alovelyclockwork

The quite dim of the church was sliced through and through by thin rays of twilight shining through the stained glass high along the walls.  Footfalls, nearly silent in their echoes, approached the confessional in the back of the church.  The metallic sliding of rings along the copper bar sharply punctuated the silence for an instant and then all was silent again as the man stepped into the mahogany booth and settled into the chair without a sound. "Bless me, father, for I have sinned.  It has been six years since my last confession." The priest, already in his chair, relaxed against the wall of his chamber, made no movement.  "Of course yo

MY HAND MOVES TO MY GUN. Feeling the cool polymer of my Glock reassures me.  My fingers deftly pull it from it's holster on my right hip, pushing it forward to front sight.  Swiveling my body from left to right I scan my surroundings.  A moment ago I saw movement. A dark shape in the shadows, blackness within blackness.  I move forward step by cautious step, sure of my footing.  I check behind me, to the left, to the right, and then I check my back again. It grabs me, hurling me into the brick and mortar wall.  A black shadow, towering over me in the dark alley.  I roll to the side to aim and my gun flashes. My shots are true, but do nothing