Chapter 3 XXX

-Scarlet's POV- I was adjusting my brassiere in front of the full-body mirror when my hand unintentionally brushed against the scar on my chest. The past few years had been challenging, and I knew I wouldn't have survived if it weren't for Sister Theresa, the missionary nun who rescued me from the brink of death years ago. It had been over a decade since I first arrived at the monastery, and during my time here, I had always felt loved, appreciated, and cared for under Sister Theresa's guidance. But unfortunately, some beautiful things couldn't last forever. Sister Theresa fell ill and needed financial assistance for her medical treatment. It took a lot of courage for her to leave the convent for the first time since she arrived. I could sense her apprehension, but there was no other choice. Delaying her treatment was simply not an option—it was a matter of life and death. Just as I was about to step out the door, I opened the rose gold locket pendant and raised an eyebrow at the image of a man beside my mother's. He had a peculiar look, and I often wondered how my mother had been attracted to him in the first place. Yet, I couldn't ignore the pull to reach out to him and do whatever I could to support Sister Theresa's cause. Among other things, I found the necklace in one of my mother's old pouches. It held not only the rose gold jewelry but also their final love letter, written the day before she married Brodie Hanson, the clan chief of Black Shadow. Taking a deep breath, I made my way to Sister Theresa's room to check on her before I set off. I knew I had to see her before I could proceed, even though I was well aware she would oppose my plans. Desperation for money had driven me to this point. "Oh my God!" I exclaimed when I spotted Sister Jade waiting outside her room. She had been quite peculiar when she first arrived at the monastery, but she wasn't a bad person by any means. "I heard you're heading to Stonewick today," she stated. I narrowed my eyes at her momentarily, as the decision to leave the convent had been kept between Sister Theresa and me. "Did you get a chance to speak with Sister Theresa?" I inquired, taking the initiative. "Yes, I was there just a few minutes ago, and she asked me to accompany you before I departed," she replied, matching my tone. I bowed my head and expressed gratitude to Sister Jade for her willingness to assist me. "How have you been, Sister Jade?" I asked, noticing that she seemed to be struggling for air. "I didn't want to disturb you since you seemed to enjoy being alone." She let out a sigh of relief and confessed, "I was a bit nervous about approaching you. Your mother would have been thrilled to see you today, my dear. You are so beautiful and you resemble her." I came to a sudden stop, the smile fading from my face as soon as I heard her mention my mother. My mother had no connections to the Black Shadow community for as long as I could remember. "Do you happen to know her?" I inquired, my voice filled with curiosity and caution. Sister Jade nodded and said, "Yes! Can we have a private conversation? There's something I believe you should know before you step outside. My dear, it's quite dangerous out there," she warned, her words laced with concern. Sister Theresa had been telling me the same thing for years, and I nodded in agreement. "I understand, Sister Jade. I'm sorry, but I have to do this! Sister Theresa needs financial assistance for her surgery, and the convent is struggling to make ends meet these days." In truth, we had been surviving solely on our harvests for the past three months. Stonewick used to provide us with significant contributions, but something must have happened there. The villagers had stopped donating money to the monastery, and the Mayor was frequently absent from his office. The silver lining was that the person I was searching for happened to reside in Stonewick, so I could kill two birds with one stone. "Your strength of character is truly remarkable, my dear. Would it be alright if we went to my room? I have something to give you for your safety," she offered. I envisioned receiving a scapular or a small crucifix, items that Sister Jade used to give me for protection. I already had those items in my bag, but I didn't want to disregard her sentiments, so I decided to accompany her instead. Sister Jade's bedroom was just two rooms away from Sister Theresa's, so it didn't make much of a difference whether she was in the other room. "Thank you so much for considering my well-being," I expressed my gratitude to her. "Of course, sweetie! I may have failed to protect your mother, but this time I will do everything in my power to keep you safe," Sister Jade assured me. I furrowed my brows in disbelief, as the nun was saying something I couldn't comprehend at the moment. Nonetheless, I shrugged my shoulders and followed her lead until we reached her room. Like everyone else's in the monastery, Sister Jade's room was simple and had just the bare necessities. However, something caught my eye on the desk beside her bed. My gaze was drawn to it, and I walked up to the desk and picked it up. "What is this? It's stunning!" I exclaimed, looking at the bracelet that dazzled with vibrant colors in front of my eyes. "Oh, it's just an ordinary bracelet, my dear. Do you like it?" Sister Jade replied casually. "Ordinary? I don't see how you can call something ordinary when it shines with so many colors!" I confronted Sister Jade about the bracelet she claimed was nothing special. But as I glanced at her, I noticed a sudden paleness on her face. "Are you alright, Sister Jade?" Letting out a sigh of relief, Sister Jade looked into my eyes for a moment. "I'm relieved that you're still alive, my dear. I am overwhelmed with gratitude right now," she added, stepping closer to me and smiling. She asked if she could put the bracelet on me, and I nodded in agreement. Sister Jade closed her eyes and began reciting a prayer, casting a spell on me. "Was it a prayer?" I asked after Sister Jade finished reciting something unfamiliar to my ears. She nodded, confirming it was a prayer. Was it in Latin or Spanish? I couldn't distinguish between the two! "Yes, it's a prayer for your protection," she explained, retrieving a small purse containing a few bills. "You can use this to buy meals for yourself," she said. "Thank you, Sister Jade!" I expressed my gratitude for the gift, as I only had a few dollars in my wallet at the time. "Let's go to Sister Theresa right away!" A few moments later, I struggled to explain to Sister Theresa why I had to leave the convent temporarily. Sister Theresa was insistent and concerned about my well-being. However, with Sister Jade's support, I managed to persuade her to accept my request despite her reservations. "I understand your concerns, Sister Theresa," I replied, my voice filled with determination. "But I can't stay confined within the monastery forever. Sister Jade will accompany me, and I promise to be cautious. I won't let anything awful happen to me." Sister Theresa's eyes were filled with worry, and she clasped her hands together. "What if Black Shadow recognizes you, my darling Scarlet? They have caused you so much pain in the past." A surge of anger and resentment rushed through me as soon as the clan's name was mentioned. Even after all these years, I could never forget the horrors they inflicted upon me, how they attempted to consume my heart. My mother lost her life while trying to save me from them. But I had grown stronger since then, and I wouldn't let fear paralyze me. "I won't let them harm me again, Sister Theresa," I said through clenched teeth. "I've spent years preparing myself for this moment, and I won't back down. I will protect myself, and I have Sister Jade by my side. Please trust me." Sister Theresa's expression softened, and she reached out to touch my cheek gently. "My dear Scarlet, you've become so strong and resilient. I believe in you. Just promise me you'll come back safely." I nodded, feeling a mixture of determination and gratitude. "I promise, Sister Theresa. I will return safely. And I will do everything I can to ensure that the monastery's financial struggles are resolved. Sister Jade and I will find a way." With those words, I kissed Sister Theresa's cheek, conveying my love and gratitude. Then I turned towards the door, ready to face the outside world after ten long years of confinement. "I will be cautious, Sister Theresa," I reassured her once more, my voice filled with determination. And with that, I stepped out of the monastery, ready to confront the challenges that awaited me.