Sin of Lust

CHAPTER 33

“Gosh, I should have taken the money…” Blanche sighed as she remembered how she humbly decline the money and now there she is tired and quite hungry from her journey. “Come on, girl. You did take the bread though.” But even with that, she can’t help but sigh.

It took Blanche a while traveling by foot, and while she’s traveling, she runs into a pub where she overheard a certain topic, that made her ears twitch.

“Did you know the priest at the city of Biringan?” the fat guy asked his circle in hush tone.

“The murdered priest? Why yes.” The tallest of them all said. “I heard his death was brutal. And he was murdered by one of his children in the orphanage.”

Blanche made her way closer to them but not to the point where she gets noticeable, just enough that she will hear them. “Wow, until now that topic was still hot. If it’s still a hot issue, would it be a smart move if

I return?” she asked herself.

“I heard that he’s been r*ping children in the orphanage so he was killed by one of the nuns.” Fat guy replied in a mumble.

“One of the nuns? What do you mean? I heard it was his child?”

“No, no, I mean, his child became the nun who killed him.”

“I see…”

“And not only that, his depth is neck-deep. Even the donations to the church are not given to the children but for his vices. Who the hell in the right mind will do that? He was awarded as the righteous man of the year and yet his soul is as dark and musky as the rotting flesh.”

“What the actual heck? So, it means he has other addiction aside from tormenting those children? Who—oh my god, look at my goosebumps! Where did you hear that?”

“Form the defense system of the Bringinan. Don’t tell this to anyone, okay? But I think I somewhat agree to his death, just imagine, if I have a child even if it isn’t mine, I would definitely strangle to death whoever hurt them.”

“Well, I guess he should really be killed if that’s what really happen. I mean, taking advantage of people, he even has the courage to spout things such as manners when in reality he’s the one who’s not following the right virtue. I hope his soul rot in hell. I hope the children are alright now.”

“I don’t know about that.”

“What do you mean? You don’t want the kids to be safe? Oi, oi, oi—”

“That’s not what I mean! since he was killed, those who lend him money is surfacing one by one, and no one from the orphanage was able to pay, all of the ministers and nuns have gone since the incident happen.” Fatty said. “They all left, I mean, no one wants to be left behind to a tainted place. No one was even coming to give a coin for donations.”

“Really? That’s… oh god. What about the children? Where are they? Please tell me their safe.”

“They have a single nun there who never leave them, so I think they’re okay.”

“A single nun? Do you think that’s enough?”

“A single nun would be more than enough if kids are slowly diminishing, less brats to take care.”

“Huh? Huh?! Wait what? Diminishing one by one?”

Fatty leaned closer to his ear and whispered, “I heard that nun is one of the black-market guys who are selling the kids to people. May it be for organs, for slavey, I don’t know but for sure they were selling children for a price!”

“I don’t think that’s possible. I don’t think anyone will shelter a livestock.”

“I think it is, a lot of things might happen in a year. And even a livestock would be shelter and feed by the finest grass if the customers are the most powerful and wealthy ones.” He scoffs.

The news made Blanche immediately stand up and went to those who are having conversation, “Tell me more about it.” She asked with a stern voice as she slumped on one of their seats at their table.

“What the—who are you?”

“Just tell me, I will buy you drinks!”

“No, that’s a top secret.”

Blanche grew impatient and decided to blubber the things that he heard about them, and all they can do is watch her, “Now, will you tell me the rest or I will have to broadcast these things out loud before you even tell me?” she said with her arms firmly folded on her chest. “If I include your names when I broadcast, you will be in the huge trouble and I don’t think the defense system of Biringan will be glad if they heard about it.” She grinned ominously.

“You… you…” fatty growled with his jaw clenched from frustration but then went to unclenched it. And there she learned everything about the black market, and how a single nun was just there to take care of the ‘parcels’. Her blood boils from the thought that even in death of Daleon he still hunts the kids and make them pay for the things he has done. And now, more children are being hurt.

“So, many children have been perished even though he’s already dead?” she asked with her head hanging low to not let them see how her eyes turns fierce.

“Yeah, you can say that.”

“Now that you mention that, I don’t think his death is good anymore. If he hadn’t died, children will never have to go through selling.”

“Don’t mess with me… stop joking.” Blanche muttered bitterly, “Do you have any idea what does it like to live under the same roof with him? Children are scared and doesn’t know where to go because wherever they went and said their feelings they will immediately shut up by the elders. And now, do you really think that he shouldn’t have died?”

“Uh…”

“If he hasn’t been killed back then, eventually someone will still do it.” She spoke with gravity in her tone, as if she’s saying that she’s can repeatedly kill him, and if they meet in hell, she’ll be his nightmare.

“That’s… not actually…”

“Tell me more.”

“Okay, as a compensation for what we have said, we will share a top of the top secret.” Fatty sighed, “The mayor of the city, was the one who’s behind it all.”

“What?!” the information sent her shouting and slamming her hands on the table earning lots of attention. What shocks her the most is when she learned that the new mayor of their city was the one who’s behind all of it. The one who should protect the people from darkness is actually the who one holds the gates of Gehenna.

“Can you just stay silent!” they smaller guy whisper-yell at her. “People are going to find out and worst is we’re not going to this bar again!”

“S-Sorry,” she replied with embarrassment.

“Now that you know that, leave us alone. We don’t want trouble from you.”

“Those kids have nothing to do with these… they are innocent for f*ck’s sake!” she hissed in her mind, “Do you perhaps know a job regarding to that?”

“Why are you asking, lad? Do you want to apply as a nun?” they laugh at a simple joke. And this only give her an idea.

“So, how do I got to apply to that? I’m interested.” She holds another four bottles of booze for them.

“The mayor’s office,” the fat guy who call himself Boar, said in between hiccups. “You can apply there; I think they are getting another nun for the kids.”

“Do you know how to handle kids?” Liz asked, the thinnest of them all.

“Yes, I think I do.” She nods at them quite confident.

“Then go for it. However, I suggest that you go as soon as possible, the job I just limited to one slot.” Boar said, chugging his drink. “That’s what I heard.”

“Okay, thank you.” she said before going out. “And oh, that cold booze is on your tab! Bye!”

“What the hell?!” Liz and Board both shouted.

“I should get going and apply for that position before someone take it away from me.” She spoke. And proceeded straight to the mayor’s building, who seems to be all neutral. Not too good yet not that bad at all. It does seem all magnificent and screaming authority. However, when she realized she’s wearing something that anyone would call shady she groaned. “I don’t think anyone would trust someone wearing something like this.”

And because of this, she went to a*****e and just bought a second-hand skirt and tidies herself to make it sure she has the appearance of someone who can be trusted. “This would do, right?” she internally cried to herself when she thought that they owner will never give the skirt even though she has to sell for him just to get this skirt. “I have to sell for him? The price that I sell to the people are too much and this is all he gave to me? He’s insane! But this will do, I look pitiful though.”

She then went to the office but before that she entered, she was stopped. “State your name and business.” Asked by a man in suit when she finally stood at the gate.

“I heard that some orphanage here is hiring a maid? I would like to apply for that slot.” She told him with a small hopeful smile. “Come on, please. Let me have this job!” she screamed in her head.

The security guard went to scrutinize her appearance before letting her in, when he finally opened the gate, he proceeded to scan her with a magic wand that would detect anything that would pose a great danger to the mayor. The wand hover around her body from bottom to top and back and forth, and when it finally landed on her necklace it glows a bright red.

The security was alerted, “What do you got there, buddy?” he asked with furrowed brows, yet despite his calm and stern voice, he got the stare that’s almost slitting her throat.

Blanche looked at the necklace hanging on her chest, “Ah, this… this is a necklace.” She stated as a matter of fact. “What is this man talking about?”

“I can see that’s a necklace, but this wand tells that thing is dangerous.” The security furrowed his brows, “are you here to assassinate the mayor? If so, you failed.” He cracked his knuckles, ready to pummel her if she will do something stupid.

“No! no, no, please… I cannot do that.” She stepped back trying to tell him that she’s not here for that reason. “I just want to apply here for a job, and is this necklace of mine is a threat please hold on it for a moment.” She pleaded but internally she’s screaming, “What the actual hell? Luxuria even in this form is a threat?”

“What can I do? My existence itself is a threat~” a voice cooed in her head.

“What?!”

“What?”

“N-No, I wasn’t…” she startled, “I mean, I really need a job right now, just please, can I try applying?” she changes the topic when she noticed she yelled at him when she heard the voice. But the guard just look at her with unconvince look.

“Here, take my necklace with you if that thing threatens you…” she gave her necklace to him, “but please just take care of it. That’s the only thing I have from someone very special to me.” She clenched her jaw as she remembers that there’s nothing from this necklace is important nor special, it even made her a murderer. “I just really need a job.”

The guard took the necklace and put it in his pocket, “Okay, follow me.” He spoke, “but a single funny move and say goodbye to your own head.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you!” she chimed, clearly unaffected by the threat.

She was guided to the mayor’s office, during their small walk she can tell that the who place was heavily guarded, every door they passed have at least one guard. They’re now standing in front of the mayor’s office with two guards on each side.

“What’s the business?” asked by the door guard.

“An applicant for the orphanage.”

The two guards stepped aside and they went inside, which she was still guarded by the security inside.

“Hi…” she greeted the mayor with a curt smile. “I’m—”

“Hello. I assume you are here as the applicant assistant nun of an orphanage.” She asked her from above her keen eyes.

“Yes, I am.” She simply replied.

“What’s your name?”

“I am…” Blanche wasn’t able to reply fast since she was hesitant to use her name because first all she doesn’t know if she’s still wanted or not. “Shaira.”

“No surname, I see… Nice meeting you, Shaira. I am Ester Merdoc.” She introduces herself and extended her hand to shake hers, “Sorry for the short notice but we are in short in staff so I’m going to hire you right now, so please go on. My men will guide you there.”

“Wow, that’s quick.” She said internally. “Thank you, mayor, I will do my best.”

And then she was guided to the place she knew so well. Even though the appearance is now more advance than before; when she was just a kid, she can’t help but feel nostalgic and happy as she remembered how they laugh along the streets, as if they will not grow and their lives were just pure bliss. But her glad face turns sour as she remembered unwanted recollections.

“What’s with the sour face?”

“Ah? It’s nothing, I’m just sleepy.” She sheepishly rubs the back of her head.

“Be attentive, we don’t want an employee who’s not working properly.” He growled, “Here, we are.” The security told him as they stop the carriage and let her get down, “don’t do anything funny.” He told her and toss the necklace. “Come, I will show you where Mary Jane is.”

When she heard the very familiar name, her heart suddenly leaps in joy but she tried to refrain herself from jumping and singing in joy, because that would be suspicious. “Thank you, sir.” She simply replied but inside she’s yelling, “She’s alive! She’s alive! Oh my god, she’s alive!”

The nearer they go to the very same house where she grew, the louder and faster her heart starts to beat. The beating is so strong that she thought her heart is going to leap out of her chest. She clutches her hand over her beating heart and bit her lip from anticipation. She’s too focus on taming the beats when she didn’t realize they are now standing at the very front door of the house.

The security knock on the same wooden door of the house, “Mary Jane, here’s the newly hired assistant nun for you.” He spoke, but when the door opens there was no one, until they look down.

“Yippie! Another sister?” a child with a bright grin on her face was the one who greeted them before running inside leaving the two at the door way. “Nunna! Nunna! There are people out there! Hurry, hurry!”

“Okay… okay, calm down, they will not go anywhere.” A voice of a female was heard, even though it’s faint, Blanche can tell that it’s her beloved sister. Steps are getting closer and she stood there firmly with unwavering smile.

“Hello, Mr. Caddil.” Mary Jane greeted with a smile the man, “May I know the reason why you’re here?” she spoke so soothingly.

“Yes, I am here with the newly hired maid.” The guard named Caddil stepped aside only to reveal Blanche. “Take care of her and make sure she learns everything about her works.”

Mary Jane doesn’t have to ask who she is because she already know her by heart. But her sudden appearance made her shock. She opened her mouth but no words came out, and her body just froze on that spot. There are so many things she wanted to say, but she stops herself and refrain doing anything that will gain their attention.

“Thank you for having me.” Blanche bowed in a ninety-degree angle while holding her wide grin.

“Okay, this is it for now. I’ll be going, make sure you train her well.” Caddil turns his back. When he’s finally gone, Mary Jane lunged forward to hug the girl she thought was dead long ago. Both of their tears shed together that made the kid from corner grew concern.

“Nunna?” the child asked in a whisper.

“Blanche… Blanche…” Mary Jane called her name again and again with her broken voice, and Blanche could only bite her lower lip from the fact that she can’t trust herself right now because she’s afraid that the moment she opened her mouth, it would come out as broken sobs.

When Mary Jane finally pulled away, she caresses Blanche face trying to find any trace of wound and shower it with kisses before she bombarded her with questions. “Are you okay? Where have you been? Are you hurt? Did anyone know that you’re wanted?”

“I’m alright, sister.” she chuckled in between sniffs.

“Then why did you comeback?!” Mary Jane suddenly pinches her cheeks and whisper yelled at her, “you shouldn’t have come back.”

“It hurts! Ow! It hurts! You’re going to break my face!” Blanche grunted in a slur.

“Nunna? Are you okay?” the child asked with worried expression and is close to crying.

“Ah, yes, child. Everything is fine.” She told her, “Why don’t you go on and play with other kids as we speak? I have to make sure that our new sister knows what do here.” She fakes as smile, to which the gullible kid believes and runs off to their playground.

When the kid is finally away, Mary Jane yanked Blanche in to her bedroom, “Why are you here?” she hollered in a whisper.

“Why? Aren’t you happy to see me?”

“Blanche, I’m happy that you’re safe and alive. But you shouldn’t be here. Are they know you’re wanted? In this town you’re a murderer, even though people know the truth, that doesn’t mean that you’re sinless.”

“But…”

“Blanche, get out of here. Tonight, after dinner, you will vanish without a trace. I will handle everything, just escape--”

“I want to help you!”

“There’s nothing wrong here, no one’s need anyone’s help.”

“Stop lying! I know what’s happening here! Children are being sold off to… who knows!” she yelled at her with eyes held brewing anger, it might not be towards Mary Jane but the elder sister surely felt fear rush over her, “How can you turn your eyes away from this?! They are just children! They have nothing to do with this—”

Mary Jane slammed her hands over Blanche’s mouth and hushed her, “Your voice is so loud! Children will hear you!” she scolded her in a hush tone.

When she finally pulled away Blanche mutter a single question, “What do you mean the children will hear? Are they…”

Mary Jane felt her broken heart ache at the thought of so many children she wanted to save yet still many of them are suffering, “They don’t know what’s going on here inside, all they know is when someone leaves, they will be adopted and they are going with a wonderful family. But that is far from the truth.” She clenched her fists.

“And you let them?” Blanche asked with eyes hoping she doesn’t let these children be sold off.

Mary Jane wasn’t able to answer, she bit her lower lip in frustration that she can’t answer her for the fear that her voice would betray her. Blanche shook her back and forth, “Sister?”

“You let them get away?!” she hollered silently. “What happened to the Mary Jane that I admired so much? To the person who fought for years for the freedom of us? Sister Mary Jane will never let this to happen.”

“Do you think I want this?!” Mary Jane wasn’t able to refrain her voice anymore. “Do you really think that I don’t feel anything whenever a child of mine got away? Taken away from me! This is all I can do, Blanche! This is all I can do. Give them home before they go, give them an ordinary life before they… this is all I can do Blanche.” Her furious voice died down as it turns in to muffle sobs.

This made Blanche buckles as the truth hits her like tons of bricks. She could only imagine how painful it must be for her to watch the children filled with hope and overflowing love for her get taken away from her arms. Her fists clenched on her sides as her jaw grits together, “Let’s escape.” She whispered.

“What?” Mary Jane heard her, but still chose to confirm her absurd idea.

But Blanche repeated her unwavering statement, “Let’s escape.”

“Are you insane?”

“We can have better life! We can give them better life outside! There’s no reason for us to be afraid, we can do it, we will save them just like how you save us before.”

“No, I can’t do that. Do you know who you’re up against if you dare to step a foot outside this orphanage? The mayor herself! She’s ready to kill anyone that goes against her.”

“What? You’re scared of the mayor but you’re ready to against Daleon who was the wielder of Luxuria.”

“Yes! I am scared! I am scared for the children! I am scared that now that I know you’re alive but you’re planning all of these?! I don’t want to lose anyone, please. At least you…”

“Stop about me, this isn’t about me anymore. I am not a child that is in need of protection. But if you won’t do a thing, eventually you will lose everything,” Blanche cup her cheeks and wipe the tears that seem like endless streams. “We are going to get out of here.”

“But where?”

“Anywhere… but not here.”

“Now I know you’re getting insane. You’re are going to be fugitives!”

“I don’t care! As long as you’re with me we can escape…” she gave her a mad smile.

“Blanche, what you’re thinking is dangerous! You will put your life, the children’s lives! On the line!”

“So, you really want to just live your life like this?”

“I don’t… no one does.”

“Then let’s make a move.” They look at each other and share a glance, “Sister, let’s get away from here. I don’t care where destiny will lead us and the children. But we can make it through.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“Games…”

And this made Mary Jane’s eyes wide open.

“Children I will introduce you to our newly arrived sister, her name is sister Blanche…” Mary Jane smiled at everyone, “I hope you welcome and treat her the same way you treat me, okay?”

“Yes, Nunna!” they responded cheerfully.

Blanche looks at her with eyes filled with worry and shock since her name was revealed, but Mary Jane gave her a glance as if she’s saying to trust her. The children welcomed her with all their love. After the short introduction the children proceeded to go and play outside.

“Blanche, if you wanted to save them, you have to know all about the rules and regulations of the house.”

“Okay.”

“Currently, there are twenty-five children here. Seven of them are six years old, nine are in eight years, six in ten years, and three are eleven years old. A child will be shipped out before they’re twelfth birthday, after that I don’t what will happen to them.”

“So, there’s a possibility that they will be sent to—”

Mary Jane cut her off, because she doesn’t want to hear anymore words to where her children are being sent to. “And only the smart ones will be left behind and their future will be decided by those officials, especially the mayor. That’s why we are doing daily tests for the children so we will know who will be the first one to leave.”