Excerpt: Gabriel's Touch

He came to the church early, knowing she would be waiting. Her only clock was the meth running through her veins. Without a word he handed over the money, and she the baby, walking away without looking back.

Gabriel held the little girl in his arms. He could feel the ravages of illness in her body, the yellow tint to her eyes and the thinness of her arms. He took her small body into the brick and stained glass church, away from the cold winds.

Gabriel dipped his hand into the holy water by the door. She lay quietly in his arms as his wet fingers touched her forehead, I baptize you in the name of the Father, belly, the Son and chest, and the Holy Ghost, in the sign of the cross. He repeated the steps for himself.

He took her to the front of the empty church and knelt with her at the alter.

Let me tell you what heaven is like, he whispered softly to her. She smiled and giggled again, the sound echoing in the vast church.

“Can I help you?” asked an elderly priest, with a kindly face.

Gabriel stood easily despite the abuses of the body that contained him. “Yes, I was just asking for you.” Gabriel reached out and shook the priest’s gnarled hand, yes he was right. “My name is Gabriel, and she needs you.” He handed the baby to the priest, who looked at him in confusion.

Reaching out, Gabriel placed his hand on the man’s cheek. “God is well pleased with you.”

The priest's clear blue eyes filled with tears and he nodded. “I will take care of the little one.”

Gabriel leant over and kissed the baby’s forehead softly.

He left the church swiftly and made his way over to a corner of the parking lot by the back dumpster. Gabriel dropped to his knees and puked. Tears ran down his cheeks as he heaved until well past his stomach being empty.

He wiped his face on his shirt, not that any more stains would be noticeable, and stood. He walked down the street with purpose in his step. He had to get out of here. After a few blocks he found the subway entrance and descended into the bowels of the city.

The people here were just as packed, the touches unavoidable. The smell of evil and hatred enveloped him.