ed, their solemn chimes ringin

dong..

ing prayers. No one needed to be told what it meant. They had heard the howl. They had anticip

would give anything not to hear, in fear th

It had been five years since the disappearances began-five years of unanswered prayers, empty cradles, and hollowe

y was di

r missing child. Not one tha

as F

een erected overnight. Upon it stood a woman draped in sol

ther Be

s tending to this village, comforting its wounded, praying for its lost. Bu

ow, standing here, she realized-there we

her throat, their attention moved t

steady despite the pain woven throug

ey knew what was coming, but hearing i

e lost another." She swallowed, her hands

ion was i

cipated, she was well kno

o.

Fai

her t

an clenched his jaw so tightly his face turned red. A young boy-bare

re than just a si

been one

f the

hick arms crossed over his c

His voice rang out over the murmu

s turne

a

er three years ago. A man who ha

reve

nting us. And it's winning," Sam growled. "But no more. If the Holy

rose behind him, filled w

ing from sorrow to som

a

ent five years mourning their los

. Torches.

ching for whatever we

eatrice lift

though hoarse, held t

agers he

sweeping over them, "We have searche

silence

burden she carried was too grea

admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "

in the window of the church watching th

gh cut thro

n't this

was smooth

ed to the step

one pillars, dressed in black robes. His arms

r Ric

.. normal.

is hands were clean. His priestly

lieve he was nothing mor

mo

ers tightened a

he greeted, her voi

clicking softly against the stone. His gaze flickered over the cr

e lau

ightened on

Faith is missing. And you

tand me." His eyes gleamed, a little too sharp, a little too knowing. "I merely

ng motivated, Father. We're taking a

nd here I thought you have learnt

growled. "And if you're not wit

pread across R

u have no idea how much I l

he said it sent a chil

face the villagers, his expression shiftin

f. Your anger." He placed a hand over his heart, feigning sorrow. "B

owd he

rowed h

ooth as honey. "Return to your familie

nt, it see

ack away, their initial fury co

ti

N

ngle

it cut through the

ward, his expre

't tru

ir sh

eyes-those dark, knowing eyes-gleamed w

purred. "Tha

he turned on his heel and st

ersation

d uneasy glances, thei

exhaled, rubbi

," she w

the people of Win

t

staring after Richard

wung shut behind the prie

ottom of this. Ev