It was already 10pm and Silas returned to the Opus Dei head quarters. After having been with Natalie, he went to visit Bishop Aringarosa who seemed to be feeling much better. Then, he took a long walk in the darkness, thinking about today's events.
The moon was shining over his head as he entered, greeting the man at the counter with a nod. It was a different one than in the morning because they had different shifts so they could help anyone at any time.
The man nodded back and continued reading a book that he had brought with him.
Silas prayed at first and then looked at the Discipline. He suddenly felt an urge to grab it. He stopped himself though, because he remembered what Natalie had said. -'You don't repent your sins, you just let out your anger on yourself.'-
He dropped it to the ground. Before having left that day, Natalie had added: "Oh, and please just remember this. In the Bible, it says that a person's body is like God's temple. You shouldn't mistreat it this way. Plus, Jesus died so all your sins can be forgiven if you repent.".
-She may be right...- Silas thought, looking out the window for a moment.
He picked up the Discipline and hid it under the little matress on the ground. Next, he pulled back his robe to see the thigh on which there was the cilice. Taking a big breath he carefully took it off.
It hurt terribly, but for the first time ever, he noticed in what kind of condition his thighs were.
"For Natalie, I'll stop..." he said with a nod and continued on with his prayers.
Tomorrow he was going to meet her again...
There. R&R as usual and this is really complete now. ;D