HEART AT WAR [PART 2 OF A&B] [CSM]

it's all wrong, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright

VVVROOOM!!!

Your eyes shoot open, every muscle in your body tightening. You come to a halt, a vicious gust of wind pounding against your back as you remain still. The old woman inches away from you squeals, blowing over and skidding against the ground. 

Your jaw jitters as you recollect yourself, gasping as you jog over to the old lady. "A-AH! M-MISS, ARE YOU OKAY?!" Calling out in worry, the wind begins to die down as you bend down. 

She pants, holding her shoulder with furrowed eyebrows. "Y-Yes, dearie.. I'm.. ouuwwch.." The old woman sits up. You wrap your arm under her, lifting her up. 

She sniffles, rubbing her cheek with the back of her hand. "Oh, dearie.. m-my.. my cane.. ooh.." Her head tilts to the left, spotting her cane far down the street. 

"O-Oh.. it's.. s-sweetie, I need my- oh!" You place the cane in her hand. She smiles, leaning down on it as she hunches over. "T-Thank you, dearie.. oh, you're so quick! My, where'd you come from, anyway? What was all t-that.. wind?" She looks around, her sweet wrinkles forming a pout.

You place your hand on her back, bending down a little to get on eye level.  

"Sorry, miss. That was me. I.. thought I heard a chainsaw, so I.. stopped.." Your voice trails off into a weak suspicion, redirecting your attention to your right. 

VRROOOMM!!!

Your hair stands up, the noise coming from the right. She pats your back, letting out a hearty (HEART?) chuckle. "That was you? My, you really are quick! Hoho, how lovely!" 

"A-Aha.. yeah.." You step away from a moment, going toward the noise.

"You's a church girl, too?" She asks, stepping forward alongside you. You stop, looking down at her.

"H-Huh? Church?"

"Church!" She points at the building. You look forward, tilting your head up.

A six-floor building towers over you, its design being wildly different from the broken, run down buildings and tents it's surrounded by. At the very top, a Chainsaw Man billboard sits, making it clear what kind of church this is.

A faint blush creeps onto your face, your mouth agape.

"A Chainsaw Man Church..?" You mumble, admiring the architecture. 

The churches back in the DPU were so torn up, thrown together to get back to their worship as quick as they could. But this.. 

It's beautiful..

"I like standin' back and admirin' it, too." The old woman says, her smile beaming. "Our worship started during the D-War.. even though Chainsaw Man was gone, he protected all the folks he could." She tilts her head back down, taking a moment to look around. 

"When the big bombs dropped, everything around was all torn up. Only thang left was our Chainsaw Man Church. Even in death, He protected our faith." Her beaming smile remains for a few moments, beginning to fade as she pays closer attention to her surroundings.

"O-Oh.. s-sweetie, have you seen my cart?" She tugs at your sleeve. You slowly turn your head towards her, not taking your eyes off of the church. "Uh huh.. it's, um.." Directing your attention to the street, you realize, no, you haven't seen her cart. "..U-Uh.."

"Oh, deaaar.. my things.. this keeps happening.." She takes a deep breath, sighing. "M-Muhh.. m-maybe it's.. inside.." She holds onto your arm, pulling you along with her into the church. Your blush deepens, your lip gently quivering as she holds your arm.