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Post by NotAvailable on Feb 3, 2012 15:31:59 GMT -5
The small church is tucked away between the hotel and shopping district of East side Raccoon. It might be a tiny building but the congregation was rather large and comforting. Two rows of seats, an aisle and the altar is all that can be found here. Somehow, the church is completely untouched by rot and can be considered a safe zone for fleeing civvies that seek solace in their faith.
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Diviners
Survivalist
"I ain't happy to see you...no I am ecstatic."
Posts: 90
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Post by Diviners on Feb 3, 2012 16:24:55 GMT -5
"And now, my child return to your work, to your office, to your family, to your studies -- but do not forget these fifteen minutes of intimate conversation we have had in the privacy of the sanctuary. Keep as much as possible, silence, resignation, modesty, charity towards your neighbors. Love and honor my Mother, who is also your Mother. And please come again tomorrow with an even more fervent heart, to unite it to mine. In it you will find every day new love, new gifts, new consolation. Here I await you.", letting his voice die down, its echo joining the murmured echoes of the congregation; Alex couldn't help but take some comfort in the prayer, it was a simple request not to dwell upon the wrongs of the world but to be kind to others and one he hoped would cause some comfort to the groups of people scattered throughout the church that Umbrella graciously donated money into building. Closing his personal prayer book, the small book once more placed upon its resting place on top of the altar as he let his eyes drift over the gathered faces; it was with some disappointment that still many of these faces still bore a look of worry and fear, and dimly he couldn't believe how many people came to the late evening mass. The city is truly needs the savior's touch to calm of the people's hearts, but he will provide, as always he took some comfort in that thought as he made his way to the altar before walking down the steps so he could talk with the people before he sent them on their way home.
Even before he made it half way down the steps to the red carpeting of the floor, a young couple and for a moment their names didn't readily come to mind as they stopped before him.
Despite the fear on their faces, they still looked excited as they held each others' hands, "Father Alexander...", it took him awhile to get many of his congregation to call him by his first name despite his assurance they still called him father, "...we-we know despite whats been happening...", smiling gently at the young woman, his heart warming seeing how the young man tightened his grip upon his partner's hand to give her strength, "...wondering if we could have our wedding...our wedding here despite us not being Catholics.", the mention of the wedding helped enlighten him, the young woman was named Christine and the young man was Blake, Christians if he remembered right but such a friendly couple who had help him get use to the city.
Smiling, he for one wouldn't deny such a request, "I would be glad to help bond you two...", folding his hands upon his wooden cross, "In God's eyes no matter what creed everyone is equal in his eyes, and his house should be open for anyone who wishes to enter.", despite the recent events in the city he was looking forward to helping this couple as they made their thanks and went back to the pew they were sitting upon; perhaps he would keep the church open a bit longer tonight as he made his way to talk with a person there or just listen.
Yet, he couldn't help but also hear the rumors and the gossip as he made his way from one group of people to another, beneath the well wishes and welcomes and other such pleasantries he heard of the attacks that were going around in the city.
"Did you hear of the attack up near the River Side properties...The hospital is getting filled with people with this strange illness after being bitten....The cops are being run ragged trying to keep up with the increasing...I am just glad that Father Alexander was able to keep the church open...," the questions and rumors persisted and despite his earlier feelings he felt a heavy weight descend upon him and how he wished he could do more to help, but as his sister would say, "You can only do so much, the rest is up to God...", still he thought he could do more.
It was with a heavy heart that he once again returned to the altar, as he made his way up the steps he couldn't help but wonder what was happening as he made his way behind the altar; trying to avoid the plain wooden box and what was contained within it as he placed his hand upon his well worn prayer book. For a moment he felt a well of strength feeling the nearly worn smooth leather covering of the book, the scent of the incense he spread prior to holding mass. The Lord will protect the innocent, a simple thought but one he could draw some strength as he looked upon the scattered groups of people sitting upon the wooden pews, "I pray you all will look towards each other and find strength and comfort, and as always the...", before he could finish what had become a traditional farewell, he was interrupted by the loud almost erratic thundering boom of fists upon the large wooden doors.
Considerably startled, Alex froze for a few seconds as several people in the back of the church ran to the doors, throwing them open to reveal two people. One of the people leaning heavily upon the other, blood soaking one sleeve completely; seeing someone in need snapped Alex to attention as he turned around to rush towards one of the cabinets that contained the sacrament, wine and various other items but also a first aid kit. Throwing the doors open, heedless as he spilled the plate full of sacraments; the wheat wafers scattering upon the floor as he seized the first aid kit when a scream sent cold knife of fright into his heart.
Turning around his eyes fell upon a strange sight, the wounded person was kissing the neck of the man they were leaning against; were they kissing inside the church, were they a couple. Faintly he thought of Christine and Blake, and yet he realized something was wrong; as he looked on his mind trying to tell him something.
The man was screaming and trying to push the other off him, screaming while being kissed? There was something wrong but Alex just couldn't figure out what, his senses screaming at him as his mind tried to make sense of the scene as time sped up and couple of the men in the church tackled the too, that is when Alex saw the bright fountain of blood shoot into the air as the group tore them apart.
That...that person was biting the other's neck, realization causing him to drop the first aid kit as the one who attacked the first man started attacking the others, already another person was falling back holding a bleeding arm.
What was happening....
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