BAILEY'S P.O.V.

Just because Paige's nose was bleeding did not mean that the rest of us had to miss church. Paige's parents escorted their daughter to the hospital. Penny stayed behind so that she could finish her painting, and Betsy and I had to watch her. Our parents continued to assist Cindy.

Witnessing for myself when Betsy hurt Paige made me realize that my own sister would do anything - and I put huge emphasis on the word 'anything' - to destroy our faith. Even wreck Penny's painting.

To make sure that would not happen, I ordered my sister to stand six feet away from me and Penny. I thought that she would protest, but she did not and instead did what she was instructed. I blocked some of the painting with my body and helped Penny decide which colors to use.

She was halfway through her drawing when she asked, "Is my big sister going to die?"

I shook my head. "It was just a bloody nose," I said. "Paige will be fine."

"What if something is wrong with her brain?"

"Then the doctors will have it as good as new. God is taking good care of her."

I will admit to you readers the other reason why I did not want Betsy to be anywhere near me and Penny. It was that goblin. He had a small hand gripping her shoulder and was staring at me. He laughed, and I could see the rows of sharp, white teeth.

I was about to warn her of the goblin, but remembered that would not do any good. She could not see him. The only ones who could see the goblin were me and Paige. But why? Were we born with the power to see the supernatural or something?

"Finished!" Penny announced, setting down her paintbrush. "It is a picture of me and Jesus holding hands."

"Aw," I said. "I cannot wait to see the look on your sister's face when she views your marvelous work."

"Can we go to the hospital, Bailey, and show Paige my drawing now?"

"I wish, but your parents made me promise that we would stay here until they and Paige return."

"What if they never return?"

"My dad has your dad's cellphone number, so if there is big news, my father will get a call."

She hugged my leg. "The only big news that I want is for there to be a city made entirely of chocolate." She licked her lips.

I snapped my fingers. "You should paint a chocolate city next. I want to get a good idea of what the chocolate city looks like."

We switched the used canvas with a new one, and as Penny began painting, she told me of the chocolate fountain that was in the middle of the city. Not only was it made of chocolate, but it spewed out chocolate syrup nonstop.

My belly rumbled, and I giggled. All this chocolate was making me hungry. I wondered if this church had food and drinks and walked up to Cindy.

"Cindy?"

"Yes, Bailey?"

"Do you have a vending machine here? I am starving and could use some food."

"We most certainly do. It was my husband's idea to put a couple vending machines in the church. Anyway, there are two vending machines by the bathrooms. One is filled with chips and candy, and the other is filled with all kinds of drinks."

"And where are the bathrooms?"

She pointed a finger at the doorway that was straight ahead. "You will notice the bathrooms when you step out of this room."

"I got it. Thanks. Oh, and could you keep an eye on Penny while I am gone?"

"Of course."

I thanked her again and hurried through the doorway. I saw the two bathrooms and the vending machines that were next to them. I walked until I was in front of the machines and realized that these were not like the ones back at home. There was no way to put in money and no way for change to come out. A piece of paper was taped on one of the machines, and I read it. I was afraid that it was an 'Out of Order' sign, but it was a list of instructions on how to properly use the machines.

Money was not to be used with these vending machines. Instead, what the machines had to offer was free to the public. I smiled and chose my drink and candy bar. These were my kind of vending machines.

I soon heard two noises coming from both of them and knew that my candy bar and drink were ready to be picked up. I decided to go for the candy bar first. I slid my hand in the snack machine...and could feel something rough and slimy.

Was my bar open?

"Ouch!"

I suddenly felt something scratch the back of my hand and immediately pulled my hand out. Red scratch marks were on my skin.

Was the candy bar...alive?

Seconds later, a small, green hand popped out from the machine. It was identical to the hands belonging to that goblin.

The goblin emerged and looked up at me. He showed me his teeth as he grinned. I gasped and almost lost my balance.

"You," I said. "What were you doing in the vending machine? What do you want?"

The goblin did not answer and instead pounced on me. His small feet pressed against my chest, and he grasped my arms.

"Let me go!"

I did not expect the creature to listen to me, but he did. He let out a shriek and released me. He landed on his feet and poof! Disappeared out of sight.

I placed a palm on my chest and took in deep breaths. What had he planned on doing to me? Eat me?

The only thing that goblin confirmed was that he was not part of my imagination. He was real. But what did he want?