"You look much better now, brother." The AI said, as the music begin to soften.

"Thanks, Abel."

Father Thomas wiped his chin. "I did hope that today would be the day you arrived home at a reasonable time."

"Hope if for the perish, father." I sighed, starting to clean the dishes he left in the sink.

I look toward Father Thomas' arm, as the soap begin to cover the pans. He has an athletic bandage which appears beneath his suit jacket. I know he fed me his blood in order for my body to heal. Without human blood, it takes a day or more, depending on the severity of my injuries, to regain my curse. With it...it takes a mere hour. Yet, it still pained me that he took such lengths to help me. I did not deserve his kindness, nor did I from even the worst scum of this century. My sin was but the tipping glass of the atrocities of mankind.

So, in that regard, even though I'm at my wits end with the perish, I do not wish to feed on any of its members…especially Father Thomas. I have known the priest since he was a boy. He wanted to take his father's place as my guide for as long as I can remember. However, even though he is but a child to me still, I recall the many nights we would sit and talk about the earth as I knew it.

Cain recalls sitting on the shore in Cornwall, England, looking out at St. Michael's Mount. It was dawn, the sun's rays shading into purples and pinks beyond the castle's mount. Beside him was young Thomas, only ten years old.

Thomas, "When God said that Noah and his family were the only ones to come onto the ark, were you sad?"

"Yes."

Thomas scuttled closer, not wanting a short answer.

"My soul wept," I said, looking out as the orange hues danced amongst the ocean, "because I saw the repercussions of my actions. My parents may have brought sin into the world, but I solidified it when I killed my brother. Jealousy created rage which begot brother against brother. By doing so, mankind continued to hate their very being which lead them further from God. And as my penance, I could only sit by and watch as my descendants drown."

Quiet ensued between us, the ocean breeze rustling our hair. I looked over toward him: his arms wrapped around his knees that were close to his chest. His face was low as if he was lost in thought. I began to think what I said, no matter how truthful, was too much for a ten-year-old.

"Thomas―"

"I understand you're sad, Cain," he cuts me off, "but don't blame yourself for our actions."

I was unable to wipe the shock from my face.

"What?"

Thomas looked at me, then. His smile ever so bright.

"It's not your fault that people are people. Everyone is given a chance, sometimes even multiple chances on this earth."

He grasped my hand, making sure I heard his every word: and believe me, I was listening.

"What I'm saying is, even though you've spent your life suffering, don't forget that God saved you too. You're here for a reason."

At that time, I almost felt that who I was speaking to wasn't a young boy. His answers were so thoughtful and pure, that even an ancient beast like me felt touched by those words. Our conversations flourished as he aged and I soon realized, even after his indoctrination into the perish, that he was unlike anyone else I had ever met. Unbearable as an adult, yes, but he was my only friend in this nightmare. Thus, it is why I allowed him to stock my fridge with his Whole Food meals.

"I don't want you to take the brunt of my foolishness." I rinsed the dishes. "I recall telling you to let me heal on my own time."

Father Thomas finished his meal and handed me his plate. "You have a date tonight, do you not?"

"It's not a date." I snapped, disregarding that statement all together. "It's a business meeting to scope out a woman you don't want on my team."

Father Thomas chuckled at my reaction, and I had to smirk at his tactics. "I don't understand what your goal is, Cain. The rest of the perish thinks you need to be further restricted on your movements for your own safety. However, even against my better judgement, I am giving you your freedom tonight. I know that's what you cherish the most, but I cannot say that I am not worried. Even if she checks out…"

"Thank you, father." I said, rinsing the priest's plate as a sense of joy ran through my bones. I was surprised that his perish would let me interview my new colleague alone. However, I also noted his concern.

He nodded to me then, beginning to leave.

"Father." I called, as he turns to look back.

As blood and bones, his movements seemed to take a decade as I moved towards him in seconds. I took his wrist, surprise filling his face, and ripped the athletic bandage off of his arm. I see the swollen bite marks on his forearm as I prick my thumb with my right fang and let my blood fall upon his skin. The bite marks began to bubble over and heal. He watches in dismay, but as his baby bottom skin returns, I release his arm.

"And here I was about to take back the new suit we had arranged for your speech."

He got me. "A new suit?"

"It'll arrive tomorrow. Have a good time tonight, Cain."

Father Thomas turns to take his leave to Abel's goodbye.