Running from Sanctuary

Dionisia.

The days are tedious and monotonous, it is the same since i arrived here in the convent. I think i was around a year of 14 when the town council dragged me up the mountain. They said there was no saving my soul unless i gave myself to the service of the convent.

My mother had died of a plague that had been going around, but as i was old enough to work the produce stand we had i was allowed to live on my own and take care of my own things. My neighbours did keep an eye on me and my aunt and uncle, my mothers brother, checked in regularly as well.

Things went well enough untill there were a couple of thieves that stole from my stall. The stupid thing was it wasn't even that much i would have not missed the income. But i suspect that i was just tired and overworked and feeling like shit. There were three guys.

One kept me distracted one was the lookout one stole a crate of food from behind my counter.

I noticed just in time before the one with the crate got away i snatched him by the arm not thinking i could hurt him. But he screamed, he screamed in pain. I got startled and let go of him. One of the others came at me in defense of his friend. He wanted to strike me but i grabbed a tool from under my stall and smacked him right in the head. I heard a sickening crunching noise and a weird smell of blood and.... i think someone shat themself.

The third i never saw he ran away. But it was clear he got the authorities.

The correctional priest came with two other law officers.

I was honestly still shocked at what had happened so i just stood there. I had no urge to run away. I defended my stall and goods right? I protected my livelyhood and income.

The moment the authorities were in front of me they started asking questions. I answered them as best as i could. But i did not fully understand they said i had to have kept bashing on the man his head.

I tried to explain that i had no clue what came over me but i just reacted and hit him once with what i had in hands reach as he was going to attack me.

The priest and officers looked at eachother. The two officers went to the man who had come and get them and took the one whose arm i apparently broke to the doctor.

The priest stood closer to me and started to speak about a story hoe strong feelings like grief or sadness or anger could lure evil spirits to nest in ones body and mind. Who then take over in strong emotions.

Was that it? Was i possessed? After that i just went with it. Noone goes against the priests or officers here. They are absolutly good people. They handle to the best of the people.

I ended up in the sanctuary in the mountains. Women who are troubled or possessed or in another way need help are taken in there.

It is a simple life but a good life. You want for nothing. You are busy during the day with farming crafting, brewing, writing and studying and meditation. It depends where your strengths are. Mine were ofcourse used in the growing of crops but i also seemed to have a good understanding of cooking and brewing. So i was busy and i liked my tasks. I was eventually allowed some freedom to get creative with what i made.

Years passed and i felt at ease calm and happy with my life. Living alone in the farm of my mother wasn't a healthy life for a child anyway.

I think it was after 6 years or so. A new sister came to the sanctuary. And things changed. Her behavior was borderline mean. She questioned everything. But later on it was clear for some that she liked to cause trouble between other sisters. Stirring trouble.

The head sister though she noticed but told us to be patient and give her the space to grow and learn and fin her place like we got.

So we did. But it never changed it just became part of the way things go. So whenever we felt something was off we double checked and asked around if Sister Abby had a hand in it. If so... never trust the situation.

It was bound to happen at a point but our head sister died of old age. A new one needed to be chosen. We had not figured sister Abby would have a hand in this but she did. And however she did it. She stepped up as the new Head Sister.

This was not going to be the same as it was.

We noticed it early on. Our daily tasks changed. No room for creativity or own creations. We had to follow one strict path. The calm and joyous nature in the sanctuary changed. It became gloomy. No more music was played... Head sister Abby said it clouded our minds and made us susceptible for evil spirits. No more brewing. For alcoholic beverages were evils work.

If that wasn't bad enough some sisters disappeared. We heard later they were transferred to other sanctuaries which were more closed and like prisons.

There came talk in the halls who would be next. My name came forth more and more.

Well screw that. I am an adult now. Thabks to the first years in the convent i am taught in ways of taking care of myself. If i am able to get far away enough from this city, and this sanctuary i am sure i can build a new life for myself.

So i left. Sadly i had no other clothes then my habit. But with a sack on my back and an extra layer of cloth underneath my habit i waited for the next transport to come pick up produce to bring it down to the city.

When they were loading that up i was able to sneak away. It helped i have been living here for years that i know the most shadowy spots and best places to hide.

The transport was loaded in and during those noises and the focus on the open gate i moved the other way. Up the mountain.