It was a day like any other day, what day however.. I couldn't tell you, whether it was a harrowing Monday or blessed Sunday, there was no meaningful change in my life. The only distinction that ever mattered was whether it was morning.. or night.
From the time I'd scurry through the backstreets, forging for anything that wasn't sickening to eat, to the time when exhaustion caught up with me, leaving me scourging for a safe place to sleep.
This hell was the reality of my life.
Most nights it was the trash, nothing bigger than me ever bothered to dig through it, of course it was putrid, vile, and disgusting, yet, so was I. So what difference did it make?
All that mattered, was that it was safe.
I had no clue what my age was, but all I knew for sure was that I was young, small, and weak. All things man can't help but exploit to their gain.
I've been betrayed, beaten, and chained, but I survived it all to preserve a worthless life. I may hold no value, no one will cry when it's gone, but it's MINE, so I will hold onto it for dear life.
At such a low point in my life, it's no wonder why I did what I did next, with nearly no guilt.
I laid in the trash, careful not to flinch, even with insects gliding across my person, I didn't even make a twitch.
Tap- Tap- tap
As I lay down, I hear the distinct sound of heels, to most, it was just the sound of a woman, walking into an alley, to a rat like me however, it was the alluring sound of expensive shoes, begging to be snatched, just from the way the soles hit the ground, you could tell it wasn't some cheap plastic, it was an undeserved luxury, probably bought by some perverse fool, desperate for a night with the lass. It goes without saying I'd have a better use for them.
The Heels advance, continuing through the alley, you'd think there would be some hesitation with the foul smell–but no–nothing breaks her stride.
I slowly maneuver my hand to my back pocket, and pull out my "Weapon." a Thick shard of glass, duct taped to a piece of scrap wood, small enough to almost conceal in my palm, it may be crude, and seemingly a worthless tool, but trust me, it works plenty fine.
I will not hurt the woman too much, I will just take anything valuable she has, and leave her be, she is larger than me, but I'm willing to bet only one of us has been in a fight before..
Tap- Ta-
Suddenly, the woman's steps stop! Inexplicably near me.. Now only the sound of her slow, labored breaths can be heard.
I hold my breath, hoping it's just a coincidence, but–
"Who's there..?" a soft, honeyed voice, as smooth as silk leaks out the woman, for a moment I'm stunned. I've never been talked to in such a way all my life, but the high doesn't last– and I come back to my senses..
The Woman wants to lure me out, she can't be trusted.. It's a Trap!! But.. maybe I can use this..
Rustle– Rustle–
I Rise from the filth, soaked in juice, a truly disgusting sight, and lock eyes with the woman.
The woman stands tall, twice my size. She possesses this luscious curly white hair, as fluffy as the clouds you'd see in a painting, it perfectly frames her pale face, along with her soft features similar to a hand-crafted doll, and these dazzling Azure eyes that seem to shine like finely-cut sapphires, all of it is knitted together, in a Loose fitting Black habit. She's a nun?!
She's otherworldly, possessing a presence I didn't think possible for a human being. But.. that alone just makes her more dubious.
I clutch the dagger in my hand, holding it behind my leg, ready to act at any moment, and brace myself for any sudden movement…
"..Oh my. What are you doing out here child.." she wears a puzzled look, faking concern, I choose not to respond, I have to wait till she's a bit closer, she could easily grab me with those long, slender arms.
She squeezes the collar of her habit, her lips pinched together into a thin line, and she just.. stares at me.
Hundreds of ideas seem to waft through her mind, all of them certainly not good, then seemingly hesitant, she takes a step, and instinctively I take three back.
"What are you doing here.. Where do you li-"
She stops herself, seemingly needing no answer to her stupid question, where do you think? Same place all, unwanted children go in the capital..
I examine her.
Blue earrings shaped like raindrops, likely some type of gemstone, a golden tetra star shaped necklace, Called a Solstice, the most renown symbols of the Goddess, and those Black Designer heels.
Disgusting.. She dresses in "holy" attire, while flaunting her abundant wealth, for a religion that teaches others to live a respectable modest living, nothing could be more ironic..
Oh, well.. If I play my cards right, it can all be mine..
"My.. are you ok?" She states–Tch now this I can't ignore.
"What do you think! Do I look ok?!" I shout, seems the scriptures can't teach common fucking sense..
But she doesn't react to my outburst, "No, you don't.. What's your name child?"
"...Don't have one, parents didn't bother before I was sold off."
Her pupils dilate, and a wave of panic seems to wash over her face, she looks at— no. She stares at me, but not at me directly, more something far off..
She takes a Knee down, meeting me at eye point, "I'm Sorry to hear that, I've.. Been there."
She.. been sold like me? Could she have really.. No.. no...no.. it's a ruse, all she's saying is what she thinks I want to hear, a person who uselessly bedazzles themselves in jewelry could never be like me..
I relax my body, purposely, if she thinks I'm giving in, she'll step in range.
After shedding a few crocodile tears, she continues.
"No one.. Should.. Be treated as an object, All people, no, all living things are owed a certain degree of respect." She Blabs,
Yeah yeah, well I'm afraid that's just not how the real world works, if there is something man wants, there isn't a line they won't cross, to get it, war itself is for the most part pointless after all.. To the kingdom, soldiers are just another number on a list.
"..You may not have a government name, but obviously you do go by something don't you?" she Asks.
"..No.." There's no reason to even give her a fake name.
But she just Shakes her head and chants "Tsk~ Tsk~ Tssssk~"
"Now, it's not good to lie.. Young one.. You have a tick that you do when you're lying.. When you lie, your mouth cracks open, and you lick the bottom of your teeth!" She declared with the utmost confidence!
"WHAT!" I claw at my face self consciously, have I always had that? Could other people tell? This is a big deal.. It means every mess I've fibbed out of could bite me in the ass later!
"Actually I lieed~ but it seems you were lying to me too, young one…" she smiles smugly, and giggles to herself.
W-what?
"The Hell?! That's a dirty trick! How is someone like you a Nun!" I shout.
"Mehhh~ it's alright, even if I make a few mistakes. I'll be forgiven anyway, me and the Goddess are tight like that you know?"
She then giggles to herself obnoxiously, seemingly dying from her own joke.
What's with this woman, just a second ago? See tried appearing holy, and now she's laughing like a fool..
I can't help but look puzzled, what's her angle? What's she really want?
"People aren't defined by a single thing, Pick."
My Blood runs cold, my body seized up. She Knows my Name! No, she knew this the whole time! W-was she looking for me?
"You've made quite a name for yourself in the Neighborhood, "The Blonde Burglar", hands so quick, that he can snatch your wallet just with the chance to brush by you!! and "The Underdog!" Whether it's a teenage boy, or a grown man, if he's in a fight he won't stay down! (though I hear you lose most of them)"
Shit… Shit! She knows me.. Knows me really well.. This isn't a random woman who walked in this alley.. It's someone who's here to track me down!
"Pick, You've caused quite a bit of trouble.. But.. I don't think that's all you're good for.."
She rises again, and with slow meticulous steps, she approaches.
"Pick, I want to give you a chance, a chance to truly live.
She slowly opens her arms, Like the staggered drawl of a heavy iron door– and outstretched them, hoping to guide me into her metaphorical home.
The corners of her mouth slowly rise into a soft gentle smile, her pearly whites practically gleaming, her eyes are half lidded, glazed with a profound hope.
Its jaw dropping, the beautiful–no–otherworldly woman, offers me a place, to for once in my life to call home, out of the blue, with no catch, an unparalleled act of kindness I have never been exposed to in my life..
As if!!
Channeling all of my Malice, I point it at the woman, and Hold out my make-shift blade.
"I'M sick of your games! STAY BACK!!" I Wail.
I won't be made a fool of again.. never! Again!!
This silk-like voice… this warm gentle smile.. I can't stand to see it.. It's disgusting.. How could a person try to trick someone with so many things they know they've never had?
Despite my Shank, pointing directly at her, aiming to take her life. She doesn't waver. Nor even flinch, but leans forward, with a determination I've never witnessed..
As she approaches, I retreat, until my back hits the hard cobble behind me, leaving me nowhere to go.
"I'M WARNING YOU!!- I'm not Messing around!!" I Shriek
Despite being the one with the weapon, I'm scared, horrified even. For some reason I can't stand to find out what happens if she touches me..
But for a second, she stops.
"Don't see it as me welcoming you, instead, see it as the Goddess wrapping you in her arms, and accepting you into your home." She states matter of factly.
"Wh- Goddess? Is that what this is all about?! You need more devout followers!"
I grind my teeth, all of a sudden years of resentment bubble back up. I get it.. This woman.. Is stupid...
"You want me to believe there is some savior in the sky, in a world where I have to sift through the trash for my next meal.. Where I have to Shiver in the Back alleys during winter! In a world where I have to fear for my life every moment!
I Can't keep it down, all of a sudden all my frustrations just spill out.
"You're really gonna spit in my face, and tell me my wreck of a life is just how it's supposed to be! IT'S ALL A PART OF GOD'S PLAN! HUH?!
The Woman's arms lax a bit, instead of stretching, they finally pull back and she clutches her hands together, I figure she's Unable to handle my question.
"Yes, That's exactly what i'm Saying.." She says in the same, annoying honeyed tone, and a toothy grin!
…I See red..
My hand juts out, aiming to strike the Woman, for her tactless Brain-washed, Privileged words. But I forgot one detail.
SHIIINK!
It was the hand I was clutching my knife in.
The Dagger is met with Little resistance, it sinks into her stomach like a hot knife through butter.
She doesn't move, the action must have been so shocking– so sudden, she can't make a peep.
I don't know how to feel.
I have once again stolen the unreturnable, and the woman's ethereal light has been extinguished.
But I'm not sad she died, more.. disappointed..
Whether it was in myself or the woman, I could not tell you.
All I knew for sure was.. that I was once again alone.
…
Without realizing, I wrapped my arms around her waist, as if to stop her from falling I suppose. She continues standing upright, unmoving.
…
After minutes, I let go.. And step away.
Squeeze!
But as I step away! Two arms drape over me!
Without warning, I'm pulled into a soft–yet firm embrace, and with it, all my fears, stress, and fatigue, are wrung from my soul.
Wha.. the Woman..
"Perhaps I misspoke.. please don't go.." She says with the same, melodious voice, and my mind melts with her words.
I look down again, and my dagger is still sunk in her tender flesh, but.. She does not bleed.
"In this world, the goddess guarantees us one thing, a Place,
It might Get messy, It will be hard to take care of it, something might happen, and you won't know how to fix it.. But you can't give up on it! Because it's your home! The world is dirty, vile, and terrifying.. But it's still our world isn't it! So don't give up on it!" she begs..
"I Admit, I lied.. I do not know the goddess' plan, forgive me.. But what I know for sure is.. Pain.. is inevitable.. it is baked firmly into the world.. But even if you have experienced an unbearable endless torrent of pain.. You can still have a good life.." her voice shakes as she admits her sin and tears run down her face.. Is she in pain?
"Life is all about retrospective.. At the end.. I think if you can look back at everything, and say.. It was worth it.. I think that's what matters most.." she whispers..
"Of course.. I can't tell you if it will be worth it in the end.. But let me give you a place, a place to rest your head, a place to sate your hunger, a place to finally call home!" an array of emotions well up on the woman's face, regret, and pain. but not for the wound, but.. Me?
"I'm not asking you to Believe in the goddess.. But.. Please, Believe in me."
"Believe..?" I whisper..
It sounds Preposterous, things like this don't really happen.. Can I really believe a woman.. Out of nowhere, could care for something as worthless as me?
But really– at this point is a miracle so strange?
I look down at the knife again, still loosely clenched in my palm, as it pierces the woman–At first I hesitate, horrified to disturb the dreamy moment.
Then, with a sudden unfounded courage, or no- faith, I pull it out.
As the Dagger slips out, with it–
The wound disappears too! Or was it ever there to begin with, at any point was this woman ever harmed?
Instead of questions, a sense of unimaginable relief streams over me.
Dink-
The knife is forgotten, where it went I could never tell you, my focus is now solely on the ethereal woman.
My arms move, mimicking the woman, of course I knew of it, but in all my life, I've never had a reason to use the action.
And slowly, still hesitant, my arms encircle her waist, and I embrace the woman.
And once I had her, I knew I couldn't bring myself to ever let go.
We stand there for minutes, maybe hours.. I couldn't say, no amount of time could have possibly satisfied me, I already knew this moment in time would stick with me for the rest of my life.
She pulls back a bit and looks down at me, "I'm Glad, I guess this means… You'll give me a chance..?"
My words escape me, despite this ease I feel, I'm still afraid, but now matter what, I don't want to let her down..
So without a word, I meekly nodded.
She simply smiles, it was like all the others, Genuine, and filled with hope. Thinking about it now, seeing her crying, upset me more than I realized, she really is more suited to smiling.
"I suppose introductions are in order then… My name is Fable Moore, and from now on, I promise to look after you at The Chapel of Ashen Row." she states.
"From now on… Hm.. How about we call you.. Gabriel! Gabriel Moore.."
Wow.. I didn't realize how… happy it would make me to have a name.. After all, it's more than just a title. A name is something that proves.. I existed in the world.. And the same last name as hers.. Meaning, I'll always be connected with her..
She leans over, and stares directly into my eyes, the corners of her mouth creeping wider and wider, "So.. what do you think!"
…A part of me still can't let go of the hesitation, being cautious Is baked into my being at this point..
I don't know if I can believe in this Goddess, or this entire world for that matter..
But.. I will Choose to believe in this woman.
…And that is how Gabriel Moore was born, I witnessed a Genuine Miracle, and was saved from the world I was born in, and brought into a world where I belonged.
I discovered Faith.
In that new world, I was taught how truly kind, and caring the world actually was. I studied the Bible's teachings, adapted them into my daily life, changed my appearance, changed how I saw others! I thought I had it all wrong, that I was blind!!
However..
There came a time, where I had to realize, the world I was born into and the world I was brought into, was still the same world.
Twelve Years Later.
Prologue End.