"Shall we go inside?" I quickly interject, trying to defuse the tension between us. But Vlad raises an eyebrow at me, knowing full well that he is provoking a reaction.
The security measures are tighter than the last time we were here, but we navigate through them swiftly. As we enter the building, chaos seems to reign supreme. Nuns scurry about in what can only be described as mass hysteria.
"Let me call Sisi," Catalina says as she pulls out her phone and dials my sister's number.
"I didn't know she had a phone," I remark, frowning in surprise.
"I left her mine," Catalina explains before speaking into the phone. "Sisi, we're here... What about the graph? Okay, we'll be right there." She hangs up and turns to both Vlad and me. We nod in unison.
"Lina?" My sister's voice echoes through the hallway as she spots Catalina. With a delighted squeal, she rushes over and throws her arms around her in a tight embrace. "Oh Lina! I've missed you so much!"
"Sisi, are you all right?" Catalina asks with concern as she strokes my sister's hair lovingly. I never realized their bond was so strong.
Assisi nods, then looks at the two of us with a furrowed brow, clearly sensing the tension between Vlad and me.
"Marcello and...?"
As Assisi's narrowed eyes fix on Vlad, he remains utterly unfazed. His easy smile only adds to his charming facade as he introduces himself with a smooth tone. It's a tactic he oftenemploys to appear harmless, but few see through the guise to the predator lurking beneath.
"Vlad. Pleased to meet you."
Vlad extends his hand, but Assisi barely spares him a glance before turning back to Catalina. The tension between them is palpable.
I sneak a glance at Vlad and can't help but smirk as I sense his bruised ego from Assisi's snub. If only I could hi-five my sister for it.
Without skipping a beat, I redirect the conversation back to Assisi.
"Tell us what happened," I urge her gently. She gives me a small, sad smile.
"I don't know all the details either," she admits, "but I was near the chapel when one of the nuns started screaming. I rushed inside and...you'll have to see it for yourselves if Mother Superior will allow it. It's just..." She trails off, shaking her head in disbelief.
"She'll allow it," Vlad interjects confidently, and we all make our way towards the chapel with a sense of foreboding hanging in the air.
There is a crowd outside, and some elderly nuns are trying to keep the others in order. Mother Superior is also outside, looking contrite as she's talking with a priest. Vlad immediately goes to her, and they exchange a few words. Whatever he is saying to her, she doesn't seem pleased. He returns to our side and tells us we can proceed inside.
"You two should stay here," I address Catalina and Assisi, but they both immediately shake their heads. The determination in their eyes is unwavering.
"No," they say in unison.
I let out a frustrated sigh. "I don't think it's something you should see," I add.
"I already saw it," Assisi retorts, her voice firm and resolute.
"And if it concerns me... I need to see it!" Catalina says fiercely, her chin held high as she meets my gaze with defiance.
I turn to Vlad for support, but he just shrugs nonchalantly.
"Fine..." I relent once again, knowing that arguing with them will do no good. Surely it can't be that bad, seeing that Assisi is alright.
We make our way inside, and Catalina immediately links her hand with Assisi's. It's a small gesture, but one that speaks volumes about their bond.
I'm almost tempted to tell them to wait outside, but there's a steely determination on Catalina's features that makes me proud of her. She may be delicate in appearance, but her strength is unmatched.
Shaking myself from my musings, I focus on the task at hand. As we take a few steps further into the room, my heart begins to race and I come to an abrupt stop. The sight before me is more horrifying than I could have ever imagined.
The chapel is designed in a Gothic architectural style, and the altar has an imposing sculpture in relief that is ceiling high. It depicts the scene of Jesus's crucifixion as its central piece. The high vault allows for almost life-sized figurines.
All around Jesus are his mourners, both earthlings and celestial beings. Or at least, that's what I'm assuming the altar would look like on any other day. The entire wall is painted with blood, some areas smeared with child-like handprints.