Kipling has a minion!

Hayden the White Winged Dove

poor father kipling

Father Kipling was a faithful man of the cloth. His dark hair was combed back except for a small lock that casually fell over his face. He preached and lived in a beautiful old Victorian church. He was respected and loved by the community and was viewed as an honest and trusted man. Father Kipling kept to himself most of the time, keeping the church clean and the doves fed.

One cold, autumn evening while the church was empty, a young drifter wandered into the small community. He went to the church in hopes of a place to rest. Kipling greeted him with a smile, and offered him a hot cup of coffee. He told the Father that is name was Hayden. He was thin with scruffy blonde hair, maybe in his early twenties. His eyes were soft and saddened, but there was still a small flicker of spirit in them.

They sat in the pews and talked. He spoke of all the horrible things he had been doing to earn money, turning tricks and moving drugs. "God will always love you no matter what." he told Hayden, comforting him. Kipling allowed Hayden to stay the night in a spare room in the church. Later that night, around one AM, Hayden snuck into Kipling's room. He climbed into his bed. Startled, the Father woke to the sight of Hayden leaning over him.

"H-Hayden, what are you doing?" he choked out.

"I wanted to thank you for your kindness Father." replied Hayden. His hand slid up the Father's chest. Kipling moved up further on his bed, he tried to pull away from the sudden temptation that presented itself.

"Hayden!" stuttered Kipling. "I've made a promi-."

Before Kipling could finish his sentence, Hayden leaned up and kissed him. Kipling froze, torn between his faith and his desire. Slowly, he reached around Hayden's slender body and returned the kiss. Kipling broke his promise to the church, to god, that night.

For two months, Hayden lived at that church with Kipling. They hid their forbidden relationship from the world; but it wasn't long before Kipling started feeling the cold shadow of doubt upon his shoulders each day Hayden stayed there with him. He loved his faith...but he also loved Hayden. He began secluding himself from everyone, becoming distant from the world.

The people of the community became worried and among other things, suspicious. Many had seen Hayden at the church, sweeping the stoop or cleaning the windows. One afternoon, Thomas, a regular churchgoer of the community paid a visit to Father Kipling.

"Father?" Thomas asked as he approached Kipling in the church pews. He had his head down, as if he was praying. "Father?" Thomas spoke again, "Father, I need to speak with you."

Kipling slowly lifted his head from his hands and turned to Thomas. "What is it Thomas?" replied the father, his face filled with pain.

"Why have you been so distant? What has you so troubled?" Thomas asked with concern.

Kipling returned his gaze downward and spoke softly, "...it's nothing. I...just have a lot on my mind."

Thomas didn't believe him. "Father, we are all worried for you." he replied.

As they exchanged words, Hayden walked out of a back room with a bucket of water and a rag to wash windows with. Thomas looked over at Hayden with a suspicious eye.

"So... who is this boy that is staying with you, Father?" he asked.

Kipling paused, glancing over at Hayden. "He's a runaway that just needs a safe place to stay. That's all." he replied.

Thomas looked down at the father for a moment, then with a sigh, he turned to leave. "Well father, I hope you are feeling better soon. Have a good day." he said as he left the church. Kipling didn't say anything as Thomas left.

As weeks went by, and the church services started changing. The Father's sermons became depressing and the towns people began to worry more and more about him; he never used to be so full of sadness. Even though Hayden was slowly tearing apart Kipling's hold on his own life, he had so much love for the young man.

Months continued to pass, and Hayden had been staying with Kipling for almost a year now. The days seemed to bleed together for Kipling now. Something inside Kipling was coming undone. He sat outside the church on the steps leading into the small and peaceful cemetery, his forehead resting on his hands. Hayden came walking from around the corner after finishing up his chores. He stopped and looked down at Kipling with worry in his eyes.

"Kipling...is something wrong? You've been awfully distant lately..." Hayden said quietly next to his ear. The father didn't say a word. Hayden slowly reached out and touched his shoulder out of concern for his love. He could feel Kipling sigh heavily. "What is it? Did I do something wrong? Did somebody say something?" continued Hayden, with more worry in his voice than before. He knew something was disturbing Kipling, but he felt so useless not being able to fix it. Not really knowing what to do for him, Hayden kissed his cheek and went inside.

It wasn't until later that evening when Kipling woefully walked into the church. As soon as Hayden heard the door close, followed by Kipling's foot steps, he rushed out to greet him, "I made you dinner! I sorta burnt the steak a bit...but I'm sure it's still edible!" Hayden said joyfully, holding a tray out for Kipling, his smile almost child-like. That smile used to warm Kipling's heart, but now only made it ache. Hayden set the try down at a table for him, "I'll be right back with some wine, okay?" he said as he skipped back to the kitchen.

Kipling just sighed, brushing some hair from his face. He looked down at the tray, and then grabbed the knife that was on the plate. He turned the sharp knife over in his hands. He could hear Hayden in the kitchen, humming to himself happily. Kipling watched Hayden as he came out with a glass of wine. Before he set the glass down, Hayden took notice of the knife in Kipling's hand.

He looked back up to Kipling's face, "Is something wrong? Is the steak too tough? I know it got a little over -" and before Hayden could finish his sentence, Kipling thrust the blade into Hayden's gut. Hayden's eye went wide and his smile faded. The glass of wine fell to the floor, shattering.

"You! You ruined everything!" shouted Kipling, "I had a nice, quiet life before you came along with your sin filled heart!"

Hayden just looked up into Kipling's hate filled eyes blazing down at him. He was terrified. He gripped Kipling's shirt in his hands, "Please...I-I'm sorry..." choked Hayden, "I love you Kipling-".

Kipling twisted the blade. Hayden's arms fell limp as one final breath escaped his lips. Kipling stared down at him, still enraged. He loomed over Hayden's dead body with the knife still in his body; blood was pooled all around them. Then, as Kipling looked into Hayden's eyes, his face went white as the realization of what he had just done washed over him. He had killed the one person in his life that loved him no matter what. He pulled Hayden's body up to his chest, tears flowing down his cheeks.

"I'm so sorry...Hayden...please forgive me." he cried out. Kipling held Hayden close as he wept, but after a short while, he slowly stood to his feet; lifting Hayden's lifeless body. He carried his lover through the church and out into the cemetery. Kipling grabbed a shovel and started digging a grave for Hayden.

It was so hard to see in the darkness, but he was afraid of having a light on; it might bring attention to him. He worked long into the night digging a deep enough grave. He removed the knife from Hayden's cold body. Carefully stepping down into the grave, Kipling gently placed Hayden's body on the damp earth. He smiled through his tears as he kissed Hayden's forehead. He buried Hayden that night.

Kipling returned inside to clean up the mess, his face emotionless and tired. His mind still couldn't fully grasp the events that had taken place. He wrapped the knife up in his bloodied shirt and tucked them away where nobody would ever find them. As he sat on his bed with a sigh, the sun began to rise over the hills. Just as he looked outside, he noticed a small dove perched on the grave marker he had set up for Hayden. A single tear fell down his face as he smiled.

"I love you too, Hayden..."

credits

Art by Keshi
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