Chapter Twenty: Source of Greedy:

Ann looked down the hallway to the back office. The man in white gave her clear instructions.

Go to the back way of the church. Make your way down the hall and turn right. The hymns are your best bet to do this. You be really quiet as you walk.

The Goth woman drew in a deep breath. Alright, she thought. Ann took small steps as she held her breath. The hall wasn’t that long, but it felt like it to her. The Goth woman counted down each step as she walked. Her eyes shifted left and right. Big Brother could be watching her right now. Ann could hear the pastor preaching from behind. The microphones around her the stage made it just worst. This is so creepy, she thought. At this point, Ann hoped for security to out, asking questions. Or someone would come out looking for the bathroom. Just seeing anyone’s face would ease her nerves. Ann shook her head. I can’t think about that now, she thought. I must keep going. The Goth woman cleared her head and pushed herself further. She remembered the clue “God” gave her next.

The door that it’s in is the last one on the right. You can’t miss it. The door is so red that you could’ve sworn it was painted in blood.

Before she knew it, she stood at the end of the hall. The pastor’s voice and the singing sounded so distant behind her now. The Goth woman lowered her shoulders. When she turned her head to the right, the bright red blinded her. Ann took a step back as she reached for the bright gold door knob. This mission had only two more parts to follow before she could “potentially” get home. The man in white assured her this before she went out the main doors.

Look on his desk and you will see a saw black box in the middle. Taped to the bottom of a desk is the key to the chain which it’s locked down to. Once you unlock it, grab the box and run. This should take you about ten minutes max. That is all you get. Don’t dally around and keep moving at all times.

“But what if I get caught?” Ann whispered. “God” shrugged at her.

“Do the best you can,” he said back. The man panted her on the back and walked out of the church as its members stood up to sing. Ann gritted her teeth remembering that exchange. That bastard is just going to leave me to my own devices, she thought. The Goth woman huffed at the thought of this whole mission. Oh well, she just had to get the key, unlock the chain, get the box, and get out of here.

The pastor’s desk sat against the back wall. Ann looked and saw the box in question. Right, she thought as she tried to perk up. The key is taped under the desk. All I have to do is get it, unlock the chain, take the box, and get the hell out of here. Ann shifted her shoulders and walked up to the box. She could feel an eerie vibe that she couldn’t shake off. A hissing noise came from within the closed black wood. She took steps backwards when she smelt the same scent from the pastor from the box. Ann covered her nose and recollected herself.

I have to get this damn thing over with, she thought. The Goth woman marched up to the desk and used her free hand to reach around under the desk. She froze when her fingers touched duct tape. Bingo! Ann ripped off the tape and let the key drop in her hand. She smiled to herself as she unlocked the chain and grabbed the box. Surprise came over her face when she noticed something in the air around her.

The smell, it’s gone! Ann lowered her hand and breathed in.

“What are you doing back here?” a voice asked behind her. The Goth woman leapt around to see utter despair. The pastor stood in the doorway, staring at her. Ann fought to keep a brave face.

“I’m taking this box back for a guy,” she answered.

“That’s my box!” the pastor snapped.

“I’m sorry,” Ann replied. “But this box belongs to the guy that I’m trying to take back to. He says you stole it from him. I must do this in order to get home.” The pastor opened his mouth to speak, but closed it. Instead, he snickered to himself. Ann tilted her head at him.

“Is something funny?” she asked. The pastor smirked as he turned his focus on her.

“Do you know what’s inside that box?” he asked.

“No,” Ann said, shaking her head. The pastor folded his arms across his chest.

“Why don’t you open it and see?” he asked. She raised an eyebrow at him.

“And why should I do that?” the Goth woman asked.

“Don’t you want to see why your friend wants this box so much?” the pastor asked with a face resembling a fox. Ann nervously glanced down at the box in her hand before she reluctantly opened the lid.

“Holy…!” she shouted with big eyes.

“Yes,” the pastor said. “Now, hand it over.” Ann looked up, shaking her head.

“I can’t do that,” she said. The pastor’s face turned demonic as he forced himself to stay pleasant.

“Give me the fucking box!” he shouted. The devil in sheep’s clothing lunged forward to take the box out of her hand. His claws came within inches of black wood of the box when a cloud in the shape of a big paw dropped down and grabbed up Ann.

“Come back here, you bitch!” was the last thing she before disappearing into the sky.