BABY MAYA

Chapter 9: a little into the past

Sister Mary knelt beside the baby, gently cradling its head in her hands. The infant's eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, the nun saw something there that made her heart skip a beat.

A flash of recognition, a glimmer of ancient knowledge.

The baby's eyes locked onto Sister Mary's, and the nun felt a shiver run down her spine.

"Who are you, little one?" Sister Mary whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the wind rustling through the trees.

The baby's gaze never wavered, and Sister Mary felt herself being drawn into those eyes, as if she was staring into the very soul of the child.

And then, in an instant, the moment was gone. The baby's eyes drifted closed, and it began to cry, its tiny fists waving in the air.

Sister Mary smiled, her heart filled with a sense of wonder. "You are a special child, indeed," she whispered, gathering the baby into her arms.

As she stood up, the nun noticed a small piece of paper attached to the baby's clothing. She gently detached it, and her eyes widened as she read the message scrawled on it:

"Her name is Maya. She is the key."

Sister Mary's eyes locked onto the baby's face, and she knew that this child was destined for greatness. Or terrible darkness.

Only time would tell.

....

Sister Mary gazed lovingly at the baby in her arms, feeling an overwhelming sense of responsibility and wonder. Who was this child, and why had she been abandoned under the bridge?

As she walked back to the convent, the nun couldn't shake off the feeling that Maya's arrival was more than just a coincidence. The message on the piece of paper - "Her name is Maya. She is the key" - echoed in her mind, sparking a mix of curiosity and trepidation.

Upon reaching the convent, Sister Mary handed Maya over to the convent's nurse, Sister Rachel, who expertly examined the baby.

"What's her story, Sister Mary?" Sister Rachel asked, her eyes filled with concern.

Sister Mary hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I found her under the bridge," she said finally. "There was a note with her name and... something else."

Sister Rachel's eyes widened. "What did the note say?"

Sister Mary's voice dropped to a whisper. "It said she's the key."

The two nuns exchanged a knowing glance, both aware that Maya's arrival might be more than just a simple abandonment.

--------------------

As the days turned into weeks, Maya thrived under the loving care of the convent's nuns. Sister Rachel, in particular, took a special interest in the baby, feeding, bathing, and singing lullabies to her.

Maya's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she explored her surroundings, cooing and giggling at the nuns' antics. She quickly became the convent's darling, with everyone vying for her attention.

Sister Mary, however, remained cautious, sensing that there was more to Maya's story than met the eye. She began to notice strange occurrences around the convent - doors opening by themselves, objects moving on their own, and an eerie feeling of being watched.

Despite her reservations, Sister Mary couldn't deny the special bond she felt with Maya. As she rocked the baby in her arms, she whispered a silent prayer, asking for guidance and protection for the young child.

As Maya grew, so did her connection to the mysterious forces surrounding her. It became clear that she was no ordinary child, and the convent's nuns began to wonder if they were equipped to handle the challenges that came with raising her.