Our beloved group of humans approached the tiny -yet somehow domineering- church's doors. The old oak doors have some initials of couples that have long since broken up, due to some activity. These shitty engravings have covered up the delicious art underneath.
"Hey, look at this," Milo whispered, trying not to disturb Jenny too much. "It's some sort of.. demon fighting something."
"What? I couldn't hear you." Terry said.
"Nevermind."
Milo creaked open the doors, the sound echoing inside the empty room. Much like its exterior, the inside of the church wasn't impressive by any means. Just a few rows of benches, with a parting in the middle, big enough for a wedding dress. The end of the parting had stairs leading up to an altar with a book placed upon it. Either side of the walls were separate hallways, leading to a room in the back where certain activities are prepared.
Terrance walked up the aisle, with Stevie on their right, and was followed by Jenny and Milo. Terry felt a slight chill and felt drawn to the book upon the altar. They paused.
"I.. want that book," they deliberately whispered. They've never felt this before.
"Okay, knock yourself out." Milo said, jogged ahead to the left door next to the altar.
"Fuck, wait for me Milo!" Stevie sprinted Milo, hoping to find some lost recipes.
Jenny had already made herself comfortable on a bench. Thank goodness she carries a sleeping bag with her, unless she's at school.
Terrance, refocusing on the altar, moved towards it slowly, their vision darkening slowly, until all they could focus on was the book upon its stand. They approached, and walked around the altar. Strangely, this book wasn't a bible. It was written in a different language, one that Terry couldn't recognise. Their fingers barely brushed the first page, and the book started rifling through its pages.
Terry opened their eyes, and was immediately confused. The gray walls that made up the church weren't there anymore. The rock underneath their feet was instead grass. Rolling hills, filled with cornflowers and dandelions spread across the horizon. They enjoyed the views for all of a minute.
A rumbling was heard in the distance. Their eyes moved to the sound, and they were frightened. It was a wave the size of three skyscrapers stacked on top of each other. They started running, but the water was too fast for their pathetic sprint. They were enveloped in the water.
Terry moved their hand away from the book, gasping, hitting their back on the wall.
"Terry, did you fall again?" Stevie's voice perked up from the back.
Terry gasped. "No, I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" Stevie turned the corner, cleaning his hands. "Terry? Are you okay? You look scared." He sat next to them.
Terry pointed at the book. "That thing is freaky."
Stevie stood and looked at it. "What the heck?"
"Yeah, I don't know what language it is."
"Me neither."
The book slammed close, revealing the dark, black cover.
"The writing's on the cover as well," he noted.
They stood up next to Stevie.
"Lemme have it." Terry reached for it, only for Stevie to move it away.
"No, you got freaked out by it."
"Okay, fine." They let him have the book.
Stevie stowed the book in his bag, adding another few pounds to it.
