Where is Naomi?
Azalea walked back home with her head down in absolute shame. Veronica did not believe her, and Naomi hadn't been found even after searching the entire church. Azalea's blonde locks covered her face, and her eyes filled with sadness. "Azalea!" yelled Andrea from behind. "Have you seen Naomi?" She said, grabbing Azalea's arm. "I ... I am sorry." Azalea stood there shaking, her arm being squeezed tightly by Andrea. "You are sorry? Sorry for what? Where is my daughter Azalea?". Azalea stood there, giving no reply. Andrea grabbed Azalea's other arm and started to shake her. "You were with her! Where is she?! Where is my daughter?" Andrea shook Azalea in anger and frustration. "Veronica came to me and told me about the lie you told her! I want to know where my daughter is, and I want to know now!" Andrea demanded. "Let go of my daughter!" Penelope shouted. Penelope and Veronica walked up to Azalea. Penelope grabbed Azalea and hugged her.
"Honey, tell Andrea where her daughter is. She is worried." Penelope pleaded.
Azalea pushed her mother off and looked down at the ground.
"As I told Veronica, I saw her fall into a hole that opened up in the church!" Azalea exclaimed.
Penelope shook her head in disappointment. "You went to another forbidden place!" she said, displeased. Penelope turned to Andrea. "I am so sorry. I will help you look for Naomi." Andrea grabbed Veronica. "Show us the way to the church!" she said. Veronica pulled her arm away and said, "Follow me."
The four ladies arrived at the sign where Naomi and Azalea had come before. "Mom, I think we should turn back; we are not going to find her!" Pleaded Azalea. "Azalea, stop!" yelled Penelope. "Your fantasies need to end here! We are here to find Naomi." Veronica looked at Azalea and then said, "She is right. The church is forbidden for a reason." Andrea snapped at Veronica, "I am going to find my daughter! You can either come with me, or I will ensure that your mother and I have a good talk." Veronica rolled her eyes and then dragged her feet along, following behind the others.
All four of them made it to the doors of the church. Azalea looked at the gates in disbelief. "Someone else has been here! The doors were open when I left." She exclaimed. Penelope and Andrea looked at each other and then pushed open the doors. Azalea felt as if her words had been ignored or not believed. A cold chill traveled down their spines as the four walked into the church. Azalea knew something felt different and could feel someone watching them. 'Who could it be?' She thought to herself. "We should turn back; Naomi is not here!" Azalea clarified. Andrea looked at Azalea and continued looking around. The church was old, and the windows were cracked. The floor creaked as you walked on them, and it felt like the foundation could give way at any step. There were still pews, but they were made of wood and falling apart. Most of the town that they lived in was falling apart.
No one knows how old the town is or who first lived there. The people who live in what is called 'The town of death' know that leaving is forbidden. This church was an example of a place the townspeople knew not to go to, but Andrea wanted to find her daughter, and the others knew they had to follow. Andrea and the others checked just as much as Azalea did before, but Naomi was nowhere to be seen. "Do you hear that?" Veronica asked. A loud banging noise started to come from the wall outside the church. Azalea looked at her mother and then ran outside. "Azalea, come wait! Come back here right now!" Penelope shouted. Azalea ignored her mother and ran to the wall where the sound came from. At this point, the only thing on Azalea's mind was her best friend, Naomi.
Azalea made it to the wall, but the person there was not Naomi. Azalea froze; a tall, muscular man with black hair and red eyes stood staring at her. The man was dressed in a lovely black suit with a long black button-up coat. "Who are you?" Azalea asked. "You're the man I saw in the forest and when I passed out on the way home from Naomis." The man placed a finger over his lip and shushed her. He then pointed to the church. "Your friend is still alive," he whispered. Azalea ran up to him and grabbed onto his coat. "Where! Where is she? Did you do something to her?" She pleaded with the man. The man laughed, and then suddenly, he vanished. Azalea stood there in shock. Who was this man? What does he know about Naomi's disappearance? Azalea had no words. All she could do was stand there with her hands placed where he was standing before.