Secrets and Sins Part 2: Finding Mary

Chapter 3

~Ava~

"Nope can't do it." She spun on heel to walk back down the hallway.

"Ava!" Bea hissed, grasping her wrist.
"Come on, just get it over with."

Ava sighed, chewing on the side of her lip but allowed the sister warrior to drag her back in front of the imposing dark oak door.

They had arrived in Andalucía yesterday evening, returning to the Cat's Cradle. Ava had carefully avoided anyone from the inner circle, except for Bea of course, she was painfully embarrassed after things got heated between her and Mother Superior in front of the group. Bea had spoken to Camilla and filled Ava in about the research the OCS was undertaking to explore the possibility of Mary surviving the events of the Vatican. Knowing that they were still looking into the Halo bearer’s vision despite her misconduct in the meeting made Ava feel worse. Bea had convinced her that talking to Mother Superior would help alleviate the guilt gnawing at her.

So here they were standing in front of the older nun's office and Ava was struggling to work up the courage to knock on the door. Bea rolled her eyes at Ava's nervous expression and raised her fist to rap on the door twice for her before quickly marching away.

"Bea!" Ava whisper-shouted after her; the sister warrior turned to give her a wink before disappearing around the corner of the corridor.

"Come in." Mother Superior’s voice called out, Ava gulped, placing a hand on the doorknob, she turned it and entered the room. She had literally faced down demons and the end of the world, surely she could handle talking to a nun.

A nun that could kill me a dozen different ways with her little finger...

The Halo bearer lingered awkwardly by the doorway, unsure if the leader of the OCS would want to speak to her or if she would kick her out, she waited for Mother Superior to acknowledge her.

“Ava. What can I do for you?” Ava jumped at the sound of her name, surprised, the older nuns' eyes had never moved from the pile of paperwork on her desk.

Maybe she can smell fear...

Wringing her hands, Ava approached the intimidating mahogany desk, glancing at the array of weapons bracketed on the wall behind it, “Can I sit?” She asked quietly.

Mother Superior nodded, still not looking up, but held out a hand to one of the chairs positioned opposite her. The Halo bearer perched on the edge of the seat, her back ramrod straight and took a deep breath to begin the little apology speech that she had already practiced on Bea earlier this morning.

“Mother...” Ava started, clamping down on her nerves so she could get this out.
“I’m sorry for my behavior early yesterday morning, I was way out of line with how I spoke to you and Sister’s Camilla and Yasmine.”

Mother Superior finally lifted her head and fixed Ava with a piercing gaze, the Halo bearer squirmed a little under the scrutiny, eventually the older nun sighed, running a hand down her face.

“Look Ava, I do understand how you were feeling at that moment, Beatrice came to speak to me before we left the hotel, but I will not have that kind of disrespect in the OCS.” Ava bowed her head in shame.
“I know that you have the best of intentions in regard to rescuing Mary, but this isn’t something we can rush into. I appreciate that we could have also handled your revelation better, you are the Halo bearer and stranger things have happened around you then a ‘sort of’ vision of someone we thought was KIA actually being alive.” Mother Superior’s voice was soft, reassuring, it helped to soothe some of Ava’s discomfort.
“I have started an investigation into what you witnessed, but with little to go on, this may take some time. I know it’s not easy for you but please be patient…” Ava snorted slightly at the dig, “...and remember who your friends are.” The older nun smiled at her kindly, before tilting her head towards the door, dismissing her.

The Halo bearer nodded with a sigh, Mother Superior and Bea were right of course, Ava would have to practice her self control and be patient.

Ugh, I hate waiting.

Ava stood but made no move to head towards the door, Mother Superior raised an eyebrow at her, “Was there something else?” She questioned.

The younger woman shuffled a little before speaking, “Can I... ahh…hug you?”

Mother Superior let out a huff and rolled her eyes, but still opened her arms. Ava embraced her tightly. She couldn’t remember being hugged by her mother as a child, but she imagined that it felt like this, safe and sure and unconditional.

“Alright, get out of here. You have training to do.” Mother Superior gave her a firm nudge towards the door.

“Yes ma'am.” Ava grinned and bounced out of the room.

Bea was right, she felt much better now she had cleared the air.

Not that I’m surprised, Bea’s always right.