Once Bob and Lizzie disappeared behind the church wooden door, Aubrey puts both her hands over her face, trying to make sense of everything.

What happened inside that church is something she'd never experienced before. She was on the verge of fainting as if her consciousness was abruptly being ripped out. The urge to scream out of rage and the agony that shattered her body was horrifying. She fought so hard not to lose herself there.

What's happening to her? Is she sick like Bob has said? But why is she feeling fine now?

Contemplating going back inside, Aubrey glances at the old building in front of her, and her stomach churns. No, she doesn't want to go back there. Even though she can't put a finger on it, something about the church is off. Plus, the excruciating moments she endured during the sermon are still fresh in her head. It's too painful even just to think of it.

The other strange thing also took place when she talked to Bob a few minutes ago. Something inside her was sucking her in. She thought she was about to pass out but she didn't. She spoke and moved mindlessly as if her body was disconnected from her brain. Was she hallucinating? Or had she maybe some kind of blackout?

Aside from that, she's been having weird stuff going on inside her head lately. She's been hearing things. It started with rough breathing, sometimes accompanied by a faint growl. Some other days she heard a laugh. Not the kind that brought her joy, it often gave her a twist in the gut. But since the sound was weak and felt so far away, Aubrey wasn't sure if it was real or she was just imagining it.

However, what happened last night in the living room changed the whole game.

The thing spoke, loud and clear. It was a low throaty sound that came from deep within. It mentioned her mother's name as if it knew her. And it was the very voice that she heard a few minutes ago when she talked to Bob.

Maybe I'm going crazy. Maybe Bob is right about me seeing Sandra again.

With a shiver coursing her entire body, Aubrey once again turns her head to peek at the big red-brick building with a pointy roof and a cross on top. It has been her second home after her bedroom in Lorraine's house. Not only does she feel accepted in the community, but the church also connects her to her mother in a way; it gives her an identity.

But can she still call it her second home now?

As much as she wants an answer, she doesn't want to stay here any longer. Someone from the congregation might find her and she's not in the mood of answering questions. With a loud grunt, she gets up from the bench. Once she makes sure she can walk fine, she trudges away, leaving the church front yard.

Being one of the oldest buildings in the village, the church was built right in the middle of the town center. But since it's a Sabbath day, everything is closed. Not that she can do a lot with her purse still sitting on the pew at church. All she can do now is walk home. Luckily, she doesn't need to worry about getting in the house without a key since the window in her bedroom doesn't lock properly. It's been like that for some time but she doesn't want to bother Lorraine with it. Money has been tight.

Aubrey strides along the narrow pavement, hoping no one spots her and stops her for a small talk. When she finally exits the town and begins to walk on the tapering street through the pine forest, she releases a breath of relief.

The sun is still low this morning, streaming lazily through the pine trees. The sound of the leaves rustling when a gust of wind blows over is hypnotizing. Aubrey feels the tension gradually leave her body as she saunters along the street and hums her favorite song. Her jet-black hair that's pulled into a ponytail sways back and forth while she walks. The wind caresses her exposed neck.

It has been a while since she was this peaceful. The silence of the forest numbs the exasperation that has been weighing her down lately. Her days went by with a constant battle, but she doesn't know what for. She goes to bed completely worn-out every night, yet she wakes up stiff and sore the next morning.

Feeling the increasing humidity in the air, Aubrey looks up and frowns. From how low the clouds are hanging in the sky, the rain will be falling soon. She just hopes that she makes it home by then.

A sound of a vehicle roars from behind her, followed by a blue truck with loud banging house music riding past her. A few hundred meters ahead, the car halts and begins to drive backward. It stops next to her, and a face she recognizes as one of the jocks at her school comes into view. His blond hair is disheveled and the dark shadow under his eyes is evidence of a sleepless night.

"Hey, you're the girl from the biology class," he says, resting his hand on the open window frame. His eyes roam over her figure from head to toe, and a smirk rises in the corners of his lips. "That's not what you wear for a morning jog, right?"

Aubrey is wearing her usual Sunday attire: a white plain dress with a pleated skirt that reaches her knee level, a green cardigan, and her brown flat shoes. It's nothing daring but the way the boy is checking her out stirs something strange inside her.

Before she can respond, a hand pokes the boy's head from behind. "She's a churchgoer, you dummy. She is going to pray of course."

The jock looks annoyed. He glares at the person in the back seat. "Fuck off! I know she's a church girl. But the church is there, she's heading the other way around."

A girl giggles from the back seat. "Asher, are you going to flirt with her to get back at Britney? Really?"

Asher rolls his eyes but doesn't reply to the girl's remark. He shifts his gaze back to Aubrey. "Don't mind them, they're drunk from the party last night. And completely useless."

Aubrey stands still, not sure how to react to this situation. Unlike the church community, the school is a whole different game for her. It's harsh, unpredictable, and full of fake people. Aubrey can never distinguish those who are genuinely nice from those who aren't. Everyone smiles yet they talk nasty about other people behind their backs. That's how she ends up becoming an outcast in her school; she never bothers to be a part of any group. She's just lucky that she has Bob.

"So, are you heading home?"

"Yeah," Aubrey says with a low voice.

"Hop in then, I can give you a lift."

The couple in the backseat snort. Aubrey can't see them behind the tinted window, but she has an idea who they are: Tessa and Roy. The infamous pair who keeps breaking up and getting back together, the partygoers, and also Asher's pals.

"No, it's fine. I'll just walk. Thanks." Aubrey smiles before starting to walk again, but the car drives slowly next to her.

"You live in the Garner farmer house, right? It will take you at least forty minutes to walk there."

Aubrey shrugs. "I don't mind."

Tessa howls in high-pitch laughter. "Let her be, Ash. She's a dork, you know. Walking in the mud is more arousing for her than being in the car with us."

"Shut up, Tess."

"What? You know I'm right. What do you even see in her? She's fat and a weirdo. Instead of making Brit jealous, you'll make her laugh in your face so hard."

Asher clenches his jaws. "I said shut the fuck up or get out of my car!"

"Woah, calm down, man!" Roy howls. "Tessa is wasted, don't take her words seriously."

"Then tell your girlfriend to watch her mouth." Asher glares at his friends before turning his attention back to Aubrey. "I'm just trying to be nice here. Look, it's going to rain soon. If you get in the car with us, it will take less than seven minutes for you to get home."

As Asher stops talking, a drop of water lands on Aubrey's forehead, followed by another drop, and another. She sighs and forces a smile. "I guess I'm getting in then."

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