The Sinner

**GABRIEL**

*Six years ago*

I was born in sin and have lived in perversity ever since.

Sacrilege coursed through my veins like thick opium, intoxicating and luring me. And even though I hated this part of my life, I could never part away with it.

A depraved mortal.

An immoral sinner.

A cruel monster.

The list was endless. There was no end to the darkness which lurked deep with me. The lust, the desire and crave of blood and pain mingled so intricately that I could not tell where the lines between the man and the monster blurred.

I thought I could control myself, prevent from being spiralling down the hellhole, but I was wrong. The descent to hell has already begun for me. I had gone too far, fallen too deep, and now, I have only two choices before me.

I could give in to my base instincts and give in to the devil that was waiting to be unleashed.

Or I could force back the monster and seek a life of repentance and absolution. A life where the devil cannot tempt me, or the monster could not taunt me.

There won’t be any depravity or indulgences. No heated skin, glistening sweat or rapture of pain and pleasure. No more screams and dead bodies.

I drove through the city like a madman and pulled through the gates of the penthouse apartment. A luxury that came at the cost of sin and blood. Jumping out of the car, I stormed into my room and picked up the overnight bag thrown into the corner of the closet and left.

I left Chicago that day and never looked back.

I had abandoned and buried the sinner within me, picked up the rosary at the guidance of Father Lucas and vowed my life to God. I thought I was done with the devil dictating my life, but it seemed that God has other plans for me.

Or maybe it was the devil.

But either way, I was fucked.

**SIENNA**

*Six years later*

I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on their conversation because, honestly, the very sound coming out of her made me feel sick to the stomach. But the veil of silence around the house was too heavy, and Ivory’s voice was annoying.

Apparently, my dearest stepmother had no idea that the door to her bedroom was ajar enough to carry the sound outside.

“Have you told Sienna?”

“I am just informed by the administration of the academy that Sienna’s application is accepted. I thought I should tell her once the admission is finalized,” my father’s tired voice carried over.

Application? What the hell were they talking about?

Clutching the high heels that I had taken off a while ago tighter to my chest, I slightly leaned in for better audibility.

“What if she creates an issue?”

“Issue? We are sending her to one of the most reputed and expensive places to study. The fees were exorbitant!”

That’s it. My patience wore thin, and I believe the alcohol has already eroded the scanty layer of tenacity.

I slammed open the unlocked door and stood on the threshold with my hands planted on my hips. The sound took both of them by surprise as they turned to me with a gaping look.

“Where the fuck are you sending me?” I demanded.

They exchanged a look, followed by the eye roll of Ivory as if she was entirely bored even before I began this conversation.

“Mount Carmel Academy at Galena,” my father answered in somewhat a pacifying tone.

“Galena?”

Ivory cut in. “It’s a historic town in Illinois—”