BEAUTIFUL SERPENT

Episode Two The morning sun cast its golden rays over the pastor’s house, illuminating the modest living room where Rebecca hummed a hymn as she swept the floor. Seraphina watched her from the kitchen, her enchanting eyes flickering with an unreadable emotion. She had been in the house for a week now, and everything seemed to be going according to plan. Yet, there was something about this household that unsettled her. Rebecca had taken a liking to her almost immediately, and even the children, Daniel and Grace, adored her. They would run to her for stories and help with their chores, oblivious to the cold, calculating intent behind her warm smile. Pastor Elijah, however, was different. He watched her with quiet intensity, his eyes sharp and discerning. Though polite, there was a guardedness in his demeanor that made her uneasy. That morning, as Seraphina prepared breakfast, she decided to take her mission up a notch. She began humming a soft, hypnotic tune—one laced with ancient marine incantations. The song’s purpose was simple: to weaken the spiritual defenses of the household and open a gateway for the forces of darkness. As the melody filled the air, Rebecca paused, a faraway look creeping into her eyes. “That’s a beautiful song,” Rebecca said, her voice distant. “Where did you learn it?” “Oh, just something from my village,” Seraphina replied with a sweet smile. “It’s meant to bring peace and calm.” Rebecca nodded absently, her hands slowing as she resumed sweeping. For a moment, it seemed as though the spell was working. But just as Seraphina felt a surge of triumph, the door to the study creaked open, and Pastor Elijah stepped out. The moment he appeared, the atmosphere shifted. It was as though a fresh wind had blown through the house, dispelling the heaviness that had begun to settle. Seraphina froze, her song faltering as Elijah’s piercing gaze met hers. “That’s an unusual melody,” he said, his tone calm but firm. “It doesn’t sound like something of peace.” Seraphina forced a laugh, masking her unease. “Oh, it’s just an old song from where I grew up. Harmless, really.” Elijah said nothing more, but his eyes lingered on her for a moment longer before he turned to Rebecca. “I’ll be in the study. Let me know when breakfast is ready.” As he walked away, Seraphina clenched her fists. This man was no ordinary pastor. His presence alone seemed to disrupt her abilities, and his discerning nature made it difficult for her to operate unnoticed. Later that evening, Seraphina decided to change her approach. She would focus on Rebecca, the weakest link in the household. She subtly planted seeds of doubt in the woman’s mind—gentle suggestions that Elijah was too preoccupied with his ministry to truly care for his family. Rebecca, who had been feeling overwhelmed with house chores and the demands of being a pastor’s wife, began to entertain these thoughts, unaware that they were not her own. By the time night fell, the household was unusually tense. Seraphina smiled to herself as she retreated to her room. The cracks in their unity had begun to form, and she was confident that they would soon break wide open. What she didn’t realize, however, was that Elijah was already in prayer, sensing the darkness that had infiltrated his home. As he knelt in his study, the walls seemed to glow faintly with a divine presence. He prayed for his family, for wisdom, and for strength to confront the unseen battle brewing in his household. And as he prayed, Seraphina felt an inexplicable weight pressing down on her. The serpent had underestimated her prey. The battle had only just begun. To be continued...