Escape: Heaven’s Temple

GUILT OF STEPH

The children were surprised to hear what Sister Anasha said. Emery suddenly fell to her knees when she heard what the nun told them. Emery and Kate burst into tears when they found out what had happened to Angel. Even Steph couldn't believe what Sister Anasha said.

How did it happen that Angel got in an accident? I didn’t even see her come out of that hallway. Sister Anasha said was impossible. Maybe another child had an accident near Heaven’s Temple and not Angel?

Steph wonders now if Angel really had an accident. She still couldn't believe it. "What really happened to Angel, Sister Anasha?" one of the nuns asked her.

“The police told me that the driver told them that he crashed a kid along the way. He said that the kid was running so fast and he couldn’t control the brakes of his car, that’s why an accident occurred. The police identified the kid and they were now sure that the kid was Angel. Her mother is already on her way to the hospital,” Sister Anasha explained to everyone.

“But how did Angel managed to go outside the Heaven’s Temple? She’s not the kind of person who will go and run outside. She will have to wait for her friends,” Kate said.

“We will investigate about what happened to Angel. For now, go home with your parents. They are already outside,” Sister Chloe said to the kids.

The children doesn’t have any choice but follow the nuns. Kate still wanted to help Emery cry, but her mother took her home. They could not believe the news they heard. It seems that in an instant, Angel lost her life.

“How come Angel died so suddenly? I can’t believe it,” Emery cried. Sister Anasha tried to calm Emery, who was still crying.

This is what I experienced when Mom and Dad died. And now a friend of mine has disappeared. I considered her almost a sister, even though we had only been together for a few days. I know Angel is a good kid. So why would she suddenly run out of Heaven’s Temple and be the reason why she had an accident? I don’t know what else to think. Especially and I even heard Sister Anasha talking to someone in a room in the hallway.

Young Emery's mind was in turmoil now. She felt like she was going to lose consciousness because of her crying so much. Her parents also died in the accident. So that memory seems to come back to her.

“Calm down, Emery. We will visit Angel tomorrow to her funeral,” Sister Anasha told her. She wanted to ask the nun what Sister Anasha and the old man were talking about in that room. They didn't even mention Angel's name, but she overheard them talking about the disabled child.

Emery lost consciousness completely because of her excessive crying. Steph even witnessed how it would faint. Until now, she could not believe what they heard. She was sure Angel didn’t come out of that room. She also went home immediately because her mind was confused.

The next day at Heaven’s Temple, the Angel’s hill will be held. They could not bury her body. The hospital said Angel's body was almost crushed due to the force of the vehicle's impact on her. That's why Angel's mother didn't reach her daughter either. Doctors say Angel's body was cremated before her mother arrived at the hospital. She has done nothing. But in her mother's mind, she was kind of happy with what had happened.

It's good and I don't have any more problems at home. I can no longer feel the stress of caring for her. My suffering for that ‘child’ is over.

Her mother cried only once. She also agreed to go to Heaven’s Temple to perform Angel’s burial when Sister Anasha spoke to her. Many parents and children went there. Kate and Emery cried even more because they no longer had a chance to see their friend at the last moment.

The nuns have already begun praying for Angel's soul. “You will forever remain in our hearts. Angel is not dead, she is now with our Lord. Angel is not dead, she is now happy with our Lord. Angel is not dead because her soul will forever remain in this world. Angel’s body was gone but her soul and heart will be kept here forever,” said by Sister Anasha.

Everyone continues to pray for Angel. When it was over, Kate helped provide meals to the guests. Everyone there was also a member of Heaven’s Temple. While Emery wants to be alone. So she walked out of Heaven’s Temple. She went to the vast garden where they first had Angel's bonding.

Emery recalls the days she and Angel were together. Even though they have only been together for a few days, they have become deeply involved. She was surprised when she saw Steph following her.

"Why are you here?" She asked Steph. Steph is confused right now. She didn’t know if she should confess to a girl like Emery or maybe she should tell the nuns.

“I want to tell you something, Emery. But I don't know if you will believe me or not,” said by Steph. Emery frowned when Steph mentioned that. “What do you mean, Steph? What do you want to tell me?”

"I think Angel's death is kind of suspicious," Steph started.

“What do you mean by that? Please tell me in details.”

Steph can't decide if she's going to tell Emery the truth. But suddenly, someone grabbed her. They saw that Sister Anasha was there and looking at the two of them. "What were you two talking about?" she asked.

“I was just trying to comfort Emery, Sister,” Steph said. Although Emery wondered why Steph lied to the nun, she just let her go. Fortunately, Steph did not tell the nun the truth. Emery also has thoughts about Sister Anasha. She still remembers what she heard Sister Anasha and the old man talking about.

“It’s good that the two of you were being nice to each other. Just be friends and don’t fight. You are still kids and you will be friends until you become old,” Sister Anasha told them.

“Yes, Sister,” they answered. They waited until Sister Anasha left them. “What were you trying to say to me earlier? You can tell me now,” Emery asked Steph again.

But Steph's decision had changed. She was afraid to confess to Emery because it might report her to the nuns. Steph thought that everyone might blame her because Angel died because of her.

“Don’t mind what I have said earlier. I don’t have anything to talk to you,” Steph coldly said to her. She quickly turned around and ran away from Emery. Emery was about to chase her when she noticed that Sister Anasha had gone to the back of Heaven’s Temple. She was curious again so she followed the nun. She was just slowly following the nun.

When she reached the end, she saw that the nun was talking to someone. She did not know if it was a man or a woman because she or he was turned around and wrapped in clothes. She could not get any closer because they might notice her. She couldn't quite hear what they were talking about. She made a way to get closer and hide the order.

“I already cleaned everything. No one will ever know what really happened to that woman,” said by Sister Anasha. It’s like she was reporting to who she was talking to.

“Good. You did a great job. Expect the reward that I will give you for what you have done for me,” the old man replied to her. She had already heard that voice. He was the old man who had also talked to Emery the other day.

I didn’t understand what they were talking about. What do they mean? Who are they referring to in their conversation?

“You can go now. Take a good look at that child. She is the only one who cannot perish. Do you understand?" the old man ordered the nun.

"I will obey your orders always,” Sister Anasha said to him respectfully.

“Serve her well. You shouldn't miss taking care of her,” the old man said again.

Who is the child they are referring to in their conversation?

“She’s here…”