The cards were laid before me, I had to pick a side. I was stuck in a maze, wondering how I got into this mess - a mix so uneven. I should have listened. I should have left when I had the chance. I gasped for air, trying my hardest to breathe in such a state. It felt like I was drowning, struggling for my life while holding on to thinnest sheet of breath I could grab on to. I felt myself jerk severally but I still could not tell where I was. "Patient is coming to..." I heard from a distance. A sudden wave of paralyzing sleepiness hit me. I tried to keep my eyes open, to at least figure out what was happening but I couldn't hold it. I slipped into unconsciousness again. ~~~ I heard sniffling in the background with incessant sobs as I opened my eyes at what felt like hours later. My eyes fought through the blurriness and eventually focused on the figures situated at one end of the room. "Mama?" It seemed my voice startled her cause she jumped and immediately wiped her eyes befo

Author's note: (Before going further into this chapter, I'd like to let you know that there are some things that may or may not align with your faith/religion in this chapter. If you are not comfortable with faith-based novels, I'd advise that you skip cause this is imperative to the story line I intend to deliver. Thank you.) ~~~ I didn't even know why I was here. My feet just carried me out of the hotel room that morning after a night of endless grieving. The ray of sunshine led me out of the building until I somehow found my feet in front of this church. I walked in, all the way to the altar. I felt a pull so strong, I couldn't turn back even when I wanted to. Right in front of the pew, I collapsed on my knees and silently wept. Unable to form words, unable to think or do anything for that matter, I just wept until the tightened sensation in my chest freed me a little. I don't even know how long I had been there. I only opened my eyes when I heard a deep baritone voice. "Are you

"Hannah? Would you like to contribute anything to what has been said here today?" I looked up to meet Cindy's gaze. She had led the study session that Saturday. It had been a few weeks here and she was among the several people that showed up for bible study that was usually held in the backyard on Saturday evenings. "Um," I looked around anxiously. "Hannah is still new to the family so she might want to ask questions instead." Pastor Simon spoke up on my behalf. "Surely she can say something, no matter how little." She insisted. He tried to protest again but I cut in. "It's fine, Pastor." I said. About twenty plus pairs of eyes turned to me as I gradually got on my feet. "Well ,um, thank you for such a powerful teaching Sister Cindy," I started off. She gave me quick nod and gestured for me to carry on speaking. I opened my bible to the chapter we had just discussed "Today we talked about the healing ministry of Jesus. Our main citation was the woman with the issue of blood."

~~Four years later~~ "Miss Hannah." "Yes Olly?" I answered softly, smiling at her in the process. She wrung her little fingers together. "I want to talk to you about something." "Okay. Have a seat." I patted a spot next to me on the bench I sat on right outside the church building. I helped her up. I scanned her pouty innocent face, "Is there something wrong?" "Yeah. My mummy isn't here yet and I want to go home." Her voice came through as sad. "What about your aunty?" I asked. "She's with Uncle Simon." She pointed at the building. "She still doesn't want to take a hint." I muttered. Olly happened to be Cindy's niece (her older sister's daughter) who still didn't like me by the way all because... "Olly!" "Oh here we go..." I held back the urge to roll my eyes at the dramatic woman who was stomping towards us in furious strides. "What are you doing here? How many times have I told you to not go near this woman?!" She blatantly yelled at her daughter, forcefully dragging her

"All packed up?" "Yeah." I grunted, setting down the last of my luggage. "I'm going to miss you so bad." He held my hands and pulled me in for a hug and didn't want to let go. "I'll miss you too." I said over his shoulder. "Any idea when you're going to come back?" He asked, rubbing on my back while he kissed my exposed shoulder blade. "As soon as it's up and running, I'll be back here." I said and pulled away. "Why do you have to go?" he whined. I rolled my eyes, ready to explain for the umpteenth time that LA was the perfect place to set up another salon cause it would yield more income and I had to go there and supervise it myself to avoid mismanagement. "It's just for a few months Simon, I'll be back before you know it." I told him, sorting through my luggage once again. "Months?!" He exclaimed. "Yup." Honestly I was glad to have the perfect excuse to get away from Atlanta. I mean, the judgemental stares had become too much and I wanted to be off the church gossip charts f