𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥'𝐬 𝐒𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞

The following day, as the sun gently rose on a serene Sunday morning, Carrie found herself preparing for the sacred morning service at Clinton Church. It was an unusual juxtaposition for her, given that she had indulged in a passionate night of birthday intimacy with Matt. The conflicting emotions swirled within her, for how could an act deemed sinful by society bring such immense pleasure and fulfillment?

As she dressed in her Sunday best, a delicate light pink knee length sleeved dress, Carrie couldn't shake the guilt that lingered in the back of her mind. She knew that her actions went against the teachings of her faith, yet she couldn't deny the overwhelming connection she felt with Matt. The love and desire they shared seemed to transcend any societal norms or religious beliefs.

Stepping out of her bedroom, Carrie spotted Amy sitting on the couch with a laptop on her lap. Amy had been quiet since last night, ever since she had witnessed the encounter between Frank and Carrie, and their conversation about their past collaboration. The mystery of Amy's arrival in Hell's Kitchen still puzzled Carrie's thoughts.

Carrie approached Amy cautiously, unsure of how to address the tension that hung in the air. She took a seat beside her, glancing at the laptop screen to see what had captured her attention. It was a website for a local Halloween themed carnival, showcasing upcoming exhibitions and events. It was called Cryptic Carnival Celebration and the dates were from October 30th to November 2nd. Carrie didn't know why Amy was searching the carnival event but brushed it aside in her head for now and got to the main point.

"Hey, Amy," Carrie began tentatively, "I noticed you've been quiet since last night. Is everything okay?"

Amy looked up from the laptop and nodded.

As Carrie waited for Amy's response, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The tension between them was palpable, and Carrie knew she had to address it head-on. Taking a deep breath, she decided to broach the subject that had been weighing on her mind since last night.

"Listen, Amy," Carrie started, her voice soft but firm, "I know things got a little awkward between you and Frank last night. I just want to make sure you're okay, that's all."

Amy's eyes flickered with a hint of anxiety before she quickly composed herself. "I'm fine, Carrie. Really," she replied, a forced smile on her face. But Carrie could see through the facade, knowing that there was more to Amy's reaction than she was letting on.

With a sigh, Carrie reached out and placed a comforting hand on Amy's shoulder. "You know you can talk to me, right? Whatever it is, I'm here for you," she said, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Amy's mask slipped for a moment, revealing a flicker of vulnerability before she quickly masked it again. "Thanks, Carrie. I appreciate it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Carrie knew that there was something deeper going on with Amy, something that she wasn't ready to share just yet. But she also knew that she would be there for her friend, no matter what secrets she was hiding.

After bidding farewell to Amy, Carrie exited the apartment and made her way outside to meet her grandparents. Harold and Judith Alison were impeccably dressed for their Sunday outing, seated in their car patiently awaiting Carrie's arrival.

Carrie approached the car, her mind still preoccupied with her conversation with Amy. As she slid into the backseat, she couldn't help but notice the concerned glances exchanged between her grandparents.

"Is everything alright, dear?" Judith asked, her voice laced with worry.

Carrie hesitated for a moment, debating whether or not to share her concerns about Amy with her grandparents. She knew they had a right to know, especially since they had been close family friends for years. Taking a deep breath, she decided to open up.