The Playground Page #5

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- She still eats alone.

You and her both.

Probably gets real

boring to eat alone.

Well if you didn't eat so

fast, I would join you.

But every time I make

a plate for myself,

your food has

already disappeared.

- Sorry father,

I get real hungry.

The best way to

take care of a guest

is to give them company,

at least while they're eating.

Makes the food taste better.

- You can't use

that in here, man.

- I don't want it to get stolen.

I'm buying these.

- Really?

- Hey.

Hey, hey, man. Hey!

Hey! Hey!

Come back here, man.

- How did you know

I had them in me?

- You did not come

here to ask me that.

How did you find me?

- Trial and error.

- Who placed those

scrolls inside of you?

- I did.

- Yet, you have not

come to kill me.

- Why would I wanna kill you?

- Many reasons.

Your master would know.

- Master?

I don't have a master.

- Are you certain of that?

- Mrs. Jill?

I brought you some fruit.

I thought you might

want something

refreshing in the heat.

- Thank you, father.

That's very swe...

Kind of you.

- Be sure to try the pears.

They're in season.

- I definitely will.

How is your day?

- That's a good boy.

He's been having issues

with the mayor all week.

Ain't that right mister mayor?

But he's going to get his.

Mister governor, he'll

get what's coming to him.

- You have entered into a pact

with a great deceiver.

- How do I break out of it?

- You must give up what

you have gained from it.

- I can't.

- Then you are bound to it.

- There has to be another way.

- Your feelings won't

change the way of the world.

- If I did that, I

would lose my freedom

and I'm not going to.

- Why?

Must you have freedom?

- I have a wife and...

- A child.

- I have to protect them.

They're innocent.

They have nothing

to do with this.

- You cannot protect them.

But he cannot harm them either.

- You're saying he

can't hurt them?

- Not unless they let him.

- What do you mean?

How do you know this?

- Could you read what was

written on those scrolls

before you placed

them inside you?

- No.

They're in some strange writing.

- They are not meant

for us to read.

But it tells who you

are dealing with.

- Who?

The man in my cell?

- He is not a man.

But he can come

in the form of one

and other things.

- Who is he?

- I could not read the scrolls.

But my friends did.

- Friends?

You deal with them?

- The one seeking you

is not of the normal kind.

They say he is from the old age

and he has many who serve him.

They say his name is

mentioned in the scriptures

of all faiths.

Normally they would

be able to assist

but they have retreated.

- Retreated?

- They do not want to

risk dealing with him.

They also do not understand

why he has sought you out.

- I made a...

- yes,

but if it is who they fear it is

you must have done something.

Something that would

draw his interest

or anger.

Enough to travel across

a long way to find you.

This is beyond my

means to help you.

- Please!

I don't know anyone else

who understands this!

What do I need to stop him?!

- There are no material things

that can aid you in this.

I gave you your solution.

- I can't.

I thought you knew a way out.

A way the priest couldn't offer.

- You are a religious man?

- I believe in god, yes.

Why do you ask?

- Because my friends were

unable to approach you.

Now I know why.

- You can bring that inside.

If you're still not coming in

you're going to have to take

it all the way around back

to the storage room.

- Not a problem, father.

What you getting ready for?

- A priest can stay well

groomed if he wishes.

- Silly.

- What is?

- That you and Mrs. Jill

still having conversations

through the door.

You might as well just

sit and eat together.

Ain't no harm in that.

And it's a lot less silly.

- I'll see you tomorrow.

- Okay, father.

Just don't be afraid

to be yourself.

- And make sure you keep close

what you're given.

You know how to read that?

Then don't trust your

life to superstitions.

- Thank you.

Will this protect me?

- This may.

If it were full.

- Would you like to come inside?

- This may.

If it were full.

Instead of serving you,

you'll end up serving it.

- Your food is

always so delicious.

- Thank you.

They left a substantial

pantry for me.

- I have a question.

I hope you don't get offended.

- Please.

Go right ahead.

- How long have you

been a priest for?

- Five years.

Why?

- You don't seem like the type.

- Okay.

It's my turn to

ask you a question.

- Okay. Hit me with it.

- What did your husband say to

you to convince you to stay?

I'm sorry.

I knew that was a

bad idea to ask that.

- He said if he

failed this time,

that I could leave him.

Very generous, huh?

The dessert was a

really nice surprise.

- Looks like it's getting dark.

I'll leave you to your evening.

Let me get these

plates out of your way.

- I've always wanted to travel.

See different people.

I've been cutting

hair for too long.

If he comes back

I'm going to tell him.

That I want to be with you.

- Then we'll start

our life together.

I'll have to let the church

know after we've gone.

If the laicization

starts before then,

I might have to go

before the community.

They may investigate.

- I know this won't be easy.

For either of us.

Like you told me,

if we love each other

then the rest doesn't matter.

Right?

There's something else.

- What's that?

- Remember when I

told you I was late?

- How do you know for sure?

- I just know.

I thought you would be happy.

I feel so stupid.

- I am happy.

This is all happening

really fast for me.

I never thought

two months ago that I'd be

nearly married and with a child.

I'll be a husband.

- And a father.

Just a different kind.

- I'm almost done here.

- Take your time.

- Thanks.

- Where you headed?

- Oh lord!

Forsake not for our inequities,

neither punish thou

others for our wounds.

Still thy wrath oh lord,

absolve oh lord, have mercy.

Have mercy on us, for this

child is out of wedlock!

Count not our acts

as fornication,

but rather...

As a pre-marriage within

the sanctity of the church!

- Temperature Gauge

is out on my car.

Started steaming on me, I

barely got it off the road.

- You're going to need a

lot more water than that

where you're going.

- Yeah.

- Long way to be

traveling alone.

Heading back to your family?

- My wife.

- Sorry father.

I was trying to stomp

out a black widow's web.

She'd laid a bunch of eggs.

Can't have those running

around the church.

- Are you okay?

- Oh yes, father. Thank you.

I'm afraid there's a

lot more nests around.

It's the season you know.

- Just be careful.

- That and she's next

to the church so.

- A long time to be

leaving a woman alone.

- You say you're

from around here?

- Oh, from everywhere.

I like to come

through here though.

You take them roads

I told you about.

It's going to save you

a good half-day's travel.

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