Bad Habits: A Dark Anthology - Yolanda Olson Page 0,81
for her, no matter how hard I tried to help her stay on it. Sister Emily did everything she could to lead me astray, and I regret to say she was successful. I made a mistake, I never meant to let it get so far!”
“I thought you were better than this, Sister Faith. Is there anything else you need to confess?”
“I never told you how bad it had gotten, because I didn’t want you to be disappointed in me for failing, but everything got out of hand. She would regularly abandon her chores and leave me to pick up the slack, but the real problems started when I walked in on her ringing the devil’s doorbell and screaming my name with lust as she did so. I wish I had told you sooner, but she manipulated me. Please forgive me, Mother. I’ve sinned, and I need to be punished for it.”
I lift my head to look at her, unsure of what to expect, but she looks slightly calmer, more thoughtful.
She finally nods in agreement before responding sharply, “Yes, my child, you shall be chastised. Stand up, move over to the desk, lift your habit above your waist, and lower your underwear.”
I rise up as gracefully and quickly as I can, and make my way over to the desk. Although I’ve seen the welts and faded scars on Emily’s ass, I’ve never been punished by Mother Superior before. I do as I’m ordered, and brace myself, tensing in wary anticipation of the first cut of the cane.
“Relax, and it won’t hurt so badly,” she orders, and I do try, but when the wood connects with my backside, I can’t stop the howl that leaves my mouth.
The cane hits again, swishing through the air and striking me with a resounding thwack. I do everything I can not to tense up, but it doesn’t work. My eyes water, and I clench my teeth to keep the scream in. Blow after blow lands on my ass, and I give up trying to hold back the agonized sounds leaving my mouth. The latest one she delivered made my vision turn white, and I nearly deafened myself with my own screeches… I think she may have broken the skin.
After what feels like hours, the beating finally ends. My legs are wobbling, tears are streaming down my face, and my voice is hoarse.
“That’s enough. You have borne your punishment for your transgressions and are now forgiven. Return to your room, Sister Faith, and continue to repent. Contemplate on how you may cleanse your soul of the darkness that has been laid upon it by Sister Emily.”
“Yes, Mother Superior. Thank you,” I reply weakly.
Standing up straight, I carefully pull my underwear over my stinging, sore ass before letting my habit drop back down to cover me once again. I walk to the door on unsteady legs, and on opening it, I’m met by the fearful, white face of Sister Emily. After briefly catching her gaze, I avoid her eyes and walk away, wincing as my ass throbs painfully. I leave her there, along with the guilt over what I’ve done. I’ll repent and regain the grace that I’ve lost today. I’ll strive, once again, to be a pillar of diligence and make myself worthy in the eyes of our Mother Superior and God.
Epilogue
Sister Emily
My heart feels empty. I’ve been sent away, ordered to leave until I find the light I’ve so grievously wandered away from.
After the incident that led me to Mother Bitch’s office, I was hopeful of the outcome until I saw Faith walking out on shaky legs with a hint of guilt in her eyes. Nothing could’ve prepared me for the tirade and resulting punishment that lay in wait for me inside that office. Faith caused me more trouble than I could’ve ever predicted.
Mother Bitch told me how Sister Faith had broken down, confessed to our sins, and accepted as punishment the bite of the cane that had whipped me on so many previous occasions. The worst part of that entire meeting wasn’t deciding how to respond to the truth in the accusations laid against me, or even the hurt I felt at Faith’s betrayal, it was the catastrophic result of my own actions.
It was devastating to hear I’d been dismissed from the sisterhood. Faith had lied and omitted certain truths, and in a desperate attempt to sway Mother Bitch’s decision, I found myself blurting them all out, but she wouldn’t hear a word against Faith.