[b]"About an hour,[/b] Ash had responded as her breath had begun to return, [b]"maybe."[/b]

Ash wasn't exactly sure. She hadn't kept track of time. It felt like half an hour to finally see the church, but it felt like an eternity to ascend the stairs with Matteo in tow.

Seeing Matteo's face be healed seemed alien. It felt completely new. Ash, however, didn't panic or become flustered. She had decided to throw what little common sense she possessed away. It would be easier that way.

Donations, however, were Matteo and Aoi's responsibility. They would be the ones to handle it. Ash had nothing to do with Matteo getting hurt in the first place. The biggest hurdle they faced wasn't donations to the church, however. It was what to do next.

[i][b]"What do we do now?"[/b][/i] Ash had said to herself, her voice little more than a whisper.