Chương 9: Chapter 8: Farewell and Goodbye

The eyes of the gargoyles perched on the reliefs shimmered red, brimming with unnatural life. Alice felt their inhuman gazes bore into her, trailing her even as she stepped toward the edge of the platform.

"They're watching me," Alice said.

"They are living artifacts, pious souls rendered into protectors. The moment you entered this temple, they began watching you. You see them now because of your spiritual binding," Arno said. I thought they were just statues. How many… how many gargoyles did we pass by? How many statues? Arno turned toward the acolyte.

"Marcus, kindly escort them to her new quarters." The acolyte bowed and said, "As you wish, my Lord." Alice descended the steps with Jaime, and she hurried back to her mother. Cynthia placed her palm over Alice's head, patting it like some beloved pet.

"I told you it was going to be fine."

"I believed you…" Alice murmured with a light pout. Cynthia smiled and looked at Father Arno.

"Thank you, Father. We shall see you again soon." Arno nodded with a hesitant smile as the acolyte pushed open the chamber door. Before they could leave, he called out and said, "Sir Valentine, may you remain? I wish to speak with you in private. It will not be long." Jaime looked behind his shoulder.

"If you would. Go on, Cynthia, I will be after you." What's this about? Is it about me again?

"Alright, we'll be waiting," Cynthia said as she gently ushered Alice outside. Alice watched as the chamber door shut with a soft thud on its own. There he goes again. It always feels like I'm being left in the dark about something. I don't like it.

"What are they going to talk about?" Alice said. Cynthia shrugged.

"We'll know once he comes back. Come on, dear, let's get to your new home."

"Okay…" Alice nodded.

"Your quarters are on the second floor of the eastern wing. You will have your own room, but you will have to share a lavatory and eat with the others," Marcus said. They followed Marcus down the corridor, and they walked for a good long while. Old paintings adorned the walls, and they often passed marble statuettes of knights guarding closed doors. Deep down, she wondered if they were artifacts too. Further up ahead, a man clad in a white robe emerged from around the corner, holding a wooden box with both hands.

His hair was blond, and his skin was quite pale, and there seemed to be a slight awkwardness in his stride. Wait… is that a ghoul? He looks like a person.

"The Cathedral halls can be confusing for outsiders. My only advice is to focus on your destination, and you will soon find yourself there." Alice furrowed her brows.

"What do you mean?"

"You will see for yourself soon. It is difficult to explain in words," Marcus said. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. They went up a set of stairs to the second floor, and with a few turns and twists they emerged into a wide hall with more than a dozen doors on each side.

"Where are the other children?" Cynthia said.

"They are eating breakfast. They should return soon." Marcus led them to the very end of the hallway. With a twist of the knob, he pushed open the last door and said, "This will be your chamber." Alice stepped inside with Cynthia. It was a quaint place, with a single wooden bed, a closet to fit her clothes, a drawer for her other belongings, and a chair and table pushed flush against the left wall. A large window peered into a courtyard garden, where tall trees and swaths of flowers and plants flourished.

I didn't know what I expected. This isn't all that different.

"This is a nice place, don't you think, dear?" Cynthia placed the suitcase on the table. Alice did the same, and she nodded.

"It's a little smaller, but it's enough for me." She looked out of the window and smiled.

"The view's a lot better, I guess."

"I will leave you to your business. By ten in the morning, your classes will begin. I will send a ghoul to escort you there. Be ready." Marcus stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him. Alice waited until she could no longer hear his steps.

"He is a strange person. I thought he was a ghoul at first."

"Acolytes use a certain perfume. They think that by mimicking the dead, they can get closer to God," Cynthia said.

"And the ghouls look human here," Alice said.

"There is beauty in the dead. You don't want an actual rotting corpse serving you."

"Like Stephen?" Cynthia rolled her eyes.

"Stephen isn't that bad. There are far worse. Now come on, help me unpack your things before your father arrives."

"Alright, Mother," Alice murmured. Cynthia opened the first suitcase and began placing her old clothes and things in the closet. Meanwhile, Alice unpacked the second, settling her books and the brass clock on the table, and her toothbrushes, wipes, and the like inside the drawer. Lastly, she left the journal and the pen right on the bed. Gotta make sure I don't forget about that. I just remembered… I have to share a bathroom with others.

"Yeah, it won't be too bad."

"I hope they're nice people." Alice sighed and sat on the edge of her bed.

"It's going to be fine, dear. They're children around your age. You can make a lot of friends," Cynthia said.

"Friends…" Alice clutched the sides of her skirt.

"I've never had friends before." Cynthia paused for a moment, processing Alice's words. Before she could reply, the chamber door swung open and Jaime stepped inside.

"Jaime, you're back." Cynthia looked away from Alice.

"Father Arno had a few questions. Nothing much. Are you done unpacking?" Jaime said.

"We just finished," Cynthia replied. Alice stood up.

"What did you talk about, Father?"

"About you. Your bloodline, our ancestry. It seems he asked the parents of the other children the same thing," Jaime said.

"To think it isn't just Alice. Twenty of them… that's a lot," Cynthia said.

"There are likely more out there. The church just hasn't gotten to them yet." Jaime gazed directly at Alice, yet it felt as if he was staring at someone else, someone further away.

"Alice. You are going to live here for the time being. You should enjoy your stay here. Not often does an opportunity like this come by." An opportunity? He's talking like it's a good thing. Well… I suppose it is, given everything that's been happening. It could be way worse.

"I will, Father," Alice said.

"Don't worry, dear, it's only temporary. You'll be back home in no time, I promise." Cynthia patted Alice's head. Alice wrapped her arms around her mother and hugged her tightly.

"Okay, Mother… I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too, dear." Cynthia's voice trembled as she hugged her back. Alice broke the embrace and turned to her father.

"Goodbye, Father. Take care." Jaime's expression was as calm as a steady lake.

"Goodbye, Alice." He stepped out of the room, vanishing into the hallway. Cynthia let out a soft sigh, and leaned down and kissed Alice's forehead.

"I know your father is a little cold at times, but he'd do anything to protect you." Alice clung to Cynthia's arm. Goddess… I won't be able to see her again after this for a long time. I… I don't… don't want to… Cynthia cast a warm and loving smile.

"I have to go now."

"I know." Alice loosened her grip. She has to leave. But this will pass too. And I'll be back home. I can't do anything to change things, so I might as well enjoy my time here. Like Father said. Cynthia slipped away, waving goodbye as she went out of the chamber door.

"Bye…" Alice waved back. Cynthia closed the door. Alice stared on, feeling empty in her stomach.