The Unwritten Sin

Chapter 1

"Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."  Jude 14–15

Wilder took a deep breath, and pushed open the doors of the Great Ministry. The huge iron doors swung open to reveal the splendor inside. Red velvet drapes lined the great hall, brushing the gilded window edges. The floor was a polished hardwood so shiny it reflected the dim sun from outside. Wilder walked down the aisle, hearing the giant doors close behind him. He glanced over his shoulder to witness the two important looking priests standing one on either side of the door, their hands patiently folded in front of them. This place seemed unnaturally official, Wilder thought, taking in the altars which lined the windows. Piles and piles of candles burned together there, melting onto one another in one giant lump of fleshy wax.

"Welcome, my son. Please. Come sit with me." A tall, dark haired man smiled down at Wilder from the podium. He stepped down the three dais steps and extended his arms in an embrace. 

"Wilder! I'm glad you have come back!" The dimples in the priest's face were very prominent.

"Oh, James, I'm glad to be back. Wilder hugged the priest, and the rustling of garments and the clinking of jewelry was moderately overwhelming.

James, the priest, took Wilder by the shoulders. "And how was your Tour, my son?" he asked kindly, the crows's feet around his eyes crinkling, despite his young age. James seemed to have led a happy life.

Wilder took a deep breath, and pushed a strand of copper hair out of his face. "Just fine, thank you," he said. "It has been nearly three years since I have seen you, though you don't look as if you have aged at all."

James laughed heartily. "Oh, you never fail to impress me," he said, wiping a tear from his eye.

"Would you like to break bread with me? We were just getting ready to go take supper in the convent."

"Oh yes, please, Father," Wilder said excitedly. "It's been ages since I've eaten."

James put his arms around the young man, and said, "Still not eating properly, eh? Same old Wilder."

Wilder sat at his right side in the convent. The sun came through the tall windows and made everything in the dining room a bright golden color. Supper was french onion soup and baguettes with butter, and Wilder ate more than his share of both. The nuns were silent as they ate, but they all stared at him when they thought he wasn't looking. James entertained Wilder with polite conversation.

"You should join the convent, Wilder," he said after a time. "All the nuns are not female here. We have Alan, Ethan, Remy, Barker, Loam and Peter all here in our own house. We always have room for another." He took a sip of his wine, and said, "We all help each other out here."

James pushed his chair away from the table. "Of course, I admire you for trying to get through it on your own, Wilder. If you need a support group, we are more than happy to oblige."

"Thank you," Wilder said, sliding on his coat. "But I have actually found a place to live and everything, after mom and dad passed."

James looked pained for a split second as he regarded the young man. "I have faith in you, Wilder. Remember your scriptures."

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. Timothy, 1.7."

James smiled, and squeezed Wilder's shoulder. "Please return anytime to see me. I mean it, Wilder. You have a cellphone. We aren't living in the dark ages."

Wilder smiled, and walked with James to the entrance. They paused on the step. Cars sped by on the road, and the sun was almost down. "I really missed you," James said softly. His dark eyes pierced Wilder's heart. 

"I missed you too, Father." They embraced one last time, and Wilder turned to walk down the street. James waved, and went back inside the ministry.