Corruption - Rafe Cameron

chapter one

You lived your life in constant fear. Fear that you're somehow doing God wrong and that you won't end up in Heaven. Your mother made sure to deeply instill that fear into you; mentioning God's name at the smallest mistakes you'd make.

You were only allowed to wear the clothes that she brought you, all of which made sure to hide anything that may be deemed seductive in her eyes. You were only allowed to own books that she approved, almost all of which had to do with religion. She also strictly monitored what you were watching, prohibiting you from watching anything more than the few channels she approved.

So, to say that you were completely sheltered and oblivious wouldn't be a lie, not at all. It wasn't like you could expose yourself to really any sins outside of your home, your whole community was full of highly superstitious religious people who made sure to do the same as your mother for their children as well.

You were fresh out of high school but you weren't allowed to go to college. Your mother strictly prohibited it. She strictly prohibited you from leaving the town lines, in fact. Your mother had told you that you were to focus on yourself and your family, that of which being her and yourself, and that eventually you will get married to a man which she approved of, and you will start your own family with him.

You didn't fight her on it, though you definitely had your own thoughts about that topic that conflicted with hers. You figured they were wrong, that all of this was God's plan, and so whenever you have those thoughts or any negative ones, you make sure to go to church to confess.

Today, was Sunday, so of course, you had to go to church with your mother. You made sure to dress into one of your nice church dresses and to doll yourself up, wanting to present yourself nicely to the lord.

You then got in the car with your mother and she drove the both of you to the local church. Everyone in the small community was at Sunday mass. No one would miss it for a thing.

Your mother parked the car in the full parking lot and you both unbuckled your seatbelts. The both of you then got out of the car before she locked it and the two of you headed towards the church entrance.

When the two of you walked inside, you made your way with your mother to an empty seat in one of the middle rows. The two of you sat down and your mother started to converse with the people around the two of you. You simply remained quiet as you waited for mass to start.

Mass had started promptly and you sat through it, really taking in every single word uttered by the priest in charge of mass today. Eventually, it was time to go up and receive the body of Christ.

Everyone stood up, awaiting their turn to leave the pews and walk down the aisle to where the priest stood with the metal container containing the bread.

You slowly walked down the aisle towards the priest and when it was your turn you received the bread and said "Amen" before putting it in your mouth and eating it, swallowing it down as you made your way around the aisle of the church pews before walking down the aisle.

As you walked down the aisle towards your seat, you made eye contact with a man you'd never seen before. Or at least you were sure you hadn't but he did seem a little familiar.

He was tall, had bangs that covered his eyebrows, and was wearing some jeans and a button-up collared shirt. He looked into your eyes in return, causing you to look away and continue on your way to your seat with your head down now. When you looked into his eyes, you felt a weird feeling in your chest and stomach that you passed off as being uncomfortable.

As you sat back down, you kneeled down on the kneeler and shut your eyes, your hands clasped together as you prayed to God, thanking him for all that you have.