Chapter ZERO: Beyond the Conscious

- Death is a gift sent to us by our god, it's a gift I say, because we get a chance to meet him and feel his holy presence . - Priest stood in saint Nicholas cathedral , raising his hands pointing at the ceiling. - This world has strayed far from god, and it moves further , day by day . Children, my beloved children. We must help spread the word of god.

- Are you proposing another crusade , your holiness - said the stranger With a smirk. he was wearing a black robe , only his mouth was showing.

priest slowly turned around , grabbing his censer

- what brings you to the house of god serpent ?! - priest said in anger

- if i were a serpent. would i be present in your "house of god" - stranger cynically said with air quotes.

- You slithered your way up to Eden, this wouldn't be hard for your kind - Priest sarcastically said and spread his arms , people in cathedral started laughing.

- you old bastard! - stranger screamed and rushed towards him

- Illuminate the darkness, oh holy lord, Come to my aid and help me overcome this darkness - priest started praying and swinging his censer.

stranger dropped down in midway of running, sliding and ending up at priests feet.

priest kneeled

- know your place you filthy creature!- he said in a loud voice

stranger instantly got up and acted confused , moving back with his hands.

- where... where am i?!

- you my son are at house of god. your soul was corrupted by the darkness and we saved you.

stranger smiled , with a bliss on his face, he quickly got up and rushed to hug the priest

-Thank you!

priest smiled and whispered to him

- the moneys on the table in the backroom.

- I deserve an Oscar for this Father Nathaniel - stranger whispered back.

in the crowd there was a young girl looking at them with happy face, she rushed to priest.

- bless me father.

- May the holy father in heavens bless you my kid - he lifted her chin up and his mind was struck by shock , he didn't know why, he felt something, something powerful, something pure - tell me child, what's your name?

- Alice.

- seems you've found your wonderland Alice. - Nathaniel smiled.

- I hope so.

- Are you having doubts about your faith child?

- Yes father.

- Well tell you what. after the church closes down, we can have ourselves some tea and we can discuss that doubts of yours.

- Thank you father.

***

in a room , with a dimmed light , metronome was ticking , Alice , layed on the couch , was calmly breathing.

- interesting, i think that's enough for the session. - said the woman infront of alice and turned the lights on

- I don't get it. how does that corelate to what's happening to me.

- What happened when you met him alice.

- We didn't get to meet, I waited for Father Nathaniel in church yard till 6 pm. but he didn't show up, instead Arch-bishop came and said Nathaniel was being sent to Rome .

- Maybe that's when you lost faith, and now the guilt is doing all that.

- You're saying I'm seeing all that stuff because I feel guilty for leaving behind religion?

- May be. Subconscious works mysteriously my love. - Therapist smiled.

- Well that's an interesting preposition . - Alice smiled and reached to her purse - I should get going now, i have a shift in like 9 hours, gotta get ready. - she smiled and got up

- see you on wednesday! - therapist smiled.

- Thanks Miriam. - alice went outside and took the stairs down, as she entered hallway, a cold breeze hit her shoulders. - it's summer for heavens sake, I'm gonna go crazy if i catch cold. - she said to herself and continued walking down the hall.

As soon as alice passed the doorway , a young man , with a long trenchcoat approached her and grabbed her shoulder

- Excuse me!- Alice screamed

- Hello dear! - Young man smiled

- get your hands off me - Alice removed man's hand and stepped back , reaching in her pocket she grabbed pepper spray and pointed at stranger - a step closer and i will make your eyes burn up like a sun sicko!

- Wow ,hey , wow, Chill alice! - Stranger reached his hand out - name's jordan, You dont have to be scared!

- You know... Jeez You know my name? what are you , a stalker or something, I swear im gonna spray!

-Im not a stalker! i just have answers to your questions!

- You even stalk my Socials? - Alice stepped one more step back

- no no no, i can explain!

alice sprayed his eyes and ran , Jordan for a second ducked, wiping his eyes , straightened back up and started laughing

- There's a first for everything - he laughed - Untill we meet again . - he wiped his eyes one more time and started shaking the spray off from his hand - Ugh, gotta work on my manners...