Burn Me Right

Chapter 45

Autumn stepped into the church, the heavy wooden doors creaking in protest as they swung open. The dimly lit sanctuary welcomed her, its hallowed air enveloping her senses.

She dipped her fingers into the holy water font, tracing the sign of the cross upon her forehead, chest, and shoulders. The cool droplets brought a sense of purification.

She knelt. The cold stone floor oddly comforted her, grounding her in this moment of vulnerability. The flickering candlelight danced before her, casting eerie shadows on the ancient walls. Her heart felt heavy, burdened by emotions and the secrets she held close.

Silence settled around her like a cloak, amplifying the whispers of her thoughts. She closed her eyes, seeking solace in the holy place's embrace. The world outside faded away as she sought answers within the sanctity of this sacred place.

Her lips moved in silent prayer, the words a plea for guidance, forgiveness, and redemption. The heaviness in her chest threatened to suffocate her, but within the church's walls, she found a momentary respite from the chaos of her existence.

As she knelt in the presence of something greater than herself, Autumn felt a glimmer of hope, a fragile flicker of light in the darkness. Minutes passed, and so did hours, but the sadness in her heart didn't.

A clank in the corner of the church grabbed her attention, and she saw the confessional booth's door shut. Deciding that confession might relieve her, she got up and walked to the booth.

Kneeling before the booth, she made the sign of the cross. "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned," she slowly spoke. The candlelight shone through the ridges of the booth, casting the priest's shadow on the opposite wall. The figure appeared enormous as if engulfing the space with its presence.

She waited a minute to hear the response but heard nothing, so she repeated. This time she heard the priest clear her throat not once but twice. He coughed twice and spoke, "So, my child," she heard a deep, fake voice. "What sins have you committed?" The voice felt different, deep, and edgy. Something she had never heard before. Autumn was surprised, as that was not the confession she was used to. The priest doesn't talk like that. She thought that the priest must've been someone new and maybe nervous, so she shoved that thought aside and began to do what she wanted.

"I have been a bad girl," she didn't think much of it or how she said it. To her, it was normal. She had been a bad girl indulging in sinful acts that God would frown upon.

An amusing smirk formed on the priest's face, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I see," he replied. "And don't you think bad girls deserve properly punished?"

Autumn's innocent gaze met the wooden booth, her brow furrowing slightly in confusion. She was oblivious to the underlying meaning, naively assuming that he was referring to some form of penance. She nodded, "I suppose so," she bit her lip, trying to sound sincere. She didn't want to be punished.

He leaned in, his breath reaching her through the booth's holes. "I will punish you, dear. But first, what sins did you commit?" He bit his lip, looking at her through the confession box's holes.

"I.......I........." she stammered. She didn't know if she could confess what Zyler did to her or if she should.

"Go on, little girl. This is a safe space. You can confess all your deep and darkest desires, and I will listen to every single one of them and will deliver you from the pain if you want," he swallowed thickly.

Autumn, unaware of his intentions, shut her eyes and said, "I was involved in indecent sexual acts," she chewed her bottom lip very hard, trying to lessen her embarrassment. She was angry and hurt, disgusted and irritated. Her choice of words made him want to holler. Who talks like that?