Sacrifice Helle

Chapter 5

He led me into a room and pointed at the walls, there were paintings there, telling a story. But the language was none that I could read. "It says,", he started, "in the hundred year since the birth of the dark, the light will shine brighter than any other year. But in that year, on one day, the dark will consume us..." He faced me and made a funny grimace "AKA humans." Then he continued, " Dark will consume us, and light can not shine through. Those who are left will be blessed for another hundred years, those caught in darkness will fade away." He turned towards me again. "Off course, that only half the truth, but who can understand the meanings of these old riddles anyway?" I looked at the paintings, showing humans and angels and some dark creatures in a nice mixed combination. "Really... Whats supposed to happen? And is this the year of..." "Yes, the advent is this year. And in 'tradition', or, in ancient tales, we are supposed to gather in the cathedral and pray together for the darkness to be gone. It will return again in one hundred years, but those who have stayed in church, and mind you, this goes on for an entire month, will be blessed with good fortune. Or so they say." "And what is this 'darkness'?" He shook his head, "Dunno. But in the time before the advent it is said that it will come, and then gather together on that particular night. Since we only know what month, we stay in the cathedral, or any other churches, the entire time."

"Well... I'm sorry to say so, but we didnt move here to participate in any advent. Actually none in my family are religious." "Oh. Well, suit yourself." "So, are you gonna stay in here for a month?" He just smiled. "I dont know yet, but I don't have to, if someone tells me too I guess I will, but if not I'll probably walk around searching for the darkness." "Searching for the darkness? Why..?" "Interesting, isnt it? I wonder what I will find...." "When is this anyway?" "Next week. Starting Monday.""'What?! Already? Thats soon...But I guess it doesn't matter to me. Im not gonna stay inside a church for a month! And what about school, we can't just skipt it..." "The school allows it for the ones who wish to go, but they need to stay an extra month at school. During summer." "Must be fun :p" "Whats your name?", he asked. "Im Helle." "Good fortune, isnt that perfect during these times?" "Y..you..you know what it means?!" He smiled a mysterious smile. "I know a lot of things, and many secrets too... Oh, and Im Raphael!" He then smiled one big warm smile at me, and I couldnt help smiling back. "Nice to meet you, Raphael!"

Raphael gave me a tour around the cathedral, he new every little secret spot, and every detail was familiar. I wondered how he could know so much, and he quickly answered that he had been here a lot. 'Why do I get the feeling that he is hiding something?' "So its open all night?" "No, it closes at sunset. Opens at sunrise." "That means... Its closed right now?" "Yes." "But..." "Oh, dont worry about it, I close it after us when we leave." "So you work here as well?" "Sort of, from time to time." His eyes then lit up. "Hey, come on, I'll show you something cool!" He got so exited, he jumped up, grabbed my hand and almost ran across the room with me hanging behind. "Hey..! Whats the rush?" "I almost forgot that the sun had gone down already. You really made me forget all about time and space." "I...Im sorry..?" "No no no...!" He laughed at me, "Nothing of that sort!" He led me up stairs, I felt like they were endless, continuing up and up and up. I know it wasn't nice of me, but walking up those steep stairs really didnt give me any choice, since I had to watch where I was going, and since Raphael was leading the way....I just had to check out his butt. I excused myself with ' there is no way anyone could avoid watching under these circumstances.' And what I saw was not bad at all, not to bad at all.. But every time he turned to check up on me I instantly blushed. Good thing it was rather dark.

Then at last he opened a small door at the end of a stair. A chill breeze swept over my face and Raphael signaled for me to enter. We were on top of the cathedral, next to one of the tallest spires. The view was stunning, I could see the entire town, the treetops looked like bushes and above us was the night sky with its millions of stars. "Watch your step. Dont walk to close to the edge...", Raphael warned. "Its a long way down, I don't want to loose you." "Don't worry.", I said in a whisper, unable to find my voice, "I'll be careful..." Even though I just said I would be careful, I didnt watch my step as my eyes were trapped in the majestic view. My foot slipped on a loose brick and I lost balance, and I cursed myself underneath my breath for not following Raphaels advise. I didnt even scream, there wasnt enough time, I just reached my hands out for something to grab hold of, when I felt a strong hand grab hold of mine, pulling me back in place. "Gotcha!" He had pulled me back up, holding me close in his arms. He looked down at me, our faces being so close, and those hypnotic eyes looking into mine. With a gentle smile he whispered to me, "I told you to be careful." Then he let me out of his arms. I had never had so much body contact with anyone in a looong time.

We had been laying on the roof top, looking at the stars, talking, laughing. Raphael made me feel so relaxed, plus, he was uber cute. I was thinking of the word hot, but it didn't fit Raphael at all, he was too much of a gentle character. Hot, now, that would fit someone like Darien more, Darien and his bass ass attitude, even though he had only been nice towards me. But I guessed I didn't look like a sweet girl either, that was Asamis job. But it was getting late and I knew I should head back home. Raphael walked out with me and offered to walk me home, but I said no, I really didn't live far away, and as far as I'd understood, Raphael lived in the other direction. He waved goodbye to me as we separated, and I left with a happy feeling inside. Unluckily, that happy feeling didnt get to stay for too long. As I walked through the park I felt it again. Eyes on me, watching me. It was really unpleasant. I turned around to see if there was anyone there, but I only saw threes, I was alone on the pathway. I hurried towards the gates, getting the feeling that something was coming closer to me, closer and closer, and I stared to run, faster and faster. There was the gate, and the street with lights and hopefully people in it, right in front. I ran the fastest I could, not knowing what I ran from, maybe my own fears. Soon, the gate, the open street, away from this park and these trees. Then a dark figure suddenly stepped into the middle of the gate, blocking it.