Always and Forever

Crescent City

Kieran stands at the front of the church, holding a mass. The pews were full of people, including Klaus and Marcel. "Thank you all for coming. It means more than I can tell you. We gather today for the first public service of our newly reopened church. St. Anne's can finally once again be the heart of our community, where we can congregate as a people united. Here, this hour, we come together to praise God and give thanks. The events that took place at our church were tragic."

Klaus sits next to Marcel as they listen to Kieran. Marcel looks up when he spots someone he recognizes across the church. He sits up a little, trying to get a proper look at her, but fails.

Klaus leans in close to him, noticing his companion distracted. "Problem?"

Marcel leans back and looks at Klaus, shaking his head. "No."

Klaus lends back himself, and keeps his eyes on Kieran. "Then pay attention. We're meant to seem like devoted parishioners."

Kieran motions to Klaus and Marcel with his eyes. "...and it is that hope in our hearts, and with the help of many benefactors, that allows us to be here today. So we gather with renewed spirit, made stronger, committed to the ideals of peace and love. Amen."

All while he is speaking, Bastiana enters the church, and sits down, answering with all the others. "Amen."

Kieran looks at her, his eyes widening in fear and shock.

Walking through the cemetery, Celeste leads a tour. "Each tomb is well cared for. Families honor their dead with display of affection and respect."

While Celeste talks, Monique slowly opens her eyes, looking around inside her tomb. She places her hands on the top of the tomb, trying to find a way out. Panic settles inside her, as she hears people talking outside her tomb. "Is someone there?"

Celeste stops in front of the Deveraux plot. "This place belongs to the Deveraux family, known throughout the Quarter for their strong connection to witchcraft."

Monique feels anxiety and panic set in deeper as she starts to cry and hyperventilate. "Please help me!"

Celeste motions to the fresh new tomb. "And if you look close, these fresh bricks tell us someone in the family has recently fallen."

Monique screams in the tomb, crying out for help.

The tourists look around in horror as they hear screaming come from the new tomb. They look to Celeste in shock, but she just stands there like nothing was happening.

Monique forces her hands above her head and the bricks fly out and down to the ground. Monique falls to the ground, causing most of the tourists to jump back and scream, while some take a few pictures.

Celeste smiles and kneels down next to Monique. "Helle, Monique. Welcome back to the land of the living."

Monique sits up, and looks up at Celeste, furrowing her brows.

The tourists continue taking pictures of the now empty grave. However Monique and Celeste are in the mausoleum, Monique sits with her back to the entrance.

Sophie pushes her way past people and stops at her family's tomb. She looks at the now empty grave and takes off towards the mausoleum. She stops when she sees her niece sitting there. She looks at Celeste, not knowing it is her. "What is it? What's going on?"

Celeste looks at Sophie and smiles. "It's a miracle."

Sophie takes a step forward. "Monique?" Her eyes widen when Monique stands up, turning to face her. "You're alive!" She walks over to her and wraps her arms around her.