Meet Me Where the Oak Tree Grows novel Chapter 60

My forehead hit the ground, knees sinking into the dirt, as the heavy thud of my bow was drowned out by the rain, each drop begging for his safety. Countless times, my hands came together in prayer, whispering his name.

The gravel had worn my skin raw, and my knees were bruised, yet I only hoped that God would see my sincerity.

With gritted teeth, I climbed the last step, only to see the massive church doors slowly closing in front of me.

Through the narrowing gap, an elderly priest in a dark robe clutched a rosary, his expression solemn and dignified.

"If fate does not bind us, how did we meet? If there were no debts, how could they be repaid? Our ties have always been shallow, now our fate is spent; with fate exhausted, no debts remain.

"Please, go home."

As the church doors shut completely, the echo of a hymn burst through the mountains.

In my daze, I thought someone called my name. But when I turned, there was only the wild, relentless wind.

A tidal wave of confusion and despair engulfed me, leaving me lost and directionless.

That day, I watched his silhouette fade away, saying goodbye. I believed then that I’d wait for years to see him again.

But in reality, our reunion awaited another life.

It was on an ordinary morning, as I walked into the morgue, that I found the person I most wanted to see lying on the table.

"Deceased: Jonah Evans, age 31, male, height approximately 6'1", weight 165 pounds, time of death 48 hours..."

The rest blurred into a dull ringing in my ears.

"Lana, do you know the deceased?"

"No."