Jack's Point of View

  I heard what he said, I listened to every word etched into my mind. The memories of the “demons” that were my parents telling us to run. The memories of Master Brandon ordering my execution. The memories of Azreal holding my Dad’s lifeless body. I write in my journal, tears dripping onto the pages. I am not surprised at what has happened to the town, they did such cruel things. I just hope they don’t come here. I just want to be here. Be in my new home.

  The stress from my hand finally gives out as the burning sensation takes over. Losing my grip on the pen, I put it beside my bed with my now-closed journal. Covering myself with the familiar rugged blanket. They won’t come here right God? I give a small prayer twisting my fingers together until they hurt. I doubt it will be answered. My face scrunches from the pain of my memories, He didn’t come then why would he come now? I turn onto my side with watery eyes as I try to fall asleep. You are supposed to be there for us, but you weren't there when it happened.

  Angel’s Point of View

  I wake up for another day. The light shining through the curtains reminds me that I may or may not have slept in. Who knows? Me? Nope. It is only considered sleeping in if the Old Hag yells at me. I toss off the silky smooth blanket letting it zip through the air onto the ground. My body is being exposed to the cold, ha jokes on the weather I’m an ice mage! Wiggling my toes I begin my lovely morning stretch. First crossing my arms, then rolling my neck and finally hopping straight out of bed. The loud creek echoes through my bones as I leap onto the wooden floor. Walking over to my little dresser I pulled out some of my cuter clothes today. Last night Amanda told me today is supposed to be a special day and I should dress nice. She didn’t say why though. I put on this long light blue frilly dress that Amanda got me earlier this week, with some nice shoes and stockings. Giving my hair a quick brush I look in the mirror. Cute and ready for the day, well almost ready. I open the drawer by my bed, grabbing two earrings, and put them on. I look good today right Mom? A slight smile fades across my face as my arms dangle in front of me. Twisting on my heel I head towards the door.

  Ah yes, the sweet sight of the wooden hallway that I love so much. I take a deep breath as I listen for any noise, from you know who. Kitchen noise? Nope. Restaurant noise? Nope. Pen and paper noise from the lobby? Nope. A little weird to be this quiet. Maybe I didn't sleep in? I start my stroll to the lobby where I am greeted by none other than the beautiful Amanda with her hair in a cute ponytail as she reads a book. This is something I’ll never understand about Amanda! Why does she not let me read her books?! Like hello? I like reading too and you’re just gonna hog all of it? I give her a wave and a bountiful smile as I walk up to her.

  “Goooood morning Amanda!” I say with a cherry voice.

  Amanda smiles back while in the middle of closing her book, “Good morning Angel. Sleep well did you now?” She tilts her head slightly.

  Moving my finger to the tip of my chin, “I think so yeah!”

  Amanda looks a little discouraged after my joyous response as she slumps her shoulders, “You say that now but you won’t be when my Mom sees you.” Speaking of the devil, the Old Hag stomps through the connecting entranceway from the restaurant.

  “You little brat!” She starts off with harsh words while she angrily marches towards me.

  “Eeeek” I jump back and try to run but the Old Hag grabs my collar, pinning me in place. “Let go!” I yell as I yank back and forth trying to make her lose her grip.

  “Amanda told you to be up early did she not?!” The Hag yells questions at me.

  “Yes ma’am!” I shout back as my failed attempts keep trying to break free.

  “Do you know how long you’ve slept for?”

  “No! Please let me go!” I yell back.

  “It is almost NOON!” She grabs my shoulder, spinning me around so my back is facing her before I feel it. A sharp sting. A sharp sting on my butt.

  I let out a yelp “OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR!”

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  “For not listening. Now come on, it's time for Church.” She lets go of me as I rub my sore bottom. “Church?”

  “Yes, Church. A new Priest has finally moved to our village and it's high time we start going to Church again.” She puts her hands on her hips indicating that she does not want to wait any longer. “This is his first mass, it will be busy! Let's go!”

  “Ok, ok! Coming!” Still reeling from the pain of the spanking I twirl my fingers creating a small ball of water before placing it into my mouth as we walk out the door. Ah, nothing beats a refreshing morning drink of water.

  Walking onto the cobblestone road I follow the Old Hag. My hands go up and down as I look around excitedly. I still can't believe how different Erd? is. They aren't so drastically far from Eldma but they use a completely different building style. All the buildings are made out of wood with little stone additions. Even though they're made out of wood and not stone they look OLD. Like how were they able to make wood last so long? I mean I can kinda understand why they use wood to build after all they're surrounded by a Forest but how can it be so old-looking? I face the Old Hag who has a look of displeasement on her face, “Hey Old Hag, what's a church?”

  The Hag stops for a moment before resuming her walk, “It’s a place to worship God. Did your parents teach you about God?”

  The Hag’s question wasn't accusatory, which was a bit off for her. “No, they did. They said he is like a super powerful being that rules everyone and loves us.”

  “Did they say anything else?”

  “Um, a little. We used to read from this book like maybe once a week? I'm not sure but the book had lots of stories in it and there were a lot of references to God.” I place my hand on my chin as I try to think. “Well, Mom and Dad always said we should read it more when we get older.”

  The Old Hag’s step slows down a bit as she begins to speak with me, “Good listen to your parents. During church, we will read some of the book as well but there is more to it. We listen to someone called a priest, who is there to help teach us about the book as their profession.”

  I look at her a little weirdly, “Why not just read the book ourselves? Why do we need a teacher?”

  “If there is anything I can teach you let this be the most important, you should always seek out new teachers whether that be for God, magic, or cooking. You will always need to be learning something new and that comes from new people.” The Hag continues to walk as I Ponder what she says in silence on our way to the church.

  We arrived at the building stopping a few feet outside. The wooden church was held up by significantly older-looking wooden planks compared to the rest of the town, laid in a small field surrounded by a ring of flowers. The windows of the building are tinted in all sorts of colors from red to white to blue. Yet one thing made me gasp the most, the story it told. Each window was a scene of a story. A story of a man who picked up a large piece of wood and carried it until he died. A man of conviction. A man of unwavering love. A man who could not exist. No one can suffer like that. No one can sacrifice like that. No one can unless there's something more to Him.

  We walk into the church which is lightly packed. Finding some seats in the back aisle benches we sat down and waited patiently for the mass to start. The Old Hag looked deep in thought with her eyes closed, not opening them for anything except the beginning of the singing. I followed along best I could but it's hard. How do they know which pitches to sing? Ugh! This is so stupid! Why can't I just fit in?

  I think the Old Hag notices my struggles as she leans over to me in the midst of the singing and whispers, “Just listen for today.” I don't know why but hearing those words felt so great. I let go and just listened to the beautiful melody.

  The time passed and the headmaster or well what the Hag called him, the priest, started to talk in a more conversational tone. He introduced himself and cracked a few jokes. But he paused for a few moments before speaking in a serious tone, “God has instructed us to be vigilant of dangers, to be vigilant of our enemies.” He pauses and puts his hands on a big book. “I bring news from the capital, 7,800 Christians have been killed this year in the southern part of the country.” He pauses, letting the somber words sink in. “Which many of you will turn away from as it's new from a distant land. But God told us to be vigilant. If we are not vigilant we will let evil grow, we will let evil spread, we will let evil win. Stay vigilant, as soon it can be this town that is terrorized.” With that somber warning, he walked back up the stage and returned to his worshipping tone. Maybe we should worry about Eldma more than this. After all, Eldma is, I shake my eyes, I'll think about this later I'm just gonna enjoy my time here for now. I give myself a reassuring smile.

  Amanda’s Point of View

  I'm so sleepy. I yawn as I walk down the hall. Angel sleeping in really messes up my sleep schedule. I stretch my toes trying to keep the blood flowing. I knock on Jack’s door. “Jack, it's Amanda, may I come in?” I wait for his reply before opening the door. I see him lying on his bed in the dark with his curtains slightly open.

  “This dark and gloomy room isn’t doing you any favors.” I walk towards his candle stick on his nightstand and the lighter. Lighting it. Paying no mind I place the candle down, brightening the room up just a little bit.

  “I know,” Jack replies as his eyes stare at the candle. I take a seat on the bed. “Are you sure you didn’t want to go to church today?”

  “I’m sure.” Jack gives me a dismissive response. His eyes are not even looking at me as he speaks but at the candle.

  “If you say so.” I flash him a quick smile. I wonder if his sadness about the church is related to what happened before here. “Want to come help me with the lobby?” It takes him a second before he agrees as we walk