The Confessional Box

For The Vocal "Dead Air" Challenge

By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred Published 3 days ago • Updated 2 days ago • 3 min read

A Nightcafe Creation By The Author

It had been two months since his last confession, and his mother and father and the priests had been badgering him to go to church and confess his sins. He seldom told the truth but never said that at confession, but making an appearance and saying a few words about some unsavoury deeds usually resulted in ten "Hail Marys" or "Our Fathers", which was a bit like the lines he always got at school.

At least there was no physical violence, just the pure inconvenience of going to the confessional box.

He had finally succumbed and walked through the church doors, down the central aisle, then a right turn to the only confessional box in the building. He looked and thought it was strange that he was the only one in the church, and the priest's side of the confessional box seemed to be glowing blue. Maybe he had overdone it with the Es and vodka he had before he came along. The church berated the use of alcohol; they served wine at communion, saying it was the blood of Christ.

He walked into the box and drew the curtain for a little privacy, though he didn't need it; no one else was there, but he could see a blue glow through the separating screen. He normally saw no one there and only heard the priest's replies as he dispensed penance for confessed sins.

He sat down and started:

"Forgive me, Father, it is two months since my last confession and in that time I have committed several sins:

I have uttered profanities many times, sometimes in front of clerics and children.
I have had lustful thoughts about young ladies and men
I have gambled, lost and stolen money from my grandmother
I have drunk alcohol, and go so drunk that I vomited in a shop doorway

I did all of these many times.

What is my penance?"

There was then a strange mechanical noise from the other side of the screen, like some cogs turning and wires crackling with static, then the voice:

"The priest in this church has been replaced. It has been deemed there is no longer a need for a human presence here. I am here to determine the sentence for your sins. I know what you have told me is a pack of lies, and simply saying you will recite a few prayers as recompense for your sins (which I know you have never done anyway) will not suffice as punishment. This time it will be more physical and painful.

The last priest did not control his confessors adequately, so he was dealt with and is now nourishing stock at a local piggery."

He was stunned and realised that a door had come down, trapping him in the Confessional Box.

"Seriously, what the fuck? You can't do this to me; you're just a priest. I came here of my own free will and gave you a confession; that should be it. Now let me go"

He banged on the door and the screen, but there was no give at all. He was well and truly boxed in.

"Ah, now, there's the rub. I am aware of the people you have abused, the crimes you have committed and not been punished for, the thefts you have committed; the list is almost never-ending.

You will be leaving here in a secure box, and if you are lucky, you will have expired before you reach your final destination.

This is your final confession, your last goodbye.

Your fate is decided, and it really is all your own fault."

Then everything went dark.

psychological supernatural fiction