I duck as another spear comes my way and hits the window. When I look outside, there are masses of people walking in prayer, holding candles and reciting hymns. They have no idea what's going on in here.
"In the holy name of Wonderland!" The Pillar chokes another Red to death. I catch his eyes while he enjoys his kill. But suddenly his face changes. He tosses his victim to the floor and runs on the church's banks toward me with that expressionless face again. It's like I am looking at death in his eyes. I don't know what's gotten into him, but I am paralyzed with fear again as he hops like a rabbit on the tips of the banks. He lands before me, pulls my head down and slashes his hose at one of the Reds who was about to kill me.
"If I were you, I'd start to use the privilege of having a Certificate of Insanity and kill some Reds." He takes a drag from his hookah, before he slashes the hose at another Red. "Look at them,” he holds the hollow red hood in his hand. "They are the best kill. It's like they have never existed in the first place. A perfect crime."
"Stop talking and come and help me!" Fabiola demands from afar, still sword-battling a few on her side.
"She takes her job very seriously," the Pillar winks and runs off.
I kneel down and look at the red hood in my hand. I don't know what to with it, but it looks like I could use it. One of the Reds approaches me and I hit him with the umbrella between his legs. He screams in pain and his hollow hands reach between his legs. He lets out a big whiz then says, 'Jub Jub' in pain.
"Pull the umbrella tighter so the hook totally destroys him," the Pillar says, standing behind the podium now. I do, and the Red man falls to the floor like the rest. "Ladies and gentlemen," the Pillar shouts, his hands on the church podium. "I am Pillar the Killer. Approach me and I will go off with your heads." He adjusts his tie as he got the attention of most Reds darting his way. "Always wanted to say 'off with their heads’ in a church," he murmurs and starts fighting.
I keep hitting Reds with my umbrella. It's one hell of a strong umbrella, but I am not sure Fabiola gave it to me for that purpose. In a flash, I find her behind me as she pulls me away. She stabs a number of Reds on the way as she tucks me into a confession booth. "It's better you stay here until this is over," she says.
I hold the door before she closes it. "Be careful, White Queen," I grab for her free hand. “I...I mean: we need you.”
She smiles broadly, as if no one has ever appreciated what she does.
"I have to kill them fast," she says. "I have to attend prayers in a few." She slams the door behind her.
In the darkness of the booth, the screen on my left opens. A pair of curious eyes look through. They don’t belong to the Reds, because these eyes have a face.
"Hey Father, are you there?" a boy says. I recognize the voice. It's the annoying and arrogant Jack Diamonds.
Chapter 50
"I am, my son," I do my best to sound like older folks.
"What's with your voice, Father? Ah, it must have softened from gazing at the holy face of the Lord,” Jack says. He's dead serious. I didn't know he has this side to him. "Tell me Father. What does he look like?"
"Who?" I frown in the dark as I hear the battle taking place outside.
"The Lord, Father. I bet he is a cool guy, right?"
"How dare you even think to speak of the Lord?" It takes all the breath in my stomach to imitate such a voice.
"Oh, I am sorry." Jack's eyes are trying to see deeper through the dark. "You see, I came to ask your opinion on something. I am in love with a girl. Her name is Alice. Alice Wonder. She is awesome, like marshmallow awesome."
I don't say anything or I will laugh. I am not affected by him saying he is in love with me. I don't even know him, and he is weird. Also, I think he is a player. Good-looking guys like him must have a lot of girlfriends.
"I am crazy about her," he says. "I mean, really. I have no idea why. You know what I think, Father? I think she is insane. Like, really insane. Tooty fruity insane."
"Then why are you telling me this?" I cough to hide my voice.
"I thought you could talk to her about me. Tell her that I am a great guy. All I need is a date with her."
A spear smashes through the confession room and hits the wall behind me, right behind my ear. I scream.
"Father? Seriously, something's wrong with your voice," Jack says.
"I'm not a Father, you annoying stalker!" I yell at him.
"Alice? What are you doing here in the Vatican?"
"I was going to ask you the same question," I bang the door open. Fighting the Reds is much better than talking nonsense to this Jack Diamonds.
"Use the hood," he tells me when we're outside.
"Can you just go?" I bang one of the Reds with my umbrella.