House Of Wax : Nick Jones FF ✅

Fifteen. 15

While Wade and Carly engaged in a discussion about potential places to find people, Lilian's observant eyes swept the surroundings. It didn't take long for her to spot the familiar Wax museum building that had piqued their interest on the journey to the camp. Eager to share her discovery with Wade, who shared her fascination with historical attractions, Lilian prepared to point it out. However, before she could do so, Carly interjected, suggesting they explore the church nearby. Her reasoning was simple – it being Sunday made it likely for people to gather there.

"Why don't we ask someone in the church."

Considering Carly's suggestion, Lilian found merit in the idea of seeking assistance in the church. As the trio made their way toward the religious haven, Lilian took a moment to adjust her appearance. A sense of reverence enveloped her as they approached the church, prompting her to zip up Dalton's jacket she had borrowed and meticulously dust off her jeans. The act reflected not just a practical adjustment to the religious setting but also a subtle acknowledgment of the sacred space they were about to enter.

Surprisingly, the church revealed itself not too far from the gas station, almost as if strategically positioned to draw in people from the nearby area. The architecture spoke of an inviting tranquility, with its quaint charm standing in stark contrast to the eeriness of the ghost town.

Lilian couldn't help but marvel at the peculiar alignment of the gas station and the church, a spatial arrangement that seemed almost intentional in its design to attract those in need of solace or connection. The sunlight filtering through the leaves cast dappled shadows on the path leading to the church, adding an air of mystery and anticipation to their journey.

The path leading to the entrance, worn and uneven, hinted at the countless footsteps that had once trodden upon it. Shadows played on the timeworn cobblestones, casting a haunting tapestry on the ground. The air around the church carried whispers of history, evoking a poignant blend of nostalgia and abandonment.

"Let us all bow our heads and say a prayer for our beloved deceased friend."

As the somber words echoed through the hallowed space of the church, urging everyone to bow their heads in prayer for a beloved deceased friend, Lilian, Carly, and Wade found themselves unwittingly walking into a moment of profound solemnity. The gravity of the situation enveloped Lilian, drowning her in a wave of embarrassment and guilt the moment her foot crossed the threshold of the church. The pews were occupied by mourners, their heads bowed reverently, hands clasped together in prayer. At the front lay a casket, a vessel for the final farewell to an elderly man, adorned with a solitary white rose upon his chest. The realization struck them – this was a funeral.

The officiant presiding over the service, having interrupted his eulogy, cast a frustrated glance at the trio. Their entrance had disrupted the sacred quietude of the church, and the palpable irritation of the mourners added to Lilian's sense of unease. "Sorry, we should go," recognizing the inappropriateness of their intrusion, Lilian took the first step toward an apologetic retreat. Though Carly and Wade hesitated momentarily, Lilian gently pulled at Wade's sleeve, guiding him back to reality. A shared apology was silently exchanged before the trio exited the church, their collective guilt echoing through the air.

"What should we do? Wait here?" Outside, Carly voiced the dilemma they faced in the eerie silence that now enveloped the entire town. The notion of waiting outside a church during a funeral weighed heavily on their consciences. Uncertain about their next move, they pondered the possibility of assistance arriving soon. Wade, caught between guilt and awkwardness, confessed, "I feel kind of messed up waiting outside a church for a funeral to end."

Their wait, however, was relatively short-lived. The officiant, dressed in a black suit with crisp white accents, emerged from the church. Wade hastened to offer an apology and an explanation for their unintended disruption. "Hey, man, sorry about walking in. We didn't know..." Lilian, however, couldn't bring herself to meet the man's eyes, consumed by the weight of her perceived transgression. Unbeknownst to her, the officiant, named Bo, observed Lilian intently, stepping closer to her than to Carly and Wade.

In an attempt to rectify their intrusion, Wade explained their search for Bo, who supposedly worked at the gas station. Bo sighed, a mixture of annoyance and understanding evident on his face. Lilian, still avoiding direct eye contact, couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort that intensified with every gaze directed her way. The atmosphere grew tense when Lilian inadvertently made eye contact with Bo, causing her to flinch and retreat behind Wade. It wasn't his imposing presence that unsettled her but the haunting familiarity in his eyes – a reflection of past trauma and a reminder of an abusive ex-boyfriend.

Bo, frustrated by the bizarre circumstances, sharply questioned their motives. "You walk in on a funeral for a fan belt?" The accusatory tone lingered in the air, and Lilian's discomfort deepened as she sought refuge behind Wade. "Well, let me just go dump the casket in the ground. I'll be right there." Carly and Wade, realizing the severity of their intrusion, offered sincere apologies, but Bo's glare persisted. Lilian, hidden from Bo's view, tried to avoid further confrontation, her unease palpable.

"We're sorry mister. Please forgive us, we will go now... Come on guys."

However, as the trio prepared to leave, Lilian's soft-spoken voice seemed to evoke a change in Bo. Before they could step away, he called out, directing his words specifically at Lilian. "Hey, I'm sorry. Someone very special to me passed," he confessed, his demeanor softening. A sigh escaped him as he continued, "And I didn't mean to take it out on you."

In that vulnerable admission, Lilian sensed a complex layer of grief that transcended the initial frustration. The tension dissipated, if only momentarily, as Bo's apology hung in the air, offering a fragile bridge between misunderstanding and understanding.

"I reckon things will wrap up soon... Why don't I meet you guys back at the station in about a half?"