The phone kept ringing, and Snod bit down on the heel of his hand. It was such an innocent melody, a
simple pulsing chime of bells, but every time it sounded Snod could feel his soul shattering. He could
hear the hymns, the snap of the whip, and he could smell the censers burning their foul incense.
He couldn’t stop himself, crawling like a terrified child toward the phone, wishing to God that he was
strong enough to resist its pull. He picked it up, answering it with a gasp, his voice trembling as he
said, “H-hello?”
“My son,” Father Sanguis’ voice slithered through the line like a serpent, wrapping itself tightly
around Snod’s throat. “It has been a month, precious child. Tell me...”
“No,” Snod protested immediately. “I have nothing to tell you.”
“Oh, my beloved son,” Sanguis sighed mournfully. “You’ve been corrupted, haven’t you? Tell me,
what has that foul beast done to you?”
“Nothing I didn’t want him to,” Snod growled.
“You’ve let the beast blaspheme the sacred temple of your body for carnal pleasure, yes,” Sanguis
intoned patiently, “but we can wash those sins away, my sweet child. I can take all of that pain away. I
know it still festers deep in you. Deep in your soul, you know what you’ve been letting that creature
do to you is wrong...”
It’s a sin...
Snod gurgled, tears burning in his eyes as he tried to argue, “No, Father. It’s not... it’s not wrong. I
love him. And he loves me! And love is—”
“Love is meaningless when it’s so obviously polluted by sin. When was the last time you prayed?
What was the last sin you confessed, my son?”
Sanguis’ words were a siren song, calling all of Snod’s protests to heel. He was already on his knees,
trying not to cry, his teeth slamming together as he croaked bitterly, “I don’t... I don’t remember,
Father.”
“Let’s pray together, my son,” Sanguis soothed, his silky tone demanding obedience. “You must be
positively filthy.”
Snod bit his tongue to hold back a sob, whimpering, “Yes... I’m... I’m so filthy...”
“Find something to cleanse yourself with,” Sanguis purred. “We’ll pray together and purify you, my
dear child.”
Snod started toward his closet, finding a belt and putting the phone on speaker. He sat back on his
