ʚ☠︎︎ɞ || Simon "Ghost" Riley

"And remember children: In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

At least.. that's what they taught you in Church. Throughout your life, your constantly reminded to put all your trust in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Though the longer, the more you did try to put faith in that person above whom you believed watched you, was he really there all along?

Another glass shatters from the other room; that had been the ninth glass tonight, you thought. Hidden beneath your bed, you could make out the shadows of your father who worked as a priest and your mother who was what you called a sinner.

Bastards, both of them.

You hated them like the devils told in the holy books. An emotionally absent father - too busy to tend to your needs and reserves his time spreading the word of the lord. A mother who's barely there - haggled with doubt and revels in the arms of a man she brings when your father is absent. They were never there for you, always deep within their own walls built by bricks of blissful ignorance that even left out in the dust.

Well, you're big now aren't you? This isn't your first time hearing their argument, their voices breaking the peaceful silence, experiencing the storm they brought in the solace of your little home. So what's stopping you from leaving? They didnt care; never did. What difference would it even make if you disappeared?

Unfortunately, the silly little concept of family did.

Now whenever they squabbled, you'd just slip off into the forest not too far out of town to relax by the water. The sound of the river flowing, the crickets singing to you a song, and the fireflies that danced along with you was the escape you needed. Oops, stepped on one of those little light friends, just hope the lord will forgive you for that on tomorrow's mass.

It wasn't like the mass was much of a big event to you anyways now that someone had caught your eye from across the aisle - A tall man, wore dark clothes and a mask. You'd think he would be one of those serial killers in the horror movies your parents forbid you from watching. They stuck out like a sore thumb, which lit up the little investigator in you. You watched him, your eyes glued like a hawk to its prey.

Perhaps he's just a newcomer or passing by and decided to take a stop at your town. He felt your eyes piercing through him, the way you stared was quite unsettling. Then that gut feeling quickly dissipated when he turned and you averted your gaze. How cute, got a little crush on the new guy?

After the mass, you watched as your father speak with the mysterious man. You couldn't bother stepping close to him, father's nearby anyways.

Another night and yet another fight sparking between your parents. This time it was your father berating his wife about their doubt. Whatever they said was in a blur now as your packed your things, finally deciding to leave home, this town and the life you've lived in it. Sneaking out from you bedroom window, the bright red, purple, and orange hues greeted you with the sun setting lowly on the horizon. With your shoes scraping the pavement, you hum a song to yourself to fill the silence.

Then a pick-up truck comes by, driving slowly beside you.

"You headin' somewhere, love?"

Stopping on your tracks, you see the man you've been staring at church a while ago. He wore a balaclava, hiding his features from you with his gloved hands on the steering wheel. He then offered to drive you to wherever you planned on going and you - more than happily - agreed.

And that's where you are now, sitting in the passenger's seat of an odd fellow. The same person who's appearance made fellow churchgoers whisper in concern and confusion. Whatever, you were happy, right? The engine hummed, that being the only thing that filled in the strained silence between you two. The night was beginning to settle in now as stars coated the dark sky like rhinestones on black silk. The breeze was cool too, brushing against your hair made you reminisce the younger days when you were cherished.

After what felt like forever sitting in the car, you both finally pulled up at a diner. He turned of the engine, welcoming the silence once more as he reached to unbuckle his seatbelt.

"Come on then, you must be a hungry."

His gruff voice came through, followed by the click of the seatbelt before exiting the car, waiting for you to come and join him.