Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers – New Priest in Town

Thanks to Priceless Joy for hosting Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers.  Here is this week’s picture:

Thanks to Priceless Joy for the picture

The New Priest in Town

As the congregation took their seats, all eyes were fixed on Father Joshua, the new priest, who stood centre-stage, cloaked in black.  He was tall and lean, with a fair complexion and sullen expression.

Father Joshua took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet aromas within the church.

“He’ll be a barrel of laughs,” whispered Jilly to her mother.

“Let’s not make any assumptions until we’ve met the man,” she replied.

Father Joshua squinted and moved his podium out of the sunlight.  He tapped the microphone and cleared his throat.

“Gurda, Lorda, Thumba,” he chanted, louder and louder. Suddenly, he thrust his hands to the heavens. An icy gust of wind tore through the church, slamming windows and doors.

Unease rippled among the churchgoers as they nervously looked about.

Father Joshua’s baby blue eyes became deep wells of blood-red ink.   He smirked, revealing two large razor-sharp incisors.

“Today,” said Father Joshua, “I feast.”

Jilly screamed and reached for her crucifix.

“Fools!” laughed Father Joshua, excited by their bewilderment.  “You invited me in!”

(173 words)