Soon after getting rid of my torn, ripped chocolate-brown coat and my muddy tight leggings, I felt a new relief and comfort, and that feeling got further comforting when I slipped on the new clothes which Ma gave me. The clothes smelled a little of dust and wood, but I didn't care. I was happy to be free from my old, dirty filthy muddy repulsive clothes which I may throw into the trash later.

The clothes seemed to fit me perfectly, as if they were practically made for me! I sighed a sigh of relief as, adjusting my sweater, I stepped out of the closet, and then settled again in my chair. I would go out of the room and explore the church, see what Ma was doing, and probably meet some of the nuns, but I remembered my manners. I remembered that this was a church, but not a Museum or a gallery, which I would explore. And besides, she told me to change and then wait until she brings me something to eat.

A minute passed, and Ma still didn't came. I sighed and then opened my satchel to draw out a magazine for reading, just to pass time, when occasionally, the door opened again with the hinges squeaking and Ma stepped inside, holding a plate of 3 slices of bread and cheese. I flashed her an unsatisfied smile. She was very kind. I respected her, but bringing someone just 3 slices of bread and a piece of cheese was just.... awful!

Still, I showed her fake appreciation and took the plate from her hands ungratefully. I settled it quickly onto the coffee table. She again sat in the chair opposite to me, and then joined her hands together. "Thank you", I said, with no emotion. I could eat the bread, but cheese?... No way.

"So, how did you ended up here? In this small village?" She asked curioudly as her eyes shined.

Oh sh*t! I thought. She would think me to be completely crazy if I would tell her the real reason. Make something up Hannah... You know how to handle a tough situation...

"I... I... I actually..."

Ma nodded with a confused look on her face, muttering "Mh-hm" as I struggled to present to her a reason which never occurred. Of course that I knew I was sitting inside a church and was going to lie, but sometimes, you have to lie for your own best, otherwise I would find myself to be begging to be let out while beating my head on the walls of a mental asylum's ward.

"... Actually, I... came here for... a report! Yes! A report! No no... for writing an article about the weather...
Yes", I mumbled.

"Oh, I see. This makes sense. You are a journalist, so writing articles and reports is your normal work. But, I have one question. Why were you lying there in the middle of the street unconscious?"

At that time, I wish that I had wings, or a supernatural ability to fly so I could fly out of this conversation. Life is so unlucky! It was pressurizing me with a lot of difficult questions at this time, and I didn't even know how to answer them.

I scanned the room as my mind processed for making up a good lie, when I spotted a cute painting of a baby bear playing with bone-white doves hanging just right behind Ma. "Uh... It was nightime. I was observing the nest of some doves when a bear attacked me in the woods. I ran and ran and ran, until it was left behind. Thank GOD that I outrun it!"

She gasped, and then gulped, with fear in her eyes which I had never seen in someone's else' eyes before. She cleared her throat, and then muttered something under her breath, and her skin turned so pale that it resembled to the skin of the dead. Seeing this condition of her made me a little nervous. "A- Are you alright?" I asked, getting up a little. "Do you need something?"

"N- I am fine, my dear. Totally fine. Sit down."

I noticed that she made her face look a lot calmer, but her skin was still the same colour: dead pale. It meant that she was still scared and felt uneasy about something. "You shouldn't roam in the woods at night. It's highly dangerous!"

"Dangerous? Those woods seem harmless to me-"

"Terrible dangers lurk in the underbrush. Filthy rodents. Scary big insects. A lot of jackels and... racoons", Her voice was shaky and alarming.

I have experienced something more terrible and undesirable than this. Some rodents and racoons are no big problem.

"Okay. Next time, I will make sure that I do not even pass by the woods. Okay? Right?" I assured her. "When will I get to leave this room? I want to explore the town-or the village-or whatever you call it!"

"It is called Marlinspike. Funny that you came here for research and don't know the name", She said. "Anyways, you must have forgotten it. Eat your bread and cheese, and then we will go into the town to get some groceries."

I wanted to ask her some questions. Like did she live alone or not? And what did she knew about the werewolves.

"Uh, do you live alone here? In this church?" I asked her. She nodded slightly, and then stared at me with mournful eyes, her expression saddening. "My husband, Cononan, died 12 years ago... from an unfortunate fall from the church stairs."

"oh... I am so sorry that I asked that question..."

"I did not have the money to arrange a funeral, so I buried him all by myself out in the lawn", She said, "... I wish that I could give him a proper burial... with a tombstone and some fine roses and daises, but-" She stopped, but I already knew her next words, that she did not had enough money to arrange her dead husband a proper grave.
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1100 words! I hope these words are worth it. By the way, I hope you liked the chapter. Don't forget to vote, comment, share this book, and to follow me. Have a great day! Bye!