Sister Lupe stood silent outside Father Ronaldo's chamber. He had been praying for hours and when Lupe asked to join he refused. Stating that the goddess speaks to me. Only I am worthy to appear before her. Lupe couldn't help but feel hurt by his words. It was true that the Green Lady had appeared once before to prophet Gonzalo, a man. And now she was working through Ronaldo who was also a man.

  She clasped her hands together and said a prayer. A plea to be allowed to be used by their Goddess. So that she may better serve Father Ronaldo and their new converts which was growing at a steady pace. Many were poor and had next to nothing but other religions started with more or less the same. If those false religions could get started with the homeless then why not the truth?

  Holy mother. The creator of our world and the giver of the Miracle Forest. Hear me as I cry out to thee. Allow me to be filled with your presence. And may your holy fire purify me of any leftover sin of the world. So that I may see your wisdom and seek your plan.

  A thud erupted from the chamber. Father Ronaldo's voice turned into a moan. Sister Lupe couldn't help but feel that he may need her help. But when her hand landed on the door his voice echoed in the other end.

  “Stay out! Only I am allowed to commune with our Goddess. All others will fall and die if they enter.”

  Sister Lupe felt the fear of her Goddess fill her like water in a ditch. As Ronaldo’s moans grew more frantic and louder Sister Lupe was forced to step back and have faith. But the word felt rotten to her. Like its meaning taken and turned to something she no longer recognized. She turned and began making her way down the hall and towards the living room when she heard a female's tone on the other side of the door. Sister Lupe bit her lip and walked away.

  On the table she saw names scribbled on pieces of paper. It was the list of new converts and a list of recent donations to the church. Sister Lupe found it ironic that Father Ronaldo had started calling this newly found sect a church. The man has been working hard at getting the message out but has done next to nothing when it came to guiding his flock. That duty was thrown on top of her and she felt the pressure weigh on her mind.

  Sister Lupe closed her eyes and said a prayer.

  “Excuse me sister.”

  Sister Lupe jumped in her chair. “I'm sorry, my child. I didn't—” When Lupe looked up to see the source of the voice she was taken aback when her eyes met the lady's beautiful face.

  She wore a red dress with her hemline coated in an emerald green color. Her hair was black and flowed down to her hips. Compared to everyone Lupe had met in the city, including herself, she guessed she had the coin to condition and wash her hair daily.

  “Can I help you child? Are you part of the new movement?” Lupe asked. She had met all the new converts. Perhaps she missed one.

  “Sister Lupe, Guadalupe is that right?” The young woman asked in a soft gentle voice that spoke in a way a mother would to her child.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “That's right.”

  “Do not be afraid. For what I'm about to tell you may surprise you.”

  “I don't understand. Who are you?” Lupe asked as she stood up from her hair. She held a hand up to her chest. A habit of hers when confused or frightened.

  “I have heard your prayers.”

  When Sister Lupe blinked she was surprised to find herself laying on the wooden table. She had fallen asleep. She looked around for any signs of Father Ronaldo but only heard silence.

  She wondered if what she saw was truly a vision or a dream. No female has ever been blessed with the opportunity to be a prophet. Not from any of the religions in the city. Could she be the first? Or was her dream induced by her earlier prayers? A trick of the mind? She couldn't linger long in thought as a man crashed through the door to Father Ronaldo's home.

  “Sister Lupe! I bring word.”

  Sister Lupe rubbed the sleep off her eyes and soon recognized the man standing before her.

  “Brother Adán! What word do you bring to us?”

  Adán shook his head. “I must get this to the father. Is he here?”

  The sound of Ronaldo's moans played in her mind. She didn't want the new converts to find out what he has been doing as of late. It was too soon for their minds to understand Father Ronaldo and the way the green lady works through him. Green lady. The woman in her dream. Could they be one and the same? Was her prayers heard by the Goddess herself? Was she chosen to pick up where Father Ronaldo left off in his drunkenness? She formed words on her lips but lacked the air to make them audible.

  Aarrrrrgggghhhhyyyeeeeeeeeeaaaaa! Sister Lupe and Adán both turned their heads down the hallway leading to Father Ronaldo's chambers. Then faintly, Sister Lupe could hear the woman's moans mix with his. She bit her lip and she could feel rage boiling up to her head.

  I have chosen you. I have chosen you. I have chosen you, Guadalupe. The words banged in her ear over and over until it was all she could think about. Father Ronaldo has fallen to temptation and lost the grace of their Goddess. It was up to her to set things right. She felt her heart break for the man she loved since childhood. But the pain lasted but a moment. As Lupe saw a ray of light fall from the ceiling. As if blessed by the Goddess. She was chosen!

  “Adan! Tell me what news you bring, my child. I will decide—on behalf of the father.

  “Sister…”

  “Call me, Mother Lupe, child.” Lupe walked up to the young man and placed her hand on his shoulder. “Do not be afraid. For we are in the presence of our Goddess, child.”

  Adán nodded. “The boy—zapojin. They found him. He is being held by the guards.”

  “Who has told you this?” Lupe asked.

  “One of our brothers among their ranks. A newly converted like us. He went to many lengths to bring us this message. But we must hurry. Time is of the essence.”

  Sister Lupe could feel words brimming within her. Just like the prophets of old, the Goddess was working through her. Giving her wisdom and power over the flock. “Do not fret, my child. We shall fulfill the will of our goddess. Gather the others and let us make haste.”

  Adán ran off and Guadalupe was left alone once more to linger in her thoughts. She was going to take the church where the father had failed. She was the Green Lady. For she worked through her.