The Halfbreed (closed)

[Asa]

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She stood in the main chapel Jacob standing in between her and the door to the archbishop meeting room. A snarl curling her lips. She and Jacob were very out of place and seemed to set all the parish priests nuns and workers on edge.

If you can keep calm they want you in the meeting Lyria.

She spun on Jacob like a wolf.

Fine... but I will get a full explanation of why is that clear?

Jacob shrugged and closed the door behind them when she walked in looking back out for a second seeing a couple of new priests arriving. Wondering how long it would take before they were going to be a headache or ally. Once the meeting was over the Archbishop escorted them out and looked to the transferred priest.

Greetings sorry our introductions are a little late unexpected meeting. Welcome.

 

[Justplatonic]

“Hello Archbishop… I’m Father Peregrine Chase…”, he smiled, and offered his hand. They shook hands for a brief moment...

 

[Asa]

The archbishop nods and leads him on the tour. As they talk a rather grumpy older bishop stops them for a moment grumbling low near the Archbishops ear.

... telling her that.... too much freedom...

Most of the words only solely garbled a few seeming to hold shape unintentionally for other ears.

I have made my decision... we make certain allowances you know this. Now tend to your duties.

The archbishop waved the older man off and turned to Chase with a nod.

Forgive the interruption I will show you to the residence hall so Sister Aria can direct you to your assigned chambers.

 

[Justplatonic]

"Thanks Archbishop. When will we meet again?". Perry heard most of the conversation, and wondered who she was...

 

[Asa]

Dinner in the common hall.

He paused a moment.

Perhaps to get ahead of something that will probably never be an issue. There are a couple of people who come here from time to time. Allies of a... different faith. Do not let their temperament worry you. They have had lives that warrant such caution and coldness. I am sure you saw them as they were leaving.

She chuckled.

They tend to only deal with myself and the council but I have learned it is always good to give warning. She can be a little easy to anger.

Without anything else but introducing him to the nun that walked over the Archbishop walked away unless stopped for questions.

The nun sighed shaking her head having heard who he was speaking of but dismissed her thoughts to aid the new priest to a room

 

[Justplatonic]

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Perry was shocked with the decadent abundance of dinner.

He spent all his time in a smaller part of the city where he grew up. You had to scavenge for food in the slums. He continued there as a Missionary in his adulthood, playing by his own rules. Perry saw and experienced a lot of questionable things, and was married once upon a time. It was painful to think of her though.

So instead, he choose to distract himself. To be disgusted by the sheer waste of this dinner, as it would be enough to feed either two or even three communities on the other side of the city where he was from.

“Archbishop… I must say, you’ve put on quite a spread! I hope this isn’t on account of me?” he bluffed. He wasn't sure he liked the Archbishop…

 

[Asa]

Forgot that some of the nuns were scheduled for an outing with some of the children from the nearby schools. Had I remembered this would not have been as much but still something nice for our new arrivals.

 

[Justplatonic]

He played enough poker to know a bluff when he saw one. Perry was good at bluffing and reading people, as he proved many times by his plentiful winnings. But he wasn't convinced the Archbishop was, as she heading downwards in his estimation.

"Archbishop... Please may I ask who will be my mentor, and what's on my itinerary tomorrow?". Perry thought at least if had those answers, he could start feeling useful...

 

[Asa]

Your mentor will be father Zain. He is currently out right now at one of the shelters we aid doing counseling . He will meet with you tomorrow.

The Archbishop turned to answer before leaving for his own prayer time hoping that this young Priest would not have to encounter the duo any time soon.

 

[Justplatonic]

“Thank you, Archbishop”. Perry watched her leave the table, and sighed at all the food left behind. He wished he could scoop it all up, and bring it back to the slums. But he had to focus on the reasons why he was here.

Perry finished his dinner, wished everyone a good night, and began his walk to the dorms. He nodded to the night porter, and was in his dorm minutes later.

He switched on his laptop, visited the church’s website, and clicked through to the staff pages. “There you are Father Zain”. As far as he could surmise, he looked around sixty years old, and had a very weathered face. Perry couldn’t help but realise the job had taken it’s toll on him. There wasn’t much information available, just when he started, and his job role. Perry exited the browser, turned off his laptop, and reached into his duffel bag. He pulled out some documents, and spent the next couple of hours reading until he slept.

It was simple for Perry to sleep, but not rest easily. His past haunted him, as images flashed by. He saw his wife, Tara again. She was beautiful, full of life, and vibrant. Formally a teacher in the Marine Corps, Tara met Perry when he was a Missionary at the slums. She taught the underprivileged, while he offered solace and hope. The images shifted, and Perry started chanting in his sleep, as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. His head moved violently side to side, as his body twisted and contorted. Then, he let out a shout, as he quickly shot upwards, fully awake. Fortunately, the dorms weren’t at full capacity, but he still hoped nobody heard him.

He climbed out of bed, washed his face, and drank water. It was a big day tomorrow he told himself. He needed a good nights sleep, if he had any chance to be the best he could be. Perry lay in bed. As he began to drift back asleep, he whispered to himself “I miss you Tara, my love… I'll honour my promise”…

 

[Asa]

Lyria sat back with Jacob at the bar. Jacob had stuck close since the job where they failed to tell her it was a kid waiting in that room. Bodyguard... friend... how did the humans word it... friends with benefits. The difference for them.compared to humans was the benefits for them was it burned through any of the powers from her father assaulting her system whenever she had to deal with banishing her father. His benefit was he would never have to kill her as long as she was calm and never went over that line. He was also the wall the prevented her from turning of the priests who had weaponized her as a child or tried to make demands of her now.

 

[Justplatonic]

The following morning, at breakfast in the common hall, Perry pondered the day ahead. The Archbishop had yet to make an appearance, and he couldn’t see Father Zain either. Was he too early? Or perhaps they were in a meeting? Either way, he was edgy.

He was used to working with a team he trusted, even with his life. If he was to work with this Father Zain and no one else, how would they be as affective? Exorcisms ranged from low risk, to damned dangerous, and if Perry’s instincts were as good as they normally are, Father Zain will have a lot to live up to...

 

[Asa]

Father Zain walked from the Archbishops office with the final words. Just be ready.

Ahh Father Perry are.you ready.to go.

He seemed in decent spirits but there was an edge of concern in his voice as if he had dealt perhaps with this family.line or something about the task at hand that was different than any other.

 

[Justplatonic]

“Yes, of course, Father Zain”. This was the first time they met, but with zero formalities. Not even a handshake. So it must be serious, thought Perry. He also noted Father Zain was quite frail, almost timid. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem in everyday church business, but in the exorcism business it could cost a life!

Despite Perry reservations, Father Zain walked quickly. As they made their way to the church car park, Father Zain pointed to a pick up truck. He unlocked it, and they climbed in. The engine roared, and Father Zain drove for about ten minutes. No small talk, not even a word. If Perry was really a novice, as he intimated in his curriculum vitae, he'd be bricking it by now. Perhaps he'd have to remain elsewhere, while Father Zain attended to the exorcism? Even so, he mentally prepared himself for the worse. It seemed Father Zain was doing the same exact thing.

They eventually stopped outside a detached house, in a decent suburb, at least by Perry standards. They both walked up to the door, and Father Zain knocked…

 

[Asa]

The old woman opened the door and pointed to the stairs. Father Zain looked to Perry for a long moment as if debating something grave.

Wait here with the grandmother and comfort her.

Without another word he walked upstairs. Hours passed thg ings clearly thrown around and hitting the floor but the more noise the more the old woman held onto Perry.

 

[Justplatonic]

“Isabella, I’m sure Father Zain is doing his best… He was very pensive on the way here. It’s my understanding he’s very experienced. I’m sure he’s formulated a good plan to follow”. Perry was winging it as best as he could. Truthfully, if Father Zain lasted this long, he had to be a pretty decent exorcist. But ‘decent’ isn’t always rewarded with success.

Back when he was a Missionary in the slums, they were a breeding ground for possessions. He performed countless exorcisms, and his track record was an impressive 100% success. Although the slums were only a small part of the city. If the possessions were on a wider scale, even he would struggle.

He was heralded by the communities as a Messiah, but the title was uncomfortable to him, especially after Tara’s death.

Two way news from the slums to the outside world was pretty non existent. No one outside was interested. Or if they did pick up any random snippet of news, it’d be rejected as fantasy. So it was easy, and necessary to forge inexperienced credentials for the church. However, Perry began to regret masquerading as a novice. He couldn’t resist any longer. “Father Zain! You must let me help you!”, he shouted.

 

[Asa]

NO! STAY DOWN THERE WITH HER GRANDMOTHER.

Another massive sound of something hitting a wall rattling the house he called down one more time.

FATHER PERRY... CALL THE ARCHBISHOP AND TELL HIM... MAKE THE CALL!!! NOW!!!

Father Zain had managed to incapacitate the body for now and prayed it would hold till the half breeds arrived. He knew it would be both until her long lived rage finally passed. It was far too soon for one like Perry to have to meet them especially her. Father Zain knew more than most about matters outside of the parish and had been one of the few who had tried to protect and offer the half breed a normal childhood as best they could even with knowing what she was and the brutal life she would live.

 

[Justplatonic]

Perry looked reassuringly to Isabella, as he quickly responded to Father Zain's request. He had a brief chat with the church switchboard, and that’s all it took. But he felt tormented by his decision, the necessary charade. He could clearly help now! His instincts told him Father Zain was a good man. Clearly he was knowledgeable from what Perry heard between the chaos. Perry still felt his original assessment of Father Zain’s ability, was disappointingly accurate.

Isabella started to sob, as Perry held her in his arms. “I’m sorry this is happening to you and your grand daughter. I really am. Please let me tell you… This is not your fault… There are… Outside influences, quite often beyond our reach, who prey on the innocent”. As she cried, there was a knock on the door.

Isabella motioned to Perry, and he opened the door at her behest. On seeing the woman and man standing outside, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He knew there was something off about them, but he didn’t know what. Although he appreciated these were the people the Archbishop talked about. The man at first attempted to nudge him to one side, but Perry resisted. “Look here… I know who you are... But I don't know what you’re going to do…”. Before he could continue, the man pushed completely past him. Perry grabbed his arm…

 

[Asa]

Lyria looked to him.

Get out of our way... now.

Her tone was cold as the grave and held an edge that could back down a wild boar. Father Zain was at the top of the stairs.

Perry release him and let them pass NOW.

Zain!?!?!

Jacob broke his hold with ease as the man leapt to the stairs helping the old priest down. I will work with you. Lyria.. you got this.

She had already headed up the stairs.

Yep

 

[Justplatonic]

When it came to possessions in Perry's experience, it was simply him, and the possessed. A couple of hours later, said person is happy to be alive again. There was no need for further intervention.

“Father Perry?”, questioned Isabella as she pointed to upstairs. She was confused, and distraught.

Father Zain looked at Isabella as if to say something, but hesitated. He looked downwards for a moment, then turned about and exited the house. Perry was shocked. Couldn’t the man offer any support, or reason? To look Isabella straight in the face and tell her the truth?

Isabella looked worriedly at Perry. “I don’t know Isabella. I’d not like to guess”. He hated trusting strangers, especially with a person’s life at risk. She began to cry again, and returned into Perry’s arms. He looked upwards, as the bedroom door creaked open, and heard footsteps approach the stairs.

Lyria locked eyes with Perry, as she walked down the stairs, followed by Jacob. Perry thought he’d see aggression in her eyes, but it was something else. Quite the opposite.

All of a sudden, Perry felt a knot form in his stomach, and a sense of dread… “No… No, no, no!”, he shouted as the couple solemnly exited the house…

 

[Asa]

She was not entirely the one to hide the bloodshed. Jacob however walked in front of her to hide it from the old woman and the young priest.

She has been freed from the prison her body and soul was lost in.

Jacob spoke looking to the old woman as they simply left.

 

[Justplatonic]

Isabella looked at the couple as they left, then at Perry. Her eyes welled up. She collapsed to the floor with tears rolling down her face, as the anguish consumed her. Perry knelt down with the intention to console her again, but she gently pushed him away.

“My la nieta… My beautiful la nieta…”… she sobbed as she looked upwards, with her arms stretched out in a questioning manner.

Perry paused out of respect, then continued… “Isabella… I will make arrangements for you…”. He was bereft on standing up, as Isabella gently nodded, and made his way outside.

Father Zain was waiting, leaning against the pick up truck. “You know… You’re a better man tha…”.

Perry’s face flushed, and his fists clenched. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kick the shit out of you!”, he fumed. Granted his cover story negated his involvement, but how could the church condone murdering a woman?

Father Zain slowly opened his arms. “I don’t have any reasons… Go ahead… God knows I deserve it…”. Father Zain closed his eyes, for all it was worth.

“I’m not your absolution, and I’m certainly not your salvation… Just go… I’ll make my own way back”. Perry never suffered fools, but he could tell Father Zain was just another cog, in a huge machine of secrecy, and deceit.

Father Zain bowed his head, climbed into the pick up truck, and drove away leaving Perry standing on Isabella’s porch. He spoke to Isabella again, and made the necessary arrangements for her grand daughter.

Outside the house, Perry reached into his duffel bag, and withdrew a pad and pencil. Twenty minutes later he was in an off duty taxi cab. “Alfonso… I know Clarence is doing the security detail at all the local clubs… Please could you get him to look at these two faces, and ask him if he’s seen them around?”. Perry passed over two detailed drawings of Lyria and Jacob.

“Mess man… Ya missed ya vocation… Ya draw like Leonardo da Vinci! Ya could make a lot of money…”, Alfonso looked at Perry and changed tact. “Sure, er… I’ll do dat no problem…”, then he sighed. “I… er.. I still tink about Tara… We all miss her, ya know?… I’m sorry what happened”…

“It wasn’t your fault, Alfonso. It was mine”. Perry felt dejected.

“No way! It was them! Ya know tat… Look… Let’s drive ya back to tat lousy church. Clarence will get back to ya soon”. Alfonso smiled. He just wanted to be more positive for his close friend.

A few blocks away from the church, Perry attempted to pay Alfonso. “Ya money not good here, Mess man! Take it back…”, he said as he pushed Perry’s hand away.

“You can’t reject my money forever…”, Perry hesitantly smiled. He knew Alfonso would benefit from the payment, especially his family he provided for.

“Just watch me, Mess man!”, laughed Alfonso as he drove away…

 

[Asa]

Zain didnt trust his sudden student/aid whatever Perry was. Zain had been in the field before he knew what it did to some. Priests who were little more than mercs or con men. Some held their faith he had been one of the lucky ones only to come home to a different kind of war. A war where the church used children and people like Lyria and Jacob to do their dirty work. How had that arrogant vile nun sister Valerie put it.

There's no salvation for the damned so why shouldn't we let them destroy their own kind for us. So we don't have to bury any priests to exorcisms.

He took off and placed a call to the archbishop.

All I am going to say is I trust Lyria and Jacob more than I do our latest brother.

He hung up without offering any other words.

Lyria made her way to the church her eyes boring through the two priests blocking the door.

Move...

They moved and she walked in Jacob in tow. Straight to the Archbishops office.

Who is the new guy? And what is stopping me from ripping him in half if he tried to stop us again?

Jacob put a hand on her shoulder.

We need to know how much he knows or will be allowed to know.

The archbishop took a deep breath and looked to Lyria.

He is new. Coming here seeming of his own request. Not a normal transition from the field but he is here. Novice exorcist in time he may be required to know about you but I doubt it. Father Zain doesn't seem to trust him yet.

He's not the only one be ready to have to do the grand daughter's funeral.

Another one?

His eyes darted to Jacob who simply nodded and replied.

Also expect a hospital bill for father Zain. The old bull took a pretty decent beating by this one.

She was already headed to the door when Jacob finished speaking. As they walked outside into the main chapel an old man and his grandson walked over to them. She tensed slightly at the presence of a child and really tensed as it launched itself st her giving her a hug.

Grandpa say you helped mommy when she was sick to get well enough to go be with grandma and daddy thank you... thank you...

She looked to Jacob and the old man as Jacob did all he could not to bust up laughing and the old man nodded as if saying he was okay with her hugging the child. She moved to kneel lower following the old man's directing and hugged the little boy.

You are welcome little one. She will always watch over you and take pride in you doing good in your life.

The old man smiled to her and called the little boy back to him s they went back about their day.

Once outside Jacob nodded to her.

You did good just now Lyria...we help them. Now let's get to Omen's before Mariya gets to work. Jack made bail. Which leads me to another question. Her kids can hug you but that kid or any others and you...

Shut up Jacob...

Withthat she was on her harleys and gone.

 

[Justplatonic]

As Perry walked towards the church, a motorbike sped by. His head followed it intently as it passed. “That’s a 1979 H-D FLHS Electra Glide Sport!… Wow… And in such great condition…”. He mumbled. He’d long admired Harley Davidson, and was a fan.

It was a pretty uneventful dinner in the common hall. Perry didn’t see either Father Zain or the Archbishop, so he thought perhaps they’d ate earlier as he was delayed.

Later, in his dorm, Perry’s mobile vibrated. “Hey Clarence…”.

“Hi Perry… Those two are bad news. You don’t want to get within a 100 feet of them”.

Perry paused for thought. “Hmmm… So you know them… Where do they hang out? You know… Down tools… Chill out?”. Perry wasn’t bothered by his friend’s warning.

“Perry, man… Some people you don’t want to piss off… You won’t get a second chance”. Clarence was genuinely worried about his friend.

“Clarence… I know I’m getting close… To finding those responsible for Tara’s murder... And possibly putting a end to all these possessions… I can’t, and I mustn’t stop. Please…”. This was so important to Perry.

“OK… For Tara… And other innocents”…

Omen’s… That’s ironic, thought Perry. Clarence was on shift tonight at Omen’s. The plan was, if they’d show up, and after they pass security, he’d send a text…

 

[Asa]

Omen ran a pretty upfront dive of a bar. Bouncers handled what little went wrong but if one of the servers got harassed too much Lyria often stepped in and the occasional ambulance was called luckily Omens sister was the paramedic that normally covered the area and everyone in that bar protected Lyria and Jacob.

She sat back drinking a beer as Jacob looked around.

You can't stay mad at them forever. The kid was a tragedy but he ripped through 4 people before we got there. You could not have done anything different.

Cold grey eyes looked to Jacob.

Yeah... he could have told us upfront but chose not to. Zain would have. How is he?

Jacob nodded with a smile and a chuckle.

Zain is going to be fine just cant practice that golf swing for a couple of weeks.

She nodded and seeing one of the biker crews walk in she stood up jist in case as she walked to the bar.