Ash hurried around the small kitchen. The night was dark and silent, the only sound being the soft hum of the kitchen's lanterns as Ash and Danny worked together in hushed tones. They moved with precision, their hands moving in tandem as they carefully prepared the chocolate pastry that would soon become the vessel for their revenge.

Ash measured out the dark chocolate, her hands steady as she poured it into the mixing bowl. Danny, meanwhile, was busy grinding more of the cocoa into a fine powder, his face set in a determined expression. The air was thick with tension, but it was a productive kind, the kind that came from knowing they were one step closer to their goal.

As they worked, they spoke in whispers, their voices barely audible over the sound of the chocolate melting in the double boiler. "How's the consistency?" Ash asked, her eyes fixed on the mixture as she stirred it gently.

"It's good," Danny replied, his voice low. "The extract is fine enough that it should mix in seamlessly."

Ash nodded, her eyes never leaving the chocolate. She added a pinch of sugar, then a dash of cinnamon, the spices mingling with the rich aroma of the chocolate. The smell was intoxicating, and for a moment, Ash forgot about the true purpose of their creation. She forgot about the pain and the suffering they were about to inflict on Priest Damon. All she could think about was the taste, the texture, the sheer decadence of the pastry they were creating. It was a treat they rarely ate, now a sacrifice for their orphanage.

But the moment passed, and Ash's focus snapped back to the task at hand. She poured the melted chocolate into a waiting pastry shell, the dark liquid flowing smoothly into the flaky crust. Danny added the powdered extract, his hand moving in a slow, deliberate circle as he mixed it in.

The silence that followed was almost palpable, the only sound the soft clinking of utensils against the counter. Ash and Danny worked in tandem, their movements choreographed to perfection. They were a well-oiled machine, each one anticipating the other's moves before they happened. She thought about her previous times in the kitchen and the more relaxing times while cooking. This was not one of those times.

As they worked, the kitchen around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, lost in their task. The world outside receded, and all that was left was the pastry, the chocolate, and the extract. It was a world of its own, a world of precision and calculation, where every move was deliberate, and every action had a consequence.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the pastry was ready. Ash and Danny stepped back; their eyes fixed on the finished product. It was a masterpiece, a work of art that belied its true purpose. The chocolate was smooth and glossy, the pastry flaky and light. It was a treat fit for a king, or in this case, a priest.

Ash felt a surge of pride as she gazed at their handiwork. They had done it. They had created something truly special, something that would bring Priest Damon to his knees. She glanced over at Danny, a smile spreading across her face. As she looked over the pastry she noticed its imperfections. Ash sighed knowing it was a possibility. One she prepared for. The batch had made several pastries. He couldn’t eat them all after all. So, the best was picked out and set aside for the old priest. Her poison would coat the top of the pastry with delectable chocolate.

Ash and Danny froze, their hearts pounding in their chests as a loud bang echoed down the hallway. The sound reverberated through the small kitchen, shattering the tense silence that had enveloped them moments before. Ash's eyes widened, her gaze darting towards the door. She could hear footsteps, slow and deliberate, approaching from the direction of the noise. Priest Damon was awake, and he was coming their way.

Without a word, Danny sprang into action. He quickly gathered the pastries, carefully placing them into a nearby cupboard and closing the door with a soft click. Ash, meanwhile, hurried to extinguish the lanterns, plunging the kitchen into darkness. They moved with practiced precision, their movements fueled by adrenaline and the fear of being caught. Ash could feel her heart hammering against her ribcage as she crouched down behind the counter, her breath coming in shallow gasps.

The footsteps grew louder, closer, until they were right outside the kitchen door. Ash held her breath, her muscles tensed, ready to flee at the slightest provocation.

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Time seemed to slow to a crawl as they waited, the seconds ticking by like hours. The silence was deafening, punctuated only by the sound of their own ragged breathing and the occasional creak of the floorboards outside.

Ash could feel the sweat beading on her forehead, her palms growing clammy as she gripped the edge of the counter. She risked a glance at Danny, who was pressed against the wall, his eyes wide and alert. The footsteps paused, and for a moment, Ash thought her heart might stop. She could almost feel Priest Damon's presence, his looming figure just beyond the door.

Then, after what felt like an eternity, the footsteps resumed, growing fainter as they moved away down the hallway. Ash let out a shaky breath, her body sagging with relief. They remained hidden for several more agonizing minutes, neither of them daring to move or speak. The tension in the air was palpable, the weight of their actions bearing down on them like a physical force.

Finally, when they were certain that Priest Damon had moved on, Danny emerged from his hiding spot. He moved cautiously towards the cupboard, retrieving the pastries, and setting them back on the counter. Ash joined him, her movements slow and deliberate. She could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, her senses heightened by the near miss.

As they surveyed the pastries, Ash couldn't help but feel a sense of pride mixed with trepidation. They had come so close to being caught, but they had persevered. The pastries were almost finished. They just had to prepare the chocolate topping.

Danny prepared the bowl of chocolate laced with the extract while Ash got out a pipping bag. The design was simple. One she had seen in the bakery before. Her hands were still a bit shaky, and she was nervous after their close call. She took a deep breath in and tried to calm herself. She waited a bit longer before covering the pastry.

"It's perfect," she whispered, her eyes shining with excitement.

Danny nodded; his face set in a determined expression. "Let's get some rest," he said, his voice low. "We have a big day tomorrow."

Ash nodded, her heart racing with anticipation. Tomorrow was the day they would finally get their revenge, the day they would make Priest Damon pay for all the pain and suffering he had inflicted on them. She felt a sense of calm wash over her, a sense of purpose. They had done everything they could, and now all that was left was to wait and see the results of their handiwork.

As they cleaned up the kitchen, their movements were quick and efficient, the silence between them comfortable and familiar. They knew each other's moves before they happened, their bodies moving in tandem as they put away the utensils and wiped down the counters.

Finally, the kitchen was spotless, the only evidence of their late-night baking session the delicious aroma of chocolate that lingered in the air. Ash and Danny exchanged a look, a look. They each picked one of the left-over pastries and ate them silently. Revenge tasted sweet.

With a shared nod, they slipped out of the kitchen, disappearing into the darkness of the night. The pastry was safely tucked away, waiting for its moment in the spotlight. And Ash and Danny were waiting, their hearts pounding with anticipation, their minds racing with the possibilities.

The next morning, Ash and Danny woke up early, their hearts pounding with anticipation. They had barely slept, their minds racing with thoughts of the pastry and the revenge it would bring. They quickly got dressed and made their way to the kitchen, eager to check on their creation.

To their relief, the pastry was still there, nestled safely in the cupboard where they had left it. Ash carefully removed it, her hands trembling slightly as she held it up to the light. The chocolate topping glistened, the intricate design still intact. It was a work of art, a masterpiece of deception.

Danny and Ash exchanged a look, their eyes shining with excitement. They knew they had to act quickly before anyone else in the orphanage woke up. They had already planned out their next move, and now it was time to put it into action. They boxed it up in preparation for delivery.

Ash and Danny made their way to the dormitory, where the younger children slept. They scanned the room, looking for the perfect candidate. They needed someone who was innocent, someone who wouldn't ask too many questions.

Finally, their eyes landed on a young boy named Matthew. He was small for his age, with wide, trusting eyes and a sweet smile. Ash approached him, kneeling down to his level.

"Matthew," she said softly, "we have a special task for you today."

Matthew’s eyes widened, his face lighting up with excitement. "What is it?" he asked eagerly.

Ash smiled, holding out the pastry. "We need you to deliver this to Priest Damon’s room," she said. "It's a special treat, just for him."

Matthew nodded; his eyes fixed on the pastry. He reached out, taking it carefully in her small hands.

"Remember," Danny said, his voice low and serious, "this is a secret mission. You can't tell anyone about it, okay?"

Matthew nodded again; his face set in a determined expression. "I won't tell anyone," he promised.

Ash and Danny watched as Matthew made his way down the hallway, the pastry clutched tightly in his hands. They held their breath, their hearts pounding as he knocked on Priest Grant's door.