S amuel barely tasted the hot cocoa, even though he’d drained the mug by more than half. The three priests sitting with him didn’t speak, but each shot him an occasional glare, as if to let him know they’d just as soon slit his throat as say hello. One in particular, a neckless, red-faced linebacker, with the largest hands Samuel had ever seen, clinched his fists every time their eyes met. Each time, Samuel wanted to piss his pants.
The door opened. Sister Maria Bravo slid back inside and snatched off her habit, shaking her silky black hair down past her shoulders. The three priests snapped to attention. She whispered something to them, but didn’t so much as look Samuel’s way.
Five minutes later, the whispering stopped. Sister Bravo, the three black suits in tow, walked over and sat down next to him. The holy trio stood behind her, stone-faced and silent. Samuel tried to swallow, but his throat felt like sandpaper. His hands quivered, splattering cocoa on his pants.
“There are a few important rules you must abide by while in our care,” Sister Bravo said, a smile on her face. “But first, let me introduce the others.” Samuel raised his eyes without fully lifting his head. “This is Father Matthew Clancy.”
The stoic menace plastered on the slender, sandy haired cleric, turned hospitable with a smile. “Please to make your acquaintance,” said the priest, in a light British accent.
Next, Sister Bravo introduced Father Theodore Murphy, whose face softened too, with a wide show of teeth. Samuel noticed for the first time, Father Murphy’s light green eyes, which framed an almost serene countenance. The priest didn’t utter a word, but Samuel felt a chill hit his spine, and the hair on the back of his head bristled as Father Murphy’s smile turned fiendish.
Samuel turned his head to the last of the three, the linebacker in black, who made him the most nervous. “I’m Father Adolfo Sin,” he said, his accent heavy German. “If you try to escape, I’m the one who’ll catch and kill you.”
Father Sin’s words took a moment to register. Samuel’s moist brow confirmed that he believed every word.
“I’m sure that won’t be necessary,” said Sister Bravo.
She motioned for the priests to leave, and each adjourned to a different part of the cabin. Fathers Murphy and Clancy leaned back in two billowy leather chairs, and closed their eyes. Father Sin leaned back in his, and continued to stare.
Sister Bravo took a deep breath. “Don’t mind him. He’s a teddy bear once you get to know him.”
You mean a grizzly bear, thought Samuel.
Sister Bravo laughed as though she could read his mind. “Now, as I said, let’s get an understanding of what’s expected of you.” Her smile receded to a slight upturn of the corners of her mouth. She was beautiful, more striking than any women Samuel had ever seen. He sat transfixed.
“We’ll treat you with the same respect you give us,” she continued.
“You’ll always, and I mean always, do what you’re told. We’re not keen on repeating ourselves. Do you understand?” Samuel nodded yes, more out of fear than agreement. “Never speak to anybody outside the four of us, unless we give permission,” she continued. “And don’t take anything from anyone unless it’s first handed to us.” Samuel again acknowledged that he understood. Sister Bravo’s accommodating manner helped him relax. His hands ceased to quiver, but his stomach rumbled with hunger. Sister Bravo opened a cardboard box next to the couch and pulled out a bundle of clothes, including jeans, a navy polo shirt, new white tennis shoes and socks.
“There’s a bathroom over there,” she said, pointing to a narrow wood-grained door a few feet away. “Go inside and put these on. You’ll find them a perfect fit.”
Samuel took the pile of clothes and set it on his lap. He bit his tongue, then looked up at the nun. “Why am I here? What did I do?” His bottom lip trembled. His eyes watered. “I want to go home.” Sister Bravo stroked his face with the back of her hand, and wiped the tears from his cheeks with a white lace handkerchief. Her eyes locked on his, saucers of apology and concern. “I’m afraid those questions will have to wait,” she said. “All you need to know now is that you’re safe with us as long as you do as we say.”
“But if I’ve done something wrong, I’m sorry,” he said, feeling frantic. “I, I, just don’t un-un-derstand. Just tell me what I did wrong.
Please, just tell me.”
Sister Bravo pulled him close, and he laid his head on her lap. “I’m sorry things are so unclear right now, but it’ll all make sense very soon,” she said, mussing up his hair.
“But I want to go home,” Samuel continued. He raised his head; Sister Bravo’s face a blur through his tears. “Why won’t you let me go home?” The tears fell and his sight cleared.
Sister Bravo’s kind disposition had diminished, her smile replaced with the cold indifference Samuel remembered from the nuns at his school when they’d had enough of him playing the prankster.
“Enough of this, Samuel, you’re going to do everything we tell you, and that’s all you need to know for now. Stop crying, and go change into the clothes.”
Samuel didn’t move. He wanted to, but it had become clear that whatever was happening, it didn’t include him returning to his parents, and the thought of never seeing them again left him paralyzed. A hard slap snapped him out of the trance. A stinging sensation on the right side of his face turned numb, but he didn’t feel pain, he got angry. He looked up at Sister Bravo, now towering over him.
“I want to go home! When are you going to let me talk to my mother and father!” he bellowed, through clenched teeth.