Page 32 of Broken

Me: I’m sitting near the confessional and I can hear someone’s confession

Diana: Oops. Split with the deets

Me: The guy… he’s a rapist

Diana: Oh, Jesus

Me: I want to help her

Diana: Of course you do. But fuck, can you?

Diana: Imagine being in the priest’s shoes. He can’t go to the cops, can he?

Diana: This is why I left the Church.

Me: Me too

Me: He’s locked down. I can hear him. His voice is like ice.

“You repented your sin two weeks ago, Paolo. A similar sin. You learned nothing when you sought penance.”

“No, I?—”

“Nothing. You’re escalating.”

Me: He’s so angry

Me: My heart’s pounding

Diana: You need to not overexert yourself!

Me: How am I supposed to calm down? There’s a rapist here, whining about how she wore a short skirt to tempt him, Diana!!

Diana: I think I’m going to be sick

“I-I tried, Father. The temptation?—”

“Temptation is meant to be fought,” Savio snaps, and once again, fire zooms around my veins.

While the excess of energy should tire me, it doesn’t.

It brings me to life.

“I-I tried.”

“Not hard enough.”

“I-I can’t?—”

“You can and you will.” A harsh breath escapes him. “She’s your niece, Paolo. She’s fifteen years old. What on Earth is the matter with you?”

Me: God, it’s even worse. She’s fifteen and his NIECE

Diana: FUCK.

When the man starts sobbing, I’m not surprised. He’s painting himself as the one who’s being wronged here. She tempted him. She made him do it. He was innocent, blah, blah,fucking blah.

Hatred simmers inside me as I think of my last charge, Linda. Of how she passed away at the hands of a man who vowed to love her. I think of this poor girl, whoever she may be, being molested by a man who is supposed to love her like she’s his daughter.

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