(Untitled)
[ You find yourself in a church, dimly lit with sputtering candles covering every available tabletop. It's quiet -- eerily so -- and the air is stale. You're standing in the middle of the aisle facing the front door. You could walk out if you wanted, something in the back of your mind assuring you it's not locked, but you feel compelled to stay for
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But still. A church? Really? When was the last time he even stepped foot in one of these? It must have been...years ago. He can't say he was ever really into the whole thing. His parents were, especially his mom, but the Hanniger men had slowly stopped attending after her death.
He looks around cautiously, half expecting to find some kind of communication device ready and waiting to drag him into another world full of monsters and bullshittery, but there isn't one. Instead, there's only the confession booth.
A sinking feeling begins to settle in his gut as he recognizes the small structure. Confession? Him? Where would he even start? And although he's hesitant, and doesn't really want to go, he does anyway - closing the small door behind him.]
Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. It has been fifteen years since my last confession.
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[Tom looks up, staring beyond the wooden partition.
At first it had been almost impossible to talk about his past, then as he got further into the story it was almost as if Vincent was no longer there and he was only talking to himself. But as his story finished and the man speak up, the realization that he wasn't alone, that he actually did just say all that aloud to another human being- It's nearly crippling. He feels dirty.]
No, I-uh. I remember, laying on the ground. And people started coming in. And then I woke up in a motel wearing a Search and Rescue uniform.
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It would be foolish to push him too hard too fast, he thinks, steepling his fingers in front of his mouth. Another heavy exhale through his nose and then he responds. ]
I've heard all I need to hear for today. You're free to leave, if you'd like. However, my door is always open if you need further comfort.
[ He's careful to keep the disappointment out of his voice. If Tom feels like he's being judged, he may not take up Vincent's offer to come back whenever he needs to talk. ]
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So, what do I do?
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[ Oh. Right. Penance. He's rarely ever asked. Order members typically take things into their own hands and attack whomever they decide is the offender that caused them to sin, even for the pettiest reasons.
With his chin propped in his hand, Vincent lets him off with a light sentence. ]
Ten Hail Marys and a prayer reacquainting yourself with God before you go to bed.
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[He wasn't sure what he was expecting, here. But that sounds like the standard thing to do.]
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Not quite, but think of it as the crucial first step toward the real you.
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You might surprise yourself.
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I think I've had enough of those.
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See that you do.
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Thank you.
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