He watched as she fled the scene.

This wasn’t the first runaway and he doubted that it would be the last. This woman, Beatrice, his only concern had been supervising her death. But things had changed when she decided to turn and run. There had been a few strange happenings for some time now. Souls due to arrive that never left this world.

No doubt she had gone to St. Thomas, like so many others. To the Padre and the other 1st Circle dwellers. He never knew what attracted so many there, only that he had to report each one to Him.

He followed slowly though he doubted she could even see him. As the church came into view he held back. This was not a place he could enter. He was not unholy, but there were rules that had to be obeyed.

As she disappeared into the church, he looked skyward. The snow was coming down more heavily now and the sky was growing brighter. Dawn was coming fast and he still had to bring news of this latest runaway.