CHAPTER 2-3: DISREPAIR

Marina and Charlie walked side-by-side down the beach, teetering on the edge of wet sand and dry. The beach was their's alone, save for the occasional flock of seagulls.

Both carried their shoes, preferring to feel the cool sand on their bare feet. It was a habit held since childhood.

The headland, which only moments ago seemed so massive beneath them, had now faded away in the distance. Sheets of spray, blowing in from the sea, added to its obscurity.

"You seem to be going to the headland a lot lately," Charlie said.

"I know, I find it relaxing," Marina said. "I like to just stare out at the ocean, alone with my thoughts."

"Really?" Charlie questioned. He knew what she meant—had done it himself countless times—but was still surprised to hear her admit it. She had never been the open type.

"Yeah," Marina said. "It’s kind of like meditation."

"I... see," Charlie said with intentional ridicule.

"Shut up," Marina snapped defensively, scowling at him. "It is."

"Riiiiiiiight," Charlie said, provoking her further.

Marina punched Charlie’s arm just below the shoulder. It was a soft punch, but a punch none the less.

"Ow," Charlie groaned.

"That’s for mocking me," Marina said.

Charlie rubbed his arm, frowning.

"I hope it hurt," she added.

Charlie abruptly stopped rubbing and smiled cheekily.

"Nah, not really," he said.

"Let me try again then."

Marina lunged at Charlie, missing as he side-stepped. She instantly lunged again. Charlie dodged her once more and ran away up the beach, laughing.

Marina took chase.

Charlie led the pursuit to their destination. The grassy hill leading up to the church was steeper than he remembered, though the transition from sand to grass was a welcome one to fatiguing legs. Luckily, Marina was also tiring, so gained no ground on him.

At the crest of the hill, surrounding the church, was a small, white picket fence. With a bound, Charlie cleared it and hit the ground running. Marina, only seconds behind him, was not so fortunate.

As she jumped, her leading foot caught the top of a picket and the momentum carried the rest of her over. Marina cried out, her face hitting the ground before her arms could fully absorb the fall.

Charlie skidded to a halt. His instincts told him Marina’s scream was not part of the game they had been playing. Adrenaline countered his fatigue and he was by Marina’s side before he could even process the situation.

“Are you okay?” Charlie asked, helping Marina to her feet.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” she said.

Marina brushed herself off. Grass had not only stuck to her face, but her hands, knees, and elbows.

“Ow,” Marina said, wincing. She touched her upper lip and winced again. “I think my braces cut my lip.”

“Let me see,” Charlie said.

Marina folded up her lip and Charlie examined it.

“It’s not bleeding or anything,” he said.

“Are you sure?”

Charlie looked again, but noticed nothing to change his diagnosis.

“Yeah, nothing,” he said.

“Good,” Marina said, letting go of her lip.

Before Charlie could even step back, Marina punched him in the arm.

“Gotcha,” she said, smiling proudly.

“What the—?” Charlie spurted, rubbing his arm. “Did you do that just to get me back?”

Marina walked away in silence. She knew that the unanswered question would eat away at him, only adding to the victory.

“Did you?” Charlie asked again, the frustration evident in his voice.

Marina smiled to herself. She knew him so well.

Accepting defeat, Charlie caught up to Marina approaching the church. It was in a surprising state of disrepair. The paint was weathered and peeling, bricks chipped, and all but one or two panes of glass were smashed.

“Not… really… how I remember it,” Charlie said.

“Yeah,” Marina said in casual agreement.

She turned her attention to the bell tower rising above them.

“Have you ever heard that bell ring?” she asked. “Don’t think I have.”

Charlie followed Marina's gaze.

“I think I heard it once,” he said.

“Really?”

“Yeah, when I was a kid,” he recalled. “I think it was before you moved here. I know it’s been abandoned for at least ten years though.”

“I wonder why they abandoned it.”

“Who knows.”

Marina and Charlie made their way around to the front of the church and its large, arched, double-doored entrance. One of the doors was missing, while the other swung freely, its seizing, rusted hinges creaking with every caress of faint ocean breeze.

Something about the building made Charlie feel uncomfortable. Marina had no such qualms, however, and walked straight up to the door, pushing it wide open. She turned back to Charlie.

“Coming in?” she said.