FOURTH:
The day turns into night as the sky gets darker and blacker. The stars begin to appear one by one in the sky. Veronica walks around the large church as the last person exits she greets them farewell. She watches them leave, taking in the night. The cool breeze of the summer air slips its way around her. She turns and goes back into the large cathedral. The shimmering glass of the windows, fades without the sunshine blasting their way through it. She walks down the alley. Her footsteps boom out throughout, crafting the sole sound in the grand building.
Veronica makes it to the podium, and grabs her black shawl. As her phone vibrates, she glares her eyes over the screen as the name 'Allison' flickers on the screen. A small smile creeps on her face before turning into an even larger and warmer smile. The sounds of hard steps creep up behind her, a small unnerve makes her jump around, noticing her father standing behind her.
"There you are daddy," Veronica grins. "I've been looking for you and mom everywhere." Her father steps towards her and engulfs her into a large hug. His chin rests on her head, as he closes his eyes and inhales a long deep breath. Veronica returns the embrace, feeling her dad's heart beating fast. Her own heartbeat matches its melody. He lets go of her, stepping away.
"Te quiero, mija," he says. The words come out of his mouth gentle and smooth but his expression remains the same, harden and frozen with no signs of emotion or expression. Veronica, repeats the same phrase back to her father, looking around her. She questions about her mother's existence, implying how she is ready to leave and growing tired. Hiram shakes her head, almost like she is asking for permission instead of lamenting a comment about her state of being. "You can't go home, Veronica." He states, still no expression. "Not now, not yet hopefully." He turns his back to her, making a few paces. His hands clasp in front of him. He appears tall and impressive in his black and red suit. He gestures for Veronica to move forward.
"Come on, Veronica. It's almost midnight." Hiram states. He descends down behind the steps of the pulpit and exits through a door that appears to sit in darkness. Veronica turns around and peers out at the large empty place. A feeling of terror consumes over her before she looks back to where her father disappears through. Veronica remains standing in the same spot for a few moments before her feet carry her to the door. She stops once she enters it. Her body sudden emerging into pure and honest darkness, no light is seen. So dark that Veronica could not even see her hands in front of her face as she reaches them up.
She contemplates turning around after a few more steps into the dark. Her fright overcomes her peaceful as she runs back to the light. As a mockery of her fear, the door slams shut in front of her face. A loud noise screams out into the darkness. Veronica feels for the doorknob and tries to pull the door open. The tightness of the lock refuses to budge even an inch. Veronica panics, looking around her and sees nothing. A room, a place of nothing but complete blackness surrounds her. Veronica presses her back to the door. Her entire body shakes, as she cries out for her father.
No response is heard from her. There appears to be no sound at all except for the sound of Veronica's whimpers. She breathes, inhales and exhales, over and over. She closes her eyes and sees a different darkness, a type of darkness that she can control and wield of her own doing. She slides her hand against the wall and makes a few calculated steps.
She eases herself before bringing both of her hands up on the walls. They slide with her as she walks, fumbling her feet. Her heel shoes clump a tiny noise with the few steps that she makes. She keeps the momentum of this pace until one of her feet lands on air. She pauses, crouching down to feel her way around the place. She feels a lower step beneath her. She rises back up and allows her foot to place itself on the step, then the other foot. She repeats this pattern for several minutes. She could feel herself getting deeper and deeper down underneath the cathedral. She begins questioning whether she will ever reach the bottom.
She stops her as both of her feet land on the same plane. She moves herself forward until her eyelids start to burn a bright blood red. She touches no more walls as her hands hold onto air. Veronica stops and open her eyes, her eyelashes fluttering. They spring open and she sees a small room with a large rectangle table sitting in the middle of it. She notices her mom sitting on one end of the table but a few faces she could barely recognize as more than a distance fragmented memory. She then sees her father. He motions for her to sit at the table next to him. On the end, facing everyone there. She hesitates before walking slow to the empty chair.
A silence befalls the room, the brightness from the flickering candles becomes to fill up the small space with heat. A few drops of sweat fall on the table, in front of her. Everyone stares at her, their eyes appearing unblinking. Veronica remains still and quiet. The uneasiness filling her up with her body tenses more and more with each passing second. She looks at every face in the room, everyone painted with large entrenched grins on their faces, spreading from ear to ear. Their eyes burrow into her own, with penetrating force, all except her mother's. Whose eyes stare down at her hands, kneel on the table. Her face is somber.
Hiram inches closer to Veronica, as he turns to face the rest of the group. "Well, everyone Veronica has finally made it." He bellows, like he is giving out commands on a war torn battle field. Veronica jumps at the sudden shout of his voice. She looks at everyone once more before leaning to her father.
"Daddy," Veronica whispers, her voice wavers just a little hidden behind her persona of bravery. "Who are all these people here?" Hiram turns to look at her. The smile still imprints on his face.
"Por que mija, esta es su familia," He states, like a simple plain answer is all that she needed.
"But, I've never seen these people before?" Veronica shakes her head. Hiram looks around the room; his face displays a confuse look before an unexpected chuckle rises from his throat.
"Well, Ronnie, that's just because you have not seen them in over a decade." He informs her, gesturing towards at everyone as they all stand up. In the same commanding voice, he entails everyone to introduce themselves and relation to Veronica. One by one, they all state their name, their blood connection to her and always end their statement the same. By telling Veronica how proud they are and how enthuse they are that she is here. Veronica listens to each of them, gaining no knowledge or information about anything that is happening. No memories or repressed thoughts spring to her mind after everyone finishes.
Veronica nods and smiles, as she thanks each of them for stating before confessing her confusion on their attendance and the secrecy of the place they inhabit. Hiram nods and finally the eager, unnerving smile slips away from his face. He goes on to tell Veronica a story, a legend of sorts, about her family and their history.
Veronica, now, always heard stories about her family and her heritage and her mystic upbringing. She is very proud of her family's struggle and their plights at success, fortune, and affluence that they have manage to obtain in their lives from the poor and unfortunate beginnings that they share. But this story is different. It starts off the same as they tend to do; her family migrated from Mexico in the late 1800's to America. They were poor and had little autonomy of their own. Throughout the years, they soon gain their own power and influence of their own through establishing multiple businesses of numerous imports like tobacco and rum. That was until the mid-1930's arrives and they began a business that soon would flourish and make them wealthier and more powerful than they ever dream of becoming. This, Veronica learn, was supernatural hunting.
The 1930's one of their great ancestors, Lucas Iglesias, was attacked by a merciless medicine man from a tribe in Texas. Lucas manage to defeat the evil sorcerer by luring him to a cathedral and murdering him in front of God with his aid. This marked the beginning of the legacy of the Iglesias hunters. Throughout the years, they would change names either through marriage or to better cloud themselves in secrecy from the sorcerers, demons, monsters, vampires, and the like in finding their identity and attempting to wipe them into extinction.
This tradition has always been pass down to all the children in their family on the night of their confirmation. This is to bond the children to God and have them become strong and spiritual enough to perform their duties throughout their lives. This marks the beginning for their journey to eliminate all spirits and creatures deem unholy.
Veronica absorbs the story, hearing all about this for the first time regarding monsters and witches existing in the same logical presence as reality, or what she deems is reality. Veronica sighs, before determining whether or not she should question the story or accuracy of everything she has just learn. She decides against it, displaying and verbalizing understanding and dedication to this cause. They all smile, shouting their praises to her. Soon, they all begin to stand. They all line up against a wall in the behind her father. Her mother, Hermoine, stands and approaches her. Her and Hiram each reach out for both of Veronica's hands, guiding her to stand up and walk with them to the very back behind the table. The amount of candle lights that flicker start to dim as they move further and further deep into more darkness.
She begins to hear growls and hisses stretching from the shadows of the dark. They stop, Veronica jerks in her stance. The growling gets louder and crisper. When she feels a warm breath on her face, then a pair of bright blue eyes staring into her own dark brown ones. The creature growls at her with anger and fear, causing Veronica to jump back. Her parents hold their grip onto her hands to prevent her from following her instincts of running away. They bring her closer to the creature to the point that they are almost face to face. Veronica examines closer and hears chains sliding against the cold concrete of the underground church. The creature snarling and growling like a rabid dog, Veronica feels her hands and whole body trembling against her parents' calm and distant demeanor in the situation.
The creature stands just inches away from them, it lunges out a clawed paw at them. Veronica lets out a low shriek as her parents stride back with ease and grace. Veronica could now feel the tears welling up inside her eyes. Her mind races with confusing and conflicting thoughts and feelings. Her dad leans close to her, whispering in her ear a simple phrase of encouragement about how Veronica is able to handle the beast before he and her mother part ways, leaving her behind them.
Veronica remains still stun and terrified before the creature lunges at her again. This breaks her out of her trance as she retreats back away. The candles flicker from the cool sudden rush of wind in the darkness, illuminating her father's stern face as he grabs onto her shoulders in an instant. She demands from Veronica for her reasoning behind fleeing from her task, her duties. Veronica lets out a rush of words from her mouth, all stumbling out from her rattling small lips. Her father digs his fingers into her shoulders with force, staring direct into her eyes. Her mother's figure lingers in the distance underneath the small lights, no distinct features to display her own emotions to her. Hiram lays out a simple task for Veronica to follow, slay the creature. It does not matter how she does it as long as she does, and to bring back a significant piece of it to show to the others upstairs to mark her place.
Veronica attempts to bargain with her father, to refrain from doing this. Her father, who refuses to listen to any of her pleas, indicates to her that this is a long standing tradition that Veronica must follow. It is something that belongs to her ancestors and family traditions for decades. Veronica's tears continue to follow even when she realizes that her father is intent on not listening to her or anything that she is trying to imply. Veronica is forced around by her father, who demands her to not return until she has completed the assignment request from her. Veronica feels a light nudge as she steps forward back to the direction of the creature.
She moves as slow as she could. Her mind trying to figure different scenarios and ways to implement performing this moving forward. She feels the presence of the creature but a more somber and depressing snarl this time. She stops and looks. The beast stays in the far distance from her. She intertwines her fingers together as she moves closer to it. And closer. The beast rises and paces to her. Her heart beginning to race again. She soothes it with a low raspy melody of an old song she has heard from her youth. A church melody that she is always able to remember. The creature remains vigilant but settles into a peaceful temperance listening to Veronica's singing. She moves closer to it, appearing happy with a small genuine smile on her face. The tears dry up as she gets close to the creature. She stops when they are just a mere inch away from each other. The beast displays its narrow sharp teeth to her, but it keeps it distance, making small steps to back away from her.
Veronica looks, smiling. She kneels down to it, coaxing it to come closer. She makes attempts at apologies and remorse at the way it is being held captive, confused and unaware of what is happening. Similar to her own situation, she pleas with it to not harm her in any way as she does not want to harm it. The creature moves closer to her, hiding its teeth from her. Veronica reaches out a hand to it, moving a bit closer. She feels a small swipe against her arm, knocking her backwards onto the hand pavement. She looks and sees a trickle of blood pooling out of her arm from five claw marks. The creature stands on its back legs, towering over her. She feels the sudden decision to flee. Without a chance, the creature digs its claws into Veronica's calf, dragging her towards it. Her body scraps against the concrete as she yells out for help. She feels around her to find anything to grab onto and pull herself.
She snags her hand onto a small white half-circular shape bone. She grabs onto it, screaming out in agonizing pain as the beast claws dipper into her calf. Veronica tries to turn around and face the beast. It lures in her face, tiny drops of drool falling onto her face. She brings both of her hands to grip around the bone and thrusts it into the beasts' eye. It springs back, howling loud that it rattles the entire church. Veronica feels its claws rip out from her calves. She tries to stand but retreats back to the ground. She feels around and finds a much larger thicker bone.
She fumbles around with it in her hands, banging it against the concrete until it snaps in half. The beast plunges towards her in a large leap. Veronica brings the bone and pierces it through the beast's neck, ripping straight through the flesh and bone. The beast stops, its breathing lowers. She pulls herself back away and forces herself to stand on her weak bloody legs. She limps backwards, the cries settle within herself. The beast's breathing goes stagnant until it is no longer heard. The quietness rings in her rings like a tense buzzing that refuses to stop. She steps forwards and witnesses the change in shape of the beast. She sees a young child, appearing to be a whole decade younger than Veronica herself, laying cold and decease on the ground. A large bone sticks out of her tiny fragile neck. Her blonde hair flares around her little frail body.
Veronica collapses down onto the ground. She places her hand onto the child and caresses her, smoothing out her hair, trying to clean her up. She flips the child over and pulls the bone out of her neck, sliding out with no effort. She looks at her; the bone still wedges in its pale blue eye. Veronica attempts to take it out, only to cause more damage. The eye attaches itself to the bone as it is rip out from its socket. Veronica begins to sob to herself, embracing the little blonde girl in her arms and cradling it. She continues to sing the exact tune she has sung to the girl earlier, back when it was still a large vicious were beast. Veronica stays this way for several moments, until it becomes clear that the little girl is dead, moving onto the next life.
Hiram and Hermione stand, waiting with patient intent for Veronica's return. At least Hiram is. Hermione shuffles around on her feet and paces back and forth. Her mind wants to rush in and check on Veronica but her body remains in the same spot. She questions Hiram about this, implying that it must have been too soon, too premature to involve Veronica into these affairs. Hiram disagrees with her, stating in a calm flaccid manner that he always does, that Veronica is more than ready then he was at her age and that starting this sooner is more efficient for their family than waiting four more years until Veronica turns twenty to start the process. Hermione attempts to bicker with Hiram when they hear the fate sound of footsteps walking towards them.
The small flickers of light showcase a petite young woman limping to them; her long brown hair in disarray upon her head. Her jewel-encrusted dark blue gown rip and torn around her waist and knees. A streak of blood leaving behind small droplets behind her. Hermione becomes ecstatic as she runs over and sees Veronica in her state of disorientation. She engulfs her in her arms, wrapping her arms tight around her shaking body. Hiram paces to her, inquiring about the task being complete or not. Veronica does not respond right away. She just allows herself to feel her mother's body against her. The protection and warmth rises from her body to blanket Veronica. Hiram waits for a few moments before inquiring the same question, his pragmatic tone remaining the same. Veronica pulls away from her mother, realizing now that her arms, and her whole body, are limp. They dangle beside her as she tries to raise one of her arms. She clutches onto a bone, an eye shish kabob on it. Hiram nods, smiling to her. He reaches and gives Veronica a half-hearted hug before pulling away in the same minute.
"Well done, mija," Hiram coos to her. He takes her mother's hand, who takes Veronica's, and guides them back to the entrance. The sudden bursts of light blinds Veronica once more as the other members of her family remain standing in the same position they were in when they left. Hiram introduces Veronica by her full name, Christina Veronica Anna Lodge-Lopez, to the others and requests her to showcase her proof. Veronica stumbles forward, holding up the impale eyeball half-way up. Hiram moves closer and jerks her arm high enough that she could feel her toes brushing against the ground. The others applaud her, in an odd rhythmic unison that echoes out loud enough to ring in her eardrums. Veronica can feel her brain swimming around in her skull.
Her father releases Veronica's arm with it flopping down to her side. The others all surround her, giving empty praises and compliments to her. She pushes herself through the crowd and finds a chair at the elongated table and crumples in the seat. The same voices from her family members still raining down over her in a downpour of displace honor.