Chapter 8: Old History Part 1
You didn't belong here
And it's become so clear
why heaven called your name.
Tonight Alive - Amelia
(2 months since Chrono's deep sleep)
"Why did I agree to this?!" Yelled a very frustrated nun covered in dust.
For some charitable reason, Rosette volunteered to help Azmaria and the other sisters organise and file all the old documents and archives in one of the back rooms that was bolted shut and off limits, access was only aloud if it went by Sister Kate who held the key.
Sister Frances and Sister Helen, two of the elder nuns in their late 40's where in charge of what documents went where. There were countless of boxes on the floor covered in dust, tall wooden and metal shelf of folders and books, accompanied by abandoned cobwebs and even most dust. Some of the sisters where in charge of cleaning and dusty a few old books, books about the study of demons and ways to kill them, small books about the history of the Magdalene orders and how they came to be. There where even a few old bibles, pages covered in mildew.
There were two new cardboard boxes of records and cases that Sister Kate brought to them to place in the correct shelf. There were shelves just for every exorcism case that the order ever did, in order of the year it took place. Every single case had to be reported and filed, including photos, the type of demon, who was assigned to the case, how the demon was destroyed, the damage that was caused...and lot of other boring stuff. This was what Rosette was assigned to do.
Azmaria had to organise the registration records; personal files of every exorcist that ever worked here with their basic information and list of cases they were assigned to.
"Hey, at least you're not moping around all day doing nothing." Sister Anna said cheerfully as she swept the floor.
"I don't mop around all day!" Rosette argued back, picking up recent another case file and placed in on the bottom of shelf.
"I just didn't - " Rosette sneezed. "- expect to be covered in dust..!" Every sighed at Rosette's distress.
"I think it's quite interesting.. there's so much history here. Isn't it fascinating?" Said Azmaria, always the one to see the positive side, but Rosette could't care that much about the history, she just needed something to distract her from worrying thoughts.
"Not really. It's just a bunch of old paper.." Rosette explained, dusty her dress down. "Right, that's one box done." She said, strangely feeling proud of her work.
"Sister Rosette, we're missing a few case files from 1875, could you have a look for them at the back there? There should be a folder with the year printed across it." Sister Francis asked.
"Jeez, that's old." Rosette remarked. She walked towards the back of the room, where the ceiling began to slat downwards, causing Rosette to kneel down to avoid bumping her head. At the back end of a room was a dark wooden cabinet and a couple of boxes filled with paper. She began to search through the stakes of paper, trying to spot some kind of date. Occasionally sneezing...
"This is hopeless.." She mumbled. This would be much easier if Chrono was here...
He'd know where to start and how to correctly stake all this useless paper. Sighing, Rosette's eyes caught onto the lonesome cabinet. She turned to look behind her in case anyone was looking, a sneaky smirked appeared on her face. She placed a hand on the ancient cabinet. The door opened with a creek, which made Rosette stop in her tracks, though luckily no one heard. She proceeded to open both of the doors and took a look inside.
The first thing Rosette picked up was a long thin black box, she opened the box and inside were two white quill pens and a rusty bottle of ink. She guessed it was probably a gift to someone. Placing the box back, Rosette found a small silver crucifix necklace laying in the dust. A few tied up letters written in fancy delicate writing that Rosette couldn't quite work out what they said.
Then to her left she spotted a brown leather bound journal, tied together with a piece of leather string. Did Rosette feel slightly bad for being nosy? Yes. Would that stop her from looking? Nope!
She picked up the journal, blowing off the dust that lay on top and untied the string. She opened it with a gentle eagerness in case she broke the journal. The first page was dated January 25th 1870 with in same delicate feminine handwriting.
Rosette's eyes widened. Could this be..?
She scanned her eyes along the first page, reading random parts of the first entry;
'I am suffocating on the inside..-'
'My dreams are all that brings me comfort in my time of great patience.'
'I feel like a bird, wings clipped. Unable to escape this cage they called my protection'
She scanned the last line of the second page; 'I await for the sinner Chrono to set me free.'
Rosette gasped. "This is.. Mary Magdalene's journal.." She was waiting for him..? Rosette always heard that she was kidnapped. Perhaps there was a lot of things Rosette's wasn't told about.
"Sister Rosette?" Sister Francis called, which made Rosette jump.
"Ah! Uh, yeah?" She rammed the journal back and closed the cabinet.
"Any luck?" She asked. Rosette had to think for a moment about what Sister Francis was asking about.
"Um, nope! Nothing here." She laughed nervously. Sister Francis sighed. "Okay never mind. We're heading to the hall for a lunch break now."
Though the sound of food was an excellent idea, Rosette had other ideas. "You guys go. I'll finish up here." She said.
The nuns turned to her as if she spoke blasphemy. "You're not hungry?" One of them asked.
"Hey, I don't always think about food, ya know. Go, I'll be fine." She hoped her acting was fooling them.
"Alright then, we'll be back soon. Don't overwork yourself." Said Sister Francis as the sisters began to leave."
Rosette watched them all leave before re-opening the cabinet and taking out the journal. Was this stealing? Technically she was simply borrowing it without consent..
She slip out of the room, folding her arms around the journal as she made her way to her bedroom to hide the journal in draw.
Rosette then went to have lunch with the other sisters and continued working for the rest of the evening until it was dinner time. Whilst she was working, she could't help but feel guilty for reading Mary and Chrono's history. Rosette had a feeling Chrono wouldn't approve, prying into his past without asking. But it wasn't like Chrono would find out..Was it bad to simply want to learn more about him?
After the day had come to an end, Rosette retired to her room. Sitting on her bed, Rosette pulled out the journal and rested it on her lap.
"Well there's no going back now.." She spoke, opening the journal to a random page and began to read;
April 14th 1870 ~
' Finally I have been set free from my burdens. Chrono came to take me away to meet my fate at last. For years my dreams where of the future, of a dark figure shedding tears. I'm yet to understand why he looked so sad.. I know I will find my answers soon enough on this journey that I cannot escape from. I have accepted what is to come; no one can change their destiny, and this is mine to bear. I'm filled with wonder on meeting my killer who appears to be somewhat kind.'
So Mary knew she was going to die?.. This confused Rosette even more. She might as well continue reading more;
April 25th 1870 ~
'He is ever so kind. Though he is struggling, wavering between who he is on the inside and his role as Aion's sword; to do as he is commanded to do without question. Perhaps like me. Everyone views me as the holy Mary Magdalene, an angel that needs protecting from harm and evil, seen as a helpless soul. It is something people have labelled me to become and so I had no choice to become that person, for I do not know who else to be. I lost myself along the way, maybe Chrono has done too.
Is it unusual for a demon to be as gentle as him? Where we humans wrong about devils? Some are able to feel love, pain and even guilt. To show compassion. Or Chrono could simply be the odd one out, like myself. Two souls that do not belong where they are born from, find ways to survive. Too bad this story does not have a happy ending.'
May 1st 1870 ~
'My time is coming to an end, my visions becoming stronger by the day.. and by each day I am unavoidably falling in love with Chrono. I never predicted this, this wasn't in my visions at all. I suppose no one can truly predict every detail in the future. This is't fair, but I have accepted this as a part of my life from the very beginning. What plans does God have for me? Am I to simply die in order for this world to..'
Rosette squinted unable to read what the next few sentences said from the damage so she scanned to the last sentences;
'Either way Chrono, we can't stop what is about to happen my love..
Is it selfish to wish you may love me back? Though I know one day you will love her instead.'
Rosette gasped; "She knew about me?!" She gripped the notebook tight in her grip. "It sounds like she had such a sad life too.." Rosette flipped through the remaining pages until she reached the very last page.
May 27th 1870 ~
'To whoever finds my diary in time...On March 25th, year 1922, Aion shall return. Two orphaned siblings will be the essential part of his plan. I do not know their names but they will need The Magdalene Order's help before it is too late. This is the very last entry from me. I do hope my death will not be in vain.'
Rosette closed the diary in silence, placing it in her bedside draw. "She even knew what would happen..." Rosette pulled her legs up and folded her arms around them. The feeling of guilt welled up inside of her. She bet Mary wasn't even her real name. Neither Rosette or anyone else would ever truly know who 'Mary' was.. Maybe Chrono was the only one who knew some of the truest parts of her.
Had a lot of fun writing this chapter!