Jack was fed up with his father being right all the time. He had been so sure he could convince Adina that her sacrifice was a vital part of his mission. That she would willingly accept it in order to ensure a better world for her daughter. But he had been a fool. She had no faith, there was no way she was going to understand the bigger picture. If you had no understanding of eternal life then how could you willingly embrace death? Having faith meant you knew that this life was just a waypoint, not the main event. Even so, he was not going to strangle her. He couldn’t do that again. Jack would continue with his original plan. Adina would just be an unwilling participant instead. He could adapt for that.
As he laid Adina back down on the cellar floor, he reached for the ropes he had left behind when he’d untied her. She kicked and screamed as he tried to tie her arms, like a feral cat. It took all his strength to subdue her. He winced inwardly as he slammed her head against the concrete floor. She went very quiet and still, dazed. Tying her hands behind her back, he left her legs free this time. Confident she would be unable to escape.
He turned and left the cellar to find his father. It was time to move on. He found his father in the church.
‘You were right, Father. It is time to end this. Tonight.’
As they walked back into the kitchen, Jack’s mobile was ringing. He looked at the screen and saw the reverend’s name. His finger hovered over the send-to-voicemail button but he answered. Better to get it over with. He was sure the reverend was just checking in. If he didn’t answer the reverend might decide to track him down. He couldn’t have that.
‘Hello, Reverend.’
‘Hello, Jack. How are you?’
‘I’m bearing up in the circumstances.’
‘I just wanted to check how you are. I thought I might see you at Sunday service. But no one has seen anything of you. We are all worried about you, Jack.’
‘I’m sorry, Reverend. I’m staying with my father. It’s too painful being in the village. Too many memories.’
‘I can understand. But don’t stay away too long. Memories are painful but they are what we have left when someone we love leaves us. They will soon become your most treasured possessions. Plus, it would be good for you to be around people that love and care about you. It will help you move on.’
‘Thank you, Reverend. You are very kind. I’m just not ready yet. I will be. Just not yet.’
‘Okay. Well I am always here to talk to.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Oh, before I go. You’ve not heard from Susan recently, have you? No one has seen anything of her and we are all starting to get concerned. She was supposed to be at the church today and never showed. Very unlike her.’
It was like the floor had disappeared and he was falling through the air. He couldn’t breathe. Susan’s face, her eyes almost bursting from their sockets as he strangled her. The phone slipped in his hands.
‘Jack? Jack? Can you still hear me?’
‘Yes, Reverend. Sorry, the signal is a bit patchy here. No, I’ve not heard anything from her. I’ll let you know if I do. She might be visiting one of her sons?’
‘Hmm. Maybe. I might give them a call tomorrow and see if they know where she is. Failing that I’ve got a spare key so I’ll go over if I still can’t get hold of her.’