Mars + Venus VI:

Simone’s Notes:

Confession does not take place in a confessional, but normally in the main part of the church itself, usually before an analogion set up near the iconostasion. On the analogion is placed a Gospel Book and a blessing cross. The confession often takes place before an icon of Jesus Christ. Orthodox understand that the confession is not made to the priest, but to Christ, and the priest stands only as witness and guide. Before confessing, the penitent venerates the Gospel Book and cross, and places the thumb and first two fingers of his right hand on the feet of Christ as he is depicted on the cross. The confessor will often read an admonition warning the penitent to make a full confession, holding nothing back.

He came back to her again. One minute after midnight. Derdra awoke to pounding on her bedroom door. She lifted her eyes open at the sound.

“What?” she mumbled as she climbed out of bed and walked over to the door. She opened it up a crack and peeked out. She quickly woke up.

“Edward?” she asked. “What are you doing?”

“Derdra,” he said. “My dear Derdra. I’ve done something horribly wrong.” The smart thing to do would be to shut the door in his face, but her heart wouldn’t let her.

“What did you do now?” she asked.

“Let me in,” he whispered.

She shook her head. “I can’t…”

“Please!”

The nurse lowered her shoulders. “Alright.” She opened the door and let the incubus inside. Blood splattered all over his black shirt. His hands trembled. Fear skipped around many times in his eyes. Derdra found herself swallowing hard as she took little steps backwards.

“Edward…” she whimpered. He sat down on her bed. Neither one spoke. He gritted his teeth as he trembled with his head lowered.

“I… I…” he began to speak. He cursed himself softly in his head. The nurse leaned in close.

“It’s okay,” she whispered. “You don’t have to tell me.”

“No!” he insisted. “I have to say it.” She went quiet at first.

“Okay,” she said, patiently. “Go on.” Edward breathed out what was left of his dignity.

“I… nearly beat someone to death,” he whispered in a hoarse voice. The nurse leaned in closer to him. He buried his head into her chest.

“Oh my angel!” he wailed. “I am so sorry!”

“What happened?” she asked. “Are they dead?” Edward shook his head. Derdra sank down next to him on the bed.

“Then, talk to me,” she said. “What happened?” It took about a minute, but Edward told her the events of just hours earlier in a slow, drawn out breath. She didn’t feel the effects just yet. Her mind went into protective mode. She held him tight to her chest.

“Shhh! It’s okay. It’s okay,” she whispered in his hair. He looked up at her with sorrow in his eyes.

“What am I going to do?” he asked. Derdra looked him straight in the eye.

“I’ll take care of it,” she said in a stern voice.

“How?” he whimpered as the tears formed in his eyes.

“I’ll think of something,” the nurse lied. “Just rest for now.” Edward nodded. She let him stay in her bed for the rest of the night.

By sunrise, however, the grim reality sank into Derdra’s head. The details she heard last night forbad her to sleep. All she did was lie awake, staring at the ceiling while a monster slept soundly next to her. Sure, he’ll be alright when he wakes up now that he has confessed his latest sin. But, what of her? Derdra tightly shut her eyes.

I can’t do this alone this time!, she thought. So, the nurse got out of bed, threw on a robe, and walked out of her room. In ten minutes, she found herself outside of a familiar apartment door, knocking on the door. She fidgeted around a bit before the door opened wide. Winry rubbed her eyes from sleep when she saw Derdra standing before her. The mechanic blinked once.

“What do you want?” she asked. Derdra stamped her foot a couple of times before speaking.

“Winry, we need to talk,” she said.

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