At the Reverend's Office

13th April

Entering someone else's place is not my thing after all; hence, seeing the façade and the building's ambiance in front of me earlier presented an uncanny chill that got me off guard.

Passing the alley outside was out of the plan, but it seems unalike things enticed my being, leading me to be here inside this structure, guts, and horror being eaten up.

BANG!

Fear sensed in me upon hearing a gunshot echoing the whole building and unknown location.

"HELP!" a scream seconded that stopped me from stepping my foot another flight of steps.

"Where are you?!" A man's voice lingered, talking to the one whose screaming for help was a woman in tone.

Nervously, I decided to climb another set of steps, and the dim-lit floor of the building welcomed me. Nothing seems alive in her aside from those materials left unattended.

"Theresa!" the man's voice again. I have a hunch that they're on the upper floors finding one another.

BANG!

Another gunshot.

"Thoma–NO!!" the woman's voice piercingly shouted as she appeared in front of me, making me stumble on my feet. Terrified, I can't find my voice to utter or scream for help or someone.

"NO!" And she again screams, and a man pointed the nozzle of the gun on her forehead and killed her.

Before I could witness the scene, I closed my eyes.

Seconds after, as quiet resonated the building, even crickets feared to make a single sound. I slowly open my sight and wondered at the wooden door that emerged in front of me. It was pretty suspicious.

Should I enter?

***

Before entering the church, I stopped my gaze where I witnessed the woman who got possessed last Sunday. They say, before she entered the main church, she just became uncontrollable and started doing ruckus.

"I'll push you one by one on a cliff!"

I exactly remembered what she uttered upon entering the church. My mind seems to demonstrate again what exactly happened that day.

The demon who possessed her wants everyone to be pushed away on a cliff for what reason? And what does she mean by becoming the tribute? To whom? Her words that day sent shivers to everyone, but it seems a threat to me. Is she like telling a message of awareness or domination?

My thought stopped when I heard a shattered glass-like being broken intentionally. I saw Abella coming out from a hallway with a broom and trash bin.

"I'm sorry," she told me as she saw me. "Asst. McLinn broke her crystal glass mug."

I nodded, telling her it's okay. A crystal glass mug. How precious it was to Asst. McLinn she should take care of it.

Knocking on reverend's door stopped midway when Abella calls my attention. I'm now facing the reverend's entry, and she just appeared unknowingly.

"Why did you text me?" I asked, not minding her immediate appearance. She indeed follows me here.

"Ow, yes!" she exclaimed. "I texted you because Reverend Scott wanted to have a talk with you regarding your question yesterday. I didn't know–wait!"

I didn't let her finish talking when I immediately open the reverend's office door and slam the door before Abella's face. She's getting loud and talk too much. Is this what she is? She's giving me headaches.

Revered Scott was smiling when I turned around, sitting in his chair after the mahogany table with some files above it. She saw what I did to Abella.

"You seem close to each other." I shook my head sideways to tell him no. His smile widened. "You surely not?"

I shook my head again, and he laughs. It echoed in his office, and it's the chance I roamed my gaze. Same broad as my cabin, but neatly arranged. Two cabinets stand respectively full of books. A mini table in his left corner with a vase full of flowers and a cross figure. The ceiling just as high it is, and two windows with cream white curtains.

"Abella is changing inch by inch," he informed me. I nodded as I agree. He motioned his hand for me to sit, which I did. My heart race and nervous about what I would hear from Reverend.

"You look tense." I immediately heaved a deep sigh and composed myself. He again smiles and suddenly became serious.

"Do you have the answer?" without a second thought, I questioned. Then he handed me the papers on his table.

"Brace yourself." I certainly read this tonight.