Crimson Salvation

[Peter "The Owl"]

Peter leads the way out of the hotel and to the street. He turns right and they move a few blocks to a parking lot. Peter steps up to a sleak black van. moving around to the passenger side he opens the door for Chastity before getting in on the driver's side.

"So, what do you plan on doing here? If your going to start another kitchen then we'll have to find you a place to do it."

He starts the van and pulls out of the lot.

[Chastity]

"That is what I intend on doing. However I cannot be in two places at once. I need to find someone who will be committed to running a kitchen here. I can fund it. I have the money. I just need someone who is willing to serve."

[Peter "The Owl"]

"I don't know anyone here. You'll have to find that sort of thing out yourself."

[Chastity]

"Yes, I will have to do that by myself." I sit in the van as we drive, looking out the windsheild. If there were a place that I could go to, to find someone, it would be so much easier. But churches do not exsist anymore, and the ones that do are burned and torn down shortly after they are found out. There are so few faithful left. Those who do believe are sent into hiding or forced to give up their lives if they won't give up their beliefs.

There are many false gods about now. The largest being the government that decries religion itself. These are troubled times.

[Peter "The Owl"]

"So where do you want to go Chastity? I'm here to protect you but I can not be your guide."

[Chastity]

"That is true. You cannot." I sit and think. "You can let me out anywhere. I do not know the best place to look, so I would imagine that any place will be just as good as any other place. I will just walk around and talk to people. I do not know of any other way."

[KitsuneHime]

Suzumi glanced at the building plans, noting where space for a sick ward could be found.

She started fomrulating mental plans on which herbs she could store and where, to make various salves, balms, potions, and tictures. Hopefully there'd be modern medicine as well, but as of yet they didn't have a doctor in their midst.

She stood, and went back into the living room.

"So, what're we doing now?"

[Peter "The Owl"]

"Ask you wish." Peter pulls over and gets out, coming around to open Chastity's door. "Lead on."

[Chastity]

I step out of the van and into the snow. "You do not need to come with me, Peter. I am sure that you have many more pressing things to do than to follow around one silly girl on her crusades. I do not wish to keep you from them. You have already been such a help to me. I thank you for that."

A part of me wishes for Peter to accompany me, to be there to protect me. But even as I think these thoughts, I am struck by the realization that I am puting my hope in man instead of God. He is my protector, not Peter. Yes, God uses people to fulfill his will, but I cannot soley rely on one person.

[Chastity]

I walk away. Peter says nothing and gets back in his van. Distance separates us further with each step. Finally, I turn around, and the van is gone. I am again alone, but never truly alone. The snow crunches underneath my feet, as I leave a trail of tiny footprints in my wake.

I decide that I should try to purchase or rent some property. If there is to be a soup kitchen here, there will need to be a building. I walk around for awhile before coming to a property agency. I step inside and approach a woman wearing almost as much makeup as she has on perfume. I sit and talk with her. Her first reaction is to ignore me, she sees me as a young girl, and thus not as having a real interest in property. But after I open my bag and show her my funds, I have her attention held fast. It is a pity that only money can sway some people's minds.

I look through pictures and finally see a two story building set in the heart of Moscow. It is old and run down and set in the bad part of the city, where the dregs of humanity live. It is perfect. I sign the papers, sight unseen, arrange for the woman to have the utilities turned on, and hand over a large sum of money to the now ecstatic woman. She gives me the keys and I head out the door.

I walk to the old building. It takes awhile to get there as I seem to walk unseen past street people, huddled like catepillars encased in their cocoons, trying to escape the cold.

the key clinks in the lock, and the door squeeks open. The rooms are bare, save for a thick film of dust that covers everything, but they are large and will hold many people. There is a kitchen already in place in the lower level. I turn on the faucets and an orange grimey flow proceeds to spout into the sink. After awhile, it runs clearer, the pipes having been purged of all of the built up iron and filth.

I head up the creaky stairs. There are two rooms, one on either side of the stair well. This is wonderful. It is all that I could have ever desired for a new kitchen. There is much work to be done.

I leave the building, locking the rusty lock behind me. I saw a large government run store while trying to find the agency, I now head there. It will take many trips, as I have to carry all that I buy back by hand, but I start to build up a stock of blankets and bandages. I buy what canned goods they have avaliable, there is always so little food around. I also buy cleaning supplies, and start to scrub the dust off of the rooms.

By the time that night falls, the dust is gone. And there is a large pile of blankets and medical supplies filling the cupboards. I sink to the floor, tired from my many trips to the store, and my agressive cleaning. It has been a worthwhile day. Tomorrow will be just as busy, buying tables and chairs, and pots and pans. I will start to search out food as well. I want to have everything ready for the person that I will find to stay here and run the kitchen.

I sit there on the freshly cleaned floor and take out my book. In the last dying rays, I hungrilly read what I can. It is a bread that sustains me more than what I take in through my mouth. Once the light is gone, I start to pray.

"O my J-esus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Your Mercy. Amen."

I think of all the homeless on the streets. They are in need of His mercy.

I think of Aries, the dragon. He is in need of His mercy.

I think of Peter, the protector and fighter. He is in need of His mercy.

My thoughts linger with Peter. I almost feel lonely without him. He brings a sense of peace and safety to me. I push my foolish feelings and thoughts aside. I am never alone. He, the Lord, will be with me to the end of the age. Wasn't my Lord aquainted with sorrows? Didn't he feel alone when all forsook him and took his life? I must take joy in my loneliness, giving all glory to God. He directs my paths, and will uphold the righteous.

"Forgive me God. You are my strength, You are my light in these dark times."

I lay my head down on the cold, hard floor and close my eyes. It will be a busy day tomorrow.

[Aristarchus]

-It is the morning.

-I sit up, spread my arms and yawn. I do not sleep well as a human. Beds do not suit me. I will find a cave and make that my home.

-I can not sense Chastity. Peter must have done something. I suddenly feel angry.

-I decide to contact her with my mental powers. I may not be able to find her, but I can still speak to her.

-"Good morning, Chastity. I can not sense you. You have not abandoned me, have you? Oh...so be it. Peter has tainted you against me. He does not understand that I truly want to change. He does not know me like you know me. I can not blame him. He hates the sinner, when he should hate my sins. Dear Chastity, you see it though. You know me, that loving heart would not betray me....please tell me it has not"

[Surma]

[glow=red,2,300]I was glade to see that everything was working out perfectly as I was making the roof.Afther I was done I asked everyone,"Hey everyone!I got an idea!How about we add a meeting room?!"[/glow]

[Karhu]

The plans are laid out on a table, so I glance at them. "There has to be a training facility." Other than that, the plans look fine. I pour myself a cup of cold coffee that was sitting in the pot.

[KitsuneHime]

Suzumi nodded, agreeing with Karhu.

"We'd need a sick ward as well, to treat injuries and illnesses. And some sort of storage place for equipment, for both training and healing facilities."

She rose and asked,

"Anyone want some tea? I'm going to make some."

[Lightmer Witmer]

Lightmer dabs the sweat off of his forehead with a clean hankerchief. He regards Trent kindly yet sternly.

"I understand that you have undergone a terrrible trauma. If I were you I wouldn't want to cooperate either. If I were you I would want to attack me, and escape this place. But, if you do that, will your problems go away? Why ruin the one chance you have to resolve these issues?"