Page 86 of Forbidden Flesh

"Are you still with me?”

“Yes.”

“Do you remember what needs to be said?”

“Oh, bless me, Father, for I have sinned.”

“When was your last confession?”

I close my eyes, trying to remember, but I can’t. It’s all a blur.

“I don’t remember,” I say honestly.

“Well, it will come to you. It’s something you don’t forget easily. It’s like driving a car or praying for your sins. You remember that, don’t you?”

“Yes, I guess I do.”

“Well, what are your sins so you can ask God to forgive?”

“Umm… I had sex last night.”

“I see. Out of wedlock, I’m assuming.”

“Yes.”

“Is the other person married?”

“See, Father. I think I know who he is, but I’m not sure. I don’t remember. I thought it was a dream, but it wasn’t.”

“Who do you think it was?”

I pinch my brows and reply, “How bad is it?”

“Depends on whether it was real or not. If it happened, if it did, you committed a sin of the flesh. Fornication is a sin. If it didn’t, and it was all in your mind, it’s still a sin, but not as bad. Sometimes the thought of sinning can be placed in a person’s mind, but as long as the thoughts don’t lead to actions.”

This priest is weird. This feels like an interrogation.

He goes quiet for a few seconds. “Is there anything else you want to tell me, Melody?”

A chill runs down my spine.

“I didn’t…”

I slide the door to the confessional booth open and run out. I rush out the door and into something hard. I look up and sigh.

“What’s wrong?” Valen asks, holding me close.

“I went to confess and...“ I swallowed thickly, trying to catch my breath. “He knew my name and asked me things.”

“Wait here,” he says calmly and walks inside.

I look around and catch the entrance to the cemetery. The tombs look old, like they were here for centuries. I wonder who they have buried there, and why does the school have a cemetery next to a church?

The door to the church opens, and Valen walks down the steps.

“What happened?” I ask.

“Where were you last night?”

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