Living With Our Sins

Making a pact with my Sorrow

It's been a few days since the fight Alex avoided Laken every chance he got. In the hallways he started to go to his other classes early, at lunch he ate in a different part in the cafeteria or outside, in class he sat as far away as he possibly could. Laken did noticed and was a bit upset when Alex started to ignore her but got reminded that SHE ended the friendship and she couldn't say anything else about it, while Alex now had some free time after school and he didn't want to go home immediately he roamed around town until he came across a small shop. "Mystic Knowledge Keep" is what the sign read, 'whelp I have nothing else to do" Alex thought and went in. The store was dimly to give the shop a slightly eerie vibe since the shop has a lot of books, crystals, jars, plants, and other witchy items. Alex walks around before a voice ranged out "Welcome to the keep young man." Alex immediately turned around to see a little old lady in a rocking chair, she looked to be around mid 60's, her hair long and silver-ish gray hanging past her shoulders. "Oh hello, sorry I didn't see you there...." Alex said apologizing and the old lady chuckles "It's okay my dear boy, most people don't notice me here either. What brings a beautiful boy like yourself here?" She asked as she sat up in her chair "General curiously and I have nothing better to do when school lets out and I...I don't want to go home early anytime soon." Alex admits to her, the lady stares in Alex's general direction in silent before she nods "That's fine by me sweetheart, I could use some help around my shop. Unlike you my eyes aren't what they use to be." she says opening her eyes as wide as she could and Alex tell she lost most of her vision but isn't completely blind, "..Sure I would love to help you run the shop Ms. ?" "Oh where are manners call me Magnolia or Mag for short" Magnolia said smiling happily "Pleasure to meet you Ms. Magnolia, I'm Alex." the two shake hands the stated the paperwork for Alex to start his new job. Alex got home that night he told Denna he had got a job at a little book store, "That's nice and all as long as it doesn't distract you from school and your work here I'll allow it. Make sure you have May 12th off, we're hosting a party for some important clients. Make sure you're presentable Alexandra" "Yes ma'am..." Alex says knowing not to back talk, his scars reminds him what happens when he steps out of line. Alex just went up to his room and instantly collapsed onto his bed and stared up at the ceiling disassociating from realty until he feel asleep.

It's been a week since Alex started his new job working for Mag, he really enjoys her company and she always has stories to tell about her youth years. While cleaning the shop Alex found a book with a unique symbol on it, he flipped through the pages and had seen some interesting things. He wanted to take a closer look and asked Mag "Hey Miss Magnolia, may I borrow this book?", Mag was currently busy with a customer "Sure sweetie, I don't mind." Alex put the book in his bag and continued to clean. Alex got home later that night and noticed something was completely off, the house was too quite and the lights where on. Alex called out to see if he can hear anything but no one made a sound, he did a quick sweep of the house to see he was alone for the night. Alex sighed a bit of relief before heading up to his room and took out the book to start reading, the book was quite interesting it talked about a 8th deadly sin, The Sin of Sorrow. After a while Alex found something that peeked his interest, a ritual that granted the person a great prize. '...Do I really want to do this?' Alex thought. What does he have to lose? Alex looked at what needed to be done, he got up and started his preparation. After a while he got every thing ready and recited the incantation out loud until he felt dizzy and fell asleep only to find himself in a strange maze when he awoke. It was overgrown with roots snaking out across the path and that sense of wrongness felt stronger, hanging over him like a fog.

Now the test begins. He stayed calm and follow the path until he reach a chamber of sorts. Inside he found a grand feast lay out before him including all of his favourite foods and drinks. People were singing merrily and will insist that he come and join them. No matter how mouthwatering it smells, he didn't joined and slowly made his way to the door. He knew the moment if he did so, a nagging, aching hunger will fall upon him. No matter how much he would eat and eat, he would never be able to shake the inescapable hunger and shall be stuck in an endless cycle of gluttony until he literally and with unimaginable agony burst under the weight of all that food.