Chapter 2

   I darted out of the woods, running right into a Jeep. The owner of the Jeep slammed on the brakes just right on time, the trees lost traction and the SUV spun. The driver managed to turn into the spin, getting the vehicle back under control. It coasted to a stop an inch from a giant oak tree.

   A man appeared out of the car. The figure that stepped out of the car was tall and lean. Even half-frozen and desperate, I'd known who he was. I'd seen him a couple of times with father William.

   Colin.

   "Help me!" I begged, glancing over my shoulders, my eyes wide with fear. "There's something out there…something is chasing me."

   He closed the door, scanning the woods behind me. "Who?"

   "Not who…what? I don't know. It had fangs and claws. It tried to kill me." My teeth were chattering, and he dropped his coat around my shoulders and bundled me into the car.

   I grabbed his wrist before he could turn away, my hands cold against his skin. "We need to go back, we need to tell the others."

   "Okay," he responded, meeting my eyes.

   My lips were pale from cold, rivulets of water streaming down my cheeks and neck. I'd been outside for a while, and I seemed to be suffering the effects of it.

   "Tell me what's going on."

   "I told you. Something with fangs and claws was chasing me through the woods." I glanced at the trees, my eyes widening. "There, look!"

   He whirled in the direction I indicated, his hands resting on the gun strapped to his waist. "I don't…"

   His voice trailed off. Something did seem to be moving through the forest. Colin must have seen it too. "What you saw…did it somehow look like a wolf."

   "Yes." I looked away from his searching gaze. "Please, take me away from here. Let's just go."

   "Sure." He nodded his agreement and stood still while letting me get into the car first.

   What I really wanted to do was go into my room and curl around my covers in bed, forgetting all that has happened.

   Just then, the engine coughed, and the Jeep was speeding out of the woods.

*

   After practically crying myself to sleep the night before, the last thing I expected to see was Tracy next to her travel bag, rosary in hand. She met my gaze with a smile. "Lydia, are you done packing."

   "Packing? I don't understand."

   It took several minutes before she could respond. "What do you mean by that? If that's supposed to be a joke well stop it, it isn't funny."

   My eyes shifted away. I was trying to understand what she's on about.

   "Please don't tell me you're being serious right now." She groaned irritated, before whipping around. "The mission trip placing's are over. Today marks the end of our living in the order here in Porto Alegra. Father Reed expects us in Los Angeles by tomorrow."

   Pressure built in my chest, making my head throb. "No, we can't go back..at least not now. I..I mean, what about classes? What will happen to those? We can't just leave…"

   Her face softened a minuscle amount but her voice was still firm. "Father Reed's orders. And for the classes, we'll continue in the convent at Los Angeles before entering a novitate, and then taking our first vows."

   She sounded so excited about going back, whilst I didn't know if returning to Los Angeles was a good thing or not. I liked it here in Porto Alegra, far away from father Reed's control and the intent need to make him proud. It was clear that I didn't want to go back, I haven't even finished getting information about my real parents. I had questions like, who are they? How they look like? And why they gave me away? Kept running in my head.

   The last thing I wanted to do was to disobey him or reject the offer of transfer. I couldn't leave…at least not until I was done with the search. I had to know why they gave me away. If they hadn't, maybe I wouldn't be living my life as a debt to pay up to someone for taking their place. I swallow the lump of emotion rising in my throat. Oh Lord, please help me. Licking dry lips, I finished my thoughts before the waves of feelings got the best of me.

   Tracy stopped me with one hand on my arm. "It looks like there's more on your mind than the placement."

   "It's not that." I shook my head and tried to smile.

   "C'mon, Lydia, give. It's me, your best friend—remember?" Tracy sat down across from me and patted my head gently. No one could decide if we were sisters or not—that was how close we are. Whilst Tracy had a rich, Chestnut mane with pale green eyes. I had a honey blonde hair with boring grey orbs that had nothing interesting to tell.

   More than just friends, we are also sisters, which was why it made me uncomfortable to lie to her. But I couldn't help it—no matter how earnest she looked, with that encouraging smile lifting her lips, there was no way I was going to divulge my past to her. I couldn't imagine her understanding what I felt.

   "I'm anxious about getting back home. Nothing more."

  "Okay then." She giggled aloud, twisting her arm through mine. I forced a smile. "Why don't I help you find something to wear for tomorrow."

*

   By the end of the day, I was more than ready for other nuns to leave the hallway so I could pull myself together. After the last sister shut the door behind her, I sat utterly still until the tension drained out of me. Then it was time to start cleaning up. I relished the silence, broken only by the swishing of the straw broom on the floor boards.

   I was so deep in my thoughts when the door opened behind me with a sudden bang, it caused me to jump and drop the broom. I bent to retrieve it, holding back a frustrated sigh when I saw father William heading towards me. A visit from him was hardly what I needed to add to this terrible day. 

   "Hello, father. What brings you by to the nunnery this afternoon?"

   The old man came to a stop in front of me, glancing around the room as if he expected a skeleton to fall out a closet and give him a reason to scold me on the spot. "Miss Martinez, I have a quick matter to discuss with you. I had a call with father Reed last night, as I'm sure you're aware."

   My heart thumped hard when he searched my face, I wondered if he knew…if he knew that I was in the woods last night. I did my best not to react. I wondered if he'd already ratted me out to father Reed. Oh God. "Yes, sir. Is there some changes I need to know about?"

   His beady eyes focused on me again. "Yes, as a matter of fact, there is. He has agreed that Los Angeles need the likes of you to meet the needs of the future generation. We'll be placing you over there soon. You can continue taking classes over there."

   I knew this had nothing to do with my capabilities, father Reed was always one step ahead of me. I knew he wanted to abruptly stop my search for my parents, as he never approved of it, even from the start. "Thank you for informing me so promptly. You can be so sure I'll stay as long as you need."

   "But of course, Miss Martinez. I had no doubt you would."

   Clenching my fist, I turned away to lean the broom in the corner, mostly to keep myself from crying. I was relieved to find that he was almost out of the door when I faced him again.

   "Good day, Miss Martinez. And I do mean that it's a good day. For me, anyway."

   I counted to twenty before grabbing a book from the desk and letting it slam on the floor with a satisfying bang. Only then did I sag against the desk and let my tears fall.