I saw the damnedest thing today.

I was hiding out in that shack I've been working on, out on the beach there, when I saw two people just come walking up out of the water! One was a man, wearing a priest robe thing, with like the white patch on the collar and stuff, and he spoke in a German accent. The other was a woman, looked and sounded Indian, like India Indian not like the tribe nearby, right, and she had swords. And that was already weird enough, since I never saw them go into the water and it's gotta be freezing in there right now, which I thought was why the priest looked so mad but then he started talking about how they could have just taken a plane and she was like "you said we couldn't take a plane" and he was like "I said we couldn't take a plane until we got you some identification" as if they just, , like, swam here from somewhere? That would require a fucking plane?

Anyway, so as they were walking they were talking about Henry and Tad Zeeo and some object they found? And how they needed to meet them? And I stayed hidden, you know, just in case, but I swear you guys, she stopped at one point and looked right at me and reached for her sword, and he was like "we don't have time," and they just moved on.

So anyway I think I'm gonna stay clear of that beach for a little while.

C. Ratz: There is also the matter of the late bishop. Available evidence suggests he was burned to death, in similar fashion as the captured priest. I suppose the best explanation is that this Barzai got to him before we could.
Fr. de Monte: It does appear that way. There was a great deal of rage directed at him from members of the cult. It seems they believe he was facilitating a number of indiscretions, which the Barzai used in his recruitment methods.
C. Ratz: Hmm. I must admit we had been looking into those accusations a bit, ourselves. They do not appear entirely unfounded.
Fr. de Monte: I do not assume this is a matter where I should push for more information.
C. Ratz: Correct. Finally, there is this matter of a...therapy organization?
Fr. de Monte: Dr. Harris is a skilled psychiatrist, and one who is aware of the forces arrayed against us. She seeks to help the victims of the cult and other supernatural threats, and I felt this goal was both noble and in line with our own purposes. I did not, however, devote any more funding than I already had under my control.
C. Ratz: We will have to consider this at greater length, but I see no reason we could not help her, at least a little. I have also approved your request to focus on research and take some initiative with future missions based on the information you find. Do you have any further questions or information for me?
Fr. de Monte: No, sir, it's all in my report.
C. Ratz: Very well. But before you go, I would like to commend you on your work.
Fr. de Monte: In sparing their lives?
C. Ratz: It shows you have matured during your time away, and I appreciate it. I also meant something else.
Fr. de Monte: Sir?
C. Ratz: There were two cups of coffee in the bishop's office, de Monte. I was given a full description of the scene, and a copy of your intended schedule.
Fr. de Monte: Sir, I-
C. Ratz: I sent you there to protect the flock. Thank you for your hard work in this matter.
Fr. de Monte: Of course.
C. Ratz:​ Dismissed.

I set the transcript down and looked across the desk at the Cardinal. His face betrayed nothing.

"It's the kid. I saw this kid, in North Carolina," I said.

"I remember your report, de Monte."

"This...this priest. Is he--"

"Short of a miracle, he will never see again. I don't know whether or not he will ever be mentally prepared to return to duty, but if so, it will be some time." He steepled his fingers on the desk and leaned forward. "Look, Benedict. After what you did, burning down that island, we had a lot of backpedaling and a lot of work to do to keep it from becoming an incident. We recognized that your report showed them to be a greater concern than we expected, but we thought we could take a more...nuanced approach."

"You were wrong."

"Let's not get prideful, Father." I nodded.

"Sorry."

"But you're right. Whatever this cult is, it's too much of a risk to send another mission like this one." He tapped the folder from which he had pulled the transcript. "It is now officially your duty to find, assess, and eliminate this threat." He slid the folder over to me. "I expect you to return, and I expect you to bring me results. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," I said, taking the folder and standing. He sighed and leaned back in his chair.

​"Godspeed."