Confession
I dabble a little in a lot of things — writing, webcomics, gaming, photography, web design, music, and more. I write code full-time and words in the gaps in between.
She is tied to a rack. The ropes at her wrists and ankles dig cruelly into her skin. Her fingers and toes have long since gone numb. She barely notices. This is as it should be.
Figures move in the shadows around her, checking her bonds, adjusting her garments, preparing her. Somewhere in the darkness beyond, she hears the sound of the bloodman's knife on the sharpening stone. She relaxes into it.
"When I was nine, I stole two rolls from the bread lady. Times were hard, and we were hungry."
The words tumble freely from her lips. She is not ashamed of her sins, does not fear her penance.
She holds nothing back.
"Two years ago, I spoke false words against a friend. She died. I did not."
"Once I kicked a dog. It had done nothing to deserve it, but I was angry."
She has found the rhythm of confession. One sin to six strokes of the bloodman's knife on the stone. Her sins are many, and so the confession lasts for hours. This penance will be harder than most. She may not survive it. But she will welcome it.
Prequels
No prequels yet. Why not write one?
Sequels
Comments (5 so far!)
Average reader rating 4.00/5
Escapist
Glad to see you're back, Jim!
A dark and engaging take on the line in the song. From what I understand about Hozier's intent "Take Me to Church", this is (while rather literal and twisted) in line with his message. Well done.
- #694 Posted 8 years ago
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Jim Stitzel
Nice to be back writing again. It's been a long road these last months. I don't feel nearly like myself, but I'd almost forgotten how good it feels to put words to paper.
Glad you enjoyed the piece. It took me several rewrites (I'm beyond rusty at this point) to find the tone I felt best fit the story. I could expand it, probably double it, at least, to encompass the entirety of the vision I had for it, but I'm pretty content right now with just easing myself back into the waters.
- #695 Posted 8 years ago
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ethelthefrog
It's great to have you back, Jim, and I'm glad you seem to be getting through.
A disturbing little number, harming back to imagery that would not be unfamiliar in the twelfth century.
It may have taken you a few rewrites to get this right, but you succeeded admirably.
- #696 Posted 8 years ago
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0
- 4 out of 5
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Jim Stitzel
Inspiration: http://youtu.be/9C0xGB73Uuc
You should be able to easily identify the phrase. It only repeats a dozen times or so in the chorus.