BLACK BIRDS IN MAHLA'S EYES
Prejudice

Father Samone could not remove the shadow of the black wings from behind Mahla's eyes after his visit from their home. He avoided Jerry's triumphant grinning gaze at her. The pastor refused Jerry's offer to take him back to the presbytery. He wanted to clear his mind by walking alone.

What did I see exactly?

Father Samone again held the cross pendulum in his silver necklace. The tip of his finger palpated the rough amethyst surface that was implanted around the sisian of the cross. He got the necklace at the time of his ordination, a friend and mentor in the diocese gave it as a memento.

There was a subtle and faint feeling each time he touched his hand on the body of the cross. It was as if his old friend was there to accompany him in the way of God that was never easy, sometimes even very lonely.

He saw with his own eyes that Jerry's words were true.

Have you heard the stories of the black birds in Mahla's eyes?

Jerry asked when the man first came to him. At that time Father Samone did not consider Jerry's speech as something serious. Jerry could have been looking at his own imagination.

That girl can communicate with the dead, Father.

Jerry said in his memory. Again, the pastor ignored Jerry's words, believing God created man with all his advantages and disadvantages, and, throughout his observations, the girl never did anything alarming, such as misleading the people, or open up a magic practice, for example.

People who have come to him are said to always see a flash of black wings inside Mahla's eyes as she begins to use her powers in connection with the spirits of the dead. Some even felt the girl was able to see their entirety, past events, even future flashes!

Isn't that what they were looking for by coming to Mahla?

he remembered himself refuting all of Jerry's utterances that sounded completely ridiculous. He was tired and Jerry was still stubborn. To be honest, Father Samone did not see any serious problems as Jerry complained. Moreover, the man had been their neighbor for quite some time, there should be nothing else for him to worry about regarding Marya's family.

Father Samone did not respond to all of Jerry's words, until in the end, he saw for himself, in the pair of eyes the girl was covered in black wings flapping boisterously as their eyes clashed against each other

Something possessed the boy, Father. We don't want demons to walk the earth, do we?

Jerry's words before parting with him again rang in his mind. Fretfully, Father Samone stepped foot into the simple rectory he had lived for over twenty years. He unravels the memory of the Yosiah family which is not like the family in general, but also cannot be seen as a family to watch out for because it is dangerous.

He remembered Magdalene Josiah, whose smile was so bright. The generous lady had bright red hair as the color of Mahla, and an aura of kindness emanated very clearly from her. Despite holding firm to her pagan beliefs, she allowed Marya, her only granddaughter, to embrace Catholicism shortly after the church was established there.

But now he can not ignore the incident on the veranda of Marya's house just like that. Both of them appeared so suddenly and looked very suspicious. Not to mention the behavior of his second child is very strange. The young man seemed too intelligent for a man who supposedly suffered from mental illness. Father Samone observed how Melekh's view was far from "behind".

Then the cat also looked very strange, how could an animal just be glued to one figure - Jerry, for so long?

*

Mahla was pensive to see Father Samone's sudden departure. “Am I wrong?” Mahla asked Melekh who was still playing his fingers as if he wanted to reach for the moon. Their mother was still with them on the porch, but something seemed to be troubling her mind to the point that she did not respond at all to Mahla's remarks.

Melekh still did not react as Mahla held her shoulder slowly. “You remember, Melekh? This scarf is very similar to what Nana usually wears, I do not know where it came from, suddenly I held it on my way back with mom.” Mahla is at length. With the tip of his eyes he could catch a glimpse of his mother's face that seemed convulsing, like he was realizing something terrible.

“I shouldn't have let the fog out.” Whisper of his mother. As if talking to himself. “What does that mean, Mom?” Mahla asked confusedly. His mother looked confused and disoriented.

“What do I do?” Ask her mother in a panic. The woman began to pacing uneasily as she clutched the rosary around her neck. “I have sworn! Never get in touch with anything as mystical as Nana did!” The woman was very frightened. As if there was an invisible rope moving her body, the woman moved to and fro uncontrollably.

“Quiet first, Mom, explain what exactly?” Mahla asked as she shook her mother's body slowly.

“Punishment is coming, punishment is coming because I dare to use that damned power again!” His mother cried while scratching her hands continuously. Something he does when he's panicking or scared.

Mahla has never seen her mother lose control, that night it seemed like her mother's world was tipping back in an uncertain direction. “I will be punished, I will be punished.” Whisper his mother over and over again. Mahla looks at Melekh, whose attention is turned entirely on his mother.

“I must ask for confession. I sinned, I was very sinful.” His mother muttered as she began to moan. Mahla tried to look into her mother's mind, but just as she was about to concentrate, Melekh's hand hit her hard. His twin sister shook her head in disapproval, but Mahla decided she would not stay there.

He began to look at his mother's eyes sharply, with all his abilities, he tried to reach his mother's mind that suddenly shrunk.

*

Marya saw Father Samone catching a flap of black bird shadows in Mahla's eyes, and the woman was horrified as her gaze rubbed with the priest. Father Samone looked at her with an as if accusatory look, as her dead husband used to do.

Marya couldn't stand it. He felt really dirty and dirty. He should be able to guide his two children away from the magic that his grandmother inherited. He should be a role model for his children to no longer be in touch with the world of the dead.

There's only God who can take care of you, Marya! Keep that in mind! You are guilty of associating His power!

Her husband's voice kept ringing in her ears. “I sinned and despised. I am guilty..” Marya said repeatedly. He ignored Mahla who shook his body many times. In his eyes was only the punishment he would receive. Skin belt scuffing. Iron pole punch. A ceramic plate throw that left a gaping wound on her temple.then further, the rough hands of her father tried to reveal the long dress she was wearing.

That woman is a despicable and sinful creature, I purified you here first, sweet child. 

The wounds on Marya's body seemed to all simultaneously open, from within, Marya felt a torrent of pain she had endured throughout her age.