Page 13 of Sins and Virtue

“Relax, to her, everyone is either a sinner or a criminal. Nothing out of the normal.”

“Ah, Blair! You play too much.”

I rolled my eyes. “And you worry too much. Calm down; it’s probably some child making a ruckus down in the town or something.”

“Everyone, may I please have your attention!” Father Andrea cleared his throat as he tried his best to stay calm. Yet the clamor of church members was so loud, it would be impossible at this rate to get everyone to listen unless…

“Hey!” I yelled, my voice reverberating in the church as the remaining people drew their eyes on me, nearly casting a judgmental gaze, but I could care less. “Father Andrea has something important to say, so pay attention!”

“Thank you, Blair.” He uttered some blotches of red on his cheeks.

“Anytime!” I threw him two thumbs up, smiling like an idiot.

The whole room shifted their gaze and attention to him. “Alright, everyone, there has been an incident at the prison— well, to be honest, a prison break. So I need you all to leave calmly and go straight home.”

The uproar of the congregation grew tenfold as police sirens clashed in the distance. Only adding further tension to this mess.

Sister Marie gasped; genuine terror leaked in her eyes. Terror I’ve never seen come from her.

Small rays of panic set in my stomach.

Then these weren’t just any criminals but the worst scum possible. Most lusted for women after being locked up for so long, but after that they wanted revenge.

And that revenge would only bring destruction.

Father Andrea signaled everyone with his hands. “Please, please, we must remain calm. God will protect us.” With his strong faith, he tried to sway everyone. His peaceful, comforting presence could even stop a baby from crying. That’s why he was so loved by the people; he knew how to help even in the most distressing of times.

His reassuring words took effect when lightning struck the top of the building, making it shake, as it drew all the power and killed the lights. The whole church was engulfed in darkness.The large wooden doors blew open against the walls as a man with a maniac smile and knife came running in.

The women started to yell as it all went to shit.

People ran for it.

Everything became a blur as my feet became cemented to the ground, watching the madman chase the innocent villagers.

“Oh my god! Blair, let’s go!” Sister Marie took my hand, dragging me onward. Unconsciously, my body moved, survival becoming the main focus. We ran for our lives as we sprinted behind the altar and through the church’s offices and out of the church and towards safety— towards the convent.

The downpour hit us hard, drenching us completely as our clothes stuck to our skin and the grass became slippery as we tried not to trip and fall. Our interlaced hands never broke as we continued across the field, watching the rest of the church members scram from the church. We would have help, but at the moment it was every man for himself. Somewhere in the mix, I also lost my veil, and my hair became a victim to the cruel wind and harsh rain.

In seconds, we made it to the convent; thankfully, it wasn’t far from the church. Stepping inside, most of the other nuns looked at us with widened eyes as the ones who were with us arrived just after us.

“Blair, look at you. You look a mess. What happened?” One sister couldn’t help but ask.

I went to speak when Mother Superior spoke over me. “Nothing. All of you go to your room now.”

“B-but—” Sister Marie, whose body broke out in trembles, weakly protested.

“Are you questioning my orders, Sister?” Mother Superior used her authority to humiliate and abuse. She loved to appear like the grand wise mother Mary, but she was the first to flee the scene.

Bitch.

Marie’s eyes watered. “No, Mother Superior.”

“Good,” the old hag boosted and then clapped her hands. “Now, go to your rooms; everything will be sorted in the morning. Go!”

Marie’s hands clamped mine, refusing to let go, as she couldn’t stand the idea of being alone. Especially because her room was in the west wing and mine in the east.

Anger burned beneath the surface. The obedience I had to show to a person who didn’t deserve it— I hated it.