New Year's Eve
Silas walked aimlessly down the cold, deserted dirt road. The church had dismissed him. He had "served" his time. He was no longer adorned in long, flowing cloak. Now his attire consisted of black pants and a loose fitting black shirt and hooded jacket. The hood was pulled over his head. He had no home and no one to console him. He couldn't even feel God's presence. The bishop's words resounded in his head; "We were betrayed, my son."
Now he walked cold, alone, and due to the powerfully rain that had begun to fall, drenched. He crossed his arms tightly across his chest for warmth. Silas stopped and glanced around at the wooded area surrounding him. Where was he going? He had no friend, no family, and now not even the church. The cold, hard stab of familiarity swept over him as he came to the harsh realization that what he had felt most of his life was once again true; he was alone.
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Caden had finished her double shift finally. It was 11:15 at night and she was more than ready for sleep. She yawned deeply and shook her head. Her raven hair was pulled up in a loose bun with a few stray locks falling over her eyes. She didn't bother brushing them away. She felt half asleep and put in a CD to keep her awake. "The Noose" by A Perfect Circle blared from the speakers. She winced and quickly turned it down. It had been a hard day and a little music always helped her mood. She decided to take the back way home. She was in no mood for city traffic.
As she came over the hill, her headlights uncovered more than justa seemingly empty road. A man stood beside the road clad in all black. She couldn't see his face.
"Fucking hitchhikers," she said under her breath. He'll never get a ride out here. No one ever takes this road.
With a deep sigh, she slowed her 1992 Dodge to a stop in front of the man. She leaned over and rolled down the window. The man approached the vehicle awkwardly.
"Where you headed?" She asked the man.
The man glanced down at his feet then back at the girl.
"Into town, I guess," he replied in an accent she couldn't really place.
Caden pinched the bridge of her nose to prevent an oncoming headache, trying to decide what to do. This man could be an ax-murdering rapist for all she knew. She sighed deeply once again and said,
"Get in."
The man opened the door and the car lights clicked on. An albino, Caden thought to herself. Wow, don't I know how to pick 'em?
When the man closed the car door and Caden began to drive. The CD was still playing.
…So glad to see you have
Overcome them
Completely silent now
With heaven's help
You cast your demons out…
"Thank you," the man said after about a minute of silence. "For the ride"
Caden glanced over at him. "I can't let you freeze to death out here. No one comes down this road unless they're running or tired as hell. Can't have some guy's death on my conscience. I got enough to worry about with the rent." She smiled, but didn't look over at him. Silas couldn't blame her. A ghost in the night, he was. "I just hope you're not going to ax me to death." Silas gave her a confused look. This time, she glanced over at him with a grin. "I'm kidding. You don't strike me as a murderer." Ifshe only knew…
…And not to pull your halo down
Around your neck and tug you off your cloud
But I'm more than just a little curious
How you're planning to go about
Making your amends to the dead …
"I'm Caden," the girl said, focusing on the road but holding a hand out.
"Silas," the man replied, slowly shaking her hand.
"We'll try to get you a cheaply priced hotel near the station. You can take a train out of here, if you like. God knows I would."
At the mention of God's name, Silas felt a sting in his gut.
Caden didn't remember seeing any bags or anything. Was he homeless? Did he even have any money at all?
"Uh, listen," Caden said after a while. "I'm starving. We're coming up on the city limits. Wanna grab a burger on something? My treat. We can figure out what to do with you then.
"
Silas was slightly taken aback. He wasn't accustomed to the kindness of strangers outside the church. He looked over at her. She was adorned in a black jacket over a low cut black tank top. His eyes traveled down from her azure eyes down past her neck tracing over the v-neck lines of her tight-fitting shirt down to her breasts, an area so foreign to him. He instinctively flexed his leg muscle, allowing the cilice belt he still wore to cut into his leg. He winced.
Caden looked over at him. "Are you alright?" She asked with genuine concern.
Silas exhaled sharply. "Fine," he replied.
Caden gave him a once-over look then turned on the exit, leading into a gas station and diner. She stopped the car, turned off the ignition and stepped out. She stretched her arms up over her head and yawned. She waited for Silas to step out of the car before hitting the locks. Opening the door to the diner, the familiar aroma of cigarette smoke and alcohol filled her nostrils. Silas was immediately disgusted by the smell. Caden took a seat by the window of the far wall, the farthest from the bar. Silas sat across from her, his eyes scanning the room. In the light, Caden could now see his full features. He was slender, yet muscular. His crystal blue eyes were piercing, yet Caden could see a touch of vulnerability behind the harshness. Silas looked back at Caden and their eyes locked. She gave a hint of a smile then glanced down at the menu in front of her. The waitress walked up and they both gave their orders. The bar was getting rowdier as the football match that was on neared the last round. Caden sighed. She had just left work and she already felt as if she was back there.
"So, Silas. Tell me about yourself."
Silas wasn't sure what to say. I am a messenger of God... A ghost... Abomination... Murderer...
"I used to work for the church," he finally replied.
"Used to? What, you fuck a nun or something?"
Silas cringed. He felt a pat on his hand and Caden gave a small chuckle.
"Sorry. It's justme and the church don't exactly have a good history."
"Why?" Silas asked before he could stop himself. Caden gave him a look that clearly read "it's none of your damn business". Just as he was about to apologizing for prying, Caden spoke.
"I was raped by a priest."
Her words stung. The waitress brought over their orders. Caden stirred her drink absent-mindedly as if numb to the harsh fact. How could a priest, a man of God, commit such a heinous act? How could anyone?
"I was twelve."
Silas looked up at her. He wanted to comfort her. What could possibly be said to merit such response?
The rest of the meal was spent in silence. Caden paid the cashier and walked out into the brisk night air.
"So what do you want to do?" She asked Silas when he joined her outside.
Silas sighed. He wasn't sure what to say.
"I don't really have anywhere to go," he finally replied.
"C'mon, it's New Year's Eve. You gotta have some friends you can stay with."
Silas looked down at this feet. He had no one.
Fuck. She couldn't help but feel sorry for him. She knew what it was like to be alone. All too well.
With a sigh she unlocked the Jeep and got in.
"You coming?" She called to him with a smile. You'll only regret it if you don't.
Silas hurried to the car and got in, yet he was unsure what they were doing. When she drove onto the main road, Silas spoke.
"Thank you"
"Don't thank me," Caden immediately replied.
"Sorry."
"Don't apologize either." There's nothing in the world emptier than a thank you or an apology. Except maybe faith.
Silas had to hold his tongue to keep from doing it again. Caden looked over at him them back at the road.
"You are a mystery," she said quietly.
They came upon the lights of the city and Caden took her normal route to her apartment. She drove up the ramp to the parking garage and parked in the space marked "312".
"Come one," she said to Silas as she stepped out of the vehicle.
Silas was stunned. Was she actually allowing him to stay with her?
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So what's everyone think? I've been meaning to submit this for quite some time. Reviews and suggestions are greatly appreciated and welcomed! Please no flames.