Yesterday's 31_days fic

[matrixrefugee]

This was tough to write, not just because I was so exhausted yesterday, but because of it's very nature. There's two kinds of scenes I have a tough time writing, but which I find very rewarding: sex scenes, and confessional scenes, probably because they're extremely personal, and they take place in private. (I can never understand the priests who inSIST on hearing confessions face to face: are they trying to humiliate the penitents?! It's tough enough just going to confession, but having to do it with the priest looking right at you is enough to drive you away from it.

Rant over... enjoy the fic!

Title: Confession
Day/Theme: August 29: Hatred is holy
Series: "Road to Perdition" (mostly movie-verse, with some hints at the graphic novel)
Character/Pairing: Mike "The Angel of Death" Sullivan
Rating: PG



"I killed a man today, Father," said the male voice belonging to the tall, broad-shouldered shadow on the other side of the confessional screen.

"Was this in self-defense?" the priest asked.

"I was defending my family... what's left of it," the man replied.

"That lessens the weight of guilt. Did you go to the police about this? Do you know why someone would do this to your family?"

"I know why it happened, but even if I went to the police, they wouldn't or couldn't do anything about it." A pause, the man seemed to be weighing the words. "The man I killed was with the Capone outfit. No one's been able to pin them down, or get close enough to even try that, except maybe Ness and his crew."

"Ah... I hope, in that case, you aren't entangled in any criminal activity?"

Another weighted silence. "No, Father, not any more. I'm just trying to protect myself and my son. Is it a crime to hate the men who destroyed the people you love the most? Is it a sin to want to stop those men from doing the same to someone else?"

"No. But punishing those who have harmed others is better left in the hands of the State and those who work for it. You mentioned Elliott Ness: perhaps you should bring this to his attention."

"I thought about that, Father, but considering what's on my own balance sheet, I wasn't sure if I might not be setting myself up."

"If that should happen, consider it your purgatory on earth for your sins."

A thoughtful pause, then: "Yes... I will, Father."

Comments

[cerulianphoenix.livejournal.com]

Personally I feel more intimidated in the closed-booth confessional than face-to-face with the priest. My first Confession was face-to-face and I was very nervous. Every Confession since then has been through the confessional booth. There not only am I nervous but intimidated as well. I go through with it always, I don't think I should put comfort above absolution.