Chapter 3:
The air was cold, despite the fire that flickered inside the fire place. Five people were seated at a rectangular table. Sitting at the head was Dahlia Gillespie. Two men, Jonathan and Joseph were seated on one side. Two women, Anna and Jessica were seated at the other side. Each of them had in their vicinity a Bible.
"Tonight I thought we would discuss the book of Ephosolous." Dahlia stated.
The group opened up their bibles to the book of Ephosolous. Jonathan looked troubled though, and Dahlia immediately noticed.
"Jonathan is there something troubling you?" Dahlia asked.
Jonathan looked at the group.
"Mother Dahlia I believe I have seen a miracle." Jonathan stated.
The other four looked at him in shock, awe, and jealousy.
"Jonathan, what miracle did you see?" Dahlia asked.
She was curious.
"Today I witnessed the Miracle of Mercy." Jonathan told them all.
A sudden silence filled the room.
"Jonathan, you do know that the miracle of Mercy is not very often seen right?" Joseph told him.
Anna picked up her Bible and turned it to a certain passage.
"Do you know not that the Golden One shows the miracles, only when they be ready? What speak you those who claim you've seen them?"
Dahlia looked at Jonathan with condemntion.
"Jonathan when did you see this 'miracle'?"
Jonathan coughed.
"Today when Alessa and Stanley were playing outside young Alessa noticed a dying bird. As she approaced it she did something."
"Did what? What did she do? Did she blasphemy against God?" Joseph snapped.
"Brother Joseph I will not have you making wild accusations about my daughter!" Dahlia snapped back. "Go on Jonathan."
Jonathan continued.
"She performed the miracle of Mercy on this creature. I witnessed it myself. There was a flash of light and then the bird was ash."
"HERETIC!" Joseph shouted.
Both Anna and Jessica who had remained silent were nervous.
"Brother Joseph if you disgrace the sanctity of this discussion I will have you extivated from this sect."
Thomas shut up.
Dahlia looked at Jonathan "Jonathan, are you trying to tell me that my daughter performed that miracle?"
"Yes mother Dahlia."
Dahlia took a moment to think. She knew her daughter was special in some ways, but she suspected that it could be because...
"Tomorrow I will bring Alessa to the church and have her perform that miracle. If she does."
"The Vessel."
"The Holy Vessel could be upon us!" Jessica shouted with joy.
"Yes, if she proves herself." Dahlia told them. "Tonight go to the streets and find a dying man. Bring him to the church and we will see if my daughter can perform this miracle."
The group nodded, stood up, and headed out the door.