[FEAR STREET X OCS]
"The more that you say, the less I know. Wherever you stray, I follow."
All Reyes ever wanted was simple; defeat Sunnyvale, reunite her two best friends who had been torn apart by misunderstandings, and maybe, just maybe, convinc...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
XIX. pastor miller
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Clara's feet felt heavy as she made her way back home, her mind racing with everything that had happened. The morning sun was just beginning to crest over the town's rooftops, casting a golden light that felt incongruous with the turmoil inside her.
When she finally reached their small home, Matilda was already awake, sitting at the kitchen table, her sewing forgotten in her lap. She looked up as Clara entered, her expression a mixture of worry and relief.
"Clara." Matilda said softly, setting the sewing aside. "Where have you been? You look as if you've seen a ghost."
Clara collapsed into the chair across from her, resting her head in her hands. "It's Pastor Miller, something's wrong with him. He's not himself. He kept muttering strange things and Dorothea said it was like something else was inside him, wearing his skin."
Matilda's brow furrowed as she poured Clara a cup of water, placing it gently in front of her. "What do you mean?"
Clara took a sip, her hands trembling. "I don't know. I thought perhaps he was just sick, but it's more than that. Hannah and Sarah were there too, and Goody Miller. She threw Sarah and I out, screaming about corruption and sin. She even attacked Sarah. And Thomas-"
She stopped, biting her lip, unsure if she wanted to continue.
"What about Thomas?" Matilda prompted, her voice gentle.
Clara hesitated, then took a deep breath. "He's not the man I thought he was, Matilda. Last night, he spoke against Sarah and Hannah. He called them sinners, and said they deserved to be punished. He riled up the townsfolk with his words." She looked down, feeling the weight of her own confession pressing against her chest. "He didn't know about me, but I told him. About me and Dorothea."
Matilda's eyes widened, and for a moment, she looked as though she might speak. But she only nodded, reaching across the table to squeeze Clara's hand.
"He was furious." Clara continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I told him because I care for him, Matilda. I think, I think I'm falling in love with him, despite everything."
