lifetimes

While not precisely claustrophobic, August found it hard to be in a single place for that long. It was barely day two, and she was already losing her mind. She wondered if walking around the church was allowed, or if the rules of the morel extended to this place as well. After all, she would still be indoors, and there were eyes of paintings and statues everywhere that would watch over her– she tried to laugh at her own thought, but found it specifically creepy when she found herself looking up at one of those statues who seemed to follow her as she walked along. August hastened her steps to walk away as fast as he could, but turning on a corner she felt her heart jumping out of its cage when she found an actual someone who’d had the same idea as her. 

“Holy fucking Jesus…” she said with a hand over her heart, as if she were trying to keep it in place. “Sorry. Just scared the shit out of me–” she sighed out. “I mean… with my language display right there, I’m not so sure how I haven’t combusted just yet…” August replied with a scoff.

Jackie’s sure that a lot of her mindset has to do with her upbringing. Though, even without it, she would never have thought that sticking in a group and being stuck in the same place was the right choice. That was one of the few things she couldn’t wrap her mind around. Didn’t that increase someone’s chance of success? It only seemed logical, but she came here to see something and maybe this just increased her chances. 

A giggle escapes her lips. “Really, I’m sorry for the scare, but I thought townies would have been constantly looking over their shoulder for the first sign of danger.” Once the amusement passes, her kindness reveals itself. “Plot twist this is the after life. So we’re safe from combustion.” Suddenly, as if her mother were physically there to smack the back of her head, Jackie rubs her hands on the sides of her pants before extending a hand out to the other girl. “I’m Jackie by the way.”

Jackie tried to take it all in. It was undeniable that excitement was coursing through her veins. She actually made it. This was the prime time to see the Haunt for herself. Although she experienced all of these emotions, she made sure to maintain her composure. It was evident that no one around her shared the same enthusiasm. After all why stay at the church if you weren’t seeking protection?

Now it wasn’t her place to determine whether that protection was real or not. In fact, she couldn’t even confidently say that it was provided by God Himself. So she wandered down the halls, fingertips grazing the textured walls as if she possessed the sensitivity of most mediums. 

It wasn’t until she heard footsteps behind her that she realized they had strict rules at the church. Despite this, she didn’t begin to apologize or run back to the safety of her assigned room. Instead, as if in a dream like state she responded with, “My Lola would get a kick out of this. She always said I needed to go to church or I’d be damned for eternity. It’s not what she meant, but I’d say it’s pretty damn close. Wouldn’t you?”