nineteen

"Excuse me," Jisung said, gaining the elder man's attention. The priest walked up to him and smiled warmly, his eyes sparkling.

"What can I do for you? I'm afraid that the mass is already over," he said apologetically, his friendly tone fueling Jisung's hope that he would help him.

"I know, and I'm sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you could help me with something. I have a, uh... problem," he began.

He lifted his sleeve and showed the weird mark on his wrist. Right now, it looked like a regular black tattoo—it wasn't shining like before.

"You see, uh, I don't know how I got this thing..."

The priest moved back, his eyes widened and focused on Jisung's wrist. He looked truly shocked and scared to the core before disgust took over his features, chasing away the kindness in his eyes.

"You... you have committed the worst sin there is," he breathed, appalled. The sudden change in the priest's demeanor made Jisung unsettled.

"Not only did you form a contract with a demon, but you chose one of the most dangerous creatures in hell for such an outrageous act. Leave this church, now!"

Jisung flinched back when the priest glared at him with unexpected loathing, clutching the cross he wore around his neck so hard that his knuckles turned white.

"B-but why? Please help me! You can't just send me away!" He pleaded. "How do I get rid of this contract thing that you're talking about-"

"Silence! Someone like you cannot be helped," The priest said agitatedly, pointing at the door. "Leave now! You are tainting this holy place with your sin."

Tears burned in Jisung's eyes as he walked backward, not believing how a priest could just send away someone who was in dire need of help. He felt humiliated.

His chest hurt, desperation clouding his mind as he turned around and fled from the church, the tiny flame of hope within his heart snuffled out.

"Damn priest, he didn't even bother explaining what he meant." There was nothing else that he could do now but to return home, defeated.

To be continued...