It's hard to believe that so much has happened in a few short months. I have a best friend and I met my grandmother. I even have a possible love interest. And then the one bad thing that has happened to me since I have been here. It's hard to believe, really it is. Today was Sunday, Church day, as they called it. Layla convinced me to wear a frilly dress. Of Course I choose the yellow one instead of a white one like all the other women. I liked to be different. It was not a good thing to be different. I got a lot of stares for doing this. Although it must not be that bad. I haven't gotten called by the Priest yet. To them it's worse than death itself.

     Church worked in a different way then back home. Well back in Italy. First everyone had to enter in a certain order. Soldiers entered first and sat in the front. THen it was mothers with children. The Fathers had to sit behind them if they were not soldiers. Then the elderly. Then the virgins or as i called it the other people who didn't fit into the category had to sit all the way in the back.

      Me and Layla saw Reeceson as he went in first. He mouthed to me that he would see me after church. Boy did that man look good in a suit and tie. It was a very rare sight. Hr hates suits since he's never been married or been to a funeral. Once the service started the Priest blessed the soldiers for their departure that was at the end of the year. Who leaves for war in Mid December? It meant i wouldn't be able to see Reeceson all winter. Or spend Christmas with him. It made me sad. But it was still May. So i had time with him. I wondered if he felt the same way.

    As service progressed the Priest pondered before he spoke. " WE have an important matter to address. Our neighboring country France witnessed an overwhelming number of Witches and their partners being spotted after dark doing their witchcraft to terrorize the citizens. We have been warned by their army that some have even started to migrate elsewhere. We have to be alert in these troublesome times. And if anyone sees any suspicious behavior they need to report it to the nearest soldier station immediately. I thank the soldiers for keeping us all safe. " He said with a smile.

 
  And somehow his eyes landed on me. Out of everyone in the church I felt his gaze upon me. It was a weird creepy feeling that I got that ran up my spine. I turned my eyes away from him. He continued the service and it came to an end within an hour and a half. When everyone had begun to leave Reeceson came over to me being the brilliant sweet Guard that he was. I waited for my grandmother up front when a familiar presence came over to us.

"Good Day to you all and God Bless. "The Priest Said with a smile towards our small little group.

Reeceson was the first to greet him back. "Good Day to you Sir. God Bless" he said in a very lact luster tone but with a smile. Reeceson didn't like the priest either.

Layla greeted him next with a bow of her head like the women were supposed to. " God Bless"

I greeted him lastly but didn't bow my head. "God Bless"

THe Priest smiled at me while the other two kinda looked a little terrified of me not respecting him.

"I am sorry for what happened to you, my child. It must have been terrifying in that situation. I hope it did not leave a bad taste of Our Perfect Country. I offer my apologies for that man has done a great sin. " he said with that smile again.

I shook my head a bit. "No need Sir. It has been a month. But thank you so much for caring about a poor dame like myself." I said with a bit of a sarcastic tone, But i kept it light.

He Smiled and nodded. " Yes of course. Well I do hope you continue to have better days here. This is your home now. If there is anything the Church can assist you with, never hesitate to ask." He said before walking off.

I stood there in shock. "What the heck was that?" I said biting my tongue as I almost cursed in church.

Reeceson Scratched his head and sighed. "The Poor Dame has just gotten a very formal warning for the higher ups. The Priest himself. "Layla gave a small nod in agreement.

I hummed a bit and nodded in understanding. "So basically I was warned to watch my manners like I am a child?"

My Grandmother came up to us with a very worried expression. "All three of you follow me now," she whispered in a hush tone to us.

After following my grandmother back to her shop she took us in the back room. " Marabeth Crim, have you no head child?!" She shouted at me.

"What did I do? I simply can say we didn't talk that sort of way to the Church back home. " I said with an annoyed expression and tone.

She sighed and shook her head. " My dear you have just put yourself on his radar. Please watch out for her Reeceson as much as you can. Layla, I ask the same of you as well. WE can not leave her alone now. "

Layla and Reeceson nodded in agreement.

I looked around at them. " Is the Priest that dangerous?' I asked them.

Reeceson nodded. "Anyone on his radar is followed. More like a stalker. Everything they do is recorded and told back to the Priest. Sometimes I give up. But he is differently going to be trying to fish for anything that can be used against you. That jail is no fun place Mara. "

I sighed and nodded. " I will be as careful as I can. I am an ordinary human. " I said, looking at My grandmother.

       She sighed and nodded. Only Layla and My grandmother knew what I meant by that statement. Once the serious had worn out from the conversation we went on to talking about the service. It was a butch of hypocritical junk. I never really paid attention to church services. But this was a warning to me and other witches that were around. We had to watch our backs. We couldn't use any magic at all. Nor could we try and hide it in our homes. My grandmother suggested that I just practice in her celler. Reeceson had explained that the stalker could come at any time so it was best to remain in crowded places if possible to avoid being seen.

   I agreed to be on alert at all times. I can feel if someone is following me or has their eyes on me. But this means I'll have more time to spend with Reeceson. It was a good thing. The next day Layla went to work. Reeceson came by around the afternoon. I spent most of the time today in the house. I didn't have to work today. Me and Reeceson were quite bored just staying in the house so we decided to take a walk to the nearby park. Reeceson stayed on alert and looked around to make sure we were in the clear.

   I was vigilant but I wanted to relax. Reeceson felt my mood and turned it down a bit. So we walked and talked. Random things mostly. And some others about each other and what else we liked to do or did we refer to this or that. A little game we made up to pass the time and tried to look normal. And not like we worried for our safety. Of course Reeceson was more worried about me since I was the one on The Priest radar.

    We managed to get to the park unfollowed which was fine for now. I found a park bench to sit down on to settle down from the walk. Reeceson sat next to me and smiled.

"It is a nice day out here. Glad you decided to wanna come outside. If you stay in the house you might get stir crazy. " He said with a small chuckle.

I smiled and responded. " Hmm it actually doesn't bother me that I would be in the house a lot. As a child I spent most of my time in the house with my Aunt. "

Reeceson hummed and nodded. " How come?" he asked me as he tilted his head at me.

I messed up a little by saying that. " Um well I got into a lot. I often ate a lot of plants. I'd get sick from them too." I added with a laugh.

Reeceson chuckled and nodded. " I can actually see you being clumsy and causing trouble " He continued to chuckle at me.

I agreed with him with a nod and a smile. " You're right. Although I was not that big of a trouble maker I did cause a few problems. I don't believe any child has grown up without causing trouble a few times here and there"

   Reeceson continued to walk with me and chat. It was a good thing someone was always by my side. I hoped I would be safe enough for them not to worry about me. I felt like I could handle myself. But of course without using magic I was quite useless in dangerous situations. I am not that helpless but if the Priest was as dangerous as they say then I should be very aware of my surroundings even if I have to be alone at some point. Nothing suspicious happened to me today. Thank goodness. We managed to make it back to the house. Reeceson walked me all the way to the door and watched me go inside. Layla was there waiting for me of course. We decided to make dinner together.

Now we had a daily routine. When it was my day to work at the shop Layla would walk me straight to my grandmother's shop and see me inside. While working I wouldn't leave my grandmother's sight. Reeceson would stop by every so often to check up on things. Once  finished work Reeceson would come pick me up since by that Layla would be at work. We would walk to the bar together and Reeceson would hang out with his friends while
Keeping an eye on me at the same time. I would sit by the window and have a beer until Layla finished working. Me , Layla and Reeceson would walk back to the house and he would see us inside.

  It was like clock work from there on out. It became something everyone was just too. Of course remembering how I said I would see Reeceson more often. We may have agreed on a little time to hang out alone soon. Though he didn't say it was a state. Even though he has made it perfectly clear over the last few weeks that he was interested in me.
  He asked me if I would like to go to a theater tonight. I had never been to one so I decided to go. He was going to see an old friend perform and I was just going to be with him. Funny how I am so old and yet not so wise. I can feel myself acting like an adolescent getting happy over spending time with a boy. Layla was excited for me too. She helped me pick out a nice dress. Oh how I hated frilly dresses. This one however was a nice one. It was a nice sunshine yellow with white flowers. It was a gown type dress. Reeceson was shocked to hear my lack of Social experimenting. So he wants me to enjoy every moment of time.

  So nightfall had come and I was waiting ready by the door. My hair was pinned up in a bun. I hated these too but it was seen as appropriate to go with the gown. And we weren't trying to anger the Priest anymore then he already may. I had on satin white gloves and these very uncomfortable high heeled shoes. They were white as well to go with the dress. I didn't feel comfortable but I did feel confident I would knock the socks off of Reeceson.

Once we heard a knock at the door I opened it with a smile. Reeceson stood there in his white button down shirt with a black vest and his black dress pants with nice clean crisp black dress shoes. Reeceson smiled at me.

" Well hello there beautiful" Reeceson smiled in a teasing short of way. I chuckled at his tone of voice and choice of words.

"Hello there handsome" I responded the same way he did.

Reeceson hummed as he looked over my outfit and moved inside and closer to me. Reeceson looked at me in my eyes and I shivered a bit as I felt my hair fall out of the bun. Reeceson smiled at me.

" There. Now you look more like yourself." He whispered to me in my ear. I could feel my cheeks warming up to form a blush on my cheeks. Reeceson moved away from me and offered his arm.

I couldn't help but to take his arm shyly and wave goodbye to Layla. We walked outside to the carriage and he helped me inside. I sat in the seat and looked out the little window. Reeceson sat across from me as the carriage began to move and steer to the Theater.

I couldn't help but to feel excited to be going out with him. I looked over at Reeceson only to find him looking at me as well. I could feel a small blush creep to my cheeks.

" Yes? Is there something on my face?" I asked him with a small concerned tone.

Reeceson chuckled and shook his head before he responded. " No, there's nothing on your face. But beauty at least. " he smiled a bit cheeky at me.

I couldn't help but to softly giggle at his words. They did indeed make me smile. "Well thank you. I am glad to be considered a beauty in your eyes. " I answered him.

Reeceson smiled at me and nodded. " I have always seen you as a beauty Mara. It took you this long to notice that is all. " he added teasingly.

I tilted my head to the side a bit confused. "Took me long to notice? I do not think you made it very easy for me to notice. "

Reeceson hummed a bit. " Shall I tell you at the end of our night together? How I feel about you that is. To make it easier for you to notice."

I cleared my throat a bit and nodded. " Yes, then perhaps I can reveal something to you as well. So that you are no longer guessing or feel like you've been kept in the dark. " I responded to him.

Reeceson nodded. " It's a promise then. " He smiled at me.

Soon we arrived at the theater house. Reeceson helped me out of the carriage. I held his arm as I looked around. It seemed like tonight was a very important night. Everyone was very dressed up nicely. What was a bit worse was that we saw the Priest here as well. He was chatting with the others and we tried to avoid his eyes and continued to walk inside.

The theater house was big and was painted cream and beige. The stage was a bit smaller than I imagined. But I guess it was made that way for more seats to fit inside. The seats were cream colored and each seat also had a number on the arms of it. Everyone of course had a ticket with their seat number on it. Me and Reeceson seats were in the front unfortunately they were three seats away from the Priest. We couldn't show our disappointment and or fear. We just kept our eyes to the front and chatted quietly to each other so no one could bother us. Unfortunately that did not stop the Priest from seeing us and walking over to us.

" Oh Hello Reeceson and Marabeth, was it dear? So lovely to see you both again. Especially you Marabeth. You look rather lovely like God intended. " He smiled a rather creepy smile at us. More importantly, me.

Reeceson greeted him with a bit of a forced smile. " God bless Priest. It's nice to see you again as well. I did not know you fancied these types of events. We would have invited you out with us. The More the merrier" He said as he looked over at me. I nodded with a slight smile without saying anything.

The Priest nodded with a sly smile. " Yes, I would imagine so. I would indeed love an invitation the next time." He said softly to us. It was almost like he didn't want anyone else to hear him.

Reeceson nodded with a smile. " Of Course Priest. I will make sure to invite you to such festivities. " He said, trying to sound earnest.

I added reassurance with an extra nod myself. " Yes of course. If we like this one we will be back soon"

The Priest smiled at the both of us as he went back to his seat and sat down. Some other people came up to him to speak with before the show started. Reeceson sighed as he leaned back in his seat a bit.

" Mara, we really have to be careful. I will not change you but you have to watch your tone and body language when speaking to him. Anything can set that man off " Reeceson whispered in  urgency to me.

I sighed and leaned close to him " I am sorry. But I don't like being nice to people like that. It sickens me. " I said rather harshly. " I want to be safe and not cause you, of all people, any trouble. But something just doesn't seem right with him '' I said cautiously.

Reeceson nodded and looked around slightly. " Yes I know," he whispered back to me. " Let's just try to enjoy the play for now. " He said, moving to hold my hand gently in his. I gave him a nod and settled in the seat.

Soon the lights fell to a slight dim and the curtains opened to reveal more of the stage. I got comfortable as I watched eagerly awaiting the actors. As the show progressed the play was about an older widow who finds a child after losing her husband in the war. She raises the child as her own, watching him grow into a fine young man. The young man only knew nothing but kindness and was grateful to the ederly woman for taking such good care of him all of this time. Unfortunately they were starting to go poor and the only way to make good money was to be enlisted in the war. The ederly woman did not want that for her son. She didn't want him to die in the war like her husband. The son was determined to join to make their life better.

  While he was off in war however the edlerly woman couldn't take the heartache and died in her home. Once the young man returned to an empty home he realized that the money he made would be spent on nothing as he felt lost without the elderly woman. He spent his days in sorrow until he was an older man. As he too also found an abandoned child. He smiled and couldn't help but thank god it was a little girl. She would be his company from now on and felt a sense of familiarity between her and the elderly women. She was still watching over him even now.

Once the play ended the lights brightened and the curtains closed. Everyone was clapping because of the good performance. Me and Reeceson clapped as well. I was so moved by the performance that I couldn't help but shed a few tears for the ending of it. The actors bowed and exited off the stage. Everyone began to make their way towards recession. Where there were light drinks and refreshments. Me and Reeceson stayed close to one another as we went to say hello to his friend who played the Young Male in the play. Reeceson congratulated him on the performance. I congratulated him as well and commented that the play was very moving to me. The Young actor explained that he had a good time playing the role. He had to really feel the character.

Once Reeceson finished chatting with his friend while I looked around sipping my drink. I didn't wonder from his side like I normally would have by now. Reeceson said he had to use the restroom before we left. He really didn't want to leave my side. I would stay right here and not move, I told him with a small smile. Reeceson smiled and leaned over to kiss my cheek and nodded. He told me he would be right back. Soon as he was out of my sight I stood there looking around at everyone.

They all seemed to be having fun and enjoying themselves. I wish I could be like that as well. I had to be alert now that I was alone in a way.

It wasn't long before I felt a shiver down my spine and felt the presence of someone standing behind me. I took a small breath and turned around slowly.

The Priest smiled at me politely. ' Hello Marabeth. Nice to see you again." he said softly.

I cleared my throat. " We just met for a few moments before the play Priest " I responded to him. The Priest nodded with a smile as he sipped his water.

" That is true but it did seem like a while " He responded again.

This man was relentless. It was worrisome and creepy. " Well we will be leaving soon. So I'm sure we won't meet again until Sunday service." I answered

The Priest hummed and nodded slowly. " Yes you are quite right my dear young one. But i don't not see Reeceson around. Where could he have gone?" he asked me with a hint of slyness. His eyes looked at me like a Predator watching the movies of his prey.

Suddenly a realization crossed my mind. Reeceson was gone for a while. I looked around quickly and then back at the Priest. Who just stood there watching me as he finished his glass of water. "What have you done?" I said quickly in a hushed voice before rushing away.