I really appreciate the reviews that were left for Chapter 1. Reviews really help keep me motivated to continue updating and writing. Here is a short chapter which I hope you all enjoy.

Sister Bernadette POV

Coldness surrounded her as her eyes fluttered open. It wasn't the cold that awakened her, nor the ache deep in her chest making each breath difficult. What woke her was the repeated shaking of her shoulder.

"Ma'am can you hear me? Are you okay?" She heard a deep voice say.

"I don't know," she managed to say. She sat up reaching for her glasses which had fallen near where her head had rested.

"What happened?" she asked finally looking at the gentleman that had woken her.

"I'm not quite sure. I was driving by and saw you lying here," he said point to his truck.

"I don't normally take this road but a herd of sheep are blocking the other route," he explained.

"I've got a blanket in my trunk, let me get it for you," he said standing. As he made his way to his vehicle, Sister Bernadette noticed the mud gathered on his trousers. She looked down at ther own self and found herself to be completely covered in the mud.

"Why don't you let me take you to the hospital," he stated as he returned with the blanket. The kind man draped the thick material over her shoulders and Sister Bernadette was grateful for the small reprieve from the chill.

"It's only down the road a bit," he continued, concern for the stranger evidence in his voice.

"I'm not quire sure…" she began before a deep cough erupted from her, betraying the touch façade she had been trying to give off. The man had been kind enough already and she didn't want to take advantage of his generosity.

"I think it's best we go," he said without giving her the option of saying no. He began to help her up from the mud, offering assistance and a hand when she slipped. A few more coughs erupted before she made it to the truck on shaky legs. The gentleman made sure she was seated in the car before gathering the two suitcases which were also covered in mud.

How long had she laid there in the mud and in the cold? She thought to herself. She watched as the man belted himself and stated the engine.

"Do you have the time?" she asked. Her own watch was covered and crusted with mud.

"Half-passed 3:00." She'd laid there for about twenty minutes if she was guessing right.

"What were you doing out on the road in this cold?" he asked, glancing over at her.

"I got on the wrong bus and was heading back," she explained. She closed her eyes and tried to push away the irritated thoughts from earlier. Her carelessness and silliness had distracted her and it could've killed her. The cold air wasn't good for anyone, let alone someone just recovering from tuberculosis. She was angry with herself. Why had this happened? she thought. Maybe God was punishing her; angry at her for turning her back to him and her sisters. These thoughts bounced around here head as the warmth of the cabin and the bouncing of the uneven road lulled her to a troubled sleep.

Sister Julienne POV

It had only been about an hour; but the feeling of despair consumed her and the concept of time ceased to matter. Sister Bernadette was gone, she thought. The police had stopped by to make official announcements. They were still here, standing on the other side of her office, talking to Sister Evangelina about the details. She knew that she should've been the one to talk with the police about this issue, but at this moment, she didn't care about anything. The only thing she wanted was her sister back. Her eyes welled up again and she reached for another tissue to dry her eyes. Her fingers met an empty box and before she could seek an alternative, a handkerchief was held in front of her. She looked up to see the face of Sister Evangelina, whose own tears had dried upon her face.

Sister Julienne looked up and noticed that they were alone.

"They left moments ago," Sister Evangelina explained seeing Sister Julienne's confusing.

"What did the police inquire about?" she asked, taking the handkerchief and wiping her eyes. She stood up and walked towards the window. The sky was white with rainclouds and the rain had sprinkled all day.

"They wanted to offer a more detailed explanation," Sister Evangelina stated with uncertainty.

Looking over to Sister Evangelina, Sister Julienne could see the apprehension of whether to continue on her face.

"Go on Sister," she said, looking back to the window.

"Apparently, a tire blew and the driver lost control of the bus… The bus went off the road and flipped." Sister Evangelina took a deep breath.

"A witness saw it happen and said that quickly after the bus came to a stop it caught fire before anyone could escape." Sister Evangelina finally continued, her voice wavering unsteadily.

"The police said that the fire destroyed everything…. Not many are even identifiable," Sister Evangelina sobbed. With the last statement lingering in her head, Sister Julienne's hope grew slightly and she turned to face the nun. She walked toward the woman and took the seat beside her.

"Are they sure she was on the bus?" she asked. A small amount of hope in her eyes.

"Her name was on the registry…" she began. "And the police said that each seat was being used."

"How is our sister to rise again if her earthy form in not intact?" Sister Julienne heard from the doorway. She turned and saw their eldest sister wringing her hands and hicupping with sobs. Sister Julienne stood to embrace her in a hug as she continued.

"She will need eyes to see; a brain to think; a heart to love….she has been maimed for all eternity." Sister Monica Joan cried and gripped onto the shoulders of her fellow sisters.

"Sister Bernadette does not need her physical body; her soul is with God," Sister Julienne offered.