We pull apart and look over Josie with tears pouring from her eyes, nearly bloodshot.
“What are we going to do about her?” I ask Milly.
She lifts her lips into a tight smile and glares at Josie.
“We let her pay for her sins.”
Josie starts to buck against the bindings, drooling around the tie, attempting to cry and scream. For what? Her words mean nothing to us. I place my hand in Milly’s and rub the top of her hand affectionately. I simply do not care anymore about what others think, especially for the false god everyone around me continues to worship.
If there truly is a God, and part of me is starting to believe there is, they surely are not the one who wishes to smite us for who we love. That I know for certain.
Chapter 23
Grace
September 14th
We hear footsteps approach the confessional door as Milly and I look at one another with alarm. Josie starts to screech through the tie gag, writhing wildly in fear.
“I need you to trust me, Shadow.”
She wraps her arms around me, and suddenly my skin starts to prickle with thousands of goosebumps. My jaw begins to chatter at the frigid temperature. It starts to hurt to take a deep breath as I look at Milly with panicked eyes.
“Trust me,” she whispers again as she walks me backwards toward the wall. She holds my fearful gaze as she pushes me against the wall, and the barrier is suddenly gone.
I see her eyes follow my movement backwards as I pass through the brick foundation. I try to inhale a gasp, but no air seems to be flowing through my lungs. I start to see stars as the oxygen doesn’t reach my brain.
“You’re safe,” she whispers again to me as I lose consciousness.
Chapter 24
Grace
Unknown
Iwake up to my head throbbing, my body feeling feverish. I attempt to open my eyes, but they don’t listen to me. I must groan or make some noise because a cool hand presses against the side of my cheek. I lean into its cool touch and relax into myself.
“Soon, Shadow.” I hear a whisper before I fade into a dream of golden eyes and swirls of white stars.
Chapter 25
Mildred
Unknown
Ipace the floorboards, my eyes never leaving her stillness. The gentle lift of her chest is my sole proof that life lingers still within her.
“It will take some time, Milly. She’s going to be okay. You did what you needed to.”
I keep my eyes upon her, offering only a small nod in reply. He exhales, a weary sound as he departs. The door shuts behind him with a delicate click.
His aid I do not take for granted, but he cannot comprehend the agony that seizes me to see her so still. It feels as though I’ve stepped backwards into another age all over again. My body aches with a sorrow so deep it settles into my bones, making even the smallest motion a trial.
I tried to step away as the days continued to slip through my fingers. I must seek some resolution regarding this horrible priest, though what does it matter? All else fades beside the thought ofher.
I cannot tear my eyes away, for I am haunted by the dreadful notion that should I blink, her breath may falter and be no more. I cannot bear the thought that her life might be spent because of me. But if by some cruel turn of chance it were to be so? I cannot endure to see her slip away without me…once more.
Chapter 26
