They say everyone has their own demons, and everyone faces their own demons. Even the most happy of people use that as an excuse to run away from what they fear the most. It is no easy feat defeating you're demons, and it is something that might take one years to accomplish, but for a better tomorrow we have no other option, blinding you're self will only lead you down a cliff.
"He will be a great fit for our church." A few years ago when Gil first arrived on the island.
"Are you mad!" One of the bishop's shouted. Congregated in the cathedral, a meeting was called to order, one that would decide the fate of the administration of Loliwe as a whole.
"How dare you even suggest making one of them a part of the church?" He continued, "Is it not you who pointed out that them knowing our secrets would be a bad thing?"
"Yes, yes, we hear your complaints." One them slumped back in his chair, "Yes I did point that out, but there is something special bout the boy."
"His lighter skin?" Another asked.
"Not just that, we got a visit from sister July the other day."
"That witch!"
"The one and only, she seemed infatuated by the boy, suggesting something deep that none of us can possibly understand."
"So what do you suggest?"
"Let's keep a close eye on him… for now."
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SPRING TIME FESTIVAL, COME ONE COME ALL.
2OTH APRIL COMMET YEAR 4999
ALL VILLAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND
"Mama, what does the poster say?" A boy asked his mother as they stood before the crumbling wall of an old house that was used as a notice board of sorts.
"I don't know." She was ashamed to mention that she couldn't read, but luckily for her a knight stood close.
"It's a notice for the spring festival to celebrate easter." He said, in his mouth was dried fish skin.
"What's an Easter?" The boy asked.
The knight kept quiet for a long moment, staring at the notice, the woman perhaps thought that the knight did not know and was about to leave but the knight's voice stopped her.
"I don't know anymore." He then turned and walked away.
"Weird." The boy pointed out.
"Don't be rude."
The two then walked away. Meanwhile at the church, Gil steadied himself on a step ladder as he tried to nail a banner with the words, 'Happy easter' on it.
"Damn it!" He cursed under his breath, he placed the nail in his mouth and held a part of the banner with his left hand and the hammer in his right.
"Ok…" He whispered, but as he tried to remove the nail from his mouth, he slipped.
"Ahh!"
But he didn't hit the ground, then suddenly he was placed back on the ladder. His eyes widened as the banner hung itself up.
"Oh, little Gilly, you're so clumsy." He hadn't noticed but sister July sat on one of the church benches behind him watching as he put up the banner.
"You really should be careful." She got up, "Hitting you're head could give you a concoction."
'Sorcery?' Gil thought. He didn't know July that well, or were she even came from, she just appeared out of nowhere when he was still new. All he does know is that she took a liking to him, and often pampered him with gifts… however she was very aggressive whenever Gil didn't respond to her questions correctly.
"Yeah." Gil said, "Thanks."
He got down from the step ladder and began his walk towards the other end.
"Oh Gilly, where are you headed to now." She leaned on her palm, "I was hoping we could spend some time together."
"Wish I could," He lied, "But there is a case of missing persons I have to look into."
"Can't you let the police and knights do that." She got up, her long dress dragging behind her, "You don't need to do all that." She held his shoulder.
"Right little Gilly?" She whispered, "Stay here with me!"
YES LITTLE GILLY, STAY!
STAY! STAY! WITH ME!
"It's my responsibility." He managed to wring himself out of her clutches, "She was left in my care so i have to." He didn't give her time to respond and just left. A bold move on his part, but he knew what awaited him next were nothing but punches and kicks.
After he left the woman just stood there, it still hadn't hit her that Gil had left her smile turned into outrage in an instant, how dare he! How dare he!!!
HOW DARE HE LEAVE WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!
An angry old woman she was, clearly, she couldn't see passed her own wants and desires. Not that she cared about anyone else. People were like birds, pretty to look at only when you're not hungry. When you are, trap them in a cage and prepare a fire.
Then roast them on the fire.
YES ROAST THEM.
In all honesty Gil was lucky to have made it out of that situation alive, although he wasn't out of the woods yet. Denying sister July's wants was a mistake no man would ever dare make in their existance.
Luckily for Gil, he was an exception to that rule since she had taken a liking to him. Obviously there were some boundaries he wouldn't cross but now wasn't the time to think of any of that. He was more worried for Catherine than ever.
It had been over two months and she was still missing. He had taken to her family but they seemed to be indifferent about the entire situation.
'I'm starting to think they don't really care.' Gil thought. Catherine had been set to marry a chief of a local village a bit north of here. But the family had to think of their now rather than their tomorrow because the Bishop needed women to 'pray' for them.
As such they had no option but to let her go to the bishop's quarters… once, twice, then everything got blurry. Gil remembered seeing her there more than once, more than the other girls who avoided prayers.
"I hear he's only 20." Catherine told him once, "The chief, I mean."
"You happy?"
"About?"
"The marriage."
She looked at her bare feet.
"Yeah." She smiled.
HEY! MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!
Up a head he could see a crowd of people gathering around the city square. There was an old tree at the town centre, one that children used to play on with swings. Now an abandoned relic remaining.
"Hey, what's going on?" Gil asked, a bit curious but kind of already concluded it was another fight between men on cheap liquor.
He squeezed himself through the crowed wondering what all the commotion was about.
"I don't see anything." He said as he approached.
LOOK UP!
A voice whispered. When he did his eyes widened. There on the tree, hanging by her neck.
"Catherine!" Gil shouted.
She's dead.