"Maybe that's what they need: To stray away from a judgmental group of people who would take away their happiness and their freedom in life just because some asshole in heaven ordered them to do so. Religion brings death, confusion, wars, and hate. You need to widen that brain of yours to that fact alone."

Samael's words kept on replaying in my mind even after a long night's sleep. His words stung that not even my morning prayers could alleviate the pain. The day started dull and spiritless. The roots of my belief were beginning to draw back from its foundation thus making my tree of faith fragile.

After poking my scrambled eggs and forcing my lifeless self to eat since I don't want to waste the blessings from God, Derek took me to school. During the ride, he apologized about not being able to pick me up yesterday. I was glad that he didn't but at the same time I wished he did. I gained an opportunity to have a conversation with a man filled with mysteries but because of that, he had the chance to break through my walls and attack my faith.

"It's fine, sir. May I ask where you were?" Our house was just a 10 minute walk anyway but of course his main job was to protect me.

"Mrs. Halo told me to take her to the mall," he informed me.

What?

If mom was in the mall...who was dad with yesterday when I got home?

No...

My dad was better than that. He wouldn't cheat! He knew that adultery was a sin!

But he also knew that being greedy and taking advantage of people were sins. He always denied it, saying that what he was doing was not being greedy and not taking advantage of people. Humans tend to follow the orders of the Lord based on what they can do.

"Keetan, are you alright, son?"

I tried to calm myself. My entire body was shaking. "Ye-yes sir..."

I immediately got out of the car the moment it stopped in front of the school gates. I pulled my hoodie over my head and briskly walked inside.

I didn't want a broken family; however, I didn't want to keep this from my mom. She had the right to know. I was confident she wouldn't file a divorce. They were well aware that death must be the only thing that sets a married couple apart. I must communicate with my dad about this. He must decrease the number of sins he was doing. I can't let him ruin our family.

I wiped my tearful eyes, bowing my head and avoiding the crowd. I wasn't looking where I was going so I crashed against a student who was holding a cup of juice that now splattered all over me. His body was like a brick wall.

"Oops, sorry," Samael said. "You should watch where you're going. You look like you just found out that your dad cheated on your mom," he laughed. My eyes widened.

That couldn't be mere coincidence but I couldn't think well enough to reply.

"I...I'm sorry for the inconvenience..." was the only response I could say.

I was breathing fast. How did he know? Did he just guess? The murmurs of students about assignments, their life, and anything that wasn't related to me occupied my mind while I panicked. I clutched my head, shutting my eyes when the murmurs became directed to me now

"Have you seen the sex video of Keetan's dad and another woman?"

"Gee, I never thought our faith healer belonged to such a slutty family."

"They are a family of hypocrites. They are greedy and cheating assholes."

I couldn't take all their insults anymore. I needed to get away and get myself together. I ended up in the men's shower room near the gym. The sound of my footsteps bounced against the tiled walls. I dumped my bag on the bench, sliding down against one of the lockers.

I had never skipped class before. This was my first. I took slow breaths and thought of positive things. The Lord was by my side–there was no problem that I couldn't solve.

My Lord will be upset with me if I continue to let those people around me crush my only purpose in life. I was made to serve the Lord. I was made to be his slave and to accomplish the mission that he had given me. I must guide these people and save them from sinning. I will block out all those who will oppose my Lord's good will.

I let out a successful smile on my lips when I became victorious against the genesis of my downfall. When I opened my eyes, I saw that my bag was already gone.

Oh my Lord!

I jolted up from my position, running out to see if the suspect was still there. Because of God's grace I saw a slim figure running with his shoes grasped by his hand and with my bag held by his other hand. He galloped like a horse, speeding up when he realized that I saw him.

"Wait!" I shouted, scurrying after him.

I chased him to the street. The gap grew bigger as I couldn't run as fast. When all hope seemed to have vanished as my diaphragm seemed to near its collapse, the boy tripped on a very flat surface of the sidewalk. There were no rocks and no cracks–just a plain and smooth cemented floor.

Wow.

Praise the Father!

The boy groaned. I grabbed my bag from his hand, slipping my arms through the arm holes before assisting him up.

"Are you alright?"

He scrambled back. His pale skin glistened with sweat. His light brown locks were wind swept and his hazelnut eyes stared with uneasiness.

"Pl-please...don't report me! My...my big brother will get angry at me!" he pleaded. I put out my hand and offered him my help. He was light but he didn't seem to be starving. He was an inch shorter than me.

"Don't worry, I won't. But what made you steal my bag?"

The boy who seemed to be my age but younger cautiously grasped my hand. "I-I need money..."

"Is it for something important?" I know, stupid question but you never know if the reason for stealing was for something dumb. Our generation cannot seem to survive if they can't buy the latest video game or android phone. One hour without having wi-fi or a minute without having to scroll through facebook will make them go through a year of continuous seizures.

"I want to help my brother pay the bills...He is overworking himself..." he mumbled. He was on the verge of crying.

I glanced at him for a moment, contemplating on what to do about the situation. I brought out my wallet from my pocket. He blushed and looked away in embarrassment when he realized that there was no money from my bag. I brought out all the money I have and gave it to him without thinking that I don't have money for lunch later. I think I gave him one-hundred twenty dollars.

"I will believe that you are not lying about helping your brother but please, do not steal. Stealing is bad and our Lord will get mad, okay?" I asked him with a soft tone. He was another kid who was a victim of poverty. They may have no parents to support their needs but I still don't understand that from all the people he had to steal from, he chose me. Was he stalking me from the minute I arrived from school? I guess our car showed our status in life.

He hesitantly took the money. Guilt was painted on his expression. "Th-thank you and I'm very sorry."

I gave him a small smile. "You're welcome. I am Keetan by the way, what's your name?"

He folded the money and put it in his pocket. "My name is Abel."

I smiled from the name. Sure it belonged to a loyal servant of the Lord but who said that this boy couldn't be one? "Put on your shoes Abel, your feet will get cuts. Are you going to school today?"

He dropped his shoes on the ground. "No, my brother didn't let me since I had a fever...I was getting fevers a lot because of my weak immune system. I am a dead-weight to him."

I pursed my lips from his self-degrading. "Do you still feel sick?" I asked and placed my palm against his forehead. He had a cold and clammy skin. He seemed to have an unhealthy pale color on him. The cat and mouse chase we had must have taken a toll on his body. I started to heal him. Some redness went back on his cheeks. He sighed, leaning against my touch.

"There..." I whispered.

"How did you do that?" I hope his faith for our Father grows stronger. Based on my observation, those people who sinned a lot were those who regularly came back for my healing.

"I am a faith healer."

His mouth formed into an 'o' shape. "O-oh...I–I thought that was all a rumor."

"Are you new here?"

He nodded. "My brother and I moved here with our aunt after our parents died but then she passed away two months ago."

I patted him on his shoulder. "I'm sorry to hear that. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to approach me. I need to go now. You take care of yourself, Abel and always pray."

"M--My brother hates it when I pray. He ge–gets angry." He visibly shivered.

"Then pray where he won't see you. The Lord will help you get better when you're sick."

He looked unsure. I doubt he'd do what I say. "I--I'll try. Thank you again, Keetan!"

I headed back inside once I was sure that he was fine walking home. I checked my bag if he took anything but to my surprise, just right behind my bible, was a magazine with the front cover of a naked man. I zipped my bag in panic, looking everywhere to see if anyone witnessed such malice. I fanned my heated face with my hand, not that it did anything to give air. There was some photo that fell from the magazine onto the floor. It was Samael's selfie of himself with his tongue out. I turned the picture around and read his message.

"Hey there! I'm sorry if I said anything that made you run away. I paid this kid to put this magazine in your bag as an apology."

#Denial #Seeyouinhell #SatanFTW #Ilooksogoddamnhot

What in the world?

Samael...

A man who was really hard to deal with from the very moment I laid my eyes on him...which was just yesterday...

I feel like crying again.

Father, what should I do?