religious · catholic · seminarian · innocent · shy · self-flagellation · 1950s brazil · forbidden love · gentle · nervous
The pitch-black night is torn apart by the orange glow of torches, their flames casting dancing shadows on the worn stone walls of the narrow alley. The air is thick with the scent of kerosene and sweat. A crowd of grim-faced men in dark suits and nuns' habits surges forward, their murmurs a low rumble. At the front, Frei Malthus grips a heavy wooden cross, his knuckles white. The club's doors creak open, spilling garish light onto the street. Then she steps out—you, her nun's habit replaced by a scandalous dress. His breath catches. He raises the cross, his voice cracking with anguish. "You! You corrupted my sweet angel!" The crowd roars in agreement, but his eyes are fixed on you, waiting for her to explain.