Page 30 of Monster in Disguise

Previously, it was only the monster with amber eyes who tormented me. But now... my dreams have shifted.

They always start with that enigmatic man, the one with piercing amber eyes. His features remain indistinct, but the overwhelming dread he stirs forces me to flee. Yet, he always catches up to me, pinning me from behind. In the past, my dreams ended when he lifted my skirt and forced himself upon me. But now... I resist.

I shove him off and defend myself. However, every time I lash out at him, he morphs into Father Guerra.

And I kill him.

I had hoped that reason would help me forget about that night. But it seems my subconscious is adamant about clinging to those memories.

Tonight proves no different as I find myself tossing and turning in bed, sleep eluding me. Glancing at the clock reveals it's nearing six in the morning; quietly slipping out of bed, I pour myself a glass of water.

"You're not okay," Sisi's voice surprises me as she props herself up in bed, observing my every move.

I respond by shaking my head.

"He deserved it, right?" She pats the spot next to her and I join her on the bed.

"In my mind... yes," comes my sad reply. "But guilt keeps gnawing at me."

"Just try to forget about it. Time will make it easier," Sisi offers her advice.

Just then, a blood-curdling scream shatters the silence. My frown deepens as I glance at Sisi, instantly recognizing the voice of another nun.

Sisi quickly springs out of bed, hastily donning her habit as we both dash towards the source of the screams.

"What are you doing?" I hiss.

"Aren't you curious?" She asks, her voice a mere whisper amidst the constant screams in the distance.

I glance over at Claudia, still sound asleep, and give in to Sisi's prodding. As we make our way out of the room and lock the door behind us, I can feel my heart pounding in anticipation and fear.

"It's coming from the grotto," Sisi points towards a direction and takes off running.

As we approach the grotto, I see a group of nuns gathered around, their faces etched with terror. Some are frantically crossing themselves, others kneeling and praying fervently. Sisi pushes her way through the crowd impatiently, pulling me along with her. But as she reaches the front, she suddenly freezes in shock.

"Mother of God... What..." Sisi stammers, her gaze transfixed on something ahead. I shift to the side slightly so I can see what has captured her attention. And then it hits me like a wave.

In the center of the grotto stands a replica of Michelangelo's Pietà sculpture. But instead of Christ cradled in Mary's arms, there lies Father Guerra's bloated and discolored body. His naked form is covered in brown bruises and purple blotches, his chest cavity exposed and his organs spilling out onto Mary's dress.

Flies buzz around him hungrily while maggots crawl over his skin, some even falling onto the ground below. The stench of decay fills the air, causing nuns to faint mid-prayer.

But that's not even the worst part.

As I approach the base of the statue, I notice a dark liquid staining the stone. A closer look reveals that it is blood, and upon further inspection, I see a message scrawled in the crimson substance—five words that send shivers down my spine.

I KNOW WHAT YOU DID

The words seem to jump off the stone, taunting me with their ominous weight. The air feels thick and suffocating as I read them over and over again. My hand shakes as I reach out to touch the words, feeling the cold stickiness of the blood beneath my fingertips.

"Blasphemy!" one nun yells, her voice breaking through the tense silence.

I turn to see Father Guerra's head hanging loosely at the neck, his once-human features distorted by putrefaction and the scavengers that have been at work. His flesh is thin and rotting, his spine fully exposed. Even in death, his head continues to move slightly up and down until finally, with a sickening thud, it falls to the ground. The nuns scatter away from it in fear.

My heart races as I take in this macabre scene. My feet feel unsteady beneath me, but before I can collapse, Sisi grabs onto my arm.

"Lina?"

"Who..." I whisper, unable to form a coherent thought. "I can't."

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