When two fates are entangled

You should simply let them be

Trying to separate them is impossible

Like removing all sand from the sea

Some knots can be untied

Surely that is true

But when it comes to the heart of the matter

Fate is something you can't undue

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Gorgeous rays of light shined through the stained glass windows, showcasing the image of Jesus Christ holding a lost lamb in his arms. Jules stared at it drowsily, getting lost in its sense of peace and comfort.

"In today's reading, Peter says to us 'Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.'"

Jules pinched her hand every few seconds as an attempt to stay awake during the priest's monotone homily. Her and her mom usually went to morning mass on Sundays but her mom saw that she was very tired and they ended up going in the afternoon. It didn't make much of a difference though. She still felt exhausted.

"Sisters and brothers, it is essential for us to always be aware that Satan is our invisible enemy every day of our lives. He is deceptive, he is real, and he is lurking around to find more souls he can bring to hell. Do not become too focused on the distractions of life that you forget he is there. How many of you have watched the movie The Usual Suspects? "

Only a few people raised their hands.

"In the movie, there is a paraphrase of the philosopher Charles Baudelaire. It is one that gives insight on just how Satan schemes. One of the characters in the movie says, 'The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.'"

The priest repeated the quote once again as an emphasis.

"If we are not aware of our enemy, we are less prepared to fight the battle. You must know who you are fighting against to even consider the chance of winning. Know that Satan is super intelligent--though he is evil, he was a fallen angel. He is a master at finding our weaknesses and waits for vulnerable moments to use against us. In times of loneliness, difficulties, and dark desire, do not let your enemy lure you into sin! Know that you have control because of the Lord's gift of free will. The devil can whisper in your ear but he cannot force you to do anything. He cannot move your hand to slap your wife. He cannot open your mouth to slander your neighbor. You get to choose. Pray to God for strength so that you use your freedom of choice for the good of your soul and for the good of others."

As hard as she tried, Jules couldn't tune in any longer. The focus she held on by a thread diminished quickly. She kept fluctuating between slumber and sober and would wake up every few minutes--or possibly seconds--with no recollection of falling asleep. Eventually, mass was over and she began her walk home with her mom.

The sun blazed high above the sky and Jules' dress was already starting to stick tightly to her skin.

"Oh sweet pea, this is why I like to go in the morning." Maribelle took a handkerchief out from her clutch and dabbed at her forehead. "This city is quite bare unlike Reville Oaks where we got all the tall trees to provide us shade. I sure do miss it sometimes."

Maribelle took a weary glance at her unresponsive daughter.

"You were quite funny today during mass. I had to keep a watch for your head because it kept toppling over so many times. My arm is still a little sore from all that workout." She tried to joke.

Jules remained silent with her gaze glued to the sidewalk.

"Honey? What's wrong?"

It wasn't until Maribelle put a hand on her shoulder that Jules snapped out of it.

"Sorry momma, did you say something? I had my head in the clouds."

"Is something bothering you baby? You know you can tell me anything."

Jules debated on whether or not she should just spill all that has happened. She wanted nothing more but for someone to tell her that everything was going to be okay.

"I've been," Jules paused, holding back on the secrets that wanted to break free.

The image of her mother's worried eyes this morning while looking at all the bills flashed in her mind.

No. She couldn't tell her.

"I just got a lot on my mind but it's nothing I want you worrying about. I got a math test this week and I'm a little nervous about it too."

"Sweetheart, it's your birthday today! This is not the time to stress about such trivial things. You must have been staying up late studying. No wonder you're so tired today. Let me give you some advice as an old lady who has gone through the struggles of both high school and puberty!"

"Momma, you're not that old."

"My wrinkles say otherwise," Maribelle smiled in relief at her daughter's giggle. "But seriously dear, if there is one thing I have learned in life, it's that you should always look at the big picture. Is it really worth tearing out your hair for a math test that you won't even remember about in a year? No! Now lets hurry home before the sun fries up my brain. You'll feel much better after eating some cherry pie!"

Jules forced a smile on her lips.

That's the issue momma. I got to make a choice that will determine the fate of the rest of my life. How can I not stress about it?

But of course Jules only kept her thoughts to herself and continued to walk with a fake smile plastered on her sweaty face.

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"Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you." Her mom cheered as Jules blew the candles on the freshly baked cherry pie.

Jules stared at the thick red sauce in the slits of the crust and felt nauseous. She wasn't fond of the color anymore.

"Momma, can I eat the pie later tonight? My stomach is not feeling too well. I think I need a little more sleep."

"Of course. I can't say no to you on your birthday. We'll just have it for dessert tonight. Let me know if you need any medicine."

"It's just a minor ache. I'll be fine," Jules replied before going upstairs.

No matter how long she laid in bed, her thoughts would not turn off. Jules turned on her side and light reflected onto her eyes. It was caused by the phone on her drawer.

Jules got up quickly and grabbed it.

She tapped her foot anxiously on the floor, waiting to see if her call would be picked up.

"Hello, who's this?"

The gentle, familiar voice brought so much joy that Jules could feel her eyes instantly brim with tears.

"Dr. Johnson, it's me."

"Jules? Oh my, I have missed you so much girly! I been waiting for your call. Reville Oaks is much dimmer without you here. How's the new town treating you?"

Hearing her good friend's voice made her so emotional that the stress and the fear spilled out along with the joy. Everything she had been suppressing piled up and broke the dam.

"Jules? Are you crying?"

Jules tried to take deep breathes, but controlling her emotions was something that did not come easily to her.

She whipped her head to the left at the sound of squawking. The same crow was still perched on her balcony. Just like last night, the crow stopped making sounds once it saw that she was okay.

"Jules? Please tell me what is wrong. You're scaring me."

"Dr. Johnson. I have to tell you something."

"You know my ears are always open for you."

This time she did not hold back. Jules told her everything. The Dealers, the Peccators, the choice she had to make--all of it. And once everything was out in the open, she felt incredibly insecure and anxious. Dr. Johnson was surely going to think she was crazy this time.

"I know it sounds insane and unreal, but I'm not eight anymore Dr. Johnson. What I'm experiencing cannot be imaginary and I know it. The things I have seen are not things that my mind is capable of making up. I know it sounds crazy--"

"Jules, I need you to describe the symbol on your neck."

Jules was startled by the question. She had expected Dr. Johnson to tell her the usual--it's not real. It's all in your head. The last thing she expected was for her to ask about such a trivial detail.

"Why does that--"

"Please Jules."

The panic in Dr. Johnson's voice made Jules refrain from asking questions and quickly oblige.

She went to the mirror and pulled down her high-neck dress. Although Abby had already informed her that only Dealers and Peccators are able to see a Dealer's marks, Jules felt uncomfortable leaving it out in the open.

She wasn't sure how to describe the mark accurately. The symbol had a considerable amount of small details within it.

"It's the letter D that is drawn in a old-fashioned gothic style with a devil's tail looped at the bottom." That was the best description she could come up with.

"Oh Lord have mercy. No, no, no, no, no." Dr. Johnson mumbled it so low that Jules barely picked it up.

"Dr. Johnson, what is it?" Jules became stiff and found herself glancing around the room. Dr. Johnson sounded like she saw a ghost behind Jules' shoulder. Jules shivered at the thought.

"Jules, is there any way you can come down to Reville Oaks as soon as possible?"

"I can," Jules gulped as an attempt to stop stuttering, "I can try, but I won't be able to until the weekend. My mom won't let me miss school without an explanation. Do you think I should just tell her everything?"

"No," Dr. Johnson answered immediately, "I think it will be safer with less people knowing. We'll have no choice but to sit tightly in our seats until the weekend."

"I don't quite understand. How is going back to Reville Oaks going to solve anything? "

Her old friend sighed deeply.

"Reville Oaks has a dark history Jules--one that is rooted to the man who has given you his mark. I was hoping you would never have to learn about it." She paused hesitantly. "I have to make a confession... I have known he was real ever since you first told me about him at the age of eight. I'm sorry for lying to you when you were young but it was the only way to get you to disconnect from him. I thought it would make him move on to a different victim, but I never knew you had his mark--that changes everything."

Jules covered the mark, suddenly frightened to even look at it.

"I don't know anything about Dealers and Peccators," Dr. Johnson continued, "but I do have some information on him--things that we can't talk about on the phone. So please, come as soon as you can."

"I'll come right after school on Friday." Jules' anxiety would not allow her to end the conversation without pressing on for more answers. "Dr. Jonson, you keep bringing up the mark. Please, I need to know what it means. I can't survive the week in oblivion. "

After a few seconds of silence, Dr. Johnson finally replied.

"I am starting to fear that his past and your past might be more entwined than what we can prepare for."

Before Jules could ask questions about the enigmatic statement, there was a knock at the door. Her mother walked in with a small slice of pie.

"Honey, are you feeling better? I'm almost done making dinner. Since it's your special day, I'll allow you to eat pie as an appetizer! Oh, my bad. I didn't know you were on the phone."

Jules couldn't talk to Dr. Johnson while her mom was in the room. They would have to put a pause on the conversation.

"Bye Dr. Johnson. It was nice talking to you. I'll call you back tomorrow."

"Please be safe and cautious Jules."

"Don't worry, I will." Jules then ended the call.

"Oh, you didn't have to end your call dear. I was just going to drop off the pie and run back to the kitchen."

"It's okay momma. I need to study and do homework anyway."

"Alrighty then. I'm glad you got the chance to talk to Dr. Johnson," Maribelle squinted her eyes, "You still look pale. Are you feeling more sick?"

"I'm okay. I'm sure I'll feel much better once I get a taste of your famous cherry pie."

Maribelle smiled and the worry induced lines besides her eyes were swept away just as Jules hoped it would.

Her mom gave her a kiss on the forehead before handing her the small plate.

"I changed up the recipe a little bit so tell me what you think later! Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes," Maribelle informed before closing the door on her way out.

Jules looked down at the red pie, making sure not to stare too long in fear that it might trigger unwanted flashbacks. She still didn't have an appetite but she would feel horrible if she didn't eat something mother made just for her.

She took a large piece of the pie and shoved it in her mouth before getting up to get her backpack. She needed to prepare for school tomorrow.

School.

A sudden realization hit her.

Was she going to have to see Dixon at school?

The pie tasted bitter in her mouth. It could have been caused by the new recipe her mother chose to use or the fact that the chaos of school life would double with his presence.

There was a good chance it was the later.