Chapter 2 BENEATH THE STAINED GLASS

Chapter two

SIMON

Her rosary beads click as she moved the tray. "Father said you need your strength for the morning prayers," she said softly.

Her voice was soft but her words were not. She handed the tray over to me. " Eat boy". She said firmly, then she drifted away.

It was always a habit of her's to vanish into the shadows. I stare at the stale bread, the little soup that was already lukewarm, and the water tastes faintly like rust.

I could never complain really, I just had to live with it. I ate my food quietly, food was not to be wasted here, unless you wanted to be disciplined. When I was done, I washed the bowl in the sink till it became squeaky clean. Everything had always been in order here.

Prayers, punishment, perfect smile. The three P's in Saint Aurelies Cathedral. I said my prayers and slid under my thin blanket. I practiced my smiles till my jaw twitched.

I ignored the pain, my smile must be perfect. Sleep dragged me under, but the nightmare came back, something I was trying to forget. I saw his shadow again, hovering around me with that smirk that made my stomach churn in disgust.

I woke up shivering, rubbing my palms. I said my prayers hoping for sleep to consume me again. The knock came again, but this time it was soft. I slowly dragged myself to crack open the oak door.

It was sister Mariane. She stood there with worry written all over her face. I quickly forced my smile to avoid her asking questions. "Good morning sister" I smiled. "You look sick" she replied. She was one of the good things about this place. "I am very fine, sister," I said, forcing a smile. "Such a cheerful boy" she patted my head.

If only she knew. I only smiled as a reply. "Get ready and come down for prayers, my boy," she said.

We don't want Father Cadwell coming down before you. " "Alright, I'll be down soon" I shut my door and hurried to the bathroom to do my business.

The cold water cascaded down my skin making me wince in pain. When I was done, I applied the ointment to my wounds.

Then I proceeded to change my bandages. I quickly got dressed and went down with my rosary, holy water, and holy Bible.

"Look, the miracle child is here" I heard old men talk amongst themselves. "Bless you," I said making the sign of the cross. Pin drop silence. He was here.

His voice thundered as he led the first prayer. I mouthed the words with my eyes facing the ground. I could feel his stare, it was intensely unbearable.

He was waiting for me to flinch, for me to mess up. But no, I couldn't. Not here, not in front of them. The prayers have ended. I stood at the entrance whilst the parishioners left.

The old men with hunched backs, the old women, and their sleepy children. Some were stretching their sticky hands to touch me.

"Oh the miracle baby of Edevane" they murmured as they walked by. I could only smile. If only they knew, they'd shut their mouths and run.

After the church was empty, I went back to help them clean the altar cloths. Some sisters were talking about a boy, but they immediately kept quiet once they saw me. They continued again, but in whispers.

"Did you hear of the Mayor's son's scandal?" one asked. "The library incident? I heard" the second sister spoke.

I'd never heard of this before, maybe because Father cut me off from the media, as it "promotes Sin". " I heard he's bringing him to church this Sunday," one said.

"That abomination of a boy? I hope he doesn't corrupt more people" she said. Was he that bad? Abomination?.

I curiously moved closer to them. "How can someone commit adultery in the school library?" she said with disgust written all over her face. The other one looked around before she proceeded to say:

"I heard it was with a boy" "Oh, may the Lord deliver his soul," they said. They packed up and left. I stood there wondering who this boy was. And why was I intrigued by him? "A boy?" I whispered.

He was shameless. I wondered what it felt like to be shameless and free to do whatever you wanted. To be able to stand in front of a Reverend and not tremble.

I packed up the folded cloth to the rectory. I nodded and greeted the sisters along the way. The polite, humble, pure Simon.

My mind couldn't help but drift back to the Boy they spoke about. When I got back to my room, there was a tray of bread and a glass of water on my table. I forced down each dry bite as I murmured my prayers:

Forgive me, forgive me, forgive me for I have sinned Forgive me for I have had sinful thoughts. Father cadwell was on a business trip today, so no whipping today.

I stood at the window, taking in the gaze of the courtyard. The gardeners were trimming the trees, sisters were moving about. The serenity was all I needed now.

My mind drifted back to the adulterous Mayor's son. Did he care that the town had such a narrative of him? Was he bothered by it?. I told myself I shouldn't bother about it, but the thoughts just wouldn't leave.

I slid under my blanket, as I let sleep consume me.

Then I saw him again, the same man from that night, his shadow was like clouds, towering over my head as I slept. He almost touched me, when I jolted awake. I could feel the sweat beads. My fingers were trembling.

I went into the bathroom to wash my face, and it was evening already. My door bolted open, it could only be him.