Chapter 4: Confession Session

Jack wandered around Mineral Town in a daze. Why did everyone hate him? What did he ever do to them? His life was miserable because of them. They did everything they could to ruin his life. He hated them. Jack loathed them. Why did he ever come to Mineral Town? Chasing a dream girl which he'll never find, trying to relive happy childhood memories. A light rain began falling. Figures, matches his mood pretty well.

Jack passed by the winery. Duke, stupid, so what if he was young, why wouldn't he sell him some alcohol? He could sure use a drink right about now. Jack came to inn and spat at it. Stupid Ann, I love Cliff, why don't you go get a room? There was the hospital, Jack kicked up a cloud of dust at it. Elli, he wasn't her son, why did she turn him down? It was that doctor wasn't it, she loved him all along. He continued walking down towards the church. That jerk Zack, always flashing off his muscles because he is so much better than the rest of us.

The only person in the town who hadn't wronged him was Carter. That was who Jack was going to see. Carter was the closest thing to a friend he had. He'd be inside since it was raining. Jack pushed open the church doors which let out a great groan. He looked down the long lines of pews to Carter's empty pulpit. He must be in the confession booth. That was okay with Jack, since that was basically what he was coming to do anyway. He walked up to the confession booth, his footsteps ringing out on the cold stone floor.

Carter greeted him, "Hello Jack, I hope you are in a pleasant mood today."

"Unfortunately no, I'm quite miserable." Jack took a seat.

"I know how you feel inside Jack, and I must tell you it isn't healthy. You come to me all the time with this rage that you just keep building up. One day, you are going to pop, and then where will you be? Anyway, what has upset you today?"

"I went to go propose to Mary," Carter could hear the anger start to rise in Jack's voice "but every single person who could got in my way. Those horrible wretched fiends ruined my life again. By the time I managed to wade through all of them, Grey," Jack spat his name, "had already proposed to Mary. I was just one minute short of being happy for once, and they ruined it. I hate them, I hate them, I hate them, I hate them..." Jack was fuming, almost shaking, just barely able to contain his anger.

"Jack please, calm down. How do you know that getting married will make you happy? Maybe happiness will come when you learn to accept your status in life. Maybe you might be able to bond with the other villagers better if you weren't so hateful? Are you even sure that Mary would have accepted you proposal if you had reached her first?"

"Of course she would have! Who's side are you on anyway?"

"I take nobody's side, I only try to help you see what others might be thinking."

"I can clearly see what others are thinking! They are all out to get me! They all hate me, and I hate them. That's the way it has been, that is the way it's going to be. I wish there was something I could do about it."

"There is Jack, but it is you who have to do what you have to do. Do not expect others to bend over backwards to be nice to you. Only you can bring about what you want."

"Who asked you anyway? I don't want any of you stupid priestly words. I want you to help me! Why won't you help me?"

"I am trying to Jack. But ultimately, only you can help yourself."

"Bull! You are just like all the rest! You don't care about me, you only want to make me miserable!" Jack flew out of the confession booth, slamming the door so hard it came off it's hinges. Carter could hear his footsteps leave again, not unlike when he came in.

He sighed, "Jack, why do you do this to yourself? Why do you make your life so hard? I wish I could make you understand, but it seems I never will..."