章 96: Mother of Mercy

The church smelled of old wood and burnt wax.

It wasn't grand, nothing like the towering cathedrals I'd been to before with my mother in the Western Safe-Zone.

This was a simple place, tucked into the quieter edge of the city. 

Yes, I was in a church.

The church of the Mother of Mercy.

And yes, I had snuck out of that party to be here.

I could say I left because of my hangover headache.

I could say I wandered the streets aimlessly until I found a quieter spot.

I could say I stumbled upon this church by chance and stepped inside its large wooden gates out of curiosity.

But those would all be lies. 

I came here intentionally.

I knew I had to be here, so I purposefully searched for this place and entered it.

I sat on one of the pews near the back, elbows resting on my knees, chin cradled in my hands.