Found a new prompt – A picture is worth 1000 words – The blogger posts a picture and you write about it. I found this earlier this month, started writing the piece below, but only just went back to it. May develop into a full on story at some point, but for now it is at a good stopping point.
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Jeff coughed. He started when the echoes rang around him, but then settled back against the polished wood again. Dust motes sparkled in the flickering candlelight and a slight scent of incense tickled his nose.
Quiet – maybe too quiet, but that was what Jeff was seeking when he entered the church that night. He just needed a rest from the incessant voices inside his head. It seemed this building quieted them.
Or maybe the statues and marble columns swallowed up the noise like the cavernous sanctuary swallowed up Jeff.
He felt, more than saw, that he was no longer alone. The hairs on his legs stood at attention against his jeans. His arms tingled and the back of his neck just felt plain creepy. Someone was approaching and Jeff wasn’t quite ready for that.
“Evening, son. Is there anything I can do for you?â€
The white-haired priest placed a meaty hand on Jeff’s shoulder. His senses already prepared for the appearance, it was still everything Jeff could do not to jump at the touch.
“No, Father. I’m just resting if that’s okay. I like being here in the candlelight – just me and the saints and that man up there on the cross.â€
“I like it, too, son. Sorta peaceful, isn’t it? Well, I’m going up there to the sacristy behind the altar. If you need me just call out. You rest and if you want to talk, that Man up there? He listens to us all.â€
The priest walked to the altar, genuflected, then entered the door to the right and Jeff was once again alone. Funny, the voices had quieted down when he entered the church, but now they were silent. “Wonder what secret he holds,†thought Jeff.
photo courtesy of PJOnori see it here.
