"Ah!"

Mary shot up from where she was laying, panting. She looked around. Although she had never been in a hospital, Mary could tell she was in a one from all the descriptions of one Sister Theresa had taught her.

There was machinery everywhere. Some had wires connecting them to her and others simply laid there. A loud beeping sound could be heard, presumably from one of the metal contraptions.

While trying to sit up straight, Mary felt a spike of pain course through her body.

"Ugh!" she groaned.

She was awake. When the young girl was in her consciousness (as Therion had stated), she didn't feel a single bit of pain. But now? It all came rushing back. Like if lightning had struck her.

Through the discomfort, Mary tried her best to piece together what had happened. From the time she was in town, to the horrible fire, and to where she was now.
Mary sighed in frustration.

It was just like the incident 4 years ago. She could remember her visit to the town and the fire. But the moment the demonic being tried to attack her, everything became a mess in her mind. The next thing she remembered was talking to Therion.

"Why... why can't I remember?" Mary muttered to herself.

Suddenly, over the sound of the beeping, she heard a faint whisper of a voice— no, two voices. Not caring how she could gene hear the voices, she listened in.

"It's remarkable, isn't it? How quickly the child recovered from her wounds." One voice exclaimed.

"Yes! I'm sure it's all thanks to her innocence."

Innocence. There was that word again. Mary still wasn't exactly sure what it was, even after Therion's "explanation".

Mary looked down at herself. She was wearing a hospital gown and covered with bandages. The periwinkle-haired girl put her hand on her abdomen and felt the bump created by the so-called "innocence" on her body.

While looking at the bump, it reminded her of Therion's words. The reminder of her mortality. How her life was practically in Therion's hands.

How good is quick regeneration when she'll die, anyway?

Mary frowned.

The once quiet beeping sound had become irritating. The young girl wanted nothing but to stop the disruptive beeping. But she knew better than that. Sister Theresa taught her better than that.

'Miss T...' She thought.

She frantically looked around the room for her rosary. Seeing that it was on the stand next to her bed, Mary reached out and quickly snatched the rosary. She sighed again, only this time it was in relief.

Clutching the rosary close to her chest, she fell back onto the rickety hospital bed. It was far from comfy, but it at least gave her some comfort.

She wanted to cry, but the young girl couldn't. Her eyes were too dry.

Just when it seemed like her life was getting better, everything came crashing down on her. She saw the devastation caused by the fire and the demons.

'Allen...'

When she had seen him last, he had gotten serious injuries. Mary didn't know what had happened to him after the fire.

Closing her eyes, she prayed. She prayed Allen was alive. That he was alive and well.
Mary chuckled to herself.

She had prayed voluntarily the past year more than she had ever voluntarily prayed in her life. The young girl wasn't sure whether to be happy or sad about that.
Suddenly, the door opened, snapping Mary out of her thoughts. She gasped.

"You! You're the lady from before!"