Escape: Heaven’s Temple

SCHOOL (AFTER FIVE YEARS)

A few years later, Emery only remained in Heaven’s Temple. The death of her old friend has been forgotten. As Emery got older, she noticed more and more that things was different in that church. Even after the tragedy that happened to the young Angel, the children's training did not continue. That's why she hasn't seen Steph since then. Emery wondered what Steph really wanted to tell her when Angel died. But she could do nothing because Steph never returned to Heaven’s Temple.

For the past few years, Kate has been the only one with Emery. Kate visits Heaven’s Temple and goes with her mother. They also made many memories together. They don't even talk about their friend who has passed away. They just feel sad every time they remembered the tragedy that happened to their friend. But in the few years, they have been together and they have noticed many more things in Heaven’s Temple. Strange things and they can't even explain. In five years, Emery has witnessed many things she did not expect and only she knows. Emery recalls an incident that happened two years ago.

2 years ago...

Emery saw ten women and ten men enter Heaven’s Temple. It was night when she saw them. She was about to go to the bathroom because she had just woken up, but she heard a strange rattle of the bell. So she was curious and came out of her sleep. She saw people entering inside Heaven’s Temple and wearing strange clothes. She didn’t know what was there and why they were going to church at such a time.

When everyone entered Heaven’s Temple, the door was closed. Emery went to the other door so that she could enter without being seen. She looked first to see if anyone else was there or not. When she was sure there was no one there, she went straight inside. She saw that the whole church was dark. No lights turned on but many candles were around. Almost the entire church is surrounded by candles. She did not know what the occasion was today at church.

But she was even more surprised by what was in front of her. Beneath the statue of the Lord, there was a woman's body as if lifeless. Around the woman lying were blood streaks on the floor. Next it is also surrounded by candles. The people she had seen enter earlier were now bowed in front of the statue and to the lifeless woman. The nuns, on the other hand, also surrounded in the front. There was a wrapped man sitting in the very center of the church. In front of that seated man in the same strange attire was the corpse of a woman.

What is there now? Why was there a lifeless woman in front of them and also spilled by blood? Is that woman really dead? Why are they not even taking action to rush the woman to the hospital? She still has hope to live if they start that woman.

Once again; Emery felt fear because of what she was witnessing that day. She wondered what kind of church she lived in. She never thought that she would see such a scenario. With each passing year, she always hear the strange sound of the bell. She wakes up but she doesn't even bother to look at what's going on every time the bell rings. Only then did she saw that this was happening.

“I, thank you all for being here with me today to celebrate another year of offering. I am very satisfied with your offer this year. All those who are here today will surely be blessed and will receive grace from me,” said by the man in front of them.

That voice was who I heard Sister Anasha talking to in the room the day Angel disappeared... Who was that old man with a strange voice? His aura is terrifying and frightening. I can't even see his face. Even the clothes they were wearing were weird.

Emery closed her eyes when the ceremony began. The woman in front of everyone was stripped of her clothes by the nuns. When the dead woman was already naked, the old man started r****g the woman. Emery immediately left the church when she witnessed what happened.

Is that what they called offering? I thought they were offering to the Lord that they were calling, but why did just happened? I do not understand. All I know is that, they did bad things to that woman. What they did was not right.

Ever since Emery saw that ‘incident’, she has been quiet in Heaven’s Temple. The nuns noticed the change in Emery’s behavior but they simply not think something about it. They thought that maybe Emery was often quiet because she was getting older and starting to be matured.

“Emery, tomorrow will be the start of your school as a high school student. Are you excited?” Sister Anasha asked her. Emery tried to smile at her. "As long as Kate is my classmate, I'm happy," said by Emery. Kate dropped out of school for two years so they could be classmates when high school came.

“I have already told the school to make the two of you to be classmates. It's also good to have someone to watch over you while you're not here in Heaven's Temple.”

Why do I need to be watched? I'm not a kid anymore and somehow I can handle myself.

But she could not said what she was thinking. She did not know how to act normally in front of the nuns. Even a few years ago, Emery still couldn’t help but think about what she had witnessed and learned in the strange church she now lives in.

The next day, all the things that she will use at school are ready. The school supplies are already in her bag. Somehow, she felt excitement because she was about to get out of Heaven’s Temple. In the few years that she lived there, she never even got out. Even when her birthday was only held there. That's why now that she's going to school, she's happy. That was Emery’s first day of being a high school student.

When she had finished arranging herself, she put on her uniform which was ready in her bedroom. Sister Anasha had everything she needed ready. As well as her lunch box is ready. When she finished getting dressed, she went out of her room. She didn't even bother to fix her face. For her age was still young, but her mind seemed to have matured because of the adults who had been with her over the years.

“Will you take me to school now, Sister? I don't know where my school is,” Emery asked the nun. “From now on and until the end of your school year, I will take you to your school. I will also pick you up when your class is over,” the nun replied to her.

There was nothing she could do if that was what the nun wanted. She could not even disagree at the decision of the nuns who were with her. Some nuns who accompanied her to church praised Emery because that was the first time they had seen her wearing a uniform. Emery just smiled at them then they left. The school is not far from Heaven’s Temple. But only then did Emery examined the outside of the place. It was the first time she had been out since she came to Heaven’s Temple.

The church was a secret place and the way to it was almost hard to see. When they came from outside, they could not see that there was a place inside the forested road where the church was. Emery didn't expect that to be the way before reaching Heaven's Temple.

I never thought this place was really hidden. Only the members of Heaven’s Temple know the place. I am really wondering why they were keeping the Heaven’s Temple as a secret. I thought that it was a church, but why are they hiding it?

When they stopped at a school, Emery's thoughts disappeared. Sister Anasha adjusted the necktie she was wearing to her uniform. “Remember what I told you, Emery. You can’t tell your classmates about Heaven’s Temple. Kate already knew what she was going to do. You will be punished if you we find out that you spread information about Heaven’s Temple,” Sister Anasha reminded her.

“I will not spread any information about the Heaven’s Temple, Sister Anasha. I promise,” she answered.

“Good girl. I will come and pick you up later when your class is done. Oh, Kate is here.”

They saw Kate approaching them. She first greeted the nun and then Emery got out of the car. "We're now going inside the school," Emery said.

“All right, go on. You will take care of her, Kate,” the nun instructed them.

The two have already entered the school. Emery felt relieved the moment that she walked away from the nun.

“This is the first time you can go to a school. I will take you around here, Emery.”