Mass

Cynthia nearly ran into Sister Rachel as she exited the shower rooms. While holding her towel in place, Cynthia ordered Sister Rachel, “Gather all the clothes that were covered in this grey ooze and have them burned. But be careful not to touch them if you can. It seems the ooze they are coated with may cause rashes. Also, have all the women except Sister Marie and Sister Lela gather in the chapel at nine pm for an emergency mass and the answers they are requesting.”

Although Sister Rachel had been standing there with her mouth wide open as she had never seen the Mother Superior walking around in just a towel, she began to understand the urgency of the situation and quickly walked off to do as she was told.

Cynthia quickly headed back to her private room. As she entered the room, she could not help herself, she went to the mirror and examined herself. She looked younger, and possibly even more younger than she did than in the bathroom. The wrinkles around her eyes and mouth were nearly gone. Her mouth seemed fuller and more vibrant. So much so that Cynthia could not resist licking her lips. Her hair evened seemed to have more black in it. Her skin seemed to be more supple and possessed a rather pink hue instead of her normal untanned white. She was beginning to look like she did when she was in her mid-forties.

One thing though stuck out as abnormal to her. Her eyes seemed red and puffy, as though they were irritated. They felt fine but looked as they she had been crying and rubbing her eyes. Cynthia ignored this as she had more pressing things to deal with. She needed to get dressed properly for the mass. As the Mother Superior got dressed, she contemplated what she would tell the sisters. She needed them not to worry and to hold on to hope. They needed all the strength they could muster so that the demons would be kept at bay outside. By the time she finished dressing, Cynthia had some idea of what she would tell the others.

Mother Superior calmly waited in her seat up near the altar as she waited on all the sisters to arrive. By five past nine, Cynthia decided to start as only four of the twenty girls had not arrived and she was not expecting Sister Lela or Sister Marie. Many of the nuns were chattering about how Cynthia, while she was wearing her tunic she was not wearing the coif or wimple. Cynthia had found it to warm right now to wear it.

Cynthia walked over to the podium and began, “Sisters, I have called you here as a matter of grave importance. I believe that evil is a foot. As many of you know, as we returned from the soup kitchen tonight, a strange storm came upon us and still toils outside now. It started off like any other storm but then as we neared our home, a strange grey ooze began to come down. While I am not fully sure as to the nature of this ooze, I have seen first hand that it may be harmful. Those of you that had it on you need to give those clothes to Sister Rachel if you have not already. Those clothes will need to be destroyed for our safety. Sister Marie seems to be suffering from a major rash from the stuff. I hope that it is merely an allergic reaction, but if anyone begins to show adverse symptoms, please notify Sister Rachel, Sister Lela, or me.

Now many of you heard and maybe even saw Sister Marie scream and then faint. She saw something up in the mist that did not look natural, as did I. I do not wish to alarm you, but something is out there in the darkness. I have no doubt that it means us ill. But you need not worry. I believe that it is unable to come inside due to our convictions and belief in god. Tonight we will pray for our safety and for Sister Marie to improve. I am sure that when morning comes the pure light will purge the evil from our sanctuary. I know you all have questions, and I will answer them as best I can.”

The room immediately fell in disarray as most of the sisters began asking questions all at once. The Mother Superior quieted them down and asked them to raise their hands so that she could hear and understand what they asked when she called upon them. After half an hour passed it seemed all the questions had been answered. Even the ones about her younger appearance. She had answered honestly, that she was not sure, but that the ooze seemed to be affecting her skin and eyes as well. The Mother Superior then stated, “After we finish mass, I want you all to adjourn to your rooms. However, I want you all to not be alone tonight. Sister Naomi, as you are one of the few sisters to have a bedroom to your self, I wish that for tonight you sleep in one of the other ladies rooms so that you are not alone. Sister Chloe, you share a room with Sister Marie. For tonight, I would like for you to sleep in another room so that Sister Lela may have your bed as she keeps a watch over Sister Marie. Sister Heather as you normally share a room with Sister Lela, I also need for you to find another room to sleep in tonight. Do you all understand?”

Sister Naomi quickly looked up and meekly responded, “Yes, Mother Superior.”

Sister Heather shaking her head at the inconvenience sullenly responded, “As you wish Mother Superior.”

Sister Chloe eagerly responded, “Yes Mother Superior. I can actually just share a room with Sister Naomi so that she does not have to move.”

“If there are no more questions, let us pray now,” stated the Mother Superior. None of the other sisters raised their hands even though they all had questions. Most were still kind of shocked by what they had heard but fully trusted the Mother Superior. They all bowed their heads and began praying. For the next hour until they dispersed. Most headed to their rooms as told. A few went off to talk to others for a bit. The Mother Superior and Sister Rachel made there rounds around eleven thirty ensuring that everyone was where they needed to be. Several woman had actually joined others in their rooms for safety. Mother Superior normally would not allow such actions, but given the situation. Safety in numbers was not a bad idea.

As the two headed back to their perspective rooms, Sister Rachel asked the Mother Superior, “Mother Superior, do you wish to sleep with me and Sister Sarah tonight? You did specify, you wish us not to be alone tonight.”

Mother Superior looked at Sister Rachel thoughtfully and calmly replied, “No, I appreciate the concern, but I feel I will be fine tonight. I merely want the others to group together so that they can find strength in each other. And besides, I will be getting up several times to check on Sister Lela and Sister Marie tonight.”

Sister Rachel shook her head and said, “I understand Mother Superior.” She then walked on off down the hall towards her room in the opposite direction.