CHAPTER 27 : THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT (3)

"Mia… is dead?"

"Yes… I'm sorry," the woman said.

I could see it in her eyes. She truly meant it.

"No… it's not your fault."

"If the Lord chose to take her… it must be because it was for the best," I murmured, almost in a whisper.

Miss seemed surprised by my response. She said nothing, just looked at me, as if she didn't know what to say.

Yes… it's for the best…

Mia is in heaven now.

She won't suffer anymore.

She won't be hungry anymore.

She'll see Mom again… and Angus.

She'll be happy forever.

"Yes… it's for the best," I repeated.

Suddenly, I heard a sound.

A soft tapping… like drops hitting the floor.

Is it raining?

I turned my head toward the door, looking outside… but there was no rain. And still… the sound continued.

I looked down at the floor. I saw small wet spots. Drops. More drops… falling around me.

Slowly, I brought my hands to my face.

My cheeks were wet.

Am I… crying?

I fell to my knees.

Why?

"Mia… is better now," I said between sobs. "It's what had to happen…"

I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Miss.

Before I could react, she hugged me.

"Let it out," she whispered near my ear.

"This is what had to happen… she's better now… she's happy… she's no longer hungry… she's with everyone…"

"I… I…"

"I'm alone…"

"Aaahhh… I'm completely alone… aaahhh…!"

And I cried.

I don't know for how long.

I cried until I couldn't anymore.

I screamed until I had no voice left.

Miss… never stopped holding me. She didn't move until I was done.

--------------------------------

Before I knew it, dawn was breaking in the sky.

At that moment, Miss told me I could stay there, in that shelter, for as long as I needed to rest. She promised to return that night.

I followed her advice. I stayed all day.

I thought about what I would do next…

Just as she had promised, that night she came back.

She sat beside me and, after a few seconds, asked

"Could you tell me how you ended up in that condition?"

I told her everything. I had no reason to hide it. After all… if it weren't for her, I'd probably already be in heaven. But then I wouldn't be able to fulfill my goal of becoming an apostle.

When I finished, she looked at me in silence for a few seconds.

"I see… you've been through a lot. Too much… for someone your age," she said, with sincere sadness in her voice.

"A little…" I replied with a weak smile. "By the way, Miss, can I ask you something?"

She nodded.

"You're… not from here, right?"

Her eyes widened. She was surprised.

"Why do you think that?"

"I'm not sure… it's just that your dress and the mask you wear aren't things I've seen before. Not even in the center."

"I see…" she murmured. "You're right. I'm not from here. Do you hate me for that?"

"No. The Lord taught us that to hate or wish harm on someone is a sin we must avoid. We should love everyone as we love God. We only fight in self-defense… or to defeat evil."

"Miss, you saved my life. How could I hate you?"

"I see… Tell me, despite everything you've been through… especially what happened to your sister… does your faith remain unshaken?"

"Of course. Mia is in a better place. Her health wasn't good enough to survive in a place like this. I know my wish to keep her with me was selfish. It would have only brought her more pain."

"My goal was to reach the center so she could have a better life. But I failed. And that… that was my fault. Because I was weak. Not the Lord's," I said, my voice breaking.

She looked at me firmly.

"It wasn't your fault. The situation was too much for a child your age. You did an incredible job, and I'm sure everyone who loved you would think the same. So don't blame yourself."

"Honestly…" she added, more softly, "You don't speak like someone your age. How old are you exactly?"

"I'll be twelve… in two weeks."

"Twelve years…" she repeated, thoughtful.

A few seconds passed before she spoke again.

"Then… do you still want to become an apostle?"

"Yes. That's my path."

She walked to the door. Then she turned toward me.

"Come with me."

I was a little surprised, but I followed her. She raised one hand, and beside her, a small hole appeared in the air. A box came out and fell gently into her palm. The hole vanished instantly, as if it had never been there.

Incredible… that's a skill.

She handed me the box. It was heavy, but not as much as I expected. When I opened it, I was speechless.

Bread. Cookies. Bars, meat, cans… I had never seen so much food in my entire life.

And without realizing it, we were no longer in the shelter.

We were in a plaza, surrounded by several people.

How did we get here?

A group of people approached quickly.

"Oh, priestess, I was wounded in the arm by a man who stole the little food I had. I beg you… help me."

Priestess?

That's how they know her here…

And it seems she comes often.

The man's wound was serious. Something sharp had pierced it. Healing that… wasn't easy.

Miss nodded. She stepped forward and placed her hand on the man's leg. Immediately, a soft green light emerged from her palm.

I stared at her… mesmerized.

She was… beautiful.

In less than a minute, she removed her hand. And the wound… was gone.

Incredible…

That's how she healed me…

"Please, bring the box," she said, snapping me out of my amazement.

I ran to her with the box in my arms.

"Distribute the food among them," she asked.

And I did.

The look on people's faces when they received the food… was indescribable. Pure gratitude. As if I were saving their lives.

For the first time in my life, I saw a group of people smiling.

They smiled… like Mia did.

I liked it.

I turned to Miss. She just watched, silently. All night, she healed wounds and handed out food.

When we were done, it was already late. We returned to the shelter.

Once we arrived, I spoke.

"Miss… why do you do this?"

"Why do you want to be an apostle and defeat evil?" she answered with another question.

I thought for a moment.

"Because I believe it's the right thing to do."

"Just like me. But more than anything, I want to help the people in the outer zones. They're the ones who suffer the most."

"Are you an apostle?"

"No. I just believe a place like this shouldn't exist. It's not fair that the innocent suffer like this. But I don't have the power to change it… at least, not yet. That's why I do this. To ease the pain a little. Even if I can't come as often as I'd like."

"Oh…"

"Aiden."

"Yes, miss?"

"What do you plan to do? Do you still want to return to the center?"

"Yes. To become an apostle and help others… I need strength. And I can only get that in the center," I answered with determination.

"So… you want strength to help others?"

"Yes."

She looked into my eyes for a few seconds.

"Then, I'll make you two offers," she said. "I can take you to the center… or I can help you become stronger myself."

"You… would help me?"

"Yes, Aiden. But on one condition, promise me that when you have power… you'll use it to help the people in the slums. Not to dominate others."

"Of course. If I ever did something that vile… only hell would await me," I said firmly.

"Good. So, do you accept my help?"

I thought for a few seconds.

There must be powerful people in the center…

But none will be like her.

Besides, that green light… I'd like to learn to use it too.

"Yes. Please… I want you to teach me."

"Then, Aiden, you will be my disciple."

"As I told you, there will be times when I'll be gone for long periods. Your training will depend mostly on yourself and your discipline. And for your safety, you'll need to follow my orders to the letter. Understood?"

"Yes, miss. I'll follow all your instructions."

"Good. Aiden…"

"I…"

"promise I'll make you the brightest light."