Chapter 7: That Which is Hidden

The room which was to be mine was simple. Just like the room I had stayed in while I had been a passenger on the Iron Maiden. A twin size bed was pushed up against one of the four walls, the sheets were cream instead of white. Next to the bed was a small nightstand dresser, along with a basic lamp that had already been plugged into an outlet that was hidden behind the nightstand. Across from the bed and set in the outer most wall, was a single window. Walking over to it, I saw that there was a small garden and without looking at either Abel or Esther, I asked. "What is that? A courtyard?"

In the reflection cast within the window, I could see Abel approaching me. "Very good observation! Yes, this is only one of the few courtyards that you can find scattered on the Vatican's grounds." He was now standing beside me, leaving me unable to look at his face from where I stood. "However, if you think the view from this window is beautiful now, then I must say that you haven't seen anything yet. Just wait until the sun goes down and see for yourself the true beauty of it all." Laughing quietly, I felt as he placed a hand on my shoulder, his voice once more reaching my ears. "Feel free to remind me later to show you how to get out there."

Tearing my sight from the tranquil garden, I looked up at Father Abel. "Right." With a smile, I turned my gaze back out of the window, and as I did so, I noticed that Esther was standing next to the door, her hand hovering over the door knob. "Esther?"

She beamed as she twisted the handle open. "Sorry. I just now noticed the time, and honestly I was supposed to meet with Sister Noelle five minutes ago. I really do apologize for my rude departure. See you two later!" With that, Esther was gone and out of the room before I could do or say anything.

Instantly, I became acutely aware that once more, Abel and I were left by ourselves, and feeling my shoulder brush up against his arm, I broke the silence in the room. "Father, will Sister Esther be okay?"

Abel turned from where he stood and ambled over to my bed, easing himself down onto it so that he didn't mess it up too much. "I'm sure that she's fine." As he spoke, I watched as he slowly laid down on his back and yawning, he shut his eyes. Falling asleep a second later.

It was the first real time that I'd been allowed to take in the tiny details of his face. His skin was pure, with no visible signs of having any blemishes. The strands of silver-white hair that normally conformed with the shape of his face, now fell back and rested against the pillows' surface. His smooth lips were parted slightly, and I listened to the faint sound of every breath he took. I couldn't help but to think that he seemed to look more at ease with the world. More peaceful while he slept.

As I felt a smile overtake my face, I went to the side of the bed, next to where Abel was peacefully slumbering and reached out quietly. I took hold of his glasses and slid them off of his face. Without his glasses, Father Nightroad looked like a completely different person to me. Yet at the same time, I knew that he was exactly the same as he had been before. I set the glasses on the nightstand and whispered, my voice barely audible. "Sleep well, Father." As the words left my mouth, I watched as Abel continued to sleep soundly.

Exiting and carefully shutting the door behind me, I stood outside of my occupied bedroom and tried to think of what I could do. Nothing that I saw was familiar, I had no idea as to where anything was. Every aspect of my new life was foreign, meaning that whatever I decided upon doing, it would become a fresh experience in my memories. With my back pressed against the wall behind me, I looked upwards. My eyes taking in the intricate designs that swirled in the ceiling. The thoughts in my head flying all around, making it impossible to pick just one thing to think about.

I worried about never fully being able to find my way. That I'd mess up. Despite the words that Abel had said to me, I still feared that I would cause trouble for others, that I'd cause trouble for the very person who had brought me here. Yet I knew I would have to try and give it my very best efforts. Stepping away from the wall, I decided to continue down the hall , letting my mind drift around aimlessly while my feet simply continued to move. Never worrying about the end destination.

Just constant movement.

As I wandered from one length of hall to the next I gradually became more cognizant of the fact that I was undoubtedly lost. My movements ceased, and I glanced to my left and right. All around me everything looked the same. Nothing different stood out to me. So placing my hand to my forehead, I muttered out loud. "Great. The one time that I don't pay attention...is the one time that I get lost." With a sigh I decided to continue down the corridor that was to my right.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as windows and doors passed by. With every fleeting second, the panic raged all throughout my body. The more time that ticked away, the more I felt the effects of my panic-stricken thoughts and eventually I couldn't stop myself from beginning to sprint onwards. Slowly, through my fear, I began to think to myself, my speed never decreasing. "What am I going to do now? Father Nightroad will be so worried if he wakes up and notices that I'm not there. I have to find my way back..." As my lungs screamed for me to stop, I pushed myself on.

Sooner or later I would have to run into someone who would know how to get me back to Father Abel. Wouldn't I?

Minutes passed and as I was beginning to lose faith, the sound of voices greeted my ears. What they were talking about, wasn't clear, but I thought for a second that one of them asked. "I wonder what she's like?"

As my feet carried me closer to the places where the voices were originating from, I heard a second voice. A woman laughed, and spoke with affection. "Be patient, little sister. Besides...I'm sure she'll stumble around soon enough."

There was a split second of silence and just before I decided to turn at the next corner, the first girl spoke again. This time she sounded confused. "Uh...what do you mean?"

"Three...two...one..."

At that exact moment I turned the corner. The image of two girls came into view and not paying attention to where my feet stepped, I tripped on an unleveled tile on the floor. My body flying forward, I screamed. "Watch out!" But it was already too late. I collided with the younger girl and by instinct, shut my eyes tightly so as not to see the ground moving closer to my face.

I prayed silently, waiting for the impact...yet. No impact came.

An arm caught me in mid-fall, and as I opened my eyes back up, I heard the older of the two women whisper. "See, Elma? What did I tell you?" Looking up at the person who had caught me, I saw that she was tall. She had fair skin. Her hair was a raven black and had been braided all the way down to her waist. Her eyes that looked down at me appeared to be violet.

As I felt myself being positioned so that I was back on my feet, I looked at the girl I had ran into. I instantly noticed that she was shorter than me, she also looked to be thinner. I got the impression that she had barely entered into her teens. But just like the woman who had caught us, she had extremely fair skin. Her hair was cut up to her shoulders, and was light brown. Her eyes were golden-yellow in color.

I stood there looking from one girl to the next, my mind trying to catch up with what had happened. Bit by bit, I caught up with time, and I felt my face burning red with embarrassment. "Oh, no! I am so sorry!" I bowed low, my words gushing out of my mouth.

The younger girl repositioned the habit on her head, and gently running her fingers through her hair, kindly whispered. "No need to apologize. No one was hurt, but..." She stared at me for a while before asking, "Are you the new sister?"

"I suppose I am." I could feel the blush gradually leaving my cheeks. "I'm Sister Jonah Turner."

The taller woman stepped between me and the golden eyed girl. "Please forgive my sister. She's got an odd obsession with rookies." She smiled warmly before continuing. "My name is Sister Terina Duval."

Fully taking in what Terina looked like, I noticed that instead of wearing the same dress that I had been given to wear, she was clad in a priest's robe.

Before I could say anything, the raven haired sister spoke again, just as friendly as she had the second prior. "Don't mind my clothes." She looked down at me, her violet eyes flashing. "I just find that is far less restrictive than those dresses tend to be." Quickly she shifted her gaze from me to the younger girl.

A brief silence fell and rapidly the girl behind Terina moved into view, her voice coming out as a bit timid. "I'm Sister Elma Duval!"

My eyes drifted between both Elma and Terina. The shock that I felt was apparent as I asked, "So you two are...sisters?"

"Surprised?" Terina laughed as she twirled a strand of hair around her finger. "I admit that when it comes to our outer appearances, we are complete opposites. But I assure you, Elma and I, are indeed related by blood."

Taking that as her opportunity, Elma ventured to ask. "What about you? Do you have any siblings?"

I looked at her, and seeing the smile on her face, shook my head. "No, I'm afraid that I don't." As the words left my mouth, I sighed.

Immediately, Elma looked worried. "What's wrong?"

Tilting her head to the side, Terina whispered. "She's lost her savior." I heard her scoff quietly. "Honestly, how anyone could see that harebrained weirdo as a savior is beyond me. Although..." I watched as she narrowed her eyes, and a mischievous grin spread across her face.

Confusion flooded my mind, and blinking my eyes a few times, asked. "I'm sorry?"

Before I could brace myself, she started speaking. "He is kind of cute, isn't he? With those dumb looking glasses of his, and the way he somehow always manages to get himself into trouble." I felt Terina gently nudge me in my side. "And you know, for a priest, I bet he's got a huge-"

My eyes dilated in horror, and in bullet time, I watched as Elma's face turned scarlet and jumping up she placed a hand over her sister's mouth, she whispered. "Enough." When she uncovered her hand from Terina's mouth, I knew that my face must have been as red as Elma's.

With a smirk, Terina jeered. "Sorry, Elma. Did I strike a nerve?"

Through unfocused vision, I saw the young girl shake her head, her line of sight falling on me. "Sister Jonah?"

Terina also turned her attention to me, and as if we had been separated by a brick wall, she whispered. "Hey. Don't take it too literally. I was just teasing you." Her voice sounded like it was a thousand miles away from me.

In a stupor, I muttered, my eyes on the ground between my feet. "It's not like with Father Nightroad..."

"I'm sure that my sister didn't mean any harm." I looked up in time to see Elma glaring at her older sister out of the corner of her eye. "Isn't that right, Terina?"

A slight blush appeared across the bridge of her nose, "It's true. My sister is right." Reaching out, Terina took hold of my hand and with a gasp, she quickly let go of it.

"Terina?"

I watched as she began stepping away from me. "Forgive me." The look in her eyes was that of understanding. "I didn't know that you harbor fear and doubt within your heart."

Shocked, I whispered. "How did you..."

"How did I know?" She smiled at me, a deep set sadness resided within her words. "Intuition."

Unable to think of what to say, I simply nodded. Yet in my head I asked myself, "How did she know all of that? With just a touch..." As my mind began to buzz with thoughts, I watched Elma step closer to me.

Her eyes sparkled with hope. "Dear Sister, every thing's going to be all right." Gently, she grabbed hold of my hands. A tingly warmth began to wash over me. It brought a sense of serenity. Aspiration. Self worth. As these sensations burrowed within my heart and mind, Elma asked. "Feeling better?"

"How did you..." I couldn't resist asking. Looking at my hands as she held onto them. "How did you do that?" I incredulously attempted asking again.

As she laughed, she shook her head. Pressing an index finger to her lips, she whispered. "It's a secret. But you are feeling better, right?" Her voice was hopeful and without saying a thing, I nod my head once. "Good." Elma finally released my hands.

"We should probably get you back to Father Nightroad. Least he begin to think you've been stolen while under his supervision." Terina offered, placing a cautious hand on my shoulder. "Where was Father Four-Eyes when you last saw him?"

I thought back to Abel sleeping peacefully on my bed. "He was asleep..." Wide eyed I turned my focus on to the two sisters. "He fought so hard against that vampire! He fell asleep on my bed and I decided to venture out on my own. If you have to blame anyone for my being lost, then...please blame me." I rest my hand to my breast, and felt the faint beating of my heart.

Elma and Terina both looked at one another, then Terina finally sighed. "You're not in any trouble. Nor is that idiot..." She looked at me and her gaze softened. "Sorry...I meant Abel's not in trouble either. I may give him a hard time, but believe me, I do respect him. I may not always agree with him...but I do respect him."

"Thank you."

Closing an eye, she replied. "Don't mention it. I remember how it feels to be new here. It's pretty intimidating at first, but you'll learn your way around." Walking down the way I had come from, Terina motioned for Elma and I to follow her. "Come on, I won't be able to find him all on my own. Besides..." Her sight fell directly on me. "The point for this excursion is so you'll be returned to him. That is what you want, isn't it?"

Lightly blushing, I answered honestly. "Yes."

"Well then, what are you waiting for?" Elma asked, her voice right in my left ear. The same calmness fell over me again. "He might be worrying about you."

"You're right!" With a smile, I took off after the kind and mysterious sisters. Every step that I took, brought me that much closer to meeting with my savior again.