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"It’s not as bad as it looks," Elle said "Only welts and bruises"

"Did the nant do this to you?"

"Yes," Elle said It wasn’t a lie Søren had been in Rosley had been her only lover in that time No doubt who the father was

Sister Aquinas placed her hand gently on the top of Elle’s head It felt like a blessing although what she’d done to deserve a blessing, Elle didn’t know

"God sees the heart," Sister Aquinas said again This time it didn’t sound like a platitude This tiy

Sister Aquinas applied soave her a week’s supply of a ratitude It would be nice to be out of pain again Even better than drugs, Sister Aquinas brought her a tray of food Last night’s leftovers war better?" Sister Aquinas asked when she came for the tray

"Much better Almost human"

"Good We like humans around here," she said with a set some rest"

Rest sounded heavenly And rest was heavenly The pillow under her head felt like a cloud The plain white cotton sheets ht as well have been silk She was safe, safe at last And no she could finally sleep

Elle closed her eyes

Then she heard a noise

She sat straight up in the cot, her heart haly of its own volition, her body forced her onto her feet, her feet forced her forward Her steps brought her to thein the infirmary It ell after 2:00 am and all was dark for miles around Elle could see the ht reflection of the hills, the fields and forests that surrounded the abbey She saw nothing else But she didn’t have to see it She heard it

"What is that?" Sister Aquinas asked, co to stand next to her "Is that a car out there?"

"No," Elle said, her voice hollow and scared "It’s a motorcycle"

"How can you tell?"

"I know cars," she said "And I know motorcycles That’s a 1992 907 IE Ducati Black"

Sister Aquinas laughed "You know the color?"

"That’s the only year they came in black"

The nun narrowed her eyes and peered out onto the black night

"Soht in her eyes

Elle took a step back away from the

Then another step

Then another She shook her head