Olivia found herself once more at the Future Past bar. This ti, Helena was the target.
The bar was empty as usual and the bartender was there, cleaning glasses that would probably not see much use.
"Ma'am." The man nodded at her as she took a seat.
Olivia nodded in acknowledgent. "What do you have for ?"
"The target visited a lot of places in Southside ma'am but the most recent is this area." He pointed to a spot on the map he had placed on the bar counter. "We have no idea which of the buldings she visited."
Olivia absorbed the information and a few minutes later, she was on the street, trying to figure out where Helena had visited.
The biggest landmark was the old cathedral at the end of the street while the most likely candidate was a private villa that took up most of the left hand side.
The villa had a private cetery while the cathedral had an underground crypt. She turned, deciding to start with the easiest, the cathedral.
She walked to the old building, admiring its tall spires. As she got to the heavy wooden doors, she pushed it open and stepped inside.
The interior of the cathedral was illuminated by lots of candles. The columns stretched upward as if holding up a dark sky.
She closed the door behind her and stepped forward. She walked forward until she got to the front of the alter. There, she t an old priest praying on his knees.
She sat patiently, waiting till the man finished his prayers. This was a place of worship. There was no need to be rude.
The man finished his prayers and stood up. He turned around, caught sight of Olivia and paused in surprise. "Oh." He laughed softly at himself. "Didn't see you there."
Olivia rose gracefully to her feet.
"How may I help you, child?" The elderly man smiled at her, his weathered face expressing eagerness to help.
"Good evening Father." Olivia inclined her head slightly. "I would like to visit the crypt."
"The crypt?" The man expressed his surprise before asking. "Do you have family in there?"
"Yes, Father." Olivia lied. "An ancestor of mine is buried in there."
"I see." The priest nodded. "Do you know what's interesting? A beautiful young lady such as yourself was here a few days ago to see her ancestors too! If you had co earlier, you would have t her. Maybe you both had the sa cousin!"
"Imagine that." The priest chuckled to himself. "Long lost families united by visiting a dead ancestor."
Olivia absorbed the information. The young woman had to be Helena. That ant she was in the right place.
"I doubt that, Father." Olivia smiled kindly. "My ancestor was well recorded on the family tree."
"Pity that." The priest laughed before speaking kindly. "Permit to get the keys."
"Of course, Father."
The priest walked away slowly, leaving Olivia alone in the cathedral. After a few long minutes, the man returned. "Follow ." He waved her to him and she followed.
He sang softly as he led her through a side door and down a narrow staircase. Before long, they were in the underground sections of the old cathedral.
The closer they got, the more Olivia could feel the vitality present in the air, increasing. The man got to an iron door and stooped slightly, using his key to open it. "Here we go." The man chuckled.
They entered the crypt, stepping into a very vitality rich environnt. Olivia nodded in satisfaction. This was it. This was where the well was hidden.
"I imagine you would like so ti alone?" The man smiled kindly at her.
"Yes, father." Olivia replied.
"May you be blessed, my child." The priest inclined his head and left, the sound of his retreating footsteps reaching her ears.
Olivia moved to the center of the crypt. The well was hidden here and she knew it wouldn't be easy to find. She had a cheat, though.
She turned, taking in the vitality in the room and began singing quietly. Waves of red, blue and green weaved itself into the air. The waves danced before slowly mingling with the existing vitality in the air.
The wave flowed smoothly in tune with the vitality and she kept singing, watching it all move.
The vitality trembled before accepting the waves, the lines of color showing her the path the vitality had taken.
She followed the lines until it led her to a hidden door built into the wall. She pressed it and it clicked open.
She stopped her song and stared at the narrow passageway before her.
She stepped in, walking till she got to the door sealing the well away. She allowed herself a small smile. She had found it.
**********
The priest walked slowly up the stairs, his steps echoing in the silence.
He was tired of being confined to one place, unable to enjoy the feeling of freedom. Unable to get smashing drunk with his friends in a backyard sowhere. Unable to enjoy the touch of a woman without sneaking behind the back of the whole world.
Too many restrictions. He would be leaving here after this task was done.
He retraced his steps back to his office, a small room cluttered with various religious texts and objects he had collected over decades of service.
He moved with a asured pace, his mind on his duty as well as his reward. Enough to live the life he wanted for himself.
Upon reaching his desk, he moved away the papers and manuscripts, searching for the phone which he rarely used.
"Aha!" He found it and grabbed it, bringing it up to his face.
He squinted at it, cursing the need for youths to change everything after a few months. He was finally able to find what he was looking for and dialed the number.
As the phone rang on the other end, he glanced through his window, taking in the lights of the city. "I'm coming baby. I'm coming." He whispered.
The phone was answered with a click.
"Yes, it's ." He spoke quietly. "You told to keep an eye out. Soone was just here for the crypt. Yes. A woman. Thank you."
He hanged up. His duty was done. All that was left was the paynt.
A life of deubachery beckons.
Reviews
All reviews (0)