HIS FOR THE TAKING

mile playing across her lips. Despite the ratty uniform and the impend

permanently sour-faced manager, grumbled upon spotting her uncharacteristic cheeriness. Though his words carri

the third degree, your eminence?" Ava shot back wit

f a smirk tugging at the corner of his deeply-lined mouth. "Yeah, yeah...just d

in to begin her shift. The jarring clamour of the busy diner rushed over her - the clatter of plates,

topping off mugs of diner brew and firing off meal tickets to the harried kitchen staff in a steady cadence. Her pert smile

or a moment, fishing her tattered planner from the pocket of her apron. Her eyes scanned over a series of

off her apron and balling it up to jam in her ratty tote. She paused o

n's vitality as he simply nodded, never one for sentimentality. With a jaunty flip

en rushing pedestrians despite the heavy tote slung over her shoulder. With each block that passed, Ava's fami

g Mission Chapel. For most, this sacred sanctuary inspired hushed reverence. For Ava, it was a

doors, letting the cavernous quiet envelope her. A few parishioners sat scattered across the worn pews,

cardigan smiled a warm greeting. There was a flicker of recognit

ick Irish brogue, reaching across to enfold the young woman's hands in a soft caress.

r stomach twist into an anxious knot beneath the woman's tender concern

lightly too bright to her own ears. "Hustling away at those dead-end diner gigs while dre

ieces", then seemed to shelve her reservations with visible effort. "But of course, love. You just

. O'Reilly's age-spotted hand pushed a brass key across the countertop. She snatched it up with

stared after her with inexplicable sadness flickering in her watery eyes. After a l

stinctively. Despite the cloistered silence and flickering ordination candles lining th

school classrooms. Her key turned in the lock with a muted snick as Ava shov

d something else...something earthier, mustier that

to blindly gather up the art supplies stacked within. Canvases, brushes, jars of mu

itary hook at the rear of the closet. Ava plucked it free with trembling fingers, surrepti

tent look as she proceeded further down the forsaken hallway. Each scuffed stride

ngs or designation - only a simple steel deadbolt securing it. She fumbled for the k

ed to the wall, the embossed

F SORROWS P

O AUTHORIZED

que, her fingers trembling. Her eyes welled up, the letters start

th a visible steeling of her resolve, Ava turned back to the nondescript door. The key

gently eased the door closed behind her. She was now immersed in utter, haunted

*