Cain turned around and jumped back.

The priest!

"Sorry, did I surprise you?"

"Uhm no, Sir — my apologies. I was lost in thoughts."

Cain looked around and jolted again. Where the heck is Abel? Wasn't he right here?

Father Sebastian laughed.

"Looking for your brother?"

"Uhm, yes, Sir."

"He left a while ago. I spoke to you both, but you were just staring at the altar. He tried asking you if he could play tag with the other kids too — but you just stared blankly. So he left."

Cain blushed.

"Ah, sorry."

"Don't sweat it. Cain, right? Can we chat for a bit?"

Cain nodded. The priest sat next to him.

"I heard you twisted your knee. How was it?"

"It feels much better now. I can even run — not for too long, though."

"Is it permanent?"

"Yes. They thought it was just the knee-cap, but my lower left leg was also completely twisted."

The priest sighed. If only they had started earlier in the raid—

"But that's ok!"

Cain jumped up, squatting with one leg.

"See, I can even do a one-leg squat! Even if one of my legs is permanently damaged, I can train other parts to be stronger!"

But a permanent damage on one leg is still crucial, given his orphan status—

"There are a lot of professions too! I know for sure that I won't win a running competition as long as there's Abel — so I don't think two perfectly functioning legs are important, are they?"

Father Sebastian laughed.

"Ok, ok, kid — you proved your point. You can rest your poor right leg now."

Cain smiled, returning to his seat.

The priest smiled bitterly. He's one sharp kid, isn't he? It might be why he was the only one chained up — but he had a feeling that this kid would be one of the ones who made it farthest in life.

They sat in silence for a while.

"You were staring at the cross, right?"

"How did you know?"

"You and your brother got those wide expressive eyes. He was probably staring at Liam's swollen cheek."

That's... accurate.

"I'd also like to apologize on behalf of Liam. At least before you opened the Bible."

"Wait, why?"

"Uhm, nothing."

Cain paused.

"Who is that man? Why is he nailed on the cross?"

"Would you like the short answer — or the whole story, kid?"

Cain thought for a while. He did have a lot of questions.

"The whole story, Father. I'd like to know everything."

"Then it'd probably take months for me to complete it. Are you up to it?"

"Yes!"

"Well, our first lesson starts tomorrow after lunch, then."

Before he left, Cain turned again.

"Uhm, Father? Can I have an answer to one of my questions, at least?"

"Sure."

"Thank you for helping my brother and I. I have never imagined such a life in the camp. And when I saw the news today, I felt a strange feeling. Relief — but it all felt unreal. Why did you help us? I heard you opened the orphanage out of your own struggles — why did you do it?"

Father Sebastian chuckled.

"Well, Cain — to answer that, I'll have to answer one of your earlier questions. That man on the cross — he's Jesus. He died there to save the world. I've always wanted to do the same — to save the world — but I'm only human. So, I thought — and always hope — that by helping orphans the best that I can, I can at least make the world smile a bit more."

Cain's eyes widened in wonder.

His heart wasn't soothing like it did when he woke up from the coma — it was burning.

And that day, he found his lifelong dream.

December 24, 20xx.

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