Mercy [Completed]

Chapter 3: Yes, Father

 To Brooklyn's dismay, Father Mathias wasn't in the nave. She took a tentative step into the church and scanned the space, including the confessional, for any signs of movement.

"Hello?" Despite her efforts to call out, her voice was barely above a whisper. She took another step inside. He must be in his office, she thought, and took rushed towards the back of the church. She knocked quietly but quickly.

"Come in," came his ever growing familiar voice.

Brooklyn sighed with relief. "Good morning."

"Good morning, child. Go and stand against the far wall, facing me."

"What?"

He looked at her pointedly and Brooklyn went to do as she was instructed.

"Get down on your knees."

Brooklyn fell to her knees and he went to her to toe them apart so that her legs were slightly spread.

"Hmm, very good. Now put your hands behind your head."

"Why?"

"Do as I say, child."

She did, and he returned to his desk to work. From time to time he would glance up at her. Sometimes his expression was vacant, other times he would smile.

Brooklyn's knees began to hurt. She did her best to ignore the pain until she couldn't help but to sit back and rest on her heels. The movement caught his attention. Father Mathias dropped his pen and bore his eyes into her. She knew she had done something wrong.

"Why did you move?"

"My knees are hurting. Why do I have to do this?"

"Because I want you to. Now get your bum off your heels, and stay that way until I tell you that you may rest." He returned to his work.

Reapplying pressure to her already tender knees was worse than the pain that had made her sit back on her heels in the first place. Brooklyn looked on at him, silently imploring him to give her a break.

"You may rest," he said, finally allowing her some reprieve.

She sat, but kept her hands in place.

"You may place your hands on your thighs, child." He stood back up and approached her. "Do you have any questions?"

"How is this supposed to help me?"

"Come sit." He beckoned her towards the chair at his desk and went to sit in his. "Today, I wanted you to see, what serving me, pleasing me, looks like. It won't always be something as simple as what you've done just now. But, through your acts of service, you will learn and you will find peace." He smiled. "I also wanted to show you that despite your bravado, you followed my commands."

Father Mathias stood and walked around his desk slowly, his eyes never leaving Brooklyn's. As he got closer, she looked down at her feet, unable to bear the intensity of his gaze. When he was in front of her, he prodded her to look up at him with a gentle touch under her chin.

"You may think it's easier to fight your will to obey, but you will only make this harder on yourself."

Brooklyn's breaths quickened from the contact. The tone of his voice warmed her cheeks.

"I want you to do something for me. Before you leave, I want you to light a candle. I want you to do this after each time we meet. You will light that candle for me, and you must think of only me when doing it. And you will pray for the strength, the grace, the loyalty, and the devotion required to serve me. Do you understand?"