Don't tell me bye bye (mystery/ thriller)

Chapter 11

The last time I've been anywhere remotely religious was Jungkook 's cremation. The whole thing passed in a blur, my mum hugging my numb body and telling me how well I was doing, even though we both new she was lying. The worst part was listening to someone talk about him as if they knew him. Hearing the officiant say that he was 'full of life' was just a reminder that he was now empty of life, just a corpse in a box, waiting for flames to take him away.

I push open the church door and tiptoe in. The quiet of the building engulfs me, a musty smell of damp and comfort wafting up my nose as I close the door. The warmth surprises me as I let my shoulders relax into the unfamiliar surroundings.

"GAAAA!!" The sound of a chair scraping across the stone floor makes me leap out of my skin, clutching my neck. I whip round and come face to face with Namjoon's Dad holding a chair in mid-air, his eyes as wide as mine. He puts the chair down, puts a hand to his chest, and leans against the chair.

"Wow, Y/n," he says, catching his breath. "You really scared me." "Sorry. I didn't....should I have knocked?"

"No, no, you're fine. I just wasn't expecting anyone. I'm normally back at the vicarage at this time of day, but one of my churchwardens isn't well so I had to come and set up for later. Give me a hand?"

Not wanting to argue with a man of God in church, I drop my bag and walk over to the stack of chairs.

"I just need a few extras put out at the back. We've got band practise later, and the families sometimes come and watch."

"Band practise?"

"Yes, the church band. Did you think we just play the organ here?"

"No, well, I...."

"Don't worry, I'm just teasing. What brings you here?" He stands up straight to face me, wiping dust from his hands. "Did you want to talk about your friend?"

I shake my head so hard I have to tuck my hair back behind my ears. "No. God, no." I clap a hand over my mouth. "Oh, God, I'm sorry! I mean, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that!"

Dan puts his hand up and I'm worried he's going to banish me from the church forever, but he gestures towards the chairs he's just set down.

"Calm down, Y/n. You're not the first person to get flustered in church. Please, take seat."

He plants himself in one of the chairs and scratches his beard as he smiles at me. I sit down, smoothing down my hair and my clothes. I bite my nails and look around at the high ceilings, the stained glass that manages to make the dim daylight look beautiful, and the crucifix at the front until Dan coughs politely.

"Sorry, it's just, I don't think I've been inside a church since I was at school. It's...." "Weird?" he offers.

I look at him, surprised by his choice of words, but am relieved to see he's smiling and not judging me for being a blaspheming non-church goer who's had naughty thoughts about his son.

I smile back at him. "Yeah, I guess so."

He nods at me and opens up his arms. "So what can I do for you, L/n?"

"You can call me Y/n; everyone does."

"Your mother picked such a beautiful name for you, it's a shame not to use it."

"Uh, okay."

He looks at me, his eyebrows high on his forehead, then checks his watch. "Sorry, I'm in a bit of a rush to get this place sorted before everyone starts arriving."

Perfect. My opportunity to bolt. "I can come back?"

"No, no, you're fine."

"Okay." Why didn't I think this through? "Well, I was just hoping to find out how Tae's doing?"