The Unwritten Sin

Chapter 14

Adonis knew the best route to his own house, so the party followed him. The city had been mangled. The buildings were scorched as if a wildfire had blown down main street. People still called for one another and screamed in the distance. The city siren was going off constantly, sounding like a sick and dying animal. The Great Hall was seemingly untouched, as far as Wilder could tell. The rest of the city was covered in chunks from some of the old world buildings, including the one he and Neptune had hidden behind earlier. 

The streets were clogged with debris; pieces of roadway, pieces of buildings, and overturned carts and vehicles. People were strewn everywhere; some of them bleeding out in the street, just as Wilder had seen himself doing in his vision. He wanted to stop and help, but the Phase City Police were on their way, whirling around the corners with their motorized legs. The entire police department was made of the most sophisticated robotics tech that Earth could afford.

As they drew closer to the coast, Wilder caught a glimpse of the Ministry out of the corner of his eye, and tapped October's shoulder. "I'd really like to go check on Father James and the convent," he said, "I'm sure I can find you guys later?"

October looked annoyed. Neptune volunteered. "I'll go with him," he said quickly.

October relented. "Neptune know the way down to Adonis's place," they said. "Make it fast!"

Wilder nodded, and set off at a sprint towards the Ministry with Neptune hot on his heels.

Wilder was out of breath and sweating profusely when he made it to the door of the convent. He knocked on the door with the gigantic brass knocker. He listened hard, and could hear the scrape and shuffle of feet as something was pulled back from the door. Father James stood in the doorway, looking frazzled. His hair was frizzy and his face was smeared with blood.

"James!" Wilder exclaimed, as they fell through the doorway. "Is everyone alright?" He saw the entire convent on their knees in the main room, praying. Father James took Neptune in with one glance, and then grasped Wilder's shoulders tightly.

"I can't believe it's happening again," he said, "it's been... years since this has happened."

"You mean the city has been destroyed like this before?"

"Oh yes, I'm afraid so," James said, shaking his head. "Our Father in Heaven is merciful, but we do pay our weight in suffering." He took a deep breath, and gestured to the convent. "You're welcome to stay and pray with us," he said, "we are choosing to shelter here until everything either gets worse or better."

Wilder nodded. To the convent and the Ministry itself, trying to mod into a new body was considered the unwritten sin. Something that any good, decent person would never do. Wilder had experienced a little of it himself when he was first birthed, years and years ago, when he was desperate to change his own body. He shook the thought out of his head, and met James' stare evenly. "I'm actually going to be joining some of my new friends on the beach," he said. "They have a place there, I guess. I haven't been through this before.....so I don't know what to expect."

"Ah yes, that's something I would rather not discuss," James said, "there are too many conspiracy nuts that try and debase our faith. I don't want to....elude to any kind of compliance with that road of thought."

His lips formed a thin line. "You boys be careful. I can't see anyone else get hurt. We must weather this storm. Deuteronomy 31:6. Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

"Amen, Father," Wilder said, under his breath. 

Father James took off his golden pendant, and offered it to Wilder. "Take this. If I never see you again, leave it in your plaque safe, and remember."

Wilder nodded. Before he had time to ask, he was pushed out the door, and James locked it securely behind him.

Wilder turned to Neptune, who was staring at the shiny piece of jewelry. "Plaque safe! What the hell is that!"

Neptune shrugged. "I have no idea. Probably what it sounds like," he guessed.