[center][h2][b][color=#FA8072]Serena Reyes-Cooper[/color][/b][/h2][/center] [hr]
Serena was surprised to see quite the number of people in the group. At the very least, she was elated to learn she wasn't the only one worrying about the disappearance of Grace's Grotto. Still, she was worried about how most if not all of them, most particularly Cian, was taking this way more seriously than she expected.

Granted, she was just a newcomer here assuming that the rest of the group have been living in this town for their entire lives. Maybe the Grotto's owner was beloved by everyone? It was still a bit weird how only the 7 of them were the ones who remembered her and the cafe.

Serena listened as Cian and the others were discussing about its mysterious disappearance, until something about what Cian said caused her to chime in. 

[color=#FA8072]"Wait, a week? Wasn't it almost a month? Or perhaps, almost a month...?"[/color], she said, sounding more unsure by the minute. [color=#FA8072]"I just know that I began getting this weird ability after drinking Grace's tea and... Oh God, I can't even remember how long I've had this ability."[/color] She looked at the others with fear and uncertainty in her eyes.

She then nodded in agreement about finding clues about the Grotto. [color=#FA8072]"I'll go ask around as well. I think I remember a group of women in our faith group would often go there for coffee and Bible-reading. Maybe they can-"[/color]

The ceiling lights began to flicker, and Serena felt a chill in the air within the room. She could feel goosebumps on her arm and the hair on the back of her neck standing up. [color=#FA8072]"Wh-What's happening..."[/color] She said in fear and confusion, feeling a sinking dread within her heart. She was approached by Jacob and was surprised she could hear his voice in her head speaking in Filipino. Was this an ability of his? She thought everyone of them had the same powers too.

[color=#FA8072]"Ah!"[/color] She yelped as darkness enveloped the room. She looked around in panic, feeling herself being watched despite her being the only one in the void. She then saw a man, her father, standing before her with an absent look on his face and reflections of poker chips, cards, and alcohol running through his eyes like a silent movie. 

[color=#FA8072]"T-This can't be happening..."[/color] She said in disbelief as her father disappeared in a puff of smoke and left the unmistakable disgusting scent of cigarettes and booze. Something else replaced him in his stead too, something sinister, something diabolical, something unholy. Whatever it was, it was not God. It was... something [i]else[/i]

Serena could feel tears forming along her eyes as she took a few slow steps back, still looking at the source of the malevolent energy. She heard the clinking of small rocks at her chest and remembered she was wearing a rosary necklace under her clothes. She took it off and wrapped it around her fist, then showed the cross to the presence.

[color=#FA8072]"Y-Y-You have no power over me, demon!"[/color] She said, her fist shaking but she still held her ground. [color=#FA8072]"I may be afraid but am an agent of God. I will not a-allow you to spread your wickedness on this realm for it is He who gives me strength! G-Go back to the place from whence you came! In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit... LEAVE AND NEVER RETURN!"[/color]

She yelled with all her might just in time as light washed away the darkness until everyone in the group returned in the same room in one piece. By the looks of it, all of them saw something traumatic from their past as tears ran down their cheeks.

As Carl left and Cian pointed out the danger they were in, Serena looked pitifully at Jacob. She still felt the fear and terror lingering in her mind from when they were connected. [color=#FA8072]"Shhh, shhh..."[/color] She calmed him down and sat on her folded legs on the floor, lifting Jacob's head up with one hand. With her other hand wrapped in her rosary, she placed it on his chest while she began concentrating.

[color=#FA8072]"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."[/color] A white halo formed around her head as soft white light began to cover Serena's hands. [color=#FA8072]"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."[/color] The soft light spread throughout Jacob's body, presumably calming him down slowly but surely. [color=#FA8072]"For my yoke is easy... and my burden is light.”[/color] As she finished healing his mental turmoil, the light would slowly disappear from Serena and Jacob.

She would help get him back to his feet then looked at Cian and the others. [color=#FA8072]"God guided me here for a reason. I'm with you guys through and through as I know God will always be with us. What do we need to do next?"[/color]