Near the church, the girl crouched, eying the door. The moment it swung open, she was up, darting inside before the priest noticed. She huddled near the back, trembling, as the hot air washed over her. She rubbed her arms, clinching her teeth to stop them from chattering. The priest pulled the door shut, and she heard the click as he locked it. A soft sigh escaped her. Good. She was safe inside. At last.
No one could hurt her here. She had claimed sanctuary. They couldn't touch her here. She tugged the blanket from her back and spread it out. Next came the sleeping bag, also strapped to her back. She unfolded it and spread it out beside the blanket.
Finally, she pulled the rosary beads from her pocket. Kissing the cross, she knelt on the blanket and clasped her hands. Though her lips moved, no sound came from her as she began to pray the rosary. Soon, her Voices would come to her. They had never really left, though she couldn't always hear them. Now she could. And she would never let anyone take that from her again.