The Comeback Protocol Episode 10: Resurrection

Resurrection of Our Lord Parish sat in the middle of a mostly Irish neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia. The Church, rectory, and elementary school were all on a single block across from brick split-level homes. Small patches of grass served as front yards; each no bigger than 20ft by 20ft. Some yards were tightly manicured with pruned bushes, browning in the fall weather. But most were unkempt. Hedges were overgrown, dog waste checkered bald spots of dirt, and littered plastic bags and styrofoam cups decomposed into the earth.

The grounds of the parish hardly looked different. Broken concrete stretched down the sidewalk, dead grass hung over the curb, and dusty windows covered the walls of the school and Church. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia was losing the fight to scandal and budget cuts.

Luke and Cody turned onto Shelmire Avenue at 11:27 AM. Luke parked the car in front of the small stone rectory on the corner. He turned the radio off and cleared his throat. “We’re here.”

Cody jolted awake in the passenger seat.

Luke inspected the rectory through the car window. The windows and much of the front door were obstructed by a maple tree in the front yard. “I’m not sure what to expect, exactly,” Luke said. “What now?”

Cody rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands before surveying the street. “We knock on the door and go in,” he replied.

“Right,” Luke said. He was nervous. He had no idea what waited for them inside the rectory. 

What wild, unbelievable new truth would he learn? He had to remind himself to breathe. 

“Listen, Cody. Before we go in -”

“They're not going to be happy that you’re here,” Cody said. “When we get inside, you need to keep a low profile and follow my lead. You got that?”

Luke didn’t know what to say. Cody used to hide in his room when company came to the house. He used to bury his head in a pillow when they watched scary movies. Now, he was so fearless. Luke nodded his head, and the two got out of the car.

Cody led the way to the rectory and climbed the steps to the front porch. Luke followed closely behind; his hands in his pockets. He stopped at the steps and waited. 

“Is there like a secret knock or something?” Cody opened the storm door and knocked plainly.

“Guess not,” Luke said to himself. 

He felt his heart beating against his chest. He fumbled around in his pockets, double-checking that he had his wallet, keys, and cell phone - trying to drain the nervous energy.

Should he be doing something? Should he have something prepared to say? Could it be a trap? What if they turned on Cody? What if vampires came to the door? What would Luke do? What could he do?

The front door opened and a man stepped out of the darkness and onto the porch, pushing Cody back a step. He was middle-aged- early sixties by Luke’s estimate. He had dark thinning hair on his head and thick glasses that rested on a bulbous nose. His dark, bushy beard was slowly being taken over by gray. He wore a button-down shirt over his round belly that tucked into cargo pants.

The man looked down his nose at Cody with a grimace that conveyed skepticism and displeasure. He tongued the inside of his cheek as he examined the boy. Finally, he spoke.

“You’re late.”

“Kiss my ass, Mingo. Our Chicago guy was compromised.”

“They’re all compromised,” the man said, finally stealing a glance at Luke. “It’s the times we live in.” 

The old man’s scowl relented and was replaced with a smile. He grabbed Cody by his collar and hugged him. “Ten years away from you is not nearly long enough, my friend” he joked.

“Ten years away from me doesn’t have to mean ten years away from the gym, old man.”

“Goddammit, I missed you.”

Relief washed over Luke. Whoever this man was, Cody was confident he was a friend. Luke finally felt safe.

The old man pulled Cody inside. “Come, let’s get you something to eat before debriefing.”

Luke stepped onto the porch to follow them in, but before he reached the door another man stepped and stopped him. This one was in his 20s and in far better shape than the older man. He dressed in all black from his sweater to his cargo pants, down to his boots. He planted a hand in Luke’s chest, knocking him back off the porch. The man followed him onto the walkway.

Luke argued. “Hey man, I’m with-”

“Not anymore, you’re not,” the young man said. “End of the line.”

Luke shook his head. He was a full foot taller than the man in black, and likely 100 pounds heavier, but he knew he was outmatched. The man looked like military.

“What are you talking about?” Luke asked. He called into the rectory. “Hey, Cody! Come get your guy here.”

Cody stepped out onto the porch. 

“Acólito,” Cody said. “Luke’s with me.”

The man kept his eyes fixed on Luke. He shook his head only slightly. “I’m not an acólito.”

“No?” Cody shrugged. “Cazador, then. Let him pass.”

The cazador didn’t flinch. “The protocol states that no errant or collateral-”

Cody jumped off the porch and grabbed the man. He stood on the tips of his toes and pointed his finger into his face. “Hey, asshole! I don’t know how long you’ve been out of training, but I guess you missed something. I outrank you. You do as I say.”

“You don’t outrank the protocol,” the cazador said, unmoved.

“I’m the protocol!”

Domingo ran back outside to the sound of the commotion. “What are we doing, gentlemen?” he asked urgently.

Cody shoved the cazador. “This jackboot is defying orders, Domingo. What’s wrong with him?”

“Keep your voices down,” Domingo hissed. “Everyone inside. Now!”

Cody shoved the cazador once more before walking back inside. 

Luke waited for the cazador to retreat before he followed. 

As Cody stepped onto the porch, Domingo called out to the cazador. “Hugo, take Luke downstairs to holding.”

“Yes, señor,” the cazador said.

Luke halted in his tracks. Holding?

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