Well what if
Alex smiled and nodded politely as passed by that sweet elderly woman who always prayed for him. She would say, "Oh, father, I do hope the bad things you face do not take you. Bless you. May God protect you." The thought that she felt he needed protection was kind of laughable but still it was endearing. He smiled, too, at the young women who passed by him. He supposed they didn't care much for his looks because they didn't really seem to notice his kindly gesture. Their steps were hurried as his step was calm, slow, steady. A sigh escaped as he realized that most times he had only the intention of being nice, people responded negatively to the tainted aura about him... and perhaps the wild eyes and haphazard hair added to it. He shut his eyes tightly and whispered a tiny prayer to himself and to God.
It was apparent to him since he was a child that he was the social outcast and now his destiny drove him away from "normal" people even more so. But his calling was more important. It made him feel like a bit of a super hero. And in this he was like these people's protector and that brought him closer than he felt he could ever be otherwise.
He walked up that cold, dank street, patrolling as usual, waiting for something of interest to happen. Well, he got it. Although he was expecting something slightly different. A young fledgling vampire trying to attack a large group of humans in an area well known to be overlooked by Alexander Anderson, powerful Paladin knight of the Vatican? Just thinking of his title made him want to pose like Superman. But, no, though a common event in Atlanta, an unexpected rush of people migrating like cattle out of a concert startled Alex. If it weren't for his quick reflexes he would have been trampled. All the chatting and screaming people, of all ages, bumped into one another and shuffled about the streets to their cars, or to the Marta, to any open restaurant, or to roam about the enjoyable metropolis of Georgia. "Ah, the 'ATL.', why do I love it so much?" Anderson spoke to himself as he remembered his first visit to the diverse city. He had gone to the Shakespeare tavern, witnessing a wonderful performance of Hamlet and then thus deciding he would spend a good deal of time here while he was on a break from his official duties for the Vatican.
He guessed the reason he got this break in the first place was the gung-ho way he dealt with his prey. So what if he got a little carried away in the passion of the moment. It's not likely as a priest, he could experience any other type of passion. Nor as the way he was. A regenerator ... the name made him shiver. How heartless it made him feel. Much like a machine or a creature not of God. His birth father was a witch ... played around with spells to increase his healing power but it backfired and turned his first son into a vampire, his second into a instrument of God to kill the vampire and the third son into a moonlit wolf to devour the instrument of God. As tragic as it was, after the second son he bore unto a woman he killed himself and explained nothing to his children of what they really were. The backfired spell continuing on if Alex was to give a child to a woman it would be a werewolf, and it would eat him alive. So he thanked God he was a priest. He wasn't allowed to have sex anyway.
Through this throng of people he saw a woman who seemed to be having trouble. She propped herself against a brick wall and caught her breath. She didn't seem drunk but it was always a possibility here ... or anywhere for that matter. She hyperventilated while Anderson dared to approach her.
"Um, miss, do you need help? Are you all right?"
"No. Look at me; I'm going to pass out." Her head was low and she looked at the ground.
"Would I be able to help you?"
"I dropped my inhaler on the ground but I can't reach it with all the people."
"I can help with that. Where do you think you dropped it?"
"I don't know." There was a little edge in her voice but she was more worried than anything else. He forgave the attitude. Alex hurried through the people and looked down as he ran, searching for the little vital item. His arms extended out, people tried to avoid him, as he seemed more than a little crazy. He bounded between people, rushing past bodies, scanning the ground. "Found it!" He exclaimed as he tapped her shoulder with the inhaler in hand. She was about to grab it and run but a tug of conscience pulled at her. She tilted her head up and made her best effort to stand up straight. "Thank- " She paused as she looked him up and down. For a moment, he felt violated, like he was being undressed with her eyes but she blushed and recovered some innocence.
She saw this tall, undeniably gorgeous man with his intense green eyes flickering behind those shiny frames and the slightly tousled and spiked blonde hair that topped his head, the strangely sexy stubble that covered his face, and the odd scar that gave a wonderful character to his face. She blushed and felt warmth returning to her cheeks. All evening her arms and nose were numb from the cool night air. She had heard the accented voice and had thought nothing of the alluring affect it had when put together with the visage before her now. She wanted to ask him out or make some sort of move on him, flirt somehow but all hopes for anything were dashed against jagged rocks when she noticed just what he was wearing. The purple sash, the dazzlingly shiny, silver cross dangling from his broad neck, his entire outfit was one that a priest would wear. And she blushed even more.
He blinked after noticing this little woman. She had a fairly tiny frame, her hair was long, fine, silken and flowed down to her buttocks in dark brown locks that glowed with natural streaks of red. Her eyes were a deep blue that were so bright they were like pools to which froze him in his tracks. She shivered in the cold wind of the night. Her lashes were delicately draped over her eyes for a moment when she seemed thoughtful, or maybe like she was trying to escape some horrid image.
"Oh, great, I'm thinking of doing naughty things to a priest. I really am going to go to Hell."
"It's quite all right. Thoughts don't take you to Hell."
"Did I say that out loud?"
"Yes."
"Oh no. I'm sorry."
He smiled, blushing and seemed happy at the thought that on some level anyone could find him attractive.
"It's okay but you should aim higher. I not only am sworn off female companionship but I also am not that great of a 'catch'." He handed her the inhaler and took a polite step back.
"Are you kidding me? Do you have any idea how many woman in Atlanta would love to de-rob you?"
"I'm sure far less than you might be thinking." He held back the laughter. For one it would be rude and for two, his laughter usually scared people.
"Oh! How absent-minded of me! My name is Kyla Wesley"
"I am father Alexander Anderson. You have a wonderful name. Do you know what it means?"
"No."
"It's Gaelic for lovely."
She blushed. He seemed surprised at himself for a second. Was he flirting? That was not his intention. He thought he was just being his usual polite self but somehow it seemed more like flirting. He'd never ignored women. It was quite obvious they exist. And though, on occasions, they were nice to look at he did not obsess over the things he could not obtain. But something seemed different with this feminine flower. Did he just think "feminine flower?" He shook it off and continued as hard as he could to stay under control. A mad feeling to grab her and run off over took his mind for a quick second but it was far too crazy, even for him.
"Well, your name is very poetic. Alliteration or something like that." Her voice shook him from his thoughts.
"Yes. It makes it rather easy for others to remember."
"Would you like to get some coffee or something? It's not everyday a handsome priest saves me from an asthma attack."
"Um, I..." He stuttered for a moment, unable to think of what to say. He couldn't decide if he wanted to engage in normal human interaction. Usually all he got was vampire interaction. He sighed quietly to himself and said, "I'm not a big fan of coffee. Do you know of any place that serves good alcohol at this time of night?"
"Uh, yeah. It's just up the road. Follow me."
When they arrived at the little bar, they found a little table to sit at and enjoyed each other's company. "I hope you'll excuse me for the way I acted. I just am not used to really tall..." She started to stare off into space as she started to fantasize. Alex snapped his fingers and she returned to the conversation with a laugh. She had been kidding. That was a good thing because Anderson was about to be concerned. "Tall priests with such young, attractive faces."
He laughed his natural and hearty laugh. "I still don't understand why a woman would want to spend time with a priest" He seemed naturally inquisitive about the subject.
"Well, there is nothing wrong with some normal conversation. Just like thoughts don't send people to Hell neither does talking."
"Ah," was his response as he smiled, happy that she agreed that normal human interaction was healthy, though she did not say so in those exact words.
Changing the subject very naturally, though a bit like a person with a short attention span, she spoke, "People watching is great, too. Sometimes my friends and I will just have a drink while watching all the people around us. Make comments, laugh about it. To see people so unaware you see some interesting things. Why once I saw this guy who was speaking to this woman and he leaned over, kissed her neck and left. She just sat there for a long time, staring out into space, and then she fell over like she had just passed out."
He avoided comment but couldn't help but laugh a little bit. He knew he had probably killed this woman when she regained consciousness and got thirsty for something more than booze.
"Look right now, at that couple in the corner, right now he's saying, 'do you believe in love at first sight?' She's saying, 'No. Now, please, leave me alone.' As she slaps him and walks away."
"You are a very intriguing woman." He sipped his drink and looked at her, amusing himself with just the idea of her.
"Can I ask you, do you believe in love at first sight?"
He laughed softly, "No, I believe it's the second sight that always gets people."
"Hmm. You have a good point there."
"I was just joking."
"Well, it makes sense."
"I should keep you around. Bring some coherent thought to my insanity."
"You are very far from insane."
"How would you know?"
"I used to work in an insane asylum. Trust me, I know insane. You are not."
"You're the first one to ever say that."
"People are idiots."
"That's a very broad statement. Are you saying that you or I are, too?"
"Sometimes we can all be idiots. It happens. But you, not you, you can't be an idiot. You're a man of God. God doesn't allow idiots to be priests, does he?"
"I think sometimes they slip in." Yet again he chuckled lightly.
"May I ask you why you became a priest?"
"Well, to be honest, I don't really know. I've never really been that religious, but somehow every day I get closer to the level of piety that most go into the priesthood with. I guess you could say I'm the exception to the rule. I'm not terribly religious."
"Well, Father Anderson,"
"Call me Alex"
"Father Alex"
He laughed softly and waved his hand for her to continue.
"Hmm, well, what if a priest fell in love? Is he even allowed to? Would his love be doomed forever?"
"Yes. You're awfully inquisitive... Yes, his love could not be."
"They would not let him marry the woman? Even if she truly was his soul mate? Aren't soul mates blessed under God?"
"No. His love would be doomed" His voice became softer as his eyes grew distant. "He would be doomed."
"Well, what if you fell in love with a woman? You're the exception, after all. Well, what if you fell in love? Would they make an exception for you?"
"I don't know. I somehow doubt it." He slowly shook his head and sighed. He shut his eyes then opened them again and looked at the woman sitting across from him. There was an ache in his heart. He felt a long sinking feeling.
"Why do I feel like there's something you're not telling me?"
"Hmm, same with you? Why do you like to have conversations with priests at this hour, asking questions of love?"
"...All right. You see, I never worked in an insane asylum. I was committed into one. I got out a couple weeks ago and realized I had nothing to live for. My old friends would not associate with me now and my parents disowned me. I had nothing. Except a Butch Walker concert. When you actually noticed me, I felt overwhelmed. No one else had, or when they did they just gave me a nasty look and kept walking. I was happy. And when I saw it was a priest who had saved me... It felt like a sign. That God didn't hate me, I was not truly insane anymore and a bit further from evil. I didn't want you to leave just then. I wanted to revel in the light that was some truth, some purity. And I've enjoyed it so far. You do have a light. You shine brightly some great beam and I can sense you don't care much for it yourself. Maybe you don't know what greatness you are underneath. You talked like you were not even accepted with the other priests... I guess I kind of wanted to take you away... silly, huh?"
He sighed softly and shook his head, "Not that strange. I wouldn't have gone, but nonetheless sweet." He smiled a very content smile and then he arose.
"I think I'm done."
"Oh. Alright. Where do you live? Do you live close by? Maybe I could walk you to your car or something?"
"I'll be fine. I'm just walking."
"Oh. Alright." She seemed genuinely disappointed but she made her best effort to seem casual.
Anderson stepped out into the darkness of the city and felt the cool wind swipe across his face like a chilly whip. A slow smile crept across his face as he felt the urge and the chance to hunt down his prey. A scrawny teenage boy with torn jeans and a loose white T-shirt ran across his path. Alex noticed the suspicious needle in his hand as he ran. It was filled with a shiny liquid that almost resembled mercury with its silvery metallic gleam. A new adaptation to the freak chip. Now it was an injection. This was worse. Anderson tracked down this slow human as he injected random people that bumped into him. Unfortunately they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He sliced through them effortlessly with his great strong blades. Carefully though, not to chop up everyone in his path he watched the boy meticulously, noticing every person injected and cutting them down before they ran amuck. A shrill scream that seemed far too familiar rung into his ears as he stopped just in time to catch the boy in the skull with his powerful blade. The little needle shattered to the ground, already emptied. He ran to see just what echoed through his skull like his own vibrating blade stuck in the mortal forehead of a shivering corpse. He saw, lying on the dirty street, slightly propped up against a wall, the beautiful and strange little woman he had spoken with. Who had, oddly, made him feel a bit more human. She shuddered, her hands on the ground, stopping her from slipping. Her head hung loosely and when she lifted it, which seemed to be a great burden for her, her eyes opened to reveal a blood red rim around them.
"W-w-what happened? Some little punk shoved me down! They need to put leashes on those kids. I don't feel good." Her face ticked and she shivered like she was submersed in ice water.
"Kyla ... Look at me." Anderson's eyes glassed over and welled up with tears. His mouth was slightly agape as he snapped his fingers in front of her.
"Hi! Father Anderson!"
"Call me Alex. Shh. Close your eyes, and I will pray for you." He lifted his blade slowly, as if it was much heavier now, and he let out a little cry, maybe a plead to God. Somehow, in the cruel turn of events, Alexander Anderson developed a bit more piety and belief in the God he had been born to serve.