A shock went through his system upon hearing the dreaded words. Harsher words. Even Father Morgan, who had counseled him through his retreat and who had been severe, had not spoken this dismissively.

"N-no father..." he protested, but the lecture wasn't done. Gabriel tried to listen, but despair clutched at his throat and seemed to make it hard to breathe. His heart was racing. He gasped for air. Then he realized it was his own hand. He set it back down against the wooden wall between them.

"I don't understand, father..." he said with quivering voice. "Is that not what sin is?" He leaned his forehead against the wood. He was tired.