Written for Sadje’s “What Do You See” and for
Missy’s Mad Challenge where the prompt is to
write a story about two strangers who share a
moment that neither will ever speak of again.
Also for Violet’s Literary Challenge where she asks
us to include the following line into our writing:
“After what we have seen, we can never be who we were”
by Gemma Liviero. Here’s where the prompts took me.
The snow fell without mercy on Old Montreal the night Father Ambrose stumbled into Ruelle Chagouamigon, a stolen chalice burning beneath his coat.
He nearly collided with the other man in the darkness.
Father di Pasquale stood pressed against the stone wall, breathing hard, a leather satchel clutched to his chest. Both men froze. Both men knew …. the way sinners always recognize each other.
“You’re from the diocese?” Ambrose whispered.
“Not anymore,” di Pasquale said.
The lamp above them hissed and flickered. In its amber glow, di Pasquale opened the satchel just enough. Ambrose glimpsed the edge of an ancient document …. a papal letter, centuries old, one that certain powerful men believed had been destroyed. One that could unravel everything.
Father Ambrose slowly drew the chalice from beneath his coat. It had been used, the Archbishop had confided, to seal “covenants” that God would never sanction.
Neither man had planned this exchange. Neither had planned any of it.
But standing in that frozen alley, strangers bound by matching grievances and matching sins, they understood what needed to happen. The chalice for the document. Evidence traded for evidence. Mutually assured silence replacing mutually assured destruction.
The transaction lasted eleven seconds. Their shared agreement was tacit: “After what we have seen, we can never again be who we were.”
Ambrose walked north. Di Pasquale walked south. Neither looked back.
The lamp continued burning, indifferent, casting its warm circle where two broken men had briefly stood and where the Church’s darkest modern secret had simply changed hands.
Somewhere, bells tolled midnight. And the city slept.
NAR©2026
This is “Holy Diver” by Dio
Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
God forbids forming alliances with people or gods that lead to sin, idolatry, and worshipping other deities.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“I am the Lord, thy God. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Just look at what happened with the Golden Calf. People never learn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
God saves them from the wrath of the pharaoh, and they turn their backs on him again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ingrates! Yet, they make it to the promised land …. all except Moses. I think striking a rock in Meribah out of anger was not as great as sin as creating a golden idol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think God had become such a good friend of Moses that he didn’t want him to leave.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And neither man confesses…😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would be very interesting hearing a priest’s confession, don’t you think? Thanks, Lois.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely brilliant, Nancy! Descriptive, atmospheric – a great read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m thrilled to know you enjoyed my story, dear Keith. Thank you for your lovely comments.
LikeLike
A devilish tale indeed my friend …
“If I was a painter with colours no end
I’d paint the whole thing simply again
Where everything runs into everything
Where every colour is born without sin” … from Lisa O’Neill’s song, ‘If I Was A Painter’
https://youtu.be/Aw1rW3KC6WA
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, my dear friend for that musical interlude and your lovely comments. 🥰 🎶
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always my musical pleasure dear, Nancy 🎶🥰🌏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooo, I want more, Nancy…( I sound like Oliver Twist..🍜) … beautifully held tension and drama, ….so, Penn walks away, … wondering, pondering, …and looking for that elusive answer as the bell tolls! …😉….💙
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope the bell didn’t wake you up! 😂 Thank you, dear Penn. I’m so glad you enjoyed my story. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
💫💙🤗💫
LikeLike
Hi Nancy you set the scene , the characters were perfect and the story intrigued me…You are becoming the queen of “leave them wanting more” 💜🤩
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Willow! I will gladly accept that title! 👸🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍👍👍👍💜💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nancy! This is spectacular 😍 I love writing and reading about priests! This was so intriguing I wanted more! Thank you so much for joing mee in using this week’s literary quote i
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is that you Jodi? You’re literary quote fit in perfectly with this story and I was thrilled to include it. I also love reading and writing about priests …. go figure! I couldn’t resist this one. Thanks for a great quote and for your appreciation of my story. ❤️
LikeLike