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fandomweekly2020-12-13 06:46 pm
iluvroadrunner6) wrote in fandomweekly2020-12-13 06:46 pm
Entry tags:
[#077] It's Just a Moonlight Soaked Ring of Smoke (Original)
Theme Prompt: #077 - Confession
Title: It’s Just a Moonlight Soaked Ring of Smoke
Fandom: Original
Rating/Warnings: PG-13
Bonus:Yes
Word Count: 784
Summary: Father Anderson is called out to give last rites.
The plains roll out flat in front of him as he rides into the hills, looking at the small cabin sitting in the distance. This call he hadn’t been expecting so soon, in the grand scheme of things. When Father Anderson made this deal nearly a decade ago, he thought it would be several decades before the time came to follow through. Still, at almost three in the morning, he got the call that the time had come for a final confession.
The sun is just starting to come up over the hills as he winds down the long road, eventually coming to a stop in front of the reasonably well-maintained cabin. When Carson had arrived here, he set himself apart for a good reason all those years ago. He did as asked of him without question or concern – all he asked was that Father Anderson would be there to take his confession when the day came.
It seemed like an easy enough agreement to make.
His horse is weary when they reach their final destination, and he slides off the back of the horse when they come to a stop in front of the cabin. Carson’s son, Andrew, is waiting on the porch for him, having just arrived a few weeks ago from the city, the only remnant of Carson’s old life that he left behind. The man spent years as an enforcer for one mob family or another, only to become disillusioned with the power that it held. He had retreated out to their little settlement town and dealt with the rector and the marshals responsible for keeping the peace.
He would help protect the town. He would take care of problems that needed handling, so long as he was left alone for the most part, and someone would be there to take his confession when he reached his end.
It seemed like a fair bargain to make in the hills, where vigilante justice was sometimes the only justice you got.
“Father Anderson,” Andrew greets him with a nod. “Thank you for coming.”
“Of course,” he nods as he makes his way closer. “How much time do we have?”
“Not much longer. Dad’s been in and out for a few hours now.” Andrew steps aside so he can enter.
The small cabin, neatly organized, is the space of a man who liked to keep things clean and tidy. The little sitting area opens to a bedroom, where Carson is currently asleep, his chest rising and falling heavily. The priest quietly moves through the room before sitting in the chair at the bed and taking his hand.
“Carson? It’s Father Anderson.”
There’s a long, belabored moment before the man’s eyes open, cloudy and disoriented. “Father? Is it time?”
“I’m afraid it is.”
Carson nods, trying to push himself into a slightly more elevated position. “Are you ready?”
“I believe I should be asking you that.” Anderson raises an eyebrow. “You’re the one who’s dying.”
“And you’re the one who has to take the weight of my sins.”
It’s such a simple statement, but it’s become the one part of confession that Anderson’s never really considered. He has to listen to all the damage done and hear the stories of everything that this man has done, both good and bad, but he doesn’t have to keep it. Anderson doesn’t need to live with the decisions Carson made. He has to help this man bear it to the end.
“You’re giving it to God,” Anderson replies softly. “I don’t have to carry much.”
Carson nods before moving to rest a hand over the other man’s. “Thank you, Father. For granting me this last request.”
Anderson nods and squeezes his hand in return. “It’s the least I could do.” Then he takes a breath. “From the top.”
Carson nods. “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It’s been … thirty years since my last confession. These are my sins.”
An hour later, after performing the last rites, Carson passes on into the next life, leaving Anderson and Andrew alone in the room. Anderson takes a breath as he gets to his feet, readjusting his hat and coat. “Once the doctor finishes, and you get some sleep, come by the rectory to arrange the funeral. I’m sure there are many here who would like to pay their respects.
Andrew nods as he makes his way to the door. “Father, do you think God will ever truly forgive him for what he’s done?”
The priest shrugs as he pats the side of his horse. “I believe, my son, that that is up to you.” And with that, he lifts himself onto his horse and heads back into town.
Title: It’s Just a Moonlight Soaked Ring of Smoke
Fandom: Original
Rating/Warnings: PG-13
Bonus:Yes
Word Count: 784
Summary: Father Anderson is called out to give last rites.
The plains roll out flat in front of him as he rides into the hills, looking at the small cabin sitting in the distance. This call he hadn’t been expecting so soon, in the grand scheme of things. When Father Anderson made this deal nearly a decade ago, he thought it would be several decades before the time came to follow through. Still, at almost three in the morning, he got the call that the time had come for a final confession.
The sun is just starting to come up over the hills as he winds down the long road, eventually coming to a stop in front of the reasonably well-maintained cabin. When Carson had arrived here, he set himself apart for a good reason all those years ago. He did as asked of him without question or concern – all he asked was that Father Anderson would be there to take his confession when the day came.
It seemed like an easy enough agreement to make.
His horse is weary when they reach their final destination, and he slides off the back of the horse when they come to a stop in front of the cabin. Carson’s son, Andrew, is waiting on the porch for him, having just arrived a few weeks ago from the city, the only remnant of Carson’s old life that he left behind. The man spent years as an enforcer for one mob family or another, only to become disillusioned with the power that it held. He had retreated out to their little settlement town and dealt with the rector and the marshals responsible for keeping the peace.
He would help protect the town. He would take care of problems that needed handling, so long as he was left alone for the most part, and someone would be there to take his confession when he reached his end.
It seemed like a fair bargain to make in the hills, where vigilante justice was sometimes the only justice you got.
“Father Anderson,” Andrew greets him with a nod. “Thank you for coming.”
“Of course,” he nods as he makes his way closer. “How much time do we have?”
“Not much longer. Dad’s been in and out for a few hours now.” Andrew steps aside so he can enter.
The small cabin, neatly organized, is the space of a man who liked to keep things clean and tidy. The little sitting area opens to a bedroom, where Carson is currently asleep, his chest rising and falling heavily. The priest quietly moves through the room before sitting in the chair at the bed and taking his hand.
“Carson? It’s Father Anderson.”
There’s a long, belabored moment before the man’s eyes open, cloudy and disoriented. “Father? Is it time?”
“I’m afraid it is.”
Carson nods, trying to push himself into a slightly more elevated position. “Are you ready?”
“I believe I should be asking you that.” Anderson raises an eyebrow. “You’re the one who’s dying.”
“And you’re the one who has to take the weight of my sins.”
It’s such a simple statement, but it’s become the one part of confession that Anderson’s never really considered. He has to listen to all the damage done and hear the stories of everything that this man has done, both good and bad, but he doesn’t have to keep it. Anderson doesn’t need to live with the decisions Carson made. He has to help this man bear it to the end.
“You’re giving it to God,” Anderson replies softly. “I don’t have to carry much.”
Carson nods before moving to rest a hand over the other man’s. “Thank you, Father. For granting me this last request.”
Anderson nods and squeezes his hand in return. “It’s the least I could do.” Then he takes a breath. “From the top.”
Carson nods. “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It’s been … thirty years since my last confession. These are my sins.”
An hour later, after performing the last rites, Carson passes on into the next life, leaving Anderson and Andrew alone in the room. Anderson takes a breath as he gets to his feet, readjusting his hat and coat. “Once the doctor finishes, and you get some sleep, come by the rectory to arrange the funeral. I’m sure there are many here who would like to pay their respects.
Andrew nods as he makes his way to the door. “Father, do you think God will ever truly forgive him for what he’s done?”
The priest shrugs as he pats the side of his horse. “I believe, my son, that that is up to you.” And with that, he lifts himself onto his horse and heads back into town.
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Thanks for reading!
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