[ CHAPTER 41 ] - ( THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA ) - { PT. 2 }

{ PT.  2 } - THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA
 

His head jerked back in shock. He winced from the sharp pain running down his spine, and his eyes now focused on the image behind them. A barely recognisable Johan, his face caked in dry blood and a mass of swelling and bruising hung his head limply to one side. His eyes were slits; his breathing almost undetectable. Johan. . . Can you hear me? Johan. Johan could only moves his eyes. Blood and saliva seeped from his mouth. He spoke without moving his lips. A hoarse whisper. Christiano.                                                                                                IN A CLINICALLY MODERN - kitchen, Angelica and Frya sat on stools that defied gravity, at a white plastic table supported by a solid leg the width of the table at one end, and an inverted leg built into the wall at the other--like a collapsed Z. Their faces were worn and puffy from hours of crying. Kurush wore a forlorn expression as he placed a cup of camomile tea on the table for Angelica and a strong espresso each for himself and Frya. He opened his mouth to speak, but thought better of it and propped himself on a stool instead. Maybe we should have called the police, said Frya, playing with the handle on the cup. No, Kurush was right, said Angelica. If we did we would never see them again. Kurush downed his espresso and cupped his head in his hands. I know you are both suffering, and I wish there were something I could do, but all we can do is wait. Do you think he'll kill them? asked Frya. Angelica looked across at her with a knowing glint that caused Frya to collapse her head on the table. Her body convulsed from her uncontrollable tears. Angelica wiped hers away and tried to maintain her composure. She looked up at the clock on the kitchen wall. A minimalist design: just a faceless iron disk with two hands and no numbers.                                                                                            _______________________________________________________   

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