_Chapter Begins_
The wind howled through the cracked windows and scorched stones of the ruined church, flinging bits of shattered glass across the ground like razor-sharp confetti.
Two figures stood before the massive, decaying wooden doors that creaked at even the lightest breeze. William and Elsa — both silent, both staring up at the towering church.
The place was clearly abandoned... or at least, abandoned by normal people. But William knew better.
This place was now home to a bunch of complete imbeciles who had turned it into their base of operations — a place to perform bizarre rituals and cultist nonsense.
As for how William knew all this? Well, that was a long story.
Strangely enough, William hadn't lied when he said he had hidden $50 inside the church. That part was actually true.
…Just not the whole truth.
What he didn't mention was why he never went back for the money. But it wouldn't take a genius to figure out why a guy like him abandoned cash in a place like this.
"Damn cult."
The bitter thought flashed through William's mind as he glanced to his left. Elsa was still there, staring at the rotting door with a blank, distant expression.
He felt something stir in his chest. Guilt.
William clenched his jaw and quickly shook his head.
This girl can really look and act innocent when she wants to… Well, it doesn't matter now.
He opened his mouth to speak —
—but Elsa beat him to it.
Her empty gaze had vanished, replaced by sharp focus and something else: awareness.
She turned her head toward him, wearing a slight frown.
"Are you sure this church is abandoned?"
William hesitated for a second too long. Then replied with false confidence.
"Absolutely. I've slept in this church many times, actually."
Elsa stared at him a few seconds longer than was comfortable. William's skin crawled.
But then… she smiled. Amused.
She broke eye contact and looked back at the door.
"Well, if you say so."
William exhaled a quiet breath of relief —Only for Elsa to speak again.
"Alright then… go on inside."
His moment of peace shattered.
William's eyes widened, locked onto hers in disbelief.
He opened his mouth… then closed it again. No words came.
Elsa turned toward him with a sweet, polite smile — beneath it, pure mockery.
"Please be quick. I'm very scared to be left alone out here, you know. I'll be waiting right here for you."
William stood frozen, silent.
His next words came slow, soft, and almost afraid.
"You… You're not coming with me?"
Elsa tilted her head, confused for a moment — then she laughed gently.
"Why would I come with you? You said this place is completely abandoned. So there's no danger... unless you're afraid of the dark."
She paused, then chuckled again.
"Oh, but don't worry — I know you wouldn't be afraid of something like that. You're a man, after all... right?"
William stared at her — this smiling demon in human form.
His face was blank, but inside, he was a storm.
Fear. Rage. Disgust. And that special little emotion he called:
"I told you so."
Throughout the entire journey, his paranoia, instincts, and gut had screamed at him that Elsa was dangerous.
He ignored them.
And now, he was paying the price.
"This… this is what I get for ignoring my danger sense."
Elsa had trapped him.
Now he stood between a rock and a hard place.
Go inside the church alone — basically a death sentence.
Or admit he was scared — and shatter his pride.
Most people would choose life over ego.
But William wasn't most people.
"Alright! I'll go get the money really quick. Just… wait here."
Elsa's smile brightened.
She sat down beside the giant wooden door, legs crossed neatly, as if she had all the time in the world.
William looked up at the church. Not just at the door — at the whole thing.
It looked like a massive maw, wide open, ready to devour him whole.
He took a deep breath.
Then stepped forward,and slowly pushed one side of the ancient door open.
_Chapter Ends_