Felicity
Felicity walked about the monastery feeling so sure of herself. The coveted position of Reverend Mother would soon be hers. She had only a few loose ends to tie up. As she rounded the corner, she saw a few of the sisters gathered speaking in hushed whispers. True to form Felicity marched over with all the grace of a tank and demanded to know what they were cackling about. One of the sisters handed her a letter addressed to Felicity from the recently deceased Sister Ascenza.
She snatched the letter from her hand and dismissed the nuns. Her heart was beating furiously in her chest as she made her way to Reverend Mother’s office where she could open the letter in private. This privilege was hers as an assistant to Reverend Mother. Although she felt this position was beneath her, it gave her eyes and ears to the politics.
Felicity was a master in the art of manipulation and playing whatever role suited her needs. Having the attention of the Reverend Mother in matters of the church would elevate her position which was all part of her plan. Since she was out of town Felicity took advantage of the space. Taking advantage of something or someone was second nature to her by now.
As she opened the letter to her horror she gasps, “Impossible, this is impossible! I will have someones head for this trickery.” However, upon reading the letter a certain sense of doom descends upon all her ill gotten plans.
A letter from beyond the grave to Felicity from Sister Ascenza
Dear Misguided Felicity it is I, Sister Ascenza,
All has become so obvious now that I linger from other side. You dare return in this lifetime acting as a servant of God, making certain your hatred leached into the minds of decision makers. Despite the falsehood, their hearts broke at the hand of your vile pronouncements. There seems to be no measure to your cruel and twisted ways. Your current mission of spreading fear and lies while commanding obedience and hateful action at your behest has been successful. Then again, how can I be surprised from my vantage point. You have done this before.
Although you remain for now, you do not belong in this sanctuary. I saw what you did and confronted you. Consequently, you knew I could have you cast out. It has always been my nature to see the best in others. When you told me you were going to come clean with Reverend Mother I chose to give you the opportunity. In so doing I ignored my intuition. Big mistake! I did not realize how far you would go. Even after my death, you managed to twist the truth to your benefit. Not only are you still here but you betrayed everyone to make it happen. Hear me now Felicity!
Your evil will be exposed!
How is it possible to twist and distort the teachings of love and forgiveness making them unrecognizable? Manipulating others to do your bidding was all too easy for you. When you struck me down by your own hand I was taken by surprise. Yes, Felicity, you have blood on your hands and not just mine. Instead of growing in love you chose to become truly evil.
According to you, joy will not open heavens gate. The profane twist of your broken mind and blackened heart believes only pain and suffering will win you favor. Do you not see that this is blasphemous?
From the beyond I will shed light on all the Felicities of the world, not by name, but by vibrational signature. This is my mission and at this time I say, you will be the first.
Felicity turns the letter over with shaking hands
Ascenza continues her message to Felicity.
Clearly you never made it high enough to review and cleanse your soul the last time you perished. Redeem yourself, awaken from your grief, loss, hatred, and fear. Above all confess your sins and know that you are in a hell of your own making. Stop taking simple minds with you on this misguided journey pushing them to do your dirty work. It will keep you all trapped in this ungodly loop.
You missed the opportunity to cleanse your soul before returning this time around. From where I am I can see you clung to your sense of righteous hatred and revenge. The wicked need a complete overhaul but death was not enough for you. I did not think it was possible but you returned as wicked as before. What will it take to heal and awaken your sickly heart?
Love is the gift within us all just waiting to ripen and bear fruit. Hatred and fear keep you blind and deaf to the sight and sound so beautiful as love does produce. Although I have forgiven you, make no mistake you are being watched,
Sister Ascenza
Letter In hand
Felicity rages and begins to blame others for the letter. Her hatred is so great it blinds her to the trouble she is causing herself when she exposes the message. Unglued, her false persona of strict love and power cracks open for all to see. They witness a vile old woman with no love. The letter is the catalyst to her undoing. She feels exposed and that will not do.
At this moment, time slows down as she begins to understand something clearly at last. Things have changed. Where she saw fear in the eyes of all those she commanded and controlled, she now sees suspicion even disgust. Time regains its natural flow. She panics knowing her powers of persuasion over the flock has weakened considerably.
Desperation leads to mistakes
In her twisted desperate mind, she looks for someone to pay for this betrayal. Her words become foul as she claims the letter to be a lie. Radical actions are attracting the attention of someone who will bring her crime spree to an end. She just does not know it yet.
Felicity retreats once again to Reverend Mothers office so she can gather her wits bringing all her attention to bear on her next victim. Obviously she needs to think this through. A plan is forming. It is time to set a trap for the newest member, Sister Theresa.
Laughing as her evil plan takes shape in her twisted mind she says quietly, ” Ascenza you nosy little bitch, you cannot defeat me. Writing this before you died was quick thinking on your part, I’ll give you that. I should have stayed to watch you take your last breath. It is all your fault Sister Theresa has to die too. That little doe eyed idiot fits perfectly in my plan. She wrote the letter, yes, yes she wrote the letter and through her disgrace she takes her own life. This is almost too easy.” Felicity throws her head back as she lets out a maniacal laugh so pleased with herself.
Suddenly she stops and turns around to the sound of a voice. She sees only the statue of Jesus. Once again, she hears the message unmistakably clear. The voice is none other than Sister Ascenza. Felicity’s breath catches in her chest.
“Oh, misguided Felicity you know so little about love and life. The truth always comes out.’
In a sing song manner Ascenza whispers,”The truth is coming. The truth is coming. The truth is coming out.”
Felicity clutches her chest, heart beating so fiercely it produces a deafening sound in her ears. Her vision blurs as she falls weakly into a nearby chair.
Moral of this story is best told with a quote from Confucius
Remember : critical thinking is essential. Don’t be fooled by position, status, station or relationship. Learn how to trust your intuition. Most things are not what they seem.
Love Astara,
Felicity a work of fiction by Astara Summers
