Dust to Dust

28

Jenny's heart thumped aggressively as they got closer to the church. Apparently, Asher and all the other adherents were waiting for them there. She had managed to convince Eren that nothing was going on and that she just needed time away from everyone after Jasper died. And again, that wasn't exactly a lie. She and Charlotte had managed to slip away from the main group and make their way to the church. It was dark out now, not completely, but enough to need a light to walk around. Jenny really didn't know what she was expecting to happen, but it was only natural to be nervous. As they started to get closer, Jenny stopped walking and just tried breathing. It was like she didn't have access to air anymore, her lungs were closing in on her. 

"If you need a moment, you can have it. We're not in a rush." Charlotte comforted, waiting for her. It wasn't that she needed time, she was ready, but she couldn't help being tense. Chances are, whatever she was about to find out would not be pleasant, and if she freaked out on Asher, who knows what he would do? Surely Charlotte wouldn't let anything bad happen. Or that was just what she had been telling herself.

"Am I going to like what he tells me? Because this is terrifying, I don't know what I'm supposed to do here. Why am I needed here, what's so special about me?" going back into panic mode, Jenny took a few steps back. Charlotte held her hand out signaling for her to come back. "I promise you, Jenny. Nothing bad is going to happen to you. Not on my watch. I will admit Asher can get a bit aggressive sometimes, but he's never tried to hurt anyone. If he did, I would stop him. I swear to you on everything I stand for." she sounded incredibly sincere, it was difficult to just brush off. She did believe in the same religion Asher did, and who wouldn't after everything she had seen? This whole curse thing he was talking about must have something to do with his god. That must be where his beliefs came from, all this solid evidence that had been provided to him. That was respectable since all the other religions she had heard of were solely based on readings and things that couldn't be physically proved in most cases. Of course, she hadn't looked into any of them, those were just assumptions. If she knew more about it, or if she cared enough, it didn't seem so bad when she put all the pieces together.

Jenny breathed deeply and walked back over to Charlotte. "That's it, just breathe. Everything's going to be fine, I promise." her voice was always so gentle and reassuring. She kept that breathing going until they were at the front door and her heart was right back to square one, rushing uncontrollably.

"Don't be afraid. It's just an explanation. This is what you wanted, isn't it?"

It was, but it felt so off. She would have to expect walking out of there knowing all too much. Charlotte opened the door slightly, and stood out of the way for her to enter. While she did trust Charlotte, that wasn't going to work. She needed someone to be ahead of her, because if she couldn't see who was behind her, trust couldn't be made.

"Could you... go in first?" Jenny asked quietly. Charlotte nodded without saying anything, and walked inside, holding the door open for her. Jenny slowly made her way in, that nervous pull in her chest still active. She noticed the candles were lit on the sidelines, just like they had been before. It wasn't that scary of a setting actually, better than being outside with almost no light at all.

Asher was on his knees on the stairs, facing the statue ahead. All the other adherents stood on both sides of the statue, veils and all. They were all wearing the exact same thing as Charlotte, but felt so different. They were about as scary as Asher, just in a different way.

The sound of the door closing behind them got Asher's attention and he turned his head over his shoulder, pleased to see the both of them. "Jenny. Charlotte. Charlotte, you can take a seat anywhere, assuming Jenny is uncomfortable. Jenny, you can come over here under the steps. We have a lot to unpack here."