Year Walk

Chapter 7: Alicia

Charlie's barking stopped and I stood there.

The voice was croaky. Brittle almost. It reminded me of rocks and sand being rubbed together, creating the ultimate friction.

I push the door softly, letting it open. It was dark and the only light emitted was moonlight coming through the stained windows, giving the building a creepy aura.

The singing continued, bringing my eyes to the middle of the church, where a woman sat on one of the pews, perching like a bird.

It looked like she was praying.

I walked slowly around her, cautious that she may jump at me. Charlie didn't even dare, he stayed right outside the door as if something was stopping him.

The inside of the building was just as lonely as the outside. There was a damp, musty odor that smelt like the woods after a downfall of rain.

As I neared her, I noticed it was an younger woman. It looked like the years washed away her body and hair, leaving nothing but her face and some bones. Her short copper hair was sleeked back, as if it grew that way. Her eyes were closed as I examined her. Despite looking tired and washed away, she was beaming with natural beauty. She wore nothing as if it was normal on a winter night.

Her voice lowered to a quiet ramble, but I could still tell she was singing the same tune. It rolled off her tongue like she has been singing it for centuries.

She should have noticed me by now,

is she ignoring me?

I sit at a pew next to me and watch her closely.

What is she doing?

"Ma'am?" I ask.

She stops singing, but now she is bobbing her head, as if she was still singing it in her mind.

I didn't want to bother her anymore. I turned and walked my way to the opened door, reaching my hand out to grab the door.
But before I can, the door creaks slowly shut. I see Charlie's eyes full of confusion.
Her singing stopped.

I didn't bother catching the door, I knew that would be the last time I see my puppy.

"Come back here, darling."