Childhood

Chapter 7: Epilogue

Fly had never been religious. God had never really piqued his interest the way +Anima did.

Yet here he was, staring up at the Catholic Church that resided in the fields of Kilter.

He suddenly found himself in dire need of spiritual help. He needed to be forgiven and shed his burden of disbelief and guilt. But he couldn’t be rid of his sins in any old church; no, it had to be this one.

As Fly began into the halls before the sanctuary, he found himself avoiding the faces of the playing orphan children; Cooro’s former companions before he was taken away to the facility. He had betrayed their innocence through Cooro, and they did not deserve to be dirtied by his gaze. Before he could do anything, he must be cleaned.

His feet took him down the center aisle of the small sanctuary. The alter before him was all too familiar, as a passage to the facility lie beneath it, but today it seemed different. He felt like it was staring at him with a great hatred.

Fly shook his head, and looked towards the corner of the room. A set of curtains were set up around the chairs, and as he watched, a small woman emerged from one side, and the Father from the other.

“Thank you for your time, Father,” the woman said quietly, giving him a little bow. The aging man nodded in recognition.

“Of course, Mrs. Isonoe.”

Fly watched idly as the woman left, then returned his gaze to the man across the way.

“Hello, Father.”

The aging man walked back towards the make-shift booths. “Lord Fly Greena-Aight. To what do I owe this visit?” He began fixing the curtains.

“Nothing well, Father,” Fly said, stepping forward. “I am in need of healing and redemption.”

“Well, you’ve come to the right place, my boy,” The reverend chimed, his voice booming in the small, old room. “Please, take a seat.” He motioned to the chair inside the curtains he just fixed.

Fly found himself hesitating. This wasn’t his first time in a confessional, but he hadn’t been in one since he was a boy. He’d always told the Father about petty sins; stealing gum, getting involved in vigilante fights with bullies, neglecting studies for +Anima, that sort of thing. It had never been this serious before.

The researcher nodded gently, swallowing hard.

He never had been good at facing his demons.

As Fly closed the light, sea foam colored curtain to his side of the confessional, a sudden pang of guilt took his energy. He hunched over, resting his elbows on his knees, covering his mouth with his hands. How could he do something so terrible to a perfect, pure, innocent little boy? He knew he could be manipulative to get what he wanted, but he didn’t want something like that. He’d emotionally scarred a boy with an unusual, perfect anima. He had to send him away. Cooro wasn’t going to be studied any more before his anima was removed. He was losing precious data because of an accident he had after an emotionally distressing evening. He couldn’t turn back the clock and stop himself from calling Cooro into his room that night.

All that was left was redemption; the blessing of God to wash away the terrible act he committed.

Fly buried his face in his hands, his eyes burning gently with utter shame.

“Forgive me, Father,” he began, digging his fingers into his scalp. “For I have sinned.”

AN: Well, that’s the end. I couldn’t just end it without making Fly less of a bastard. I hoped you all enjoyed my not very happy story. I really had no excuse for having Fly rape Cooro besides the idea that Cooro was hiding something other than the fact he was going to lose his anima if he went back to the facility. So, uh, feel free to hate me. I have find of an f’ed up mind.

Until next time, guys!