Hellfire

Verse 1

The Sun, saviour of the universe, cast its light through the stained glass windows. By human whim, this light reached the earth with colours projected as they wished while they continued to praise its supremacy. At the same time, sacred scenes could be glimpsed and traced on them, telling the stories they insisted were true. Teachings, traditions, customs. Everything was illuminated in uncertain colours without questioning what was behind it. Was it real? Or just a mirage?

Rollo was no different, nor was he someone who questioned the unequivocal and tangible. Why would it be projected if not on them as it was? Established, unequivocal. Surrounded by coloured glass, he lived trapped in a church.

Like a winter forest, his cold green irises rested on the images. You could hear the distant sound of footsteps on the polished stone floor. Sometimes, sinful whispers seeking salvation where he looked. Up toward the stained glass—Toward the only truth that existed in that world.

Only this could forgive them.

Cradled and intertwined hands ended up on his lips. Rollo kissed the intricately crafted wooden rosary between his fingers. Bathed in the surrounding lights, he could only close his tired eyes. Nothing could be projected onto the darkness of his dark circles beneath them. Black. Blackness took hold of them all, monopolizing every escape route and salvation. Was it too late for him? No. There would still be hope as long as colours were prevailing on his face. Projecting themselves, like the images on it, they left numerous stories to tell. But Rollo's face remained unchanged. A static painting. Serious, regal. What lay behind it was also irrelevant. The threads and strokes on every part of his face gave the image he wanted to offer to the rest. What lay behind the glass? Was it the Sun, ruler of the entire universe? Or the darkness of space preparing to absorb anyone who approached like a black hole?

"Rollo!" A whisper echoed close to his ear. He clutched the rosary more tightly because of it.

Oh, it was so easy to lose one's peace of mind. Sometimes, Rollo wondered if it was as illusory as everything around them. He didn't need to turn around. It was clear who it was. And if he had come there to warn him about something, then it had to be something terribly important.

"What's wrong, Samuel?"

Samuel, his vice president, stood in front of him. As usual, his face was marked by signature upward-curving eyebrows and pursed lips. Albino, blue-eyed and shorter than him. Despite his president's complaints, he continued to turn a deaf ear to not wearing that ridiculous red cap on his head. No reminder was necessary, either. With the same index finger and thumb that quickly lifted his round, gold-rimmed glasses, he also took it in his hands. Surely, he would also remember that the place to talk was, to say the least, inappropriate.

After raising his glasses all the way up, Samuel opened his mouth and closed it. In the end, he chose to bite his lip and raise his eyebrows even higher. "It's about the exchange student from Corona College. Freshly arrived." With just a tilt of his head, Rollo managed to get him to take a breath and nod. "But, um, you see."

"Yes, Samuel? I was aware that the student was coming. He'll be staying for a month. I have to keep an eye on him and make him feel included... According to the principal." Rollo muttered the last part.

But he didn't remember how much he hated interruptions.

"He's doing something illegal, sir. He's, um." Rollo felt the air in his lungs rush in, his gaze turning intense. The rest of his face, however, remained unchanged. Samuel began to raise his fingers. "Let's see, playing illegal music, dancing without permission, provoking other students to do the same as him, and...!"