1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:13,840
It's past midnight when the rest of us are driven home by the deacons.

2
00:00:13,840 --> 00:00:18,960
We were told she was taken to the hospital, but we all know where she'll end up before

3
00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:21,840
the week is out.

4
00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:26,200
The local asylum is less than ten miles from the church.

5
00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:40,160
Sometimes, I think there's providence in that, or perhaps just prudent planning.

6
00:00:40,160 --> 00:00:44,520
The deacons warn us not to speak about anything we've seen.

7
00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:55,440
We are told to stay faithful to you, to the church, and to keep our bodies pure, ready

8
00:00:55,440 --> 00:00:58,480
for your touch.

9
00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:01,160
I don't need to be told.

10
00:01:01,160 --> 00:01:08,760
I know exactly what and who my body is for.

11
00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:18,200
After all, you'll need a new bride now that the old one is gone.

12
00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:23,800
Over the course of the week, I visit with the three remaining maidens.

13
00:01:23,800 --> 00:01:30,800
They are giddy and frightened and elated and reverent in turns.

14
00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:36,520
They are torn between their attraction to your power and their fear of the thing we

15
00:01:36,520 --> 00:01:40,320
saw reaching through you.

16
00:01:40,320 --> 00:01:47,240
I nod in agreement with them, humor their nattering.

17
00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:52,800
Individually, they each ask that I leave them with a pledge that no matter what happens,

18
00:01:52,800 --> 00:02:04,240
we'll all stay friends, a pinky promise, like sisters, to remain devoted to each other.

19
00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:18,480
I smile, I nod, I make those promises, but deep down, they must know exactly what I know.

20
00:02:18,480 --> 00:02:25,880
And every maiden suffers a terrible accident after our visit.

21
00:02:25,880 --> 00:02:33,960
Every maiden except me.

22
00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:41,440
The deacons are furious when they pick me up on Sunday, but they aren't surprised.

23
00:02:41,440 --> 00:02:46,760
One maiden took a nasty spill on the stairs, which sent her to the hospital.

24
00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:51,520
Another drank bad wine and felt gravely ill.

25
00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:59,640
The last maiden has gone missing, though her car is still in the garage.

26
00:02:59,640 --> 00:03:04,360
Mysteries abound.

27
00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:14,080
And that leaves me, your only bride, by the time Sunday services have ended.

28
00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:16,960
The End