Once again Gabriel felt like his heart stopped and the air was pressed out of his lungs by the other priest's verbal blow. It was not the advice he had hoped for, though he didn't know exactly what would have been.

Perhaps he deserved this severity. Did the other priest believe him so depraved that he was beyond help? Or perhaps this was the kind of chastisement he needed to put him back on the right path at last. He was certainly in more pain now than any discipline or fast could inflict.

Tears would have come again, if he wasn't so lightheaded and unable to breath. He put his hand on his chest, trying to force himself to inhale. He drew in a small breath, then coughed, and struggled again to breathe, until at last he managed a shaky inhale. Then a few rapid breaths. He felt like he was going to be sick. He wanted to leave.

"I'm sorry..." he breathed at last. "I will try harder, father." He closed his eyes, but opened them again, for it made him feel like he was spinning.