A Window to Salvation

The outside world was unknown to her, but she could see a glimpse of it through the window in his room. As the rest of the world suffered from poverty, the Abbey had become an oasis of solace amidst a sea of pain and suffering.

The two nuns were tasked with cleaning the Abbot's study, but Sister Anne had long since abandoned her broom, her gaze fixed on the arched window and the foggy city beyond. "We only think that the outside world is full of pain," Sister Anne said, "because that's what the Abbot has told us."

Sister Mary stood with a broom in hand, her dark skin kindly creased with the mark of a lifetime spent serving the Abbey. Despite her youthful appearance and petite stature, she was commited to tradition. As she listened attentively to Sister Anne's concerns, her calm voice betrayed no hint of doubt. "Don’t you believe him?" Sister Mary inquired, her words laced with respect for Anne's inquisitive nature while her posture and demeanor remained steadfast in her faith.

"That's not it," the younger nun, Sister Anne, replied with a sigh. She had snow-white skin and bright green eyes that radiated longing and sadness. "Mary," she said softly, almost pleadingly, "we're the only ones left."

Sister Mary was the last to remain at the Abbey, along with Sister Anne. However, if you asked Abbot Keene, he would tell you that Mary was different. She held an equal dedication to both the Abbot and the life and mission of the Abbey.

"I miss the others," Mary admitted, her guard slipping in a rare moment of candor. "But they made their choice. We've made ours."

Sister Anne reflected on this, speaking her thoughts aloud without hesitation. "But have we really been given a choice if we haven't been given all of the facts?" she inquired. "If the world was so bad, wouldn't they have come back?

"Tomorrow, that window will be barely large enough for either of us to fit through," Anne added, gazing out at the now diminutive window behind Abbot Keene's desk.

This was something that Sister Mary could not deny. Since her youth, it seemed that the window in the Abbot's study grew smaller and smaller over time. In recent months, the shrinking had accelerated, and soon it would be too small for anyone to pass through. The final window to the outside world was closing before them.

Sister Mary smiled as she spoke, trying to be as encouraging as possible to her friend. "Well, I guess you have a decision to make."

Sister Anne shook her head. "Don’t say it like that,”.

"Say it like what?" Mary asked, confused.

"Like I’m trying to abandon you," Anne replied, her green eyes fixed on Mary, pleading for release from the guilt that weighed upon her heart.

Sister Mary placed a gentle hand on Sister Anne's shoulder, still smiling. "Anne, I'm not looking forward to being the last of us to leave the Abbey. But I'm grateful you've stuck with me this long. I want what's best for you, and if that means leaving the Abbey to see the world for yourself, then don’t worry about me. My love for you is as true as the day you arrived."

As tears welled in her eyes, she took Mary's hand in hers and gently kissed it, managing to say, "Thank you, sister."

"I must be going," Mary said, her voice cracking with emotion. "The Abbot will be preparing today's reflection after supper."

"I'll come and help you in the garden," Anne offered.

"Please don't," Mary said, swiftly exiting the room.

As Sister Mary left the room, she couldn't help but feel the weight of her emotions. Even with years of practice in observing her emotions, she was overcome. Was she even capable of leaving the Abbey and the only life she had ever known?

She made through the hallways of the Abbey, seeking a quiet place to collect herself. As she walked, the tears she’d held back began to fall. She found a secluded alcove and collapsed against the cold stone walls, sobbing gently.

Abbot Keene spoke of a world beyond the wall of the Abbey that was strangled by its own decadence. It was torn apart by war, deprivation, and pollution. Her life in the Abbey was peaceful, but she had begun to question whether their peace would be better shared with the world.

It was also clear to Mary that Sister Anne was right—they had been given very little information about the outside world. Yet Mary had always been a faithful and devoted servant. She couldn't imagine giving that up for the unknown world waiting outside.

As Sister Mary sat in the alcove, lost in her own thoughts, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Though he was around the corner, the heavy-set footsteps could only mean that Abbot Keene was approaching.

Mary quickly wiped away her tears and stood, trying to compose herself.

She looked up to see Abbot Keene walking towards her, his expression concerned.

"Sister Mary, what's wrong?" he asked, stopping in his tracks. "Why are you crying?"

Mary hesitated, not wanting to reveal her inner turmoil to the Abbot. But something in his gentle gaze and the way he stood, waiting patiently for her to speak, reminded her that she could always trust him.

"I'm just struggling with a decision, Abbot," Mary said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've always been a faithful servant to the Abbey, but I can't shake the feeling that there is more to life beyond these walls. Sister Anne and I are the only ones left, and I'm starting to wonder if our commitment to peace would be better shared with the world."

The Abbot looked at Mary with kindness and understanding in his eyes. "I understand your doubts, Sister Mary," he said. "But there are things that you do not know about the outside world. It is a place of chaos and turmoil, and I fear that you would not find the peace that you seek there."

"But I can't help but wonder what else is out there," Mary said, her voice filled with a sense of longing. "I'm starting to feel like I'm being kept in the dark."

What Abbot Keene would say next surprised Mary.

"Mary, I understand you have been struggling with this decision," the Abbot said as he approached her in the alcove. "I know it's not an easy one to make, but I must be honest with you - the door to the outside world has been enchanted. No one who leaves the Abbey can ever return. And once one makes the decision to stay here, the window closes to that individual forever. If the window has begun shrinking before you, this may be your last chance to leave".

Mary looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes. "What do you mean, those who left can never come back?" she asked, her voice shaking with emotion.

"I'm sorry, Mary," the Abbot said softly. "It was a decision made long before I became the leader of this Abbey. But I believe it was done to protect us - to keep us safe from the dangers of the outside world. You must understand, our life here may be secluded, but it is also fulfilling and meaningful. I’ve chosen not to give that up for the unknown. But I see you and Sister Anne have struggled with that choice, just like the others."

Mary was silent for a moment, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts. She had always been dedicated to the Abbey, but the prospect of never being able to return was a daunting one. "I don't know what to do," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"It is a difficult choice, Mary," the Abbot said. "But I have faith that you will make the right decision, whatever it may be."

He added, "I'll prepare the supper today - for three. But I do not fear to eat alone if that's what this evening is to hold."

Mary realised that he did not expect her or Sister Anne to join him. She nodded in acknowledgement, and he lowered his head in recognition.

With a heavy heart, Mary watched as the Abbot walked away, leaving her to ponder her options. She knew she had to tell Sister Anne that if they were to leave the Abbey, they could never return.

As she walked, Mary realised she couldn't give up her life in the Abbey.

It was all she had ever known, and despite her doubts, she knew it was also the only place she’d ever belonged.

As she approached the study, Mary was filled with determination and purpose. She had made her decision, and she was ready to share it with Sister Anne.

As she burst into the room, she was greeted by the sight of Sister Anne's back as she climbed out of the window. "Anne, wait!" Mary called out, rushing towards her.

But it was too late. With a final flourish, Anne disappeared through the window and into the outside world, leaving Mary behind.

The window shrunk to the size of a small coin and vanished.

For the first time in her life, Mary felt true pain. Anne’s longing for the world had caused her to abandon Mary. Mary knew now this was a one-way decision, and Anne would not return.

She wished Anne well and shut the curtains on a window that was no longer there.