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The tired priest scrolls down the street, approaching the church slowly as his lower leg hasn't recovered from the demon's aggression. He dosen't limp yet the burning sensation is there but that's not what he's concerned about. He dosen't assist his leg, rather he's hugging himself with his hands to each shoulder. not in pain, but in repentance.
A lone widow and her child. Not to mention their house's condition. I can't imagine what thoughts I brought into her. He gave a long breathe before he sighed.
The night's bright in luminous teal but it screams in melancholia, as no one's around except for him. No soul he had purified throughout this night despite releasing many of them from such evil forces. He's only accompanied with dried autumn leaves on the ground, crunching through his footsteps by the sidewalk. Along with his remorseful thoughts joining in his company, he didn't notice the other old man that walked pass by him and both, stopped in their tracks.
He glanced behind him, and so did he. Whatever bleakness that he was stuck with in his mind was paused as he recall the familiar figure behind the wrinkles and aged face of the elder.
"Wonder?"
"Raguel?" Both are in the same page as they both face eachother with Mr. Wonder having a small wistful smile in his face as the other is stuck stunned.
"Oh my goodness. It's.. been such a long time." Gregor tries to stay composed, but because of the night being so eventful he can't think straight.
It's an old friend that hopefully is the last surprise from this town.
"Indeed it has my old friend." He let out a chuckled and added, "I heard you moved into town but I've never thought of a visit as you might be busy for the Church's grand opening."
"Ah, its okay. Unfortunately the Grand Opening wasn't as eventful as I hope it was." to say barely anyone came except for a few.
While Gregor talked, Wonder noticed the tired look on Gregor and observed him until he noticed his leg.
"Your leg, Raguel." As Gregor finished his sentence, the moment Wonder took notice, he looked down and sees the exposed burnt skin that Is barely covered by his robe.
"Oh this? It's.. barely something to explain with ease." He had to be reminded again, hoping that Wonder dosen't let him explain any further, Wonder replied with another chuckle. "In this town Raguel, There's many things happening that we townfolks cannot explain either!"
"That figures." He looked away to his surroundings. Again its all lonely, but the liminality is not friendly to anyone who experienced what is after the observed.
"Here, I'll accompany you."
The Seniors scrolled down the sidewalk as the teal night sparkles above. The remorseful neighborhood is ignored as Wonder conversates to The Priest.
"Does it hurt?" Still concerningly asked about the roasted leg. To think of it, the possessed child took one munch and immediately the skins burned away, but Gregor had ignored the impact from the attack.
"I never seemed to notice." He gave out a little giggle, covering it with humour which Wonder chuckled back, "Typical Raguel. Always strong."
Amazed that he still give out that compliment even if they are passed their prime time.
It's now the Father's turn to observe Wonder. He hoped that he wouldn't question how odd that the skin of his leg is outright burning, but it's odd that he never really asked how it got burnt, but he has always been like that – never questions further.
As they walked, Gregor's eyes fell on the red box, wrapped with a yellow ribbon that Wonder was carrying. It seemed out of place in the old man's hands, a splash of whimsy in the otherwise solemn night.
"What's with the box?" Gregor asked, his voice soft, curious but distant, as if trying to anchor himself to something less weighty.
Wonder chuckled, glancing down at the gift box. "It's for my grandson," he said with a quiet fondness. "He's a mischievous one—always running around in some costume or another. Halloween's his favorite."
Gregor smiled faintly only to think.. a child in a.. He then realized Wonder's words tugged memories long buried. "You're a grandfather now?..." His voice trailed off, caught in the pull of nostalgia.
"My goodness, has it been so long or is it because I don't have children of my own?" He scratched his head as Wonder laughs to his astonishment. "I remember when you were just the mailman—always passing by the church. You never missed a day."
"Neither did you," Wonder replied, his tone warm with familiarity. "Always out there with your letters, waiting by the gates as if expecting something more than just mail."
Gregor let out a soft laugh, though it held a hint of melancholy. "I suppose I was. You were always more than just a mailman, Wonder."
There was a brief silence, filled only by the crunch of leaves beneath their feet. Gregor's mind drifted further back, to a time when their friendship had been something simple, easy. Wonder would pass by the sidewalk, sometimes in a bike, and Gregor—then just a young man preparing for the priesthood—would wave him over. They’d exchange stories, sometimes a joke or two, and more often than not, Wonder would leave with one of Gregor’s long, handwritten letters in his bag.
"I remember that time when you saved me from that car... you hurt yourself, but didn't seem to care."
Wonder said suddenly, breaking the quiet.
Gregor winced at the memory. It had been a moment of instinct—seeing the car speeding toward Wonder’s bike and running out to push him away. He'd sprained his ankle badly that day, but all he had cared about was making sure Wonder was safe.
"It was nothing," Gregor said, almost too quickly. "I just did what anyone would’ve done."
"Not everyone would’ve shrugged off an injury like you did," Wonder countered, his tone both teasing and admiring. "You were always so... determined."
Gregor fell silent again, the weight of those words pressing against his heart. Determined. Yes, that had been him. Determined to follow his calling, to be the man he believed he needed to be. Even if it meant letting go of the things that mattered most to him. Like the letters. Like him.
Only between them their bond is seen as sacred. In Gregor's mind, it was once a treasure forged by a companionship overtime with a kindred soul. That soul was something he worshipped second to the sacred sky and its holiness.
And yet, it was haunting for him. He still carried that guilt, tucked away deep inside him. He had chosen the priesthood over everything else, believing it was the right path, as he promised to himself. A broken promise will be shattered glass stabbed into his skin that will give him pain till the end of time.
He has to let go, but the cost had been more than he could ever have anticipated.
The mailman went by the church's gates. Despite the slow letters and always expecting to see none, he's in high hopes to see him again. To his surprise, There's a lone letter by the Church's mail box: the familiar cream white envelope and a waxed seal along with an imprint of a cross.
The Mail man gave out a faint smile as he read the elegant cursive in its flaps.
After work, he went home and read it. Anticipating the content inside, but instead this is what it states:
"My dear friend, Wonder. I hope this letter finds you in good health.
My apologies if all of my letters have been slow ever since I've took my position as Priest. I hope you understand that we may have to put away many things we have of each other to something as memories.
it will be no harm if you come to talk to me especially if you want things to have a more clear understanding.
But our friendship was always something I'll cherish. It's a memory I will forever remember that you're one of the people that I consider as my example of a pure soul. So never let that go. And maybe your ways will be one of my examples to show further down the lane.
–From your Dear Friend, Gregor Raguel."
"Here we are!" Wonder's exclamation awoke Gregor from his silence. He's supposed to be the one announcing that as this is his place not Wonder's.
They finally reached their destination. All Gregor has to do is go through the hill of the Church.
The company has to depart. As always.
"I hope you're enjoying your stay, Raguel." Wonder added, "I also hope you're familiar with the disappearances of former priests here.."
"That's why I came here: to continue what my brothers left behind."
"And I know you can. You always handle danger just fine."
Gregor smiled one last time to him, "You really never changed, Wonder." And it has to fade, along with the moving night.
"You have to go now, Your grandchild must be worried."
"Grandchildren, actually. "
"Oh you have two?"
"An older sister, she's something we can talk about another time."
"Ill be going ahead. Farewell, My dear friend." Wonder departs away with a wave looking back and glance back to his direction home. Gregor slowly waves to him too and deeply sighed that it was already over.
Not that it wasn't a delight to see him again but overwhelmed by the moments of recollection they have.
But he can finally rest but his mind is back as his good old company, back embracing his shoulders and approaching the Church doors.
As Gregor stands under the luminous teal sky, he watches the stars twinkle in their distant silence. The night air is cool, yet heavy with the weight of all that has transpired. His eyes follow the slow emergence of the moon from behind the clouds, its pale light casting long shadows across the empty street.
He lets out a quiet breath, feeling the ache in his leg, the burn of his past decisions, and the vast space between what he is and what he once imagined he could be. In that moment of stillness, a thought lingers in his mind, as distant and unreachable as the stars themselves.
'What can we gain by sailing to the moon,' he wonders, 'if we are not able to cross the abyss that separates us from ourselves?’