TWENTY ONE

HIDDEN SHADOWS SIMON The air in the rectory was thick. I woke up to the scraping of chairs, and the sisters shouting commands. Maybe something was happening. I freshened up and hurried downstairs to help. The air shifted the moment I walked down. The sisters whispered amongst themselves, wringing their hands and darting their eyes to the heavy doors, which made me know this was more than just a guest. Father Cadwell stood straight, his face tighter than usual. He didn't even acknowledge my presence. I walked away, helping the sisters to sweep the church. I was sweeping the chapel when the heavy door opened, letting in a gush of wind and a voice I dreaded to hear. My heart sank the moment he walked in. “Simon” his voice was deep and smooth. “You’ve grown,” he smirked. The broom slipped out of my hands, and my chest tightened. My heart was beating so violently that I felt the whole cathedral could hear it. I felt bile rising to my throat, and I tried to maintain my usual face.

Last Updated : 2025-09-29

TWENTY TWO

PANIC SIMON The morning sun was harsh, flashing directly into my eyes. I squinted my eyes as I got up. It was Sunday, a day I would have looked forward to, if he weren’t around. The air smelled different since he arrived. The incense smelled the same, and the choir hymns sounded the same, but something was different. It was him. His presence was like incense, curling into every corner of the room, suffocating me even when he wasn’t there. I walked to the mirror, staring at my reflection. I told myself I wouldn’t let this bother me. The boy he had once cornered was the person I had grown to be. Even tho I wasn’t raised with love, I wasn’t going to let his Presence get to me. I repeated it continuously. I hurriedly freshened up and went down for service. Everybody was present including him. My body betrayed me the moment I saw him. I straightened my collar, forcing my trembling hands to be still.“Are you okay?” One of the altar boys whispered. “You look pale” “I am fine.” I forc

Last Updated : 2025-09-30

TWENTY THREE

ARSONSIMONShortly after, we both parted ways. If we were seen together, things could get worse. I waited at the back of the church till service was over. I went straight to my room, ignoring the parishioners. Father cadwell won’t attempt to hit me, not when we have a guest over. I stayed in my room the entire day after the service. The walls were not comforting, Atleast they were mine. There was no father John to taunt me, and there was no one to look at me with that knowing gaze.I curled myself up in my bed, my eyes lingered longer than usual on the Celling till it became blurry. The faint sound of children laughing outside, the faded echoes of footsteps, bells chiming. Each time I closed my eyes, I was there again. standing helplessly, his hands gripping the back of my neck, his breath fanning my cheeks as he whispered. “You were born in sin Simon, but I will cleanse you of that sin.” I turned my face burying it into the pillow, trying to shake of the memory.A soft knock on

Last Updated : 2025-10-01

All Chapters of IN THE NAME OF SIN : Chapter 21 - Chapter 23

TWENTY ONE

TWENTY TWO

TWENTY THREE