Deep in the depths of the chapel, where mould was growing a bright red along the stones were accompanied with the occasional sound of water dripping. Some of the drips were heavier than water, a dash of red was splashed across the pavers as an old stood over the corpse of a young woman, her throat neatly slit open as blood drained from it almost endlessly.
"Dear, dear sister. For the effort of your sacrifice, I, Father Malik will give your soul eternal peace." He said as he gave the limp and lifeless body a toss as the last of her blood had drained away. He had spent quite a few days with this new woman. As always having a new partner lit a fire within, however in only a few days he had felt bored. The torrent of blood oozed across the pavers into a strange circle and odd designs engraved on the floor. With a loud clap from Father Malik, the blood dried and sunk into the ground. A strange looking skull hanging on the wall glowed an eerie green in its eye sockets and faded away. Father Malik took in a deep breath and relaxed. Walking over to the corpse of the young woman he gave it a kick with his feet.
"Don't blame me that your corpse would be free to the wolves. If you followed the teachings you would be still alive" father Malik said to himself, letting out a sinister laugh. Those that sin will be sent to their just demise. And he would be an arbiter of the souls coming and going. After finishing with his inner tirade, he walked to the back of the room and pushed the wall. The wall split with the bricks and rotated as Father Malik exited the secret room. A priest was standing guard outside the secret entrance. They were in father Malik's study. Everything was quite utilitarian, a desk to work on with a chair and piles of scrolls and books lined the walls to show his usual work. Despite being a father at the local chapter there was always more work requires to be done
" Did we have any disturbances?" Father Malik asked. The Brother had passed a handkerchief cover as father Malik wiped his hands clean on the handkerchief.
"Brother Aaron was outside and requested an audience with you Father" the priest responded, the lack of shifting expression easily betrayed the fact that this priest had seen this scene many times before that he was dull to it. The muffled screams and yells behind the wall had at first caused his legs to quiver, and see the Father in a new light. But now serving this Father for a while he was numb to the agony of others.
Father Malik chortled at the thought of the young priest following him much like a puppy.
"This old Father will go see him, I'm sure it's quite late already" father Malik said while tossing the dirtied handkerchief back to its owner. The Brother held the handkerchief in disgust and threw the cloth into the nearby fireplace to burn the remnants away.
Opening the doors to his study Father Malik threw his arms up in the air in greeting.
"Brother Aaron, what can I do for you?" Father Malik had an ear to ear grin but it never reached his eyes. Brother Aaron gave a bow in deference.
"Father Malik, it is good to see you. Did you hear about the involvement of the orphanage?" Brother Aaron was smiling thinking of his accomplishment of finding the source of those sinners.
"Yes, yes you did a good job" father Malik stroked his beard as his smile revealed a bunch of yellowing teeth. This however didn't disturb Brother Aaron.
"I was wondering what would happen about the orphanage?" Brother Aaron asked, although he was satisfied with his work he did interact with the children before but he felt reassured that all would be okay. Father Malik placed his hand on Brother Aaron's shoulder. Although father Malik was shorter than Brother Aaron by a good number of inches, the man's aura towered over him.
"We did as expected. Do not worry and put them out of your mind as following their example leads to destruction" father Malik did not miss this chance to give a lecture. Brother Aaron bowed in response and smiled.
"I will follow father Malik's teachings. I do not wish to disturb you further" Brother Aaron departed leaving father Malik and the other brother behind.
"Is there a problem Father?" The Brother asked. Father Malik waved his hand to keep the question to himself
"Keep an eye on that boy. He has a lot of potential but he's equally as dangerous if things don't go our way" the eyes in father Malik's eyes shone with a sense of cunning and greed as the departing figure of Brother Aaron disappeared into the corridor.