Kill Me, My Love

Chapter 18

"Community"

The living room blinded my eyes after the darkness of the corridors. The room was very large, with a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and the dark purple walls were even more adorned with portraits than the hallway. When the baroness led me into the living room, a figure rose from one of the chairs near the lavishly decorated marble fireplace.

- Leave us alone, - a low, hoarse voice rang out.

The woman bowed and, releasing the girl's hand, almost silently left the room. Lina stood tense, not knowing what to expect from the high priest. Who knows what other rules and regulations exist in this organization.

- Come here, - the man commanded, and the girl, her legs suddenly wooden, took a few steps toward the figure.

- What do you want from me?! - she asked, feeling that she was on the verge of hysteria.

The figure turned around. It was a tall, bald man. He looked about fifty, his beard and mustache neatly trimmed, eyebrows arching, small black eyes looking critically and coldly. He wore a black suit and a black shirt with a white collar, like a clergyman.

- It's simple, we are opponents of the order that has kept you in isolation your whole life. Our goal is to prevent your death, Lina.

- Are you joking? Don't you care about the end of the world? Doesn't it matter that you'll all die? - she asked, astonished.

- It's natural. The world is mired in dirt, hypocrisy, and sinfulness. Humanity needs purification; the earth must be renewed.

Anton spoke calmly and deliberately, not a shadow of fear or doubt flickering on his face.

- There are many good people who do not deserve death! Not everyone around is a sinner. Many attend church and live righteously, following the commandments! - Lina insisted.

The high priest smiled and sat down in a chair, inviting the girl to take a seat as well. She cautiously settled into the soft seat, and the man replied:

- On Saturday evening, I saw men devouring half-naked dancers with their eyes at the carnival, and on Sunday morning, when I played the organ in the evangelist tents at the other end of the carnival, I saw those same men with their wives and children sitting on the benches, and these men prayed to God to forgive them and cleanse them of fleshly desires. And the following Saturday evening, they were back at the carnival or somewhere else, indulging their desires. Even then, I knew that the church thrived on hypocrisy, while human nature found a way out despite all the tricks with which secular religions burnt and purged it. As for the commandments and sins, it's crystal clear. Sins were invented by the Christian church to ensure anyone in its congregation could be accused. The church well knows that no one can escape sinning, as sins are nothing more than what we, humans, do every day. And after inevitable sins, monetary donations to the church, aimed at 'redeeming' from God, act as alms for the parishioner's conscience. No matter how you look at it, it's the same everywhere. Evil... Evil... Evil... Once you get a bit accustomed to us, then we will show you this world and what's happening in it. Just so you don't have doubts about my words. By the way, how do you feel? Did the baroness offend you? She's a strong-willed lady?

- I'm fine, - responded Lina, slightly dazed by what she had just heard. - You see, I don't believe that all of humanity deserves death. I'm sure there are good, sincere souls. And what about children? What do you say about children? Haven't they had time to do any harm?

- At this moment, no, but their growing up is inevitable. And in any case, the very birth of children is the reproduction of humanity; that alone is already a catastrophe. The demographic issue, overpopulation; you obviously know almost nothing about this. You were raised by people for whom you are the sole evil of this world. But I don't think so. You, Lina, are a blessing, a gift to us. And I am not the only one who thinks this way. There are many of us. A whole secret community that is more than a hundred years old.

- What demographic problem when people die every time from various diseases, disasters, accidents? Once, I was standing by the door when the abbess listened to a news report. There was an explosion, three hundred people died, an epidemic of some unknown flu, there was a maniac, there was a criminal group. People are already dying like flies!

- Not as actively as they could be, - Anton replied calmly. - It's hard for you to accept this since they have convinced you of this since childhood. But I am sure that deep down, you realize and don't want to die at all.

- Alright, as you say. It's pointless to argue with you, - the girl sighed heavily, gazing into the flames of the fireplace. - Just tell me one thing: what happened to my guides? Are they here too? Will I be able to see them?

- No! No way! If the light and dark knew about our community and our purpose, we probably wouldn't be speaking now. Your guides stayed in the woods; we just stopped them for a few hours, just enough time for them to lose our trail.

- They will find me!

- I highly doubt that. America is a big country, and they are just two wingless immortal monsters. And why are you so worried about them? Agree, their goal is terrible, - the high priest picked up a wine glass from the coffee table and took a sip, watching Lina.

- It just seems that way to you! - the girl said, pouting, though inside she felt a clear relief.

Sama and Nathan are fine. Thoughts of them warmed her from within. Sam. Her beloved Sam. How she longed to see him, to cuddle him, to feel the scent of his bare body.

- Daddy! - suddenly, a blonde angel with piercing blue eyes, long fluffy lashes, a button nose, and dimples that made one immediately and irrevocably love this child burst into the room. - Daddy, Nika won't let me watch cartoons. And I've already completed all my tasks for today; it's not fair!

The girl ran up to the high priest and swiftly crawled into his lap.

- Zina Galatea LaVey, this is downright unacceptable; how could she do that to you!

- Unacceptable! - the little one exclaimed, raising her fist in the air as if trying to threaten the invisible Nika.

- Daughter, meet aunt Lina; she will be staying with us for some time, - Anton said, smiling warmly at his daughter.

The girl looked at Lina curiously, got off her father's lap, and approached her chair.

- You are pretty, - she smiled and, swaying from heel to toe, continued. - You have such beautiful hair. Grayish, like a bunny. Will you be my friend?

- I will, - Lina replied, and before she could react, the little one was already sitting on her lap.

Zina smelled of milk and carefreeness. Such a sincere, tender girl! Lina had never seen a child up close before, and now she froze, afraid to move lest she scare this blonde miracle dressed in a pink dress.

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