Sue’s Return to Faith

This flow follows Sue’s religious renewal and its strain on her relationship with Fenn, ending in shared danger and renewed closeness.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Cautious Invitation

Sue Returns to Church A reluctant companion Sue agrees to accompany Fenn to Mass, although she worries that returning to Catholic worship may feel hypocritical. Her past faith remains present beneath her hesitation. An emotional opening The service reconnects her with familiar ritual and community. Fenn attends as an outsider, so their different responses begin to expose a deeper difference between them.

Faith Against Cynicism

Two Responses to a Miracle A shared witness Sue feels that the gathering around Alice carries peace and compassion. Fenn instead explains the children’s behavior as hysteria and sees a potential story. A private rift Their argument at dinner is not simply about religion; Sue fears that Fenn’s opportunism will cheapen a meaningful event. She leaves, making his emotional detachment costly.

Renewed Devotion

The Church Becomes a Refuge A growing commitment Sue returns to St. Joseph’s with Ben and becomes involved in its activity. The site’s atmosphere strengthens a faith that had been uncertain for years. Distance from Fenn She sees Fenn’s continuing skepticism as a barrier between them. Their affection remains, but neither can make the other adopt the same account of what has happened.

A Difficult Reconciliation

Love Without Agreement A renewed conversation Fenn explains that others are exploiting the shrine, but Sue recognizes that he too benefits from its publicity. Their argument makes their shared attraction harder to hide. An imperfect truce Sue accepts that his cynicism may have value, while Fenn asks her not to shut him out. They reunite physically, but the unresolved disagreement follows them toward the final service.

A Hand in the Disaster

A Bond Tested by Terror A warning accepted Fenn urges Sue to leave the shrine with Ben. Though she doubts his explanation, she trusts his fear enough to take the boy away from the center of the crowd. Shared survival When Fenn collapses, Sue and Ben help him regain strength and guide him from the platform. Their rescue replaces argument with practical loyalty, though the horrors around them remain unresolved.

Before the first Sunday Mass

After the Sunday field gathering

In the weeks after the first healings

After Fenn’s return from archival research

During the final candlelight service