DESOLATION

20

I know I'm updating this too late, but I hope you understand—it's hard to stay engaged when the lack of response weighs on me. I'm sorry.

I hope you enjoy!

Inez

Day 3 in Garristown

I finish my prayer and open my eyes. The emptiness of this church saddens me, but what can I say or do? My family used to visit church often, and even after my parents' death, I remember that I used to go at least once a month, as Lorcan is not catholic, so he has never visited one. The only time we visited church was on our wedding day. Well, it was a long time ago. The memory of those times makes my mood bitter, but I decide not to think about it again.

I don't even know how I landed in church today. It feels like my feet brought me here on my own. In the past few months, it did not occur to me to visit church even once. Maybe it is the old building and architecture that captured my attention, and that is what drew me in. I was passing by it when I noticed it. Its slate roof was glistening under the weight of earlier rain, and the stained-glass windows, though dulled by years of dust, were still catching the light in flickers of crimson, sapphire, and green.

Upon entering, I found it empty, contrary to my thoughts about finding it crowded with people. Perhaps the people here don't like to visit the church, so there is now complete silence here. The reason for it being so deserted could be the location of the church, as the old stone church is at the edge of Garristown, nestled between a grove of yew trees and a crumbling stone wall choked with ivy. If this church were in the middle of the town, then maybe people would have liked to visit it.

When I entered, the air was cool and smelled of old wood, damp stone, and faint candle wax. The pews were empty, lined up in narrow rows, each one worn smooth by time. There were no voices, no hymns, no echoing footsteps, just silence so thick it felt sacred.

So, I sat alone near the front on the edge of a pew. I am shocked to see that there is no service and not even a priest. I was lost in my thoughts when I heard the sound of the door creaking behind me.

I turned slightly and saw Maeve entering the church. I expected Maeve to be here least of all the people.

When she saw me sitting, the same expression of shock covered her features, but then a big, wide smile appeared on her face. Suddenly, while looking at her face, a strange thought entered my mind. She is beautiful with her hazel eyes and good features. If Lorcan had met her before, then maybe he would have married her. I quickly shook my head. What am I even thinking?

Maeve's voice pulled me out of my thoughts, "Hey, what are you doing here? I did not expect to find you here." She came towards me and sat beside me.

"I was passing by it, so I decided to come inside," I told her, and started looking forward.

"Why did you not come to the town today? I was worried about you." She asked me worriedly. This reminded me of the time, and I checked my phone. It has been an hour since I came. Time sure moved fast, and I did not even notice. I looked towards Maeve with a smile.

"I was on my way when I noticed this church and came inside. Do you come here often?" I asked her curiously.

"Yes, I do." She sighed as if remembering something.

"Why does this church look neglected? It seems like people don't come here often?"

"My mother often used to tell me there was a time when it used to be filled with people, but then slowly, they lost interest."

"Strange." It was the only thing that I could say in reply. Silence settled between us after this, and none of us spoke.

"If you don't mind me asking, how long do you intend to stay here?" Her question came as a shock, but I did not let her see it. Maybe she thinks that I am a tourist who is here for just a few weeks. But there was something in the way she asked for it, and it made me uncomfortable. I don't know how to put it, but there is something.