"I grew up with the Bible. Fairytales were full of..." Lies and sins, pagan magic. He had not been allowed to read them and had not wanted to. Maybe if he had, this wouldn't seem so terrible.

Beneath his feet, Gabe can feel the soft sand, velvety with seawater. He feels as though he could sink beneath the waves and bury himself in it. Not to drown, but to rest. It aches in the same way that night with Caleb had ached. What had felt natural had then become terrible and left him confused.

"For my sins." He's already little more than a demon, his body transformed. Why not go to confession while he's at it? "I did...obscene things outside of marriage. With a boy. I ran away. Everything I am is wrong. Of course I'm going to be punished."