RIT

rom here. Please sta

the end of the lane had

that made you hear

n its walls. Every stain on the ceiling from rainy seasons.

her finger as a child, when sho

voice. Indif

but calculated. The kind of sw

d early to disa

wn suitcase sat b

, with faint floral embroidery still visible at the hem. A white veil, folded ca

sewing

edges. Inside, spools of thread, needles stuck into a tomat

hread to mend the veil. Sister Magdalene had written in the admi

oved throug

. A small pair o

y bottom, beneath eve

as sewn shut with careful, tiny

r's delicate, slanted handwriting, were

- when yo

ingers

ad been gone

rs since the village doctor had come late, shook his head, an

hat had happened. Before she could ask why her father had not

ouch before. Never. Her moth

W

loud she was sure her aunt wo

ave to do thi

orway. Her mother's younger sister. The only

to the pocket of her suitcase, bene

Her voice was barely there. "If

"St. Agnes is far. The sisters ar

d was too loud in the quiet house. "Mama wanted me to have a life that

w burning a hole in her suitcase. The part about feeling, fo

ver sky. Distant drums from the next village. A roos

suitcase. It was he

oro's bookstore, where she had hidden as a child between shelves of old n

pale blue house. If she loo

waited, coughing black smoke.

hill? You sure, small girl? That

aid, climbing in, su

y, leaving the lane, leaving th

e compounds gave way to hills. Green, steep

round a bend

at

d in places, covered in ivy that had grown for decades. Beyond

nto stone, worn by a hundred y

DEL

thfu

s breat

ed about when Emily was ten. "If you ever need to be safe, to

Black veil. Stern face. Eyes that

ver whispered. "She runs the

d, small and suddenly very aware of

?" The sister's

, Sis

minutes ago. At St. Agnes, we are on time f

orry, Sister

u have muc

w, heavy sound. They shut behin

that was not empty, but full. Sisters in habits gliding li

would be hers. Sist

u will keep it clean. You will keep your veil cl

, Sis

losed. Emil

narrow bed. Opened it. On top, t

it, the c

- when yo

ot yet. She couldn't open it here. Not with Sister Magdalene'

w even the crucifix on th

one did something... I will find the truth. Even

hapel bell rang

rayer. F

ite veil to her br

y of a novi

beginning