~ CATHERINE ~
Friday the 30th of June, 1989
Christopher turned up at school the following day with a new bruise, instantly capturing my attention, as well as Mr. Stanton’s.
“What happened to your face?” Mr. Stanton asked him.
Christopher mumbled an obviously made-up excuse, getting an even more concerned look from Mr. Stanton. Right after form class, he pulled Christopher aside. I waited outside the room, eavesdropping on the conversation, Mr. Stanton sounding genuinely worried about Christopher. It gave me a new respect for the man, something I didn’t think I would ever feel. But Christopher stuck to his lies, refusing to tell him the real reason he looked like Satan’s punching bag.
I still couldn’t believe what his family was doing to him. It just blew my mind that the people who were meant to protect him, were the ones abusing him. I really couldn’t wrap my head around it. So, I spent as much of the day as possible with him, giving him the support he deserved. It also made me reconsider running away with him, my desire to protect him growing rapidly. But one thing was standing in my way—the fear that Christopher’s grandfather could hurt my parents. I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn’t. So, I caught a lift home with Christopher, desperate to talk to him about it without anyone interrupting us.
As soon as he’d merged with the traffic, I turned in my seat to face him. “I want to leave with you, but can’t because of what you said about your grandfather possibly using my parents to get at me.”
He glanced at me, only briefly taking his eyes off the road. “I only said that because I was upset, it doesn’t mean he would.”
“But he could.”
“Could is different from would, and he would kill you. I also don’t think your parents are on his radar, otherwise he would’ve used them by now.”
“How do I know you’re not just saying that to get me to leave them?”
He stopped at the Highwick Park intersection, the clock tower showing it was three-fifteen. “Because it’s true. I was really raw when I mentioned your famiglia, hurting over what my grandfather had said to me. I didn’t think about what I was saying, just verbally lashed out. And I honestly don’t believe he cares about them, otherwise he would’ve at least mentioned them. Have they said anything about him?”
“No, they’re oblivious. They don’t even know they’re Merges.”
“You sure?” He accelerated, the lights now green.
“Absolutely, otherwise they wouldn’t have involved the police when my sister died. If they knew about the Merge world, they would’ve done things differently.”
He turned onto Camdale Avenue. “True, because an aware Merge would never bring humans into our business. You also didn’t have a clue what you were when I met you, so it makes sense that they wouldn’t either. I think that nun has a lot to answer for with not telling your famiglia what she knew.” He slowed down for a stop sign. “And don’t try to defend her, she was just as selfish as my famiglia. She chose her vendetta with my grandfather over you and your sister’s safety.” He pulled away from the stop sign, turning left to head up Highwick Park Drive.
I nodded, no longer deluding myself about Sister’s Cecile’s intentions. I hadn’t misjudged her at the beginning, I’d misjudged her at the end, giving her my trust when she didn’t deserve it.
Christopher pulled over to the kerb, my house just around the corner. I could see the corner of the fence, with its white balustrades.
“So, will you run away with me?” he asked.
I slipped further down in my seat. “But my parents.”
“How did your parents react when your sister died?”
I grimaced. “My dad went berserk, totally smashed up part of the house. My uncles had to restrain him, because he wouldn’t stop. And my mother...” I breathed out. “She had a mental breakdown.”
“What do you think they’ll do if their remaining child ends up dying the same way?”
I didn’t reply, Christopher getting his point across loud and clear.
He continued, “And if you leave with the rosary, you’ll be leaving with my grandfather’s curse. He’ll be able to stay here without feeling the effects of it, and I know he wants to stay more than anything.”
“Are you sure he won’t come after us?”
“I don’t think so, but if he does, we’ll deal with him together.”
“What about your dad? He could come after us too.”
“Doubt it, if anything, the bastard will probably rejoice that I’m gone.”
I placed a hand over his, giving it a supportive squeeze. “Your family doesn’t deserve you.”
He gave me a sad smile. “While I don’t deserve you.”
“Don’t say that, you’re incredible.”
“Incredible enough to leave with me?” he asked, looking at me with hope.
I chewed on my lip, wondering whether I should. Both choices were bad, but at least with this one I had more chance of surviving.
He continued, “We can meet tomorrow at Boyd’s Beach. Fill a backpack with clothes, comfortable shoes, things that you’ll need the most. I’ll do the same. I’ll also swipe my parents’ stash of money so we’ll be sorted.”
“First breaking and entering, now stealing? You’re a right devil,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.
He scowled, taking what I’d said seriously. “My famiglia have forced this upon us. They should at least pay.”
“I know, I was just joking.”
Grunting, he let go of my hand and worried his fingers through his hair. “Sorry, this whole situation is doing my head in.”
“No worries, we’ll get through it together.”
His expression turned hopeful. “Does that mean you’ll leave with me?”
I glanced through the windscreen at what I could see of my property. A place that I loved. But that love had been tarnished by my sister’s death. And I would tarnish it even more for my parents if I died fighting Christopher’s grandfather—someone who had almost a century’s worth of experience. I’d been fooling myself thinking I could win against him. Christopher was right. I would die if I stayed.
I looked back at him, my mind now made up. “Yes, I’ll leave with you.”
***
I sank down onto my bed and opened one of Sister Cecile’s manuscripts, wanting to finish it before I took off with Christopher. I breezed through the pages, the world of the legendary rosaries a fascinating read. My neighbour’s dog started barking, distracting me. I glanced out my window, spotting Dad talking to our neighbour over the fence. I frowned, wishing I could tell him what was happening. But he’d go after Christopher’s granddad if I did. He was the type of person who went in guns blazing without a second thought as to whether it was a good idea or not. He was just too hot-headed. It made me wonder whether he was a Seraph, his brown eyes and one hell of a temper definitely making it a real possibility. While Mum... She was prim and proper, the ice to his fire, the way she acted closer to a Maris. Or maybe she was a Stella like me. It made sense, since they got on like Christopher and I did—a Seraph with a Stella.
Sighing, I looked back down at the book and turned the page. The title Fallen Angels instantly jumped out at me. I resumed reading, what was written capturing my full attention.
It is a common misconception that angels and demons are separate beings. They are physically one and the same, all originating from Heaven. When Lucifer, who was once an angel, rebelled against God, he was cast out of Heaven, falling with his allies. This is why demons are often called Fallen Angels.
My thoughts instantly went to what Christopher had called Merges: Fallen Angels. But did that mean all Merges were demons? I continued reading, finding the answer further down the page.
All Merges are born angels, only becoming demons by choice. They either choose to be good or to be evil, to stay an angel or become a demon, which means being a demon is not hereditary. Often fallen angels who don’t want to be classified as demons, will follow the misconceived notion that since they were born to angel parents they don’t have demon blood. But blood doesn’t decide if a Merge is a demon, their soul does. If a Merge has a good soul they are an angel, if a Merge has a corrupt soul they are a demon.
I looked up from the book, Christopher’s behaviour now making sense. He was an angel, his intentions good. While his granddad...
He was an entirely different matter.