why us?

Part 4

a woman who had short dark brown hair looked to be in her early 20's she walked cautiously towards the perished  dog

"I'm a doctor but I can at least try to see what happened," she said gently putting her hand on the dead dog's stomach. "Im so sorry Joe. it seems that your dog might have eaten some rat poison that Bev put out," The woman quickly stood up to disclaim "but it was nobodies fault! It was inevitable for this to happen." she lowered her eyebrows, she looked puzzled, she seemed unsure of her answer.

"Thank you so Much, Sarah..i mean Dr. Sarah. God bless you." Paul looked up at her in gratitude for trying to help. Sarah quickly nodded and walked away from what looked to be a crime scene.

    A tear streamed down my face. I tried to conceal my sadness but I couldnt. It was too painful to watch. I quietly stepped back and ran the opposite way. I ran to the closest building. The church.

    It was a white building with green stained glass on either side. It had dirt on the bottom of the base. It had a tall roof with a large cross right on top of it. It had huge Mahogony double doors.

It's locked.

I decided to sit on the stairs of the church. I always had a soft spot for dogs. No matter what their background was. They were still animals. I let a couple more tears trickle down my face. I've always told myself I was overreacting. But later I realized that I was trying to downplay my feelings. So now i let out whatever feels right. And right now, crying feels right.

"Aria! Where are you?" a voice shouted. I didn't see anyone.

"Hello?" i said back, looking around to try to find where the voice was coming from.

"Oh there you are." i heard a slight laugh. I looked to my right. There was Father Paul. he was slightly smiling.

"Oh, Father paul. Don't worry about me." I tried to shoo him away.

"No! Trust me I needed a breather too," he turned to look at me "are you ok?" he said looking at my face carefully to see what I was thinking.

"Mm that's a good question," I laughed a little. I always laugh in awkward situations, it's just a habit. "- I just hate seeing animals in pain. That dog just died. And we couldnt do anything." I rested my face in my hands.

"Yes. I agree, seeing animals in pain is one of the hardest things to watch," Paul sighed. "But Dr. Sarah was right. It was inevitable. It may be hard to accept. It's hard for everyone. But that dog was suffering and now she is now in a better place. Whether you believe heaven or not, she is relieved." he put his hand on my shoulder. He looked at me, his dark brown eyes, almost black. They seemed to be hinting at something to me. I couldn't tell what. But I couldn't stop looking into his eyes. I had to pull away. There was something weird about his gaze. Before i could say anything he added

"When I was 8, my 10-year-old sister..she died from polio. But she's in a better place." Paul still looking into my eyes.

"Oh, im so sorry. But I have a question, polio has been gone for a long time right?" I said still letting him rub my back.

"Well..i-." paul goes interrupted by my dad who just found me.

"Aria! you had me worried sick! good thing you didn't get lost," my dad looked at paul. "God bless you, Father Paul...is she ok?" my dad got increasingly more concerned.

"yes she is ok now. she just got a little spooked. She's had a long day, I think she just needs some good rest. and you too, of course." he smiled at my dad, he was one of the most nicest people i have met.

"thanks, you made me feel so much better." its true. he did. we got back to the house, i felt even better when i got to my room. the smell of wood in the fire made me sleepy. i drifted off into a deep sleep.