with the townspeople, their faces a disturbing mix of piety and excitement. I saw my parents in the front row, th

corridor, to a private chamber I never knew existed. The room wa

caught in

rrounded by flames, another submerged in water, a third covered in what looked like insect bites. And in the center of it all, a new, freshly painted c

er of the room, the ropes rough against my ski

gesturing to the paintings. "The Ascension of t

e heavy door behind her, leaving me alone w

a cold weight in my chest. I stared at Maria' s painting, at the blissful, terribl

r opene

as hidden in shadow, but the other was handsome, charismatic. He carried a velvet-lined case. He placed it on a table beside th

ed at the empty space on the

is voice a deep, resonant ba

eye cold and devoid of emotio

ors chose their own path to glory. So, tell me, Gabr

e betrayal, the sheer, mind-numbing horror

s tearing from my throat. "You murderer.

d. He tilted his head, a fli

My child, you

is your cult!" I screamed, pulling against the ropes. "Th

, a strange, almost pi

. So full of faith. They begged for t

aggers, not to threaten m

said calmly, as if discussing the we

ced through the ropes binding my hand

, turning his back to me. "Th

ff the bed, my legs shaky. I didn't hesitate. I ran

open, and ran out into the corridor, not looking back.