Cherry Wood

Chapter three

It seemed like the wind was drifting in a new direction, to a small lonely police station that sat on the other side of the local elementary school. A detective sat on the gray couch that overlooked the police station, people were frantically taking in calls from many complaining people. He saw an average family getting more and more frustrated as they were explaining something, a missing child. Intrigued as he was, he opened his ears and listened in. A mother and father of average middle class had a dreadful expression on their faces, the woman wept while the husband held a picture in his hand and tried signing to one of the officers. Tirelessly he made his way over.
"Please officer, our baby girl has gone missing and she didn't come home last night," the mother exclaimed.
"Look, she is probably at a friend's house. Have you ever considered that she is being rebellious? You said that she was in high school, did you not?" An older-looking officer said.
"I don't care if she is being rebellious or not, I want her back. She could be kidnapped for all we know! I'm getting impatient with the officer," the mother speaking looks at the officer's badge, "Dunbar, look here. Are you a father?"
"No, my husband and I don't want children."
"Then you don't know what it is like! My child is missing and I am getting more anxious every second I talk to you. I want you to send out a search team to find her or so help me I will bring hell." The detective listened and decided to find out who this woman was. He walks over to her and taps her shoulder.
"Are you going to help? Or are you going to insist that my baby girl is a rebel?"
"No ma'am, my name is private detective Feliciano, my first name is none of your business. I am a professional detective and I overheard your dilemma."
"Stay out of it Feliciano. The police are going to handle this-"
"I'm sick of the police, what are your credentials? I'm sure I can't trust strangers, but I'm out of options to find Marsaline," she said. She sounded like she had just given up, she was desperate.
"I'm going to keep this short, I don't like telling a lot about myself. I will help you though, you give me information about Marsaline and I will do my best to find her. Tell me ma'am, where did you see your daughter last?"
"As I was telling this officer, I saw her go off to work yesterday and that was the last time I saw her. She texted me around sevenish that she was coming home soon from working late. Never would she run away from us, she was kidnapped, there is no doubt that someone took my baby." With a troubled expression on his face, he took his phone out to write down these two strangers' numbers. Being satisfied, he left to head in the direction of where this all took place.

Day number three. The same routine, plus a whole new chapter in my life. I wasn't paying attention to most things, I was too caught up in Rain's little garden and dancing. Being distracted helped me from getting over Claudette's tasks that she had to do every day. They were, to say the least, very boring. She lit candles on a shrine that I had to assume was for Damocleus. I really don't understand where their goddess really came to be, I wasn't really educated on minor religions but I didn't mind learning. Being done, Claudette wheeled me over to continue with the next task. I was drifting back and forth from daydreaming until I heard Claudette start talking.
"It's not that hard to get these simple tasks done every day. You pick it up as you go. I remember when I first started working around this place, I practically looked the same, except for the people in it. Rain was a bit younger and treated me like how he did with you. I was younger then, younger than what you would be. I was invited to stay under the protection of Rain. Of course, Claude didn't like that idea. Always treating me as the weaker link of the church. He is..." She paused. The silence was getting louder. My wheelchair was stuck in place and I wondered if something startled her. Her voice was weak and she croaked out a few words.
"Why am I even saying this to you? You are just... an empty shell of someone who lived a better life." I wanted to defend myself, counterattack that I was better here than in a sheltered home. She had no right to say who I am since she didn't even know me. I- I know that I am Mars. I love space and also want to try and form some sort of relationship with Rain. I have more meaning now. We started moving again and I thought over what I know to be true about myself. Turning the corner, I heard a very obnoxious laugh. Claude and Petunia were talking together about who knows what. They paused after seeing us together and Claude formed a grin.
"That outfit looks tacky on her," Petunia quickly said.
"Would you quit changing the subject? We were talking about outfits for the upcoming party, not some cheap dress on this girl." I internally sighed then got insecure about the remarks on the dress I was wearing. I think Claudette was tired of me since she didn't say anything back to them, and here I thought she was a good friend.
"If we are switching up the subject then we should definitely talk about the rumors going around the church," Claude said. For a second I thought I saw devil horns appearing on him.
"I will have no part in that, I really want to live another day without getting on Pearl's bad side," Claudette murmured.
"Do you think that for the party, Rain would prefer an off-the-shoulder forest green dress? Or maybe a pink dress that has puffy sleeves?" Petunia asked Claude.
"Girl really thinks that she can get together with Rain, he's out of your league, pet," Claude said, then burst out laughing.
"I don't see what's so funny! Rain is charming, humble, sexy, and an overall kind person. I am a perfect fit for him. Besides, he's a Capricorn, and I'm a Cancer so it's the perfect match." I'm a Leo, so I'm not sure if that's bad. I really hate zodiac signs so it doesn't even matter.
"Claude, you can't even pull brother Nexus," Petunia goes on saying.
"Grow up you two. My relationship with Nexus is purely platonic, he is the only person that I can talk to without getting annoyed but rude comments. Why single me out when I have the capability to flirt without scaring anyone away, unlike some people. Don't tell me who I can and cannot pull, I am an icon. Also please don't talk about Nexus, he is a hard worker at this church and shows no weakness. Grow up Petunia, get yourself together before you end up like Claudette.'' When he finished, he got a flustered look on his face and tried to cover it up by turning away. Claudette ignored the bickering and went back to take me to her next chore.

The night quickly came and I had to attend a service. When I was around six or seven years old, my grandparents would take me to church since my dad was non-religious and my mom was always focused on her work as an elementary school teacher. It has been a while since I went to a church service. The place I was staying at which I called "the church" felt a bit weird, probably since it was more like a church within a church. The room was fairly big, it looked like a normal church as far as I could see. I was taken to a seat near the middle and had to be propped up a bit so I could be sitting straight. Pearl was on a small platform and Rain stood on her right. From what I could tell I knew that she would perform a long and boring monologue. Clearing her voice she started.
"My fellow members of the church, It has come to my attention that Damocelus is almost ready for us to perform the ritual. She has spoken to me while I was sleeping, as you all know. She has spent countless nights talking to me and even giving some of the members here the instructions on how things will be done. I'm not here to tell you about that though, I come to tell you the historical significance of why we must perform this ritual. The goddess of chaos, the ruler of countless disasters will come upon the earth soon. She will bring her wrath upon those who don't believe in her power, she is not known for her mercy. But there is a way to save the souls of everyone here, in exchange for saving our innocent souls we must perform and act out her coming to the world. Once we can summon her she will spare us and unleash herself onto the world. She is truly amazing." There was a ticking in my ear, like a clock ticking down the seconds of when the service would be over. I listened to what Pearl had to say, I was terrified. I didn't know why I would be that way, I wasn't terrified of what she had to say, it was more like the atmosphere was taking my breath away. The service ended and I couldn't think of anything other than what I heard in that room. I need a break.