Yet Marianne pressed on, her tone soothing. “I’ll be back. I promise,” she whispered. The wolf’s ears perked, almost as if it understood Marianne somehow. With a tense pause, it allowed Marianne to slip out of the chapel.
In the corridor, Brother Paul quickly instructed a few remaining volunteers to seal off the main entrance, ensuring no one else wandered into danger. Meanwhile, Marianne dashed to a small supply closet the church kept for community outreach—bandages, disinfectant, and blankets for the homeless were stored there.