Twisted Cross

Chapter 1

    The Devil whispered to Salvador each night. Huddled in a corner of the dusty inn, he sorted trash left by pilgrims on the road to Santiago, looking for something sharp so he could set a trap. The travelers crowded into a different broken-down inn every night. When the inn didn’t smell too bad and appeared adequate, they pronounced, “God provides.” If they said, “God gives us the strength to endure,” the travelers were sure to face a miserable night. On the worst nights, Salvador managed to sneak away from the group, sleep under the stars and dream of new adventures.

   “Send him home. I tell you, the boy’s got the Devil in him,” Brother Pablo said. Fidgeting with the knotted cord he wore around his waist, he pestered Brother Daniel, who led the congregation. The Easter pilgrims traveled from Salvador’s pueblo home in Yuste, six hundred kilometers north to the Spanish Catedral at Santiago. The trip, meant to strengthen the faith of the believers, followed a historic route. Brother Daniel led every year, traveling the Camino and praying for his followers. His pale grey eyes looked straight ahead as he walked with confidence.

   “Calm yourself, Pablo,” Brother Daniel said. He held a prayer book shielding his words. “Salvador is only fourteen. I’ve heard his confession. Poor boy, one of Brother Santana’s, uh, favorites. Que làstima, so sad.”

   “The little sinner will poison all the faithful. Pobre Madre, his poor mother, first her husband, now the boy,” Brother Pablo said. He shook his boney finger in Salvador’s direction. Salvador heard every word. Did everyone think Mamà a little saint with a ceramic halo? He often overheard gossip about his sinful father and holy mother. Had his confessor, Brother Daniel, told everyone about filthy Brother Santana? Salvador would find a way to pay them all back. After thirty days of rain and mud on this tiresome journey, the sky finally began to clear. With this promise of Spring and Easter, Salvador could last another day and make it to the Catedral with enough strength to run away from everyone, for good.