Novel & Cerita Blessing In Disguise Metal Church

James closed his eyes and leaned his head backwards, crossed his arms before answering, “I grow up in a church remember?” Napa-isip naman si Maric sa sinabi ng kaibingan. “Kaninong Church?” tanong nito, Napabuntong hininga naman si James bago sumagot. “Church of the Benevolent Empress of the Night.” Nanlaki naman ang mata ng ni Maric ng marinig ang sinabi ng kaibigan. Isang bagay lang pumasok sa isip nito ng marinig ang Empress of the Night.

Or Maybe nothing. But I still came. The air was cold and sharp out here, it was the kind of air that settles into your bones and makes you question everything… like why the hell I was meeting Nico in a place that looked like it belonged to the dead. The abandoned church stood crooked against the dusky skyline, surrounded by weeds and half-broken fences. Its roof had caved slightly on one side, and the stone angel above the doorway had no face left, just a rain-worn blur of sorrow. I pulled my hoodie tighter and stepped inside.

The fire roared higher, devouring the lies, abuse and false holiness. I smiled. The happiest I've ever been. ~~~~~~ I collapsed onto my bed the moment I closed the door, letting out a long, shaky sigh. The men still weren’t back. Every small sound like the creak of the floorboards, and breeze outside had my body jumping at nothing. Those women at the church had used the oils on me. The same disgusting, scented mixture they’d rubbed into my skin back then it was supposed to be part of my “blessing.” Today it was meant to prepare me for Brother Joe.

The sound of the bell seemed to linger anyway, vibrating faintly in her bones, a ghost of metal and rope refusing to die. Around her, doors closed with careful slowness. Not slammed—no one wanted to draw attention—but eased shut, wood against wood, as if gentleness might disguise fear. Shutters latched. A woman across the way crossed herself twice, hesitated, then spat into the dirt for luck. Someone murmured a prayer under their breath, the words tumbling over one another too quickly to mean anything. No one looked at Elizabeth. They rarely did anymore. Elizabeth adjusted her shawl and began walking toward the church, boots sinking slightly into the mud.

Valentina’s voice broke my thoughts. “You’re quiet.” “I’m trying to enjoy the ride and make my self steady,” I admitted, careful to make it sound small, fragile. “Good,” she said. “Fragility is a disguise. When you look breakable, no one sees the your move until it’s too late.” I gave her a smile that wasn’t mine. “I learned that from you.” Her lips curved. “And you learn well.” The car slowed, pulling into the cracked pavement of an old church lot. The building stood gray and forgotten, its stained-glass windows broken, its steeple leaning like a drunk old man. A Private Property sign hung crooked at the gate.

I did not trust myself around Miguel. “Don't be stubborn,” Miguel's voice was a reprimand, “I'll pick you up later.” I nodded and watched him leave in the rain. When I stepped into the church, the hymn had already begun. The atmosphere was just as sullen as the weather. They had chosen a gloomy hymn to start the service too, Audi, Benigne Conditor.

The church crouched at the corner like a sleeping animal, all black stone and ironwork, its crooked steeple stabbing at the dusk. Wind worried the dead leaves along Mayflower and Denson, herding them into the steps where a hand-painted sign hung askew: NO SERVICES. KEEP OUT. Scott pushed on the heavy door. It gave with a breathy groan.

He wanted me to test out my mind power on this woman. I stared at her, locking eyes, and sent a mental suggestion. She would let them in. She would make an exception for them. The woman suddenly stared back at me. She blinked. Suddenly, she said, “You know what? You two seem like such a nice couple. I’ll make an exception for you. But don’t tell anyone,” she said with a wink. I turned to Caleb and smiled, and the two of us walked inside. The church was beautiful. It was another huge, open space, with massive windows in every direction, and filled with wooden pews, all empty. We had the place to ourselves.

My fingers tip tapped on my thigh as the car slowly made its way to the opposite side of the mansion and slowly I started to relax when the lights coming from the small church on the property could be seen and the darkness of the mansion faded away. When Ephraim stopped the car, I took a moment to take in the church that I had remodelled and established it as a sanctuary for anyone who wants one. It was like a beacon for goodness with white picket fence and two angel statues on either side of the establishment, totally in contrast with the forgotten mansion that we left behind. A safe heaven unlike the hell that mansion represented.

The rustling in the woods was getting closer. “Maybe we should just go back inside.” She offered and a few people agreed. They got to work dowsing the fire. The moment the shadows spread out around them a loud growl echoed around them. Everyone stumbled toward the back door but they froze in their tracks when screams fill the air.