Michaels in Love (BoyXBoy) English

Chapter 28 - Season 1: In The Arms of an Angel

February 14, 2012
The Twin Churches of Bustillos, Sampaloc, Manila

"You were just standing there, Michael," my aunt's voice broke through the haze of my thoughts, "but there was no one there."

Her words sent an eerie chill coursing through my body, leaving goosebumps in their wake. My chest tightened, and my breath hitched.

"What?" I whispered, my voice barely audible, the disbelief evident in my wide eyes.

She looked at me with both concern and curiosity. "Are you alright? Did you at least have lunch?"

"Yes, I did," I replied automatically, though my thoughts remained tangled in the weight of her earlier words.

"Your Uncle Jerry is still at the kids' school. I just need to stop by this church quickly. Are you heading to work now?"

"Yes, I am," I said, forcing my voice to steady. "I should get going to catch the train."

"Alright, be careful."

"Thank you, Auntie," I managed, turning toward the street, eager to leave the lingering unease behind.

But just as I began to walk away, a commotion broke out near the doors of the neighboring church. The sharp, venomous voice of a man cut through the afternoon air, freezing me in my tracks.

"Ask forgiveness for your sins, you filthy homosexual!"

The words struck like lightning, electrifying the crowd into a wave of murmurs and gasps. I turned to my aunt, her face mirroring my own shock.

"That voice," I whispered, my stomach knotting. "Isn't that Manong Elmer?"

Her eyes darkened as recognition set in. "It is. Let's go and see what's happening."

Before we could move, a familiar figure rushed past us. Mylla, our neighbor, darted toward the chaos, her face pale with dread.

"Mylla," my aunt called, stopping her with a firm hand on her arm. "Is that your uncle? He sounds drunk."

Mylla's face betrayed her unease as she hesitated. "Yes... ever since my cousin Marcus died, he hasn't stopped drinking. And now... now he's dragged my cousin Kenneth to the church..." Her voice trembled, breaking off as she hurried toward the growing crowd.

We followed closely, the murmur of the onlookers growing louder as we pushed through. The tension was suffocating, a storm of unease and morbid fascination brewing among the bystanders.

"Abomination! All of you homosexuals are a curse!" Mang Elmer's voice boomed again, louder this time, fueled by rage and alcohol.

The crowd parted as Mylla reached the scene, revealing the horrifying tableau at its center.

Kenneth lay sprawled on the cold stone ground, tears streaming down his face. His sobs were silent, yet his body trembled with the force of his humiliation. Red lesions and sores marred his arms and neck, standing out starkly against his pale, sweat-drenched skin.

Above him loomed his father, Mang Elmer, pointing an accusing finger toward the cross mounted on the church wall.

"You caught the same filth as your brother Marcus!" he spat, his voice shaking with fury. "Ask God for forgiveness! Repent for your sins!"

"Uncle, stop this!" Mylla's voice cracked, desperate and trembling. "Have some shame, at least for your son!"

Elmer turned to her, his bloodshot eyes wild with anger. "Mylla, my brilliant niece. Always meddling."

"Uncle, enough," she pleaded, her voice softer now, trembling under the weight of the moment. "I'm taking Kenneth home."

"Stay where you are!" Elmer barked, holding up a hand to stop her. "You won't take him anywhere!"