Chapter 551.5 - 4th & 10 (2/2)

”Thank you,” the figure said.

Melinvae looked at the vast building, flanked by three small buildings on either side. She looked at the tower and saw a figure standing on the widow's walk.

”Your brother and sister are doing well in school. You did good keeping them in distance learning classes,” Melinvae said, looking back at the massive figure in front of her.

”I know,” the figure said.

”Your baby sister begged me to take her with me,” Melinvae tried. ”She's getting big. She's in school too.”

”I know.”

”Are you ever coming back?” Melinvae asked.

There was a long moment of silence. For a moment Melinvae wondered if the figure in front of her would answer the question.

”I... I don't know,” the figure said. A red glow started to show behind the veil. ”I'm still... I'm still stuck at the lake. I'm still stuck killing,” the figure seemed to swell slightly and the eyes seemed to burn brighter even though the dark red color didn't change. ”Even now, if you took a single step forward, onto these holy grounds, I would rip your arms off.”

Melinvae nodded. ”I understand,” she turned half away, looking back down the road. ”Sometimes, some nights, I'm right back there,” she turned back and looked at the figure. ”Are you at peace?”

The figure nodded. ”Each day, it gets a little better.”

”I'm glad,” Melinvae said. She reached out carefully and put her hand on the figure's forearm. ”Be content and let your soul heal, Dambree.”

”You too, Melinvae,” the massive Hesstlan said, touching the back of Melinvae's hand with her gloved fingertips.

”I have to get back. It's a long drive and I have formation on Monday,” Melinvae said. She looked up. ”I reenlisted for another five years.”

”I understand,” Dambree said. ”Take care of yourself, Melinvae. Digital Omnimessiah and the Biological Apostles bless and guard you.”

”And you,” Melinvae said. She turned around and walked back to the car. She started it, turned around, and drove away.

Melinvae saw that Dambree didn't move until Melinvae couldn't see her any more.

Melinvae sighed and leaned back, letting the autodrive function take over.

There was always more to do.

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Dambree moved through the chapel and sat down on one of the pews. She read each letter slowly, relishing each sentence, each word, each single letter. When she was done, she folded them up and put them in the pocket of her habit.

She went up to the altar and looked up as she sank down to one knee. She bowed her head and silently prayed.

After a few minutes she felt a touch on her shoulder.

”Sister Bree, are you all right?” Mother Superior asked.

”I am content,” Dambree answered. ”My family is doing well.”

”That is all we can ask for in this malevolent universe,” Mother Superior said. ”And the rage?”

”Quieted for now by the loving words of my family,” Dambree said. ”Still there, Mother Superior.”

”Take the time for prayers, then help your sister novitiates do the dishes for tonight's dinner,” Mother Superior ordered.

”Yes, Mother Superior,” Dambree said.

The Mother Superior moved away, her heels clicking on the stone.

Dambree looked up at the stained glass window.

The fury twisted face of the Initiate stared down at her.

She bowed her head.

A heavy gauntlet gently settled on her shoulder.

”Doki o(╥﹏╥)o doki?” the youthful voice asked her.

”No. They are doing well, much better than they would caring for me while I struggled with what is inside of me,” Dambree said. ”I did not just stare into the darkness, sister, I stood within it for too long.”

”ಠoಠ ┬┴┬┴┤( ͡° ͜ʖ├┬┴┬┴ (✿◠‿◠)?” the voice asked.

Dambree nodded. ”Yes, sister. I know, even at my worst, the Digital Omnimessiah witnessed me, and through him I can find peace yet again.”

”(✿ ♥‿♥)” the voice said.

”I love you too, sister,” Dambree said.

She heard the Dying Joan move away.

And returned to her prayers.

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Tru was naked, standing in plain view as she stared out the window, watching the dark autumn night.

”Sometimes, they come back,” she said to herself.