Crimson Tainted Sins

-chapter 8-

"Oh, my sweet girl. You look so tired." Sister Maria cupped my face and rubbed the obvious bags under my eyes with her thumbs gently. "Have you been sleeping?"

I could've laughed at her question, my sleep has been horrible these past few days, definitely after that day. "I'm alright, Sister Maria. Just settling in the new house has me stressed." I brushed her off.

She nodded to herself, taking her hands off my face and gripping my hands instead. I decided to go to the church the last couple of days to hopefully get my mind off some things, definitely since my parents have been sleeping in and I don't have them to protect me. I hoped a more public area would ease my paranoia.

Doing some cleaning around the church and getting to know the lovely community has really helped, everyone is so welcome. Well, except for the nun who has lost her vision. She has a vendetta against me for whatever reason, I've helped her around the church but any time I touch her she almost yelps from fear, she called me 'pure evil' a few days back, I didn't know whether she was joking but I tried not focusing on it.

Sister Tess was at my side, practically shoving food down my throat, trying to make me eat since I haven't been doing much of recently. The nuns make me feel safe, like a mother figure I've never really had.

I opened my mouth for another spoonful of the soup she made in the kitchen, it was really good I had to admit.

I smiled at her as I saw there was nothing left in the bowl. "Have you taken your medication for today?" She asked.

"Yes, sister." I eased her worries and sat up, trying to dismiss the conversation as the uncomfortable topic of medication was brought up. "I have more sweeping to do, excuse me." I politely said and they both gave me nods and continued to have conversation.

I pivoted on my feet to the stage where the broom was leaning on. My hair was pulled into a small neat bun, keeping it out of the way when I leaned down to grab the stick.

I started sweeping and the music in my headphones only got louder as my thoughts got more deafening.

Not having an answer to why I was being stalked, made my head constantly spin and I've had multiple panic attacks in the last week and a half.

It's been lovely.

There's been no other weird notes or anything else out of the ordinary, which almost makes it worse because I never knew if they were watching.

Something clattered onto the floor, sounding like metal clinking against the tile. I wanted to continue sweeping but the shiny object I saw caught my eye.

I sighed and bent down, my fingers carefully grabbing the object without getting dust on my hand.

A ring?

No, a red ruby ring with a gold band, the jewelry looking oddly familiar.

"O-oh..." I stumbled and nearly fell onto the ground as what looked like a movie flashed into my mind.

"Do you promise?" I looked up at Spencer, almost revealing a weary look which I'd never do in front of anyone else except them.

His fingertips brushed my arm until they settled on my hand and he grabbed my right before lifting it between us.

He shrugged something out of his sweatpants pocket and quickly slid it onto my finger. "Promise..."

I felt relieved knowing that all they were going to promise me was protection and comfort, I didn't even feel naked under his gaze despite my lack of clothing.

Though, I quirked a brow at the pretty ruby ring on my right ring finger. "I'll put another on your left one soon, sweetheart." He added with a small laugh.

That night they stayed true to their word, they made me feel safe and comforted as Ares took the most venerable and precious thing from me.

My innocence. The last thing that was left of the pure side of me.

"Hey, are you alright, dear?" Hands grabbed my shoulders and effectively pulled me out of whatever nightmare I just experienced.

I blinked up at Sister Maria and froze. "Yeah, I'm good, just a l-little lightheaded." I cracked an apologetic smile.

I caught my footing, not wanting her to worry and ask more questions. I just needed fresh air.

Really, really needed fresh air.

After I said my goodbyes, I all but ran to the exit of the church. The cold air brushed my hair into my flushed face and I embarrassingly spit it out and wiped it from my face to tuck it behind my ears.

I felt an uncomfortable warmth between my legs for an unknown reason. I leaned against the wall and tried to catch my bearings.

My chest rose and felt deeply, now I did think I was going crazy. I was fantasizing about these men now.

The cold jewelry still held tight into my clenched fist. My hands were shaking, shaking so much as I uncurled my fist and looked into the palm of my hand.

It was pretty, very pretty. Definitely expensive, it felt like I was meant to find this. Like the ring was deliberately placed where I was sweeping so I would see it.

I pocketed the ring, my green sweater hiding my pockets as it bagged over my hips.

✝︎
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I sat in the one of multiple living rooms to watch the local news. Since it seems like I'm shielded from the world, I try to get a little insight into what's actually going on.

And right now, a murder investigation was open. One of the neighbors we had a chance of meeting was brutally murdered, with eighty-nine stab wounds, all over her body.

I lost my appetite once I saw the image of the funeral photo, it was the same girl who made a cruel joke about my appearance last week. I haven't been looking my best I knew that, but I still had to excuse myself from their home to sob in my room.

Yes, I am too sensitive.

Recently it's been raining, quite a bit actually. I've always loved the rain, the smell, the sound, and even the aggressive sounds of thunder calmed me. It's been matching my gloomy mood, and I couldn't be more grateful.

At least one thing is going right in my life, and it's one thing I enjoy.

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I did get writer's block at the end, sorry to leave it like that. I may rewrite the ending cause I really hate it. ANYWAYS I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT. (unedited)