Chapter Six The First Crack
That evening, Audrey couldn't ignore the fear any longer.
She drove to the church where she and Julian had exchanged vows less than twenty-four hours earlier.
The sanctuary was empty.
Candles still burned.
White flowers lined the aisle.
She walked slowly toward the altar.
Everything looked beautiful.
Everything had been built on a lie.
Father Michael emerged from a side hallway.
"My child..."
"You shouldn't be alone tonight."
Audrey forced a weak smile.
"I don't know where else to go."
The priest studied her face.
"You've been carrying this burden for years."
She froze.
"You know?"
"I know Sienna came here three days before she died."
Audrey's eyes widened.
"What did she tell you?"
Father Michael hesitated.
"I promised to keep her confession private."
"But she's gone now."
"And innocent people are suffering."
He slowly opened a small cabinet.
Inside rested a sealed envelope.
Across the front, in Sienna's handwriting, were five words.
Open only if I die.
Audrey's knees nearly gave out.
"I've never seen that."
"I was waiting."
"For what?"
"For someone brave enough to ask."
He handed her the envelope.
Before Audrey could open it...
The church lights suddenly went out.
Darkness swallowed the sanctuary.
Footsteps echoed behind them.
Someone else was inside the church.
A woman's voice whispered from the shadows.
"You should have burned that letter."
Father Michael stepped in front of Audrey.
"Run."
A loud crash shattered the silence.
May you like
The envelope slipped from Audrey's hands...
As an unseen figure rushed toward it.
