Apocrypha

Chapter 3

"But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness."
1 Timothy 6:11

TWO WEEKS HAVE SINCE PASSED, and Gabriel has since felt a newfound freedom from the underground area he now frequents. As of his current time, he has attended 8 times. During his patrols, he will follow the lavender smell where he'll engage with other men.

Gabriel isn't stupid, however. He knows that such actions can get him killed. He's heard and seen what has happened to people who even have mere thoughts of doing such sinful activities. Hopefully, he thinks to himself, the legal system will go easy on him since he has the Mandate of Christ.

Ever since then, Gabriel has found life to be on the sunnier side. However, those dark thoughts only got stronger. Because not only was Gabriel worried about the ramifications he might receive from society, but his guilty conscience from betraying God.

At night, he'll stay awake and look up at his ceiling. He'll think to himself if God is looking down at him with a sneer, feeling disgusted that his creation is straying from the righteous path that was set for him.

Not even the longest prayer can get rid of his guilt. He's betraying his father, who used his power and connections to make sure he has everything in life. He's betraying his mother, who has already lost everything and can only rely on her children as a beacon of hope. He's betraying his brother, Joshua, who looks up to him as a model.

But most of all, he's betraying the country that he's vowed to serve for. Or, more precisely, the country that will serve him. If his secret ever gets out, will the people still admire him? Or will this sinner be casted in the fire just like the others like him?

Indeed, this conflict weighed on Gabriel like tons of bricks. Whenever he felt happy with other men, that guilt settled in. His mind only grew more radical and polarized.

On one end, he relished in this blasphemous lifestyle and only wanted more to recuperate for the times lost before. But the more he dug himself deeper, the more his guilt and fear from being discovered worried Gabriel.

So, he gave himself a proclamation: He'll have just one more week of fun before stopping everything and going back to his mundane life. He'll return as a desired member of society and repent for what sins he committed.

WHILE WATCHING THE NEWS, a breaking news segment came on screen. Bold letters flashed as the emergency 'Pink Alarm' began to blare.

The Pink Alarm is sometimes played to alert the public that a covet of gender traitors has been discovered. There are at least two every five months. But a spectacle to watch they are.

This time, instead of feeling happy or gleeful at such an event, he sunk into the couch further. Guilt settled, knowing that he can be caught one day.

"We interrupt our daily broadcast to bring you breaking news from Washington DC." The male reporter announced. "A group of homosexuals have been discovered in an alley way of Chevy Chase. As of this moment, 14 men and three women have been apprehended and are awaiting trial, with the possibility of more being found.

"Chief Officer Joab Rivers has scheduled a press conference in 30 minutes, where more details will be revealed. Such a large gathering has already had many residents nearby worry for their children, fearing the indoctrination from these individuals."

As if he was frozen, Gabriel did not move from his position on the couch. He watched closely as the screen showed an aerial view of the alleyway that he's all too familiar with. Just looking at the screen, he could smell the familiar lavender scent that penetrates his nose and sends him back to the touches and taste of other men.