The Consequence Of Selfishness

Slaughter

Sebastian could feel his heart clenching as he knelt in one of the many pews in the church. He could hear the few people left in the church packing up to leave. It was very late and the sun was just setting, the church was filled with burnt orange light. Sebastian squeezed his eyes shut and bit back the desperation that clung to him. Dread and guilt clung to him like a wet paper towel. He took in shaky breaths. His eyes were squeezed shut. The parish priest noticed Sebastian's state of distress and recognised that it was part of his duty to do something. He made his way over to and sat down next to the boy, "are you alright son?" He asked gently. He had auburn curls of hair that lay tightly against his skull. He also had two orange-brown eyes that twinkled softly with kindness and joy. It was clear he was a happy man.

Sebastian opened his eyes and turned to look at the man. He had been hoping he wouldn't talk to him, "I, I think so," his voice wavered.

The priest felt a sad smile drift onto his face, "you've experienced a lot of loss in your life recently, haven't you,"

Sebastian was taken aback, "how did you know?" He didn't remember ever talking to that priest before, did that priest know him?

"I have seen it so many times," he explained, his voice was smooth and calming, it had the sweetness of caramel and the smoothness of chocolate, "people come into the church after something awful has happened to them and they come here for consolation and help to regain control of their lives,"

Sebastian felt those words resonate within him, "oh," he was a little shocked. He really was just like every other human on earth. They all went to a place of refuge when they felt their most lost. It was human nature. That relieved him.

"Don't fret," the priest chuckled, "I am sure that you will overcome whatever is getting you down," he loved his job. He loved encouraging other people when they needed it most. Seeing them power though pain and loss made everything worth while. Seeing that he made a difference to someone was the reason he was devoted to the lord.

"I am not so sure father," he sighed and ran a hand over his face, "I really think I am stuck, I think I am stuck and there is no one who can help me anymore," he felt the familiar pang of loss smack him in the face.

"There is always someone who can help," he smiled.

Barry walked into the cortex, he ran a hand through his hair as he joined his companions. Joe and Iris had joined Cisco and Caitlin earlier on and they were all waiting for Barry. They had been looking for criminals the Flash needed to take down, but so far the night had been fairly quiet, "where have you been dude, we have been waiting for over and hour," Cisco scolded his best friend.

"Sorry, some priest was ripped apart by the churches rabid dog, I was on the crime scene and it was messy," he shook his head. It had been one of the bloodiest crime scenes he had ever seen. The air was filled with the familiar metallic stench of blood and the priest was in several chunks. It almost looked like someone had continuously hacked at him with a knife.

Caitlin and Cisco trained a wary glance, "like what happened to Sebastian's parents?" She asked. She couldn't help but begin to form connections. She really hoped it was just a coincidence, for the boys sake.

Barry froze and his face fell, "just like Sebastian's parents, but that's a closed case now," he tutted. He had really enjoyed his time out with his brother the week or so prior. He felt like he was finally beginning to make a connection with him despite the bad circumstances.

"You think it's worth looking into?" Joe raised his eyes brows as he wrapped a protective arm around his daughter. He couldn't imagine leaving Iris and Barry in such a gruesome and horrible way. His heart went out to Barry's younger brother, he was still young though, so hopefully he would heal well.

"Yes, I do," Barry's face darkened. If the crimes were connected then there was a chance that there was someone behind it. Barry could feel his blood beginning to simmer, he would shove any disgusting human beings that took a life of another behind bars with no reconsideration. They were filth.

Sebastian rested his head against the shower wall. He could feel his hit tears running down his face. The showers warm water doused his body in relaxing steam. Yet he was far from relaxed. He was incredibly tense. He could feel one thousand emotions bubbling under the surface. A priest had been killed, no ripped to pieces in his own parish. Sebastian felt his heart clench with guilt and grief. It was the very same priest had been so kind to him. He took in a ragged breath as he tried to slow down his emotions. When he had first seen the images in the news he had nearly been sick. The broadcaster had censored the most disgusting stuff, but he had left very little to the imagination. Sebastian slid down the shower wall and sat on the bottom. He rested his head back wards and let the hot spray wash over his face. He wasn't sure if he could keep up with everything. He hated himself so much. Everyone around him was dying, and he was just horrible to everyone. He really was a self centred git. He tried to shake off his negative thoughts, but he came to accept it. Even from when he was just beginning highschool, he had helped in causing a man to attempt suicide. He was an aural excuse of a human being. Most days he felt like he wasn't one.