"Who said you're going to die? You've just been caught in an illusion."
With these words, Kelly Russell felt a very warm touch on her shoulder, followed by a pulling force that made her involuntarily follow it.
In an instant, the darkness that had been gradually covering her vision suddenly expanded until everything became clear before her eyes.
Kelly Russell was stunned for a moment. The mother who had filled her entire field of vision had disappeared, including the father who had been standing at the far right of the front yard, watching her with a smile.
Everything seemed as if nothing had happened, and the events that had occurred felt like a fleeting image.
"Do you still want to commit suicide?"
Another voice came through, causing Kelly Russell to shiver from head to toe. She then realized that her hands were clasped around her own neck.
"This…"
Kelly Russell's breathing became hurried as she quickly let go of her hands and looked to the side.
Her eyes were filled with the familiar robust figure, which made her feel unusually at ease in that moment, surrounded by an intense sense of security.
"Father York!" she exclaimed spontaneously.
Father York, who had just arrived, looked at Kelly Russell, whose neck was red and face pale, and smiled.
"Is the mirror inside the house?"
Kelly Russell blurted out, "In the main bedroom on the second floor, right in front of that window!"
Hearing this, Father York looked up at the second floor and through the window, he could see the corner of the mirror hanging on the wall.
"That's the Lether mirror?"
Kelly Russell, who was starting to recover, rubbed her neck and nodded.
"Hmm."
At this, Kelly Russell was still puzzled: "Father York, I had already confirmed the approximate range, and the plants at the entrance did not wither. Why did I still fall for an illusion while standing here?"
Father York replied calmly, "There's only one possibility then. You've been looking at the mirror. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. By staring at it, it was able to invade your brain through this window..."
Kelly Russell's pupils contracted slightly. Indeed, while observing through the surveillance cameras, she had, intentionally or unintentionally, been looking at the mirror.
She also thought about why the people from the auction house didn't encounter anything strange, probably because the mirror was covered with a cloth and they didn't linger around it often.
Seeing Kelly Russell deep in thought, Father York continued calmly, "Kelly, are you planning to demolish this house afterwards?"
Kelly Russell snapped back to reality and looked at the building, her eyes swirling with memories: "I want to forget all this and start over."
Father York did not comment and began to examine the surroundings. Since Kelly, the wealthy woman, didn't mind, then just blow it up and be done with it. The distance between them was enough for him to accurately throw a holy bomb inside.
Fortunately, this building was located in a relatively secluded part of the middle-class community, so it was quite far from the surrounding standalone houses.
After a look around, the place seemed perfect for a demolition. Father York looked back at the window on the second floor, regretting that the mirror was too weak and its range of influence wasn't large enough to make his rocket launcher necessary. He also regretted that the mirror couldn't be kept.
"Pity, the mission is to destroy it, otherwise I'd really like to catch a few spirits and stuff them into the dollhouse for fun."
"Father York, what do you plan to do?"
"Blow it up and help you demolish this house, saving you some money."
Hearing Kelly Russell's words, Father York lifted the bag by the corner and, under her bewildered gaze, made a throwing motion.
"Father York, what is this?"
Kelly Russell watched in disbelief as the priest threw the backpack, which seemed to be aimed at the second floor.
"Father York, it's too far, I'm afraid it won't reach…"
Before she could finish, Kelly Russell's words were stuck in her throat, unable to speak any further. She saw the backpack instantly cross the twenty-meter distance and crash into the second-floor window.
With a snap, the seemingly sturdy window shattered like fragile tofu under the impact of the backpack.
Father York smiled lightly, knowing from the real-time 3D image in his mind that the throw was very successful, like a true baseball pitcher, accurately throwing the backpack in front of the mirror.
Ignoring Kelly Russell's intensified breathing, Father York took out a timer remote control and lightly handed it to her.
"Press it. Fulfill your revenge with one press."
Kelly Russell hesitated for a moment, then, encouraged by the priest's eyes, pressed it.
With a soft click, Father York put away the remote, picked up the tablet from the ground, and stuffed it into Kelly Russell's arms. He saw the screen filled with surveillance feeds.
"Let's go, it's over. I've set the timer for only fifteen minutes."
After speaking, Father York patted Kelly Russell's shoulder and walked towards the Ford Raptor parked next to the sports car, carrying the bag with the rocket launcher and armor-piercing rounds.
Kelly Russell, still dazed, clutched the tablet tightly and followed Father York, who had already taken big strides away.
"Father York, what was in that backpack?"
Kelly Russell was completely baffled, instinctively thinking of the remote she had pressed and the priest's words.
Father York smiled, opened the car door, threw the backpack inside, and sat in the driver's seat.
"That was a timed bomb! Now, there are only 880 seconds left!"
Kelly Russell was stunned, slightly opening her mouth in shock.
"So, there's plenty of time. Go home first. If someone comes to investigate this tomorrow, let me know. If not, everything is normal. Your vengeance is fulfilled; forget the bad memories and start a new life. Of course, if you want to continue your association with the Pluto Church, I don't mind."
With a radiant smile, Father York slowly closed the car door. He simply wanted Kelly Russell to leave first to avoid being mistaken for a terrorist by neighbors and police due to the explosion and facing unnecessary trouble.
As for the aftermath, he had already arranged for a nearby church to take over.
The engine roared to life, followed by the sound of the horn.
Kelly Russell snapped out of her daze and, seeing the priest's gesture, hurriedly got into her own sports car.
As the Ford Raptor began to move away, she quickly started her car.
With another roar of the engine, the red sports car swiftly left the scene…
But after driving a distance and reaching the city, Kelly Russell suddenly realized the Ford Raptor she had been following had disappeared.
Kelly Russell instinctively stopped the car, looking around at the bustling scene of people and vehicles.
"Father York…"
Kelly Russell smiled bitterly, feeling a sudden surge of emotion. Looking at the tablet next to her, she thought of the priest's actions and had a sudden inspiration.
She pursed her lips, picked up the tablet, and clicked on the surveillance feed of the room.
The mirror was still hanging there, the potted plants and greenery were more withered, and the dog in the cage was motionless. But now, there was a backpack under the mirror.
This was the timed bomb Father York mentioned, and Kelly Russell thought of the remote she had pressed.
The next second, a dazzling light filled the tablet screen, then darkness.
Simply, silently, with only the bright light, Kelly Russell stared, tears streaming down her eyes, fully understanding Father York's actions…
___________________
(Support with power stones, comments or reviews)
If you guys enjoy this story, In support me on Patreon and get access to +200 advance Chapters
Read Ahead
Patreon.com/INNIT