Chapter 17

Gaia awkwardly pushed the heavy doors of the church open. Empty, that was a start. But it felt wrong, somehow. She didn't even believe in God, not after all he's done to her. She felt so betrayed, cheated out of a normal, happy life.

She walked down the empty aisles, and sad in a row in the middle of the church. She didn't really know what to do. She brought her hands together like she's seen in the movies, but let them drop in her lap instead. She bowed her head down.

I don't really know who I'm praying to, or if I'm praying. If you exist, God, well, I have no words left for you. Mom… mom… I miss saying that. I miss hearing your singing while you cooked in the kitchen. I… I wish I could say that I've been good, I really do. But I guess life hasn't really given me the chance. I… This was not right. Her mom couldn't hear her. Gaia flinched when a boy her age with wavy brown hair cleared his throat next to her. She hadn't noticed him sitting next to her. Gaia got up to leave.

"She can hear you," the boy said.

Gaia turned slowly. "What?"

"Your mother. She can hear you."

Gaia looked around uneasily. "My mother is dead."

"Gaia, I know that." This was too weird for Gaia. This kid knew her name. Never a good sign.

"Loki sent you." Not a question. It was a statement.

The boy smiled. "No, Loki could not send me. I came on my own." Gaia shifted her weight to her other foot, waiting. "I'm God."

Gaia laughed out loud. "Give me a break. My day's bad enough without a psychopath making small talk."

"Do you remember the note you had written to me, Satan, your father and your uncle, saying that you surrender, that you vow not to make any friends? This was after Mary had died. I'm glad that you still let others in, made new friends."

"I don't know what you're-"

"And the day your mother died, and your father left, you prayed to me that you would give up your life to let your mother live?"

"You-"

"And, I always thought this was cute, when you were little, you carried around pennies in case you got separated from your parents, so that you would have enough money to come home."

"Enough!" Gaia shouted. "I don't know who you are. If your God, or some freaky spy, whatever. I don't care. I do not care. Rub my past right in my face. It sounds so wonderful from someone else's voice." Gaia got up to leave.

"You don't believe in me," the boy said simpily. "That's ok, not many do. Joan didn't."

"What does Joan have to do with this?"

"Why don't you talk to her? You need an extra dose of faith."

"Joan? What the hell does she know. Tell me, God damnit, because if you are who you say you are, I would hate to be the first to beat the crap out of God."

God laughed. "Actually, you wouldn't be the first, but I'll tell you this. I've given her some faith along the line this past year. She can share it." 'It kinda began about a year ago…'

Gaia opened her mouth but he was already walking away. He threw a wave over his shoulder. Gaia took his example and got up and left the church, confussed.