Page 4 of Nun’s Prayer

“Because we’re special and so are you,” Sapphire beamed. “Welcome to your new family.”

Priest – 2025

“Where is she?” I demanded as my aunt and uncle swapped worried glances. I sat in their cosy, expensive living room in my suit that cost more than Ross made in four months. They’d both been avoiding eye contact with me.

“Ethan, Brielle’s at camp. We told you this,” Ross said.

“And I don’t believe you. For a year, whenever I’ve called, you’ve had an excuse for her not talking to me,” I snarled.

“Ethan, you’re being paranoid. Brielle is having the time of her life,” Bella insisted. “We’re aware you’re leaving soon, and she’ll be devastated to have missed you. But she’s nearly sixteen; you understand what teenage girls are like.”

The lies dripped from their lips, and I shook my head. Then I smiled grimly. “But Aunt Bella, I’m back for good. Brielle begged me to come home, so I have.”

They both turned pale, confirming my suspicions.

“Quit your job abroad? No, not you,” Ross said jovially. “You’ll hate that.”

I smirked; they believed I worked as a troubleshooter for failing companies. “That’s my choice. Now, what camp is Brielle at?”

They swapped worried glances as a cold feeling settled in my gut. “What the fuck is going on?” I demanded, straightening a cuff. That was a warning sign. “Where is my cousin?”

“Brielle…um…” Bella stammered. I got up and stared at them before storming through their house. I headed up the stairs as they followed me.

“Wait, Ethan!” Ross insisted. I didn’t and opened the door to Brielle’s bedroom. I stopped, stunned. It was a dressing room now, filled with clothes. There was no bed, no drawers, no stuffed teddies, nothing of Brielle. My jaw ground as Ross and Bella rushed in.

“Where. Is. Brielle?” I barked.

“She ran away!” Aunt Bella gasped.

“Since when?” I yelled.

“A while!”

“It’s been more than a while if you got rid of her stuff. Don’t bullshit me!” I roared. I spotted a frightened face peeking from the room opposite and shoved Ross away. The bedroom door slammed shut, and I kicked it open. Blair, Ross’ spoiled bitch of a daughter, squealed and skittled away. My spine stiffened as Ross burst in with Bella and placed themselves in front of her.

Slowly, I walked over to Blair’s bed and picked up two of Brielle’s stuffed toys I’d sent. I glanced around and saw too many belongings that were Brielle’s. The gifts I’d sent this past year were prominently displayed. My eyes landed on a jewellery box, and I opened it, and my teeth ground together. Inside were precious items I’d given Brielle, including her mother’s jewellery.

“No fuckin’ way would Brielle have left this behind.”

“She did!” Bella exclaimed.

I turned slowly and pulled my gun. Their eyes widened, and I put on a silencer. Without a second thought, I shot Ross in his knee. Both Bella and Blair screamed.

“Shut up or I shoot that bitch through her head,” I ordered. Bella and Blair whimpered as Ross rolled around holding his leg.

“The next bullet goes into Blair’s knee if you lie to me again. Continue lying after that, and I’ll shoot her other leg,” I said calmly.

“Okay, okay!” Bella wailed.

“Where is Brielle, for the last time?”

“We sold her to get married,” Bella sobbed.

I stiffened, and my gut twisted. Brielle was sixteen this year. That meant she’d been sold when she was fifteen.

“You did what?” I asked quietly.

“Someone at the church liked her a lot. I mean, he wanted to marry her and everything, but Brielle wouldn’t give him the time of day,” Ross babbled.