Sin of Lust

CHAPTER 16

Sin of Lust by Swapie Achilles

CHAPTER XVI

OCTOBER

As Blanche proceeded to do her duty to change the linens of each bedroom, she came across upon Daleon’s room, she can’t help but get curious from the muffled sounds she’s hearing from his room.

“What is that?” she got suspicious. She tiptoed towards it and put her ear against the door to have a clearer audio.

“Why?” Daleon spoke with utter anger that she didn’t have to look at his face to see that, “why can’t I use you!” he growled.

“Use what? What is he talking about?” she internalizes, “is he getting insane?”

“The last time I use you was ten years ago! So why?!” he seems really upset from something and this made the nun eager to listen more.

“Why don’t you respond to me?!” he yelled, “Luxuria!”

The name made Blanche’s shoulder grew stiff, “He’s talking to Luxuria? The god?”

She remained listening to Daleon’s shouts, yet her concentration was cut short when a loud bang on the door, since her ear is pressing on it, it took a toll from the sound which sends her immediately up on her feet letting the linens drop on the floor.

“That hurts!” she winced internally, rubbing her ear to sooth the pain.

When she heard the doorknob jiggle, she hurriedly picked the scattered fabric on the floor so she wouldn’t be caught in act, but she was too late, Daleon is already out from his chambers.

“Sister Blanche?” he softly asked as he sees her, “what are you doing here?”

Blanche took a moment to tell her reasons, for she’s too busy thinking how Daleon can be so calm as if he just didn’t get a tantrum a few seconds ago. “Y-you see, father. I am going to change the bedsheets but I can’t see where I was walking so I tripped and fall down.” She lied, unable to look at him directly on his eyes, thus she pretends she’s just folding the fabrics to avoid making contact with his eyes.

“I see, you can now do your chores, I was close to cursing when I see a spider in my room.” He laughs, “I’m sorry if you ever heard a loud noise, that was me trying to get the spider.”

If Blanche wasn’t there and witnessed what happened his statement would be believable, he doesn’t ever stutter nor break a sweat while he lied. Now that she has a closer look on him, she got curious on how many lies he have uttered and she believe since she’s just a kid.

“Just how many people you have fooled with your words?” that are the words she wanted to say but chose not to voice out, and because of that she tightens her jaw trying not to get in to a trouble sooner than later.

“Here let me help you.” he offered to her and kneeled to get the other fabrics, “Sister you should just get what you can, it doesn’t hurt if you come back and get some more rather than forcing you to get all of it at once.”

“Yes, father, I just learned in a hard way.” She jokes trying to ease the tension she’s feeling.

Daleon helped her accumulating the remaining fabrics on the floor and handed it to her, “Be careful sister Blanche, here you go.” he smiled and help her get up.

“Thank you, father.” She smiled at her and they went in to separate ways.

It’s been ten years and the age really took home on the certain high priest’s face. His wrinkled skin will make him look more innocent, sinless, and pitiful to anyone who will see him, yet she knows better than that.

She will never be deceived by his appearance, not again.

“Paul, you’re it!” Red yelled as he runs with Iggy away from him, “get away from Paul! He’s the ‘it’!” he laughs and proceeded to run.

“Red, you horse’s crap!” Paul hollered and run to chase him, “I’m going to tag you again!”

“You’ll never catch me you lanky!” he shouted back.

“Come on~ how slow can you get?” Iggy teased him.

“Shut it, I don’t know what’s wrong with your body you’re huge yet you’re fast.” He yelled back trying to catch him.

“These are muscles!” Iggy insisted.

“As if muscles are bouncing!”

As the other children keep playing, Shaira is looking around to see if her siblings are all playing with them or if something is off, “Seems like nothing is wrong with them,” she put her hands on her waist and let out a proud smile. “That’s awesome!”

“Shai…” a small voice of a boy called her out.

“Renzi, why aren’t you playing with others?” she asked getting curios on why the younger boy approached her.  “Are you sick?”

“I… I am not sick. But what about you? Are you sick?” He asked her with utter concern.

“No, I am not. I am perfectly healthy!” she chimed, holding her arms up as if she’s flexing a muscle. “Thank you for your concern, Renzi.” She pats his head and rubs it, making his hair messy.

“Actually, there… there’s something I want to asked you.” He whispered, his eyes darting anywhere except her orbs.

“What is it?” Shaira queried him, “you can tell me anything.” She said in softest voice she can.

Renzi who’s hesitating went to asked her straightaway when she reassured her, “You’re always looking around and you’re not as loud as before, what’s wrong with you and your weird questions?”

Shaira was speechless for a moment and retracts her hand from his head, she didn’t realize that one will ever notice her sudden change of behavior, “O-Oh, is it? I didn’t know.” She stuttered and let out a nervous laugh.

“Yes, you are, what’s happening?” Renzi asked her, his eyes are glistening with concern behind his round glasses.

“I…” Shaira doesn’t know how to reply on his question.

Yet the little boy remained silent waiting for her answer.

“I’m sorry…” Shaira sighed as she slumps her shoulder, “I was just having a nightmare, so…” she doesn’t want to lie to her sibling but she can’t just tell him about everything she knows. “I just didn’t get enough sleep this past few nights.”

The younger kid smiles at her, completely believing her each word, “I’m happy…” he cheered.

“Huh? what’s wrong?” she asked, “Are you happy that I wasn’t getting enough sleep?”

“No, no that’s not it,” Renzi shook his head, “I’m just happy that you finally tell me your reason why you’re acting restless, and I found out you really are restless.”

Shaira can’t help but felt guilt rush down on her as she sees how her younger sibling even didn’t hesitate to believe her, “Y-yeah…” she rubs the back of her neck and look away, she couldn’t take it to see her brother believing on her words, yet she can’t just tell him.

“Don’t forget to keep yourself warm under blankets that the reason why most of the time we get nightmares.” He told her with a small smile and eagerness to help her get sleep tonight.

“Huh? Where did you learn that?” she creases her brows.

“Bernadette told me.” He simply replied.

“And you really believe in her?” Shaira tilted her head, “I don’t think Dernadette have some care in her.”

“Of course, she has,” Renzi defended her other older sister, “she maybe shy to show it though… or maybe not?”

Sharia only looks at him curiously, “Well I guess you’re right. It’s not like she just didn’t try to kill Vincent last night.”

After their short talk Renzi run off to play with other kids. And Shaira keeps on observing the whole place and out of nowhere there’s a sudden weight on her back making her drop on the grassy field.

“What the hell?!” she gasped as the weight seems to crush her, she twisted her torso to look on her behind.

“Oi…” a voice of someone interrupts her from squirming, “What was that?”

Shaira slowly look from her shoulder only to see Bernadette sitting on her back, “Yo… Det. How are you?”

“What was that about?” the girl on her back asked once more with seriousness on her voice.

“What?” Shaira played innocent. “Oh, I see, did you hear when I say you don’t have a care within you? That was just a joke…” she nervously laughs.

“Not that.” Bernadette smugly replied.

“Then what are you talking about?” Shaira whines.

“You were lying.” She said in a deadpanned manner.

“What? I am not laying with anyone.” She insisted, flailing her arms, trying to break free.

“Yes, you are, you just lied to a kid.” Bernadette crosses her arms and remained immovable above her.

“I am not!” Shaira screeched.

“Yes, you are!” Bernadette grew tired thus she pulled her cheeks hard.

“It hurts! Wait! My cheeks are going to sag!” Shaira yelled writhing under her.

“Spit it out!” she exclaimed.

“Okay, okay! I’ll tell you, let go!”

And then Bernadette do let go, but didn’t get off.

“Aren’t you going to get off too?” Shaira asked.

“Unless you tell me half of it.”

“I don’t have anything to tell you, you know,” Shaira put her chin on her hand.

“You’re clearly keeping something. Spit it out or I’ll have to force it out from you?” the girl above threatens her.

Shaira sighed, she knew how stubborn Bernadette can get if she really wants something, she’ll do anything just to get it.

“Okay, Bully… I’ll tell you.” Shaira finally agreed and refuses to push her off of her. “There’s a monster here in our orphanage.”

Her first statement made Bernadette grew dumb, “What are you talking about? How old even are you to believe in that?”

“That’s what I told to sister Blanche too-!” Shaira immediately threw her hands on her mouth, “Crap, I really did say it!”

“What are you telling, huh?” Bernadette leaned down to get her hand off her mouth, “Come on, tell it! What did you say to sister Blanche!”

“No! this is just our secret!” she fought back.

“Well not anymore, this is now our secret!” she pulled her hand but the she grew tired, thus she let out a smirk when she thought of something bright. Bernadette let out a smirk before she wiggles her fingers and put it on her armpits, “now, you leave me no choice.”

The girl beneath laughs out loud to the point where she can’t even breath. “Okay I promise I’ll tell you just stop! I can’t breathe!”

Sharia ended up telling everything to Bernadette.

“Well, that’s certainly a monster.” She commented when she heard what the monster can do, “should we get and tell it to Father Daleon? Perhaps he can help.” She suggested and starts to get up.

“No, no, no!” Shaira pulled her down back to grass. “You can’t do that!”

“Why? Why not?” Bernadette asked her, “isn’t’ that the right choice since we are facing a monster?”

“Yes, but… I mean no!” Shaira whisper-yelled, “we can’t tell anyone, because sister Blanche said not to!”

Bernadette gave a weird look but nonetheless she shrugs her shoulder, “Okay, if you wish~”

But Shaira didn’t trust her, “Are you sure you can keep a secret?”

“You bet I can.” Bernadette send her a thumbs up and a wide grin which is highly suspicious.

“If I learn that you tell anyone about this, even father Daleon, I will assure you that our sisterhood is over…” she threatens her.

“Fine, alright, I get it, I’m not going to tell anyone.” She rubs the back of her head with a low grunt.

“Okay then promise me.” Shaira extended her pinky.

“What? how old are you again? Five?” the other girl asked in a disbelief, but then she extended her pinky and wrapped it around hers.

“I’m also twelve like you!”