When The Sky Bleeds ✔️

Chapter 12

The sunlight beamed through the dormitory windows as Lily shook me awake. "Wake up, we overslept! Trial is in an hour."

I jolted awake, the Bible I had fallen asleep reading falling from my hand. I sat up in my bed, expecting to experience the grogginess that usually accompanies a lack of sleep. Instead, I was well-rested and like a brand-new person.

The previous night was an unforgettable experience, one unlike any I had ever had before. As the morning light filtered in through the windows, my memories of the night became clear, and I realized what had transpired. The scenery outside had undergone a total transformation. We had been transported to a new location. The views of the trees from where we sat in Montana were now replaced by a picturesque landscape straight out of a postcard. The rolling hills were blanketed with lush green grass dotted with wildflowers and tall evergreen trees. In the distance, snow-capped mountains rose against the clear blue sky, reminiscent of Swiss panoramas I had seen in travel magazines. It became clear to me that the Holy Spirit had indeed arrived, just as Declan and Wilson had assured would occur when the Council invited Him. And I, wide awake and fully present, witnessed it all unfold before my eyes.

Lily and I hurried down the brightly lit hallways, our boots thumping against the polished marble floors. The sound bounced off the walls, a reminder of the rapid passage of time. As we approached the entrance to the assembly room, Meradyth stepped into my path; her arms crossed in front of her like a barrier. It brought back memories of when she had stopped me in the psychiatric hospital all those weeks ago.

"Hey, Meradyth," I pleaded urgently, trying to move past her. "I really need to get to assembly."

She glanced at her watch before meeting my gaze with an intense stare. "You have a few minutes. I need to talk to you." Reluctantly, I followed her to the corner of the room, gesturing for Lily to go on without me.

"Did you have fun breaking into the greenhouse last night?" Meradyth whispered.

My heart raced as I searched her face for any signs of anger or disappointment. "Juno perches there," she continued, answering my unspoken question. "She saw you."

I mentally kicked myself for forgetting that the crow was always perched in the greenhouse when she wasn't flying about and that Meradyth and Juno were intertwined in more ways than one.

"Meradyth, I-" I began, struggling to find the right words.

"It's fine. I'm not mad," she reassured me, though her expression briefly showed annoyance before continuing. "Juno said it was all part of the Messiah's plan and not some malicious act... though he wouldn't tell me why." A hint of frustration crept into her tone before she briskly composed herself. "If this is going to become a regular thing, just let me know afterward so I can cover my butt if anyone from the faction finds out."

I nodded, a deep blush spreading across my cheeks.

"Now get in there before you get into trouble," Meradyth said with a small smile, shooing me away.

"Thank you, Meradyth," I called over my shoulder.

As I entered the bustling assembly room, my heart raced with anticipation. The air was thick with eager recruits chatting and laughing, the clinking of metal on metal as armor was adjusted, and the occasional whoop of excitement. I searched through the crowd until I found Lily, her dark hair cascading in loose waves down her back.

"What was that all about?" she asked, gesturing towards the doorway.

I turned to face her, a knowing smile spreading across my lips. "Just getting myself into trouble, the usual."

Before Lily could press for more information, the room became quiet as Professor Jones stepped onto the stage. Master Aloysius followed directly behind him, his imposing figure garnering respect and attention from the assembled recruits.