The Fall of Father Frank
The confessional window slides open, "Would you like to confess a sin child?" the deep voice of the Priest broke the long silence.
Clearing her throat, the unseen woman spoke to him. Her scratchy voice rolled smoothly into his ears...sounding much like the growl of a cat...It would take more than one lifetime to confess my sins Father. And right now you don't have the time. I don't even know why I am really here. I'm not even catholic." she sarcastically giggled.
"You must think you need help." he replied. "Perhaps, my help?
"You could be right." she mused. "I could use some help. But I don't think you know what you could be in for. I don't know if I can be helped." her voice seemingly desperate. "I was wrong for coming." she spilled her words mixed with tears. She exited the curtain, feeling a hand on her shoulder. Turning around, she saw the handsome face of Father Frank. He gazed at her with such innocent & genuine concern. She had to be a spawn of Satan to pretend & fool a priest. And with big doe eyes, she looked at him, giving the woman-in-distress look.
"Maybe you would prefer something more private?" he suggested. "We could arrange something in the day outside of this place, if you like."
She shook her head..."Daytime's no good for me. Perhaps another time, Father." she broke away & was gone.
He stood there quite awhile before he stepped back & sat down. She was mesmerizing he thought. But he wasn't thinking clearly, he thought. This was a distressed young woman, needing help. He couldn't believe he even looked at her, much less had thoughts about her. She sank into him like water to a sponge. And it frightened him. He had never met anyone like that. And he didn't even know her name.
He retired to his room for the night, thinking of the young woman. On the surface, his concern was innocent. Little did he know that his fate was about to be shook to the very core. A knock at the door disrupted his thoughts. Father Angelo entered, humbly. He posed the question to Father Frank about his demeanor. Father Frank expressed his concern for the young lady who came to see him last tonight. Angelo told him not to falter from his faith, that there would be times he would be tested. Satan would send servants to test his faith, and to never waver. Father Frank had no idea this was about to be one of those times. But later that night when he tried to sleep, he noticed his thoughts drifted to the young woman. He had not noticed that it was more than a priestly concern. It would soon develop into lust & possibly the fall of Father Frank.
Later that night, Father Frank began dreaming of the woman. He was in a cemetary, walking. He could see her just off in the distance..fog was settling in for the night. He ran to catch up with her...watching her disappear behind a willow tree. When he made it to the tree & called for her....he looked down. There in very plain view was a headstone marked Josette Tavish. From behind the tree she stepped forward, saying him..."You can't help the dead Father." And instantly Father Frank bolted up in bed, wide awake & very aware of what he just dreamed. He jumped out of bed, grabbing his flask to take a rather large shot of liquor. He then scrambled for his cigarettes desparate to find them. His heart was racing, as well as his mind. He threw open his window...breathing in the night air. Scanning the city lights...he thought to himself, "she's out there, somewhere."
High above the city, on the steepest point outside of town, Josie's house clung to the side the of the hill. It was virtually hidden amoung the trees, providing the perfect vampire sanctuary. She had a perfect view of the entire city below her, knowing her priest was down there, somewhere. She liked the sound of that...her priest....she never had a priest before.
Restless, Father Frank awoke to thoughts of her. Looking around his room, he could feel her presence envelope him like the aroma of a sweet perfume. He basked in thoughts of her, unknowing of its future damage. He faintly could reflect on the scent of her auburn hair and how it spilled onto her shoulders when she turned to him. Etched in his mind was the color of her skins against her blood red lips. He placed his head in his hands slightly despaired. He didn't understand why he thougth of her in such a way. He hadn't realized he was yeilding to the sins of the flesh. Her encompassing stare drove right through his entire body, her emerald green eyes. He opened his bible to hopefully find a verse to provide some comfort to his demise. He felt a little doubt about to surface. Usually he found refuge in his bible, tonight it wasn't working. He couldn't evoke the strength he lacking. His mind wandered to the day in his past when he decided to join the priesthood. It felt much like this moment. He ran to the shelter of the curch to hide away from the thoughts & feelings he was denying himself. He vowed to God & those within the sanctuary to deny the flesh & forever devote himself to God. He had always felt safe in that. But this time was different, he felt alone with his emotions. The hand of God had abandoned him at the present. He felt alone to battle the demons inside himself. Just then, he noticed the sun had broke onto the sky, it was dawn. The night had passed like a fleeting moment. He stood at his window, watching the violet sky turn a vibrant orange. He enjoyed watching the dawn, he'd done it almost everyday since joining S. Michael's. He found such peace in the beginning of the day. He enjoyed basking in the warmth of the sunlight, drinking it in much like his morning coffee. It was amazing to him how things came to life & awakened with the light of day. That was a time he felt God's presence, he felt it truly was a miracle....Life. The obvious part was the life force behind the rising of the sun. He had no idea the comparison of that of the rise of a full moon. But he would soon see the drive behind it as well, as to soon forget his passion for his sunrises. Father Frank dressed for the day.
Father Frank spent most of the day taking care of his usual business. By late evening, he was ready for a long-awaited smoke & a shot of liquor. After that, he'd take a long relaxing walk. At the same time above the city Josie awakened with thoughts of her priest. She longed to see him after a long day of sensual dreams of her would-be lover. She slowly walked to her telescope. She scanned the city looking aroudn for something to catch her wandering eye. She focused on her favorite place, the cemetary...when something caught her eye. Her handsome young priest was strolling through the cemetary alone. She immediately darted for the door. She perched just behind her favorite tree, waiting for him to come. Off in the distance a shadowy figure approached, shrouded by an early evening fog. The sun had just set behind the indigo clouds of dusk. She watched as the orange faded from view & night had set in. By this time he was close enough to see her by the tree. He strained to see her...recognizing her face. He smiled in delight, then composed himself immediately. He couldn't behave that way. She needn't know he thought about her ina way that a priest should not. She already knew this, but he didn't. He spoke that this wasn't a chance meeting no doubt. She replied that this was her favorite time of evening & she was always at the same place every night at this time. He smiled with such interest in what she was saying. He hung on her every word. She began to speak of the rise of the full moon & how gorgeous it was to watch cut across a midnight blue sky. How pure & white its illuminating glow cast about the earth. He sat in utter amazement at her passion for the night. She made it seem as beautiful as his passion for the sunrise. He was in awe of her. She raved on about the sounds that change & the noises that fade away as the evening sounds take over for the night. The peace that lied in the comfort of the night sounds & blanketed sky. He sighed. She was truly amazing. As she leaned closer to him his hearted quickened. She clasped his hand & pointed to the horizon. The moon crept up into view, as crickets & locust began to chirp. It was electric to him. Father Frank was captivated by her presence at that very moment in time. He was living out that precise moment as an ordinary man, not a priest. And this tested him greatly...for at that moment her longed to sweep her into a passionate kiss, tasting her cherry-red lips against his & enveloping himself in her sweet fragrance & warmth. It ached inside him the mere feelings of a kiss from her. She could sense his thoughts & she grew ever closer to him making the temptation to him greater. She loved this game, for she thrived on the attention that men lavished upon her. And for her to tempt a priest was just the attention for which she longed. If ever she did not receive the attention she felt she deserved the consequences were detrimental. Their eyes locked signaling the beginning of an emotional tug-of-war for Father Frank.
Her emerald green eyes seemed to glow, as he gazed into them. She was close enough that he felt her breath upon his cheek. She pressed her nose against his cheek softly. He closed his eyes as if to draw strength or perhaps to enjoy the tenderness of her touch. Either way, he wasn't moving or stopping her. Her hand rose to his face & pulled him into a gently kiss. She undoubtedly wanted more, but she needed to practice discipline & patience. Like a flash of lightning, she disappeared into the shadows, leaving her priest behind in awe. He knew she was something more than just a woman. He walked back to his quarters, deep in thought.
The mystery surrounding this woman plagued his thoughts. She was unlike any creature he'd ever known. Her mere prescence alone sent chills throughout his body. She undoubtedly had an affect on him. He looked up at the church as he approached. It somehow seemed to take on a different look to him now. Was he already changing inside? His faith was being tested, so he began to doubt himself almost immediately. He felt some guilt but the passion brewing inside of him for her was ruling out the guilt he could be feeling. He kept his thoughts on her since it brought him the most satisfaction at the present. At the same time above the city, Josie sat spying upon the town below. She enjoyed the feeling of power it gave her. She smuggly gazed around at unsuspecting mortals secure in their homes. She delighted in it. Over time she came to know her favorites well... she watched over them like little children of sorts. Her priest included.
Not only did she want to conquer a priest, but she wanted a partner, a companion perhaps. Maybe he would want to stay with her, perhaps he would fall in love with her. She couldn't possibly think of the alternative. As marvelous a creature as she was, he would no doubt fall in love with her. She could find a way to make him love her if he did not of his own free will. She was a master at manipulating...it was her craft. What wonders this would do for her reputation amoung the others. She would definitely receive some sort of recognition for swaying a man of God.
Father Frank slowly walked through the church gazing across the praying patrons. One in particular caught his eye. A hooded figure sat quietly & mysteriously in the darkest corner of the church. He decided to approach. As he did the figure reached to take back the hood, and as so, auburn hair spilled forth, revealing to the him his mystery lady. He smiled widely, as it pleased him immensely, seeing her. She in turn smiled back just as big. In that brief moment, Josie knew the priest was beginning to fall for her. His smile widened ever more.
"I must see you, alone, tonight." she whispered. "Its imperative that I speak with you."
He looked into her wanton eyes, knowing he really could not deny her.
"Alright, just outside the gates of the cemetary. Its not far from my room, and its quiet." he spoke softly. She grinned mischieviously, he thought to himself, and the two parted company for the moment. She felt extremely satisfied with the unfolding of the events thus far. Behind her eyes lay thoughts of deception, lies, and lust. She was seducing her precious priest tonight, by the light of the full moon, in the most sacred of places....the Cathedral cemetary. Her mind raced, as excitement built inside her tiny frame. She couldn't wait to be alone with him. Feel his most innocent touches & flirtatious kisses, knowing he is all for her. She wrinkled her nose in a childish delight, and grinned. She couldn't wait to see Frank after dark.
He thought of her on the walk back to his room. He felt as though it was a light courtship of sorts. He felt feelings for her & began to question his direction once again. The thoughts of being a man with her, tempted him. He rubbed his chin in thought as he approached the church. He saw it in a different light somehow now. It looked more confining to him tonight. He closed the thick door behind him & climbed the steps to his quarters. A swift shot of whiskey & he was calm once again. He rubbed his eyes with thoughts of her behind them. He drifted to sleep for just a moment, after setting his watch alarm to wake him later. As he dreamed of her, it was as though she spoke to him. She was telling her she had a secret she had to confess to him, but was afraid he would turn away from her forever. He felt threatened by thoughts of never seeing her again so he pleaded to her he would never abandon her. As he leaned towards her to hear her whispers, his eyes caught the porcelein gleam of her fangs as she bared them to him. His eyes widened as he immediately jarred himself awake. He was wringing with sweat, and trembling somewhat. Was this true, he questioned himself. Oh how could it be, as he ran his hands through his hair. She was so perfect, it couldn't be true! It was a dream, not a vision. He tried to convince himself but it just seemed all too real. He had to see her tonight for sure.
That night he met her in the cemetary just before midnight. He had made up his mind to tell her about his feelings. The weeks she had poured into him was about to finally pay off. She knew it before he did actually. She secretly watched him approach their meeting place. She stepped from the shadows, gently startling her Priest. The look in his eyes told her everything she could ever want to know. He had a longing in his eyes like one she had never seen in any mortal man. He clutched her tightly and pressed an extremely passionate kiss to her lips. She gave in to it, kissing him back just as passionately. Her tongue enveloped his mouth, lighting a fire inside both of them. She could not wait to make him hers. She longed for him & the sense of power it would undoubtedly give her. Her feelings for him clouded her usual perception tonight. Unbeknownest to the Priest & his seductress, Father Angelo had witnessed their display, high above, from his window. He could sense disaster for the Priest.
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