Page 14 of The Fallen

“Indeed. Your sins are forgiven.” He makes the motion of the cross before exiting the small room, leaving me there alone.

I give him a few minutes, needing my mind to calm down before I see him again. Mass will be hard enough as it is. Dragging myself out of the confessional, I busy my hands with helping prepare with the other Sisters, praying the whole while under my breath.

If the Sisters worry as to my sanctity, they make no show of it. We all work in silence until it is time to take our places at our pews. As I look over at the Abbess and Mother Superior, I half expect them to look at me with scorn. Instead, they smile down at me, their faces serene. The perfect embodiment of forgiveness.

Thankfully, Mass goes by without any incident. Even when I’m granted communion, I’m better able to resist the allure of his scent. The need is still there, but hunger takes precedence.

As we rise to leave, Father Draven stands back behind the altar. “Before you are all dismissed for breakfast, there is something I need to discuss. As you know, Game Night is a weekaway. Last year, we had no real warning, no real understanding of what it entailed. This year, we will be better prepared.”

The Sisters around me shuffle about and whisper. Game Night? I’ve never heard of such a thing being bad. At the convent, we would have games we would sometimes play, but they were never set on certain nights.

“The Alphas will be out in full force. Omegas will wish to hide. Our abbey is not equipped to hold many more than we already have, so I’ve spoken with other parishes, and they will give sanctuary to whoever needs it. We will keep all doors shut so that none may enter. Not even Alphas set to devour you. I have spoken with contractors, and every exit and entrance will be sealed shut from the start to the finish. No one in. No one out.”

The relief is palpable in the air, but still, it makes no sense. Perhaps at breakfast someone will enlighten me.

“I have also spoken with Mother Superior,” he continues, his lips pulling down into a soft frown. “To further ensure your safety, I will be locked down in the catacombs.”

At this, the Sisters erupt into a flurry of words and gestures. “Father,” one of the Sisters cries out. “We have no fear of you. Please stay and minister to us until you retire to your chambers, like last year.”

He turns and spears me a heated look that roots me to the spot. “I do not trust myself, and so I make the sacrifice for the greater good.”

Chapter Seven

Father Draven

Six Days Until Game Night

UGC Offical Transmission Channel

Attention: This is a message from the Universal Governance Council ABO Security and Surveillance Division.

Missive: Game Night

The UGC acting in accordance with the verdict cast forth from the ABOSSD has declared a trial. The unrest amongst the Alpha Elites has been brought to the attention of the governing body. As a result you will be granted one night in which your cerebral monitors will be turned off. This will allow you to experience all the emotions, drives, and aggressions of an Alpha. You are free to act on these impulses as your aggression center will no longer be short-circuited, inhibiting your actions.

This freedom will last for a period of fourteen (14) hours from 7:00 pm Eastern Sector Time on Oct. 31st until 9:00 am Eastern Sector Time on Nov. 1st

NOTE: This is for Sector 5 only. Any Alphas from other sectors that wish to participate will need to be processed at any one of our border control hubs by Oct. 29th at the latest.

Since the number of registered omegas in Sector 5 have far surpassed critical level, it is now safe to suspend Alpha Ordinance 12: “Dynamic Interbreeding Permissions Act” for this one night. It is our goal that this one night of reprieve will help with the growing unease and allow you to bleed off your need to hunt and capture. May you find freedom in this Game Night and make this experiment a success.

Istare at the message, my heart pounding in my chest. Off to the side, I watch the countdown as it ticks by. So close. I can nearly taste the freedom now. It’s the only way I can actually condone my reprehensible behavior toward Sister Emily Agnes. Not that it’s any real excuse.

Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I walk over to the window, watching as the Sisters hang up laundry on an unseasonably mild day. The snow we normally get has been delayed, creating a perfect storm for this year’s Game Night. Perhaps I should command them all to stay inside even now?

With the weather bringing out all sorts of craziness, I worry about them being in harm’s way. The only thing giving me pause, allowing me to breathe at night, is knowing they’re all onsuppressants. It’s as safe as I can make them. To pull them from their service will only cause more alarm than help.

Besides, only one Sister actually draws out the protective streak rising to the surface. I watch as she laughs with the others, carefree and happy. Naïve. We should have never accepted her here. She is a danger to all of us.

Pacing, I once more look at the countdown. May God, in His infinite mercy, show us a kindness.

All of us.

Chapter Eight

Sister Emily Agnes

Five Days Until Game Night

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