1987: 15 Years On (Aftermask)

by SteveAtwater

The events of "The Mask" may seem like they only affected Kitty and Bunny, but as it turns out, Mad Dog was more important than you might think. The repercussions are now affecting Nowhere, and the town may never be the same. Set in 2002 because that's when "The Mask" aired and because I wrote a timeline that puts it then. Rated M for strong language and murder.

21. Got the Life

"Forgive me Father, for I have sinned.

"I have walked among sinners and done nothing to change their ways. I have run with the sinful and spent my life doing evil despite cloaking myself in the veils of righteousness. I have spoken of myself as a man of God, but have done nothing to earn the title and much to dishonor it. I have told myself to go forth and sin no more, and instantly sinned. I have proclaimed myself more righteous than my brethren, been seen as more righteous than my brethren, but when your brethren are vile sinners what victory is it to be slightly better? I have participated in their dark deeds with great enthusiasm, and I have soiled myself before God and man time and again.

"My Lord, I beg your forgiveness though I know I do not deserve it. I beg of you to forgive me. I have seen what the path of dishonesty and evil lead to, and I beg of you to save me. Help me to be better than I am. Help me to overcome my base desires. Help me to find a way to be a better man.

"I beg of you, Lord, help me become an actual good person. Smite me when I fail or stray from the path of righteousness. I beg this of you, for I am weak and I know that I succumb to my failings at every turn.

"I need your help, Lord. I need to know that you are watching me and that you want me to be a good man. I swear I will turn over a new leaf, no matter how hard it might be. Please, Lord, help me to become a decent person. Please, Lord, I am begging your mercy, your forgiveness, your help.

"Please, I need an answer.

"Please."