Chapter 4: Predilection

Kernos stared at his right knee. His hands clenched into fists reflexively. Although his wound was not painful, its appearance was enough to make him panic. Then, even though he was perfectly aware of the glass that he was sitting on, he stood quickly. He began to run in wherever direction his jumpy instinct would take him.

He assumed the path to be of pure, smooth glass, so he was terribly surprised when his foot bumped into something hard. Consequently, he tripped and fell to the floor. The glass under his body started to display a few cracks. He lifted his head to stare in horror as those fractured gradually increased in size. Soon, the glass shattered.

As Kernos was falling down, his heart thumped wildly. He tried to close his eyes, but was too shocked and disturbed to do actions even as simple as such. As his body was pulled by gravity, he noticed that his environment was surrounded by millions of glittery dusts. But hell, the smell of blood filled his nose.

He landed on soft ground. Dazed but unhurt, he found it difficult to get on his feet. It seemed like eternity passed before he managed to stand up. He walked a bit, and discovered that he was behind a structure whose façade seemed to be that of a huge church.

Somehow, he felt relieved. Perhaps someone in the new place could help him find a way to cure the bizarre injury on his knee. Moreover, there was no sign of the hooded stranger who caused him so much physical and psychological traumas.

He entered the church through the huge open door at the back. There was no mass being conducted, so only a few people were present. The people were kneeling and their hands were clasped in deep prayer. There were a few priests who gave the impression of patrols distributed within the area.

He made his way through the aisle. The people seemed to be alarmed at his presence, for they all looked intently at him. Their eyes trailed on him as though he was an intruder.

The priests gathered around him. Their facial expressions were angry, or even fierce. Kernos was stunned but he could not do anything for he had already been surrounded. Before long, his hands were tied with a thick rope.

He could not open his mouth to protest. As he was led forcibly by the priests to a corner of the church, he observed that the people had satisfied looks on their faces. Some even resumed praying.

The other end of the rope used to bound his hands was attached to a pillar of the church. Holding a chalice, the tallest of the priest approached Kernos. The cup was forced into Kernos' mouth. Kernos decided to calm down a bit as his tongue came in contact with the contents of the church goblet. However, the drink did not taste of wine or juice from overripe grapes. It was salty with a touch of bitter. It was also viscous. Kernos concluded that it was blood.

Tears filled his eyes again as he realized the dreadfulness of what was happening to him. He was obliged, by the most unexpected type of people, to take in the most horrible of beverages and he had no way to escape.

Hours elapsed, yet the goblet had an unlimited supply of liquid in it. Kernos felt that he had already consumed a gallon of blood. He would soon perish from the frightful occurrence if it would continue.

Hey! I have nothing against the Catholic church and I am a Catholic myself. I just had the plan of merging the dreams about the church of my two friends and writing my ideas into a disturbing scenario. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.