Boston Blood

Seven

Frances was frozen in place. Her knees are starting to knock together but she tried her best to keep it together. She felt absolutely awful for Sinead. This was all her fault. She must have been caught calling Joan.

Frances reluctantly peeled her eyes away from Sinead who was now groaning in pain. Frances' eyes were on fire as she met Sister Delores' delighted brown ones. This is exactly what they want. Keep it together. Frances inwardly warned herself.

Sister Delores smiled as she stepped over Sinead and walked towards Frances, who was now balling her hands into fists by her sides.

"Frances. I'm sure you're aware of why young Sinead needed to be punished, yes?" The nun's cold yet sweet voice made Frances' blood boil. She didn't dare respond.

"I am speaking to you, you ungrateful child." Sister Delores sang as she took yet another step towards Frances.

Frances swallowed, hard and let her eyes narrow. "I have no idea what you're talking about." She replied in monotone, trying desperately not to rise to Sister Delores. The nun's cheerful demeanour faltered, slightly as her eyes twitched and her vindictive smile dropped for a second before returning.

"Oh, I think you do, dear. I think you know all too well that young Sinead, here, was trying to get Joan to help you find your brother. Such deceit. After everything we've done for you, both of you." The nun turned her head towards Sinead who was now sitting and holding her blood soaked face. Frances' shot her an apologetic, pleading glance and Sinead, to Frances' surprise, smiled at her.

Frances couldn't help the low growl that had escaped her throat. After everything they've done for me? If she for fucking real?

"And the worse part of it? We thought Sinead was finally going down the right path. We thought we were finally doing right by her poor parents who were mortified by their daughter. Against my better judgement I given her a job and had hoped she would realise that the thoughts she had been harbouring were and an abomination and that if she didn't change she would be going straight to hell. I should have listened to my head and phoned the police but I listened to my heart instead and gave her a chance. Even if she is a criminal." Sister Delores mused as she looked down at Sinead with utter disgust and Sister Kate held her handkerchief to her mouth, stifling a sob. Frances's eyes darted back and forth between them in confusion. What is she on about?

Sister Delores smiled as she recognised the look on Frances' face. "That's right. Your only friend here is an abomination. She and Joan have been hiding a romantic, disgusting relationship from everyone. I heard them on the phone when she was trying to convince Joan to help you. Absolutely despicable, not to mention illegal." Sister Delores could barely get the words out. She looked like she was going to be sick and Sister Kate's sobs were now deafening. Frances stared at Sinead in shock. She's gay? And she never told her me? She must be terrified. Frances suddenly felt the pang of regret and shame washed over her. She felt so guilty and sad for Sinead. Her she was forcing Sinead to help her find Michael when she already had enough to be dealing with. She was gay and her parents made her come here.

The nun sighed and slapped Frances across the face so hard that it made her fall onto her knees. The pain was unbearable. She wanted to fight back. She wanted to scream and fight with everything she had but it had occurred to Frances just then that she knew she had lost. She was never going to find Michael. She was alone and for the first time, she didn't care what happened to her any more. Michael was being cared for by someone else.

She closed her eyes and wiped the blood from her cheek. As she stood to face Sister Delores, a small, humourless laugh burst from her chest. The nun eyed her and Frances' wasn't sure but she thought she thought she could see a look in the nun's eyes that she had never seen before; fear.