Ch 18: The Witch

"So, should I get ready?" Alice asked eagerly.

"Who will you take with you?" Nathan inquired.

"Grace and whoever else wants to go," Alice replied and then left the room.

After Alice had gone, Nathan's wife turned to him and said, "You're too much. Alice made a request, and you immediately agreed to send her off."

"Maria, Roy's wife, is such a kind person that once you meet her, you'll want to visit again. When I went to their village to buy some land, her hospitality made me feel like we had known each other for years. She treated me like one of her own daughters-in-law. Don't worry, when Alice goes, it will broaden her mind. She's always locked herself in her room after college. This will give her a chance to see more of the world and expand her thinking," Nathan explained.

Alice's mother listened quietly and remained silent.

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As soon as Desmond got off the bus, he looked around and crossed the road, heading toward an alley. He held a rolled-up piece of paper in his hand as he walked down the narrow but clean alley.

His steps led him directly to where he was headed, his lips moving as if he was quietly reciting something.

At the end of the alley was a small, modest house next to a mosque. Desmond gently knocked on the door. After a brief moment, a young boy with a white cap on his head opened the door.

"Peace be upon you," the boy greeted him.

"And peace be upon you too... Is Mr. Bishop home?" Desmond asked kindly.

"One moment," the boy replied and went inside. When he returned, he led Desmond inside and up the stairs to a room. Desmond removed his shoes outside the door and quietly entered the room.

The room had a carpet on the floor, a large bookshelf neatly filled with books, and a small desk beside it with writing materials and some papers.

The air in the room was filled with a fragrant scent that brought a strange sense of peace with each breath.

Seated by the desk was an elderly man with white hair and a white beard, holding prayer beads. He wore simple white clothing.

"Peace be upon you, Mr. Bishop," Desmond greeted, extending his hand for a handshake.

The elderly man returned the greeting with a smile, shook Desmond's hand, and invited him to sit beside him.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you," Desmond said.

"Not at all," the elderly man replied sweetly.

Desmond fell silent, and Mr. Bishop continued with his prayer. His name was Solomon. When he finished his prayer, he turned his attention to Desmond and asked, "How are you, brother?"

"By God's grace, I am well," Desmond replied.

"What brings you here?" the elder asked.

"I try to know what I can, but for what I cannot understand, I come to you. You are a man of knowledge and a pious soul," Desmond said.

"God has blessed me. What He knows, we do not, nor can we fully understand," Mr. Bishop replied with humility.

"Indeed," Desmond agreed and then unrolled the paper, showing the elder a drawing of Grace.

"This is my friend Tyron's daughter. Her name was Lily. She passed away, but I saw her alive, right before my eyes," Desmond explained.

The elder murmured something under his breath as he listened, then said, "That is not Lily, but she looks like her."

"There's no difference," Desmond insisted.

"Yes, but she has been given the appearance of the late girl so no one would recognize her because she is not human," Mr. Bishop revealed.

"Then what is she?" Desmond asked with astonished eyes.

"She is in human form," Mr. Bishop replied, leaving it at that.

Desmond stared at him in shock, understanding the elder's words.

"What was she doing there?" Desmond asked anxiously.

"She lives in your neighborhood," Mr. Bishop informed him.

"Where?" Desmond asked immediately.

"You need not know that yet. Continue your prayers. I will pray too, and God willing, everything will be fine. That house in the wilderness has become a haven for evil entities. They are fighting among themselves. One day, come with me, and we will pray there. If God wills, that place will be purified," Mr. Bishop said.

"I am at your service, Mr. Bishop," Desmond replied.

"One more thing: stop drawing human figures. It is not right," Mr. Bishop advised.

"From today, I will not draw human figures," Desmond promised.

The elder resumed his prayers, and after a while, Desmond left with his permission.

As soon as he stepped outside, he tore up the drawing of Grace and threw the pieces into a garbage bin outside a house as he passed by.

Mr. Bishop was a pious and kind-hearted man who spent his time in worship. He was endowed with many spiritual powers.

Desmond had a special affection for him, and Mr. Bishop held Desmond in high regard as well. It was through the elder's spiritual insight that Desmond was able to understand certain things.

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Roy was obsessed with the idea of possessing Alice. Evil coursed through his veins, driven by his greed and the influence of Lucien. He was intoxicated by the thought of the wealth and power that would come from making Alice his own, and he was willing to go to any lengths to achieve it. The plan was simple: if Alice's father, Nathan, refused his proposal, his men, disguised as bandits, would raid the house, kill everyone, and take Alice by force.

Roy had instructed his men that he, too, should be wounded, but only superficially, so no suspicion would fall on him. He was prepared to cross every line, blinded by the evil that had taken hold of him. Lucien was pleased, knowing that his disciple was ready to unleash chaos on Earth.

Roy and Desmond arrived at Nathan's house in the afternoon.

Lunch was ready, and after washing up, they sat down to eat with Nathan.

Roy had decided to bring up the subject of Alice after the meal. They made small talk while they ate. After finishing the meal, tea was served, and as they sipped their tea, Roy cleared his throat and began.

"I have something important to discuss with you," Roy said, coughing slightly to clear his throat.