NPC Diaries - Chapel

A piece from a world building project in no particular order - Chapel

Entry from the journal of Sister Elric, St. Beatrice Chapel

The townsfolk arrived before sunset carrying what little they had left — blankets, lamp oil, children too weak to cry.

We salted the chapel steps again tonight.

Father Marek says the creatures cannot cross consecrated ground, yet every morning the salt is disturbed as though something stood at the threshold for hours, waiting.

The windows have been boarded shut since the Hollow Moon began. Garlic hangs from every beam now. The smell clings to our clothes and prayers alike.

No one rings the chapel bell anymore.

Three nights ago, Tomas climbed the tower to light the signal lantern. He screamed once. Only once.

We found blood on the bell rope the next morning, but no body.

Tonight the bats circle lower than usual.

And just after evening prayer, someone knocked softly at the chapel doors.

A woman's voice followed.

"Please," she said, "you left me outside."