Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

12 December 2014

The moon was in the middle of the sky, shining gracefully. The trees rustled in the wind, and the footsteps grew faster. Augustine was out of breath, panting furiously. She had walked nonstop for 2 days. Her feet felt sore, and she felt tired. Augustine held onto her cape, trying to warm herself from the cold. It was about to snow, she could say. She stopped running to walk. Her breath came out as steam with every breath she took. Augustine groaned, and she stopped walking. She looked down at her body, eyeing her clothes: a ripped-off blouse and a pair of ripped-off trousers. Her bare feet were turning purple, and she had some bruises and a few scratches on her feet. She snuggled into her cape. She felt the tears prickling in her eyes. She sniffed; she sobbed softly. Why was all of this happening to her? She began to walk again. This time, it was much slower.

When she lifted her head, there was a… Building. She quickened her footsteps. After a few steps, she was out of the woods. But she found herself in a garden. There were beautiful flowers. Each scent was mixed, creating a stunning atmosphere. But she couldn’t bring herself to care. She looked at the building, which was a tall, church-like building. She looked around curiously. She heard footsteps approaching her, and she didn’t know what to do or where to go. She felt scared. Her eyes were wide, and her breathing was fast. Just as she turned the corner, a bold voice, but following with a sweet melody, filled her ears.

“Who are you, my child?”

Augustine turned to face the man. He wasn’t that tall, but he wasn’t that short either. As she could see, his hair was blonde, and he was wearing papal robes. “Oh, eh… I'm just…” Augustine muttered.

The man approached her. “Do you need help, sorella?”

Oh, his voice was like music to her ears. She nodded eagerly. She wasn’t thinking straight; she knew it, but she was also desperate for at least a plate of warm food.

The man smiled, closed his eyes, and nodded. “Follow me.” He said and began to walk. Augustine started to follow him. She was a bit wobbly on her feet because it had been a long time since she had eaten a proper meal.

The man opened the doors of the ministry and walked in. Augustine stepped in, too; her bare feet met with cold tiles on the floor. She looked around curiously; the windows were tall and made of stained glass. It looked… Beautiful. As she kept looking around, she noticed the black candles illuminating the hallway. The hallway was long, and there were a few corners to turn around. She kept following the man silently.

“What are you doing around here? It's not easy to get here, you know, sorella?” The man said.

Augustine looked up at his long blonde hair. “It’s a long story…” Augustine said with a low, cracked voice.

“What's your name?” The man questioned.

Augustine looked down at her feet. “I'm Augustine.”

“Augustine … Che bel nome.” He spoke. Augustine didn’t understand what he was saying.

“You can call me Primo,” Primo said. Augustine hummed and nodded. She felt safe, at least. Who couldn’t feel secure in a church? At least that was what Augustine had thought.

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Primo brought Augustine to an office. A bald man was sitting there. Augustine was also sitting in the chair, patiently, while the bald man took notes on the paper in front of her. Primo was waiting next to the bald man. He was sitting at his table. He glanced at her.

“I have two offers for you.” The bald man began. “The first one is… You will be the Sister of Sin and serve in the ministry. The second one is that you will wash the dishes every day. Suppose you want to stay here, of course. We will give you free food, a warm room, and new clothes. Everything that you need.” The bald man said. Augustine looked into his eyes.

“What is a Sister of Sin?” Augustine asked.

The bald man hummed. “Well, they serve for the ministry basically. You will attend masses and other stuff. Of course, since you don’t know our religion, you will take some classes with other Sisters of Sin. You may also request private lessons.”

He was speaking like he is explaining these for donkeys years. Augustine thought. Well, it won't hurt, right… She had nothing else to do. But which religion? Augustine looked at him. She licked her lips before speaking.

“What… No, which religion exactly?”

Augustine looked at the man carefully. He sighed and started to talk.

“Our religion... A religion that is outside the ordinary, that is, outside the mold. We believe in the lord below, Satan. We gather during the masses. We worship him and perform his rituals.” The bald man said.

Augustine didn’t look surprised at all. She had met a lot of… Weird people, let’s say. But she didn’t expect this at all. “I need to think about this…” Augustine said. The bald man nodded.

“Okay. I can arrange a room for you to sleep and rest. We will talk about it the next morning.”

Augustine smiled warmly. “Thank you… Thank you so much.”

Augustine couldn’t express her feelings with words right now. She was happy. So happy and grateful. Well, it couldn’t hurt to work here, right? Augustine got lost in thought as Primo led her to a new room… Augustine's stomach grumbled absurdly. Primo turned to her.

“Are you hungry, my child? We can swing over to the kitchen and get you some snacks.”

“Oh… I hadn’t eaten in two days… I would appreciate it.”

Primo hummed. “Two days? That's a long time… Let's go to the kitchen, then I will show you your new room.”

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Augustine and Primo ended up in the kitchen. Except… They weren’t alone. When they entered the kitchen, there was a young man. He was wearing his pajamas. “Okay… Tortellini, no. Cazzo..! You can't eat that cheese! La mia bellezza…” The man spoke. Primo coughed to get his attention. The man startled. He freaked out. “Primo!” He held his rat up, and the rat climbed up to his shoulder.

“Copia, what are you doing?”

“Uhm… Ehehe… Nothing, Fratello.” Augustine eyed the man, Copia, curiously. His white eye was shining in the dark. Just like Primo and the bald man.

“Are you feeding your germs with the ministry cheese again?” Primo crossed his arms and shook his head.

“No! Il mio topo? No… Absolutely not.” He lifted his hands and waved them around. “And you know… I was just leaving…” He walked around the counter and approached them. He snickered awkwardly. He glanced at Augustine. “C-ciao e arrivederci…” He spoke to Augustine and left the kitchen. Augustine watched him leave the kitchen. A man who loves rats? Oh, interesting. Now she wanted to learn about him more. When she was little and home alone, she always talked with the rats. She had become friends with them. Now how she missed them… Augustine scrunched her face at the thought.

Primo shook his head disapprovingly.

“This kid… I will never be able to teach him anything decent…”

“Who is that?” Augustine asked, looking at Primo.

“That? His name is Copia… He is one of the Cardinals in this ministry. It would be better if you address him as Cardinal.”

Augustine nodded. “Okay…” Primo led Augustine to a nearby table. Augustine sat on the chair slowly. Primo walked towards the kitchen. He eyed the cheese crumbles on the counter. “Ugh…” He sighed and cleaned the crumbles. Primo took a quick meal from the fridge and microwaved it. When it was done, he picked up a fork and a spoon from the drawer and approached the table. He placed the food, fork, and spoon on the table in front of Augustine. Augustine thanked Primo, and she started to eat her food. It wasn’t anything fancy, just a plate of spaghetti. But she absolutely loved it and devoured it all. She thanked Primo repeatedly.

“Do you want a second plate…?” Primo asked awkwardly. Augustine nodded eagerly.

“Can I? I mean, if I'm able to… Please.”

Primo nodded. “Of course, my child. Just wait for a few minutes and I'll be back.” Primo stood up again, holding his waist and grunting. He walked towards the small kitchen. He repeated the process of heating the spaghetti. He placed a new plate in front of Augustine.

“There you go, my child.”

Augustine smiled. She started to eat the second plate. She couldn’t be more thankful to this man. Primo watched her eat silently; he was lost in his thoughts. Who was this girl? He thought. He was going to question it, of course. But not right now…

Chapter Text

After a full stomach and going to her dorm, Augustine took a warm shower, also Primo gave her some clothes. Before she put the clothes on, she glanced at herself in the mirror, looking at her naked body. Her red hair was cascading over her shoulders and covering her breasts. Her deep blue eyes were flicking around in curiosity. Bruises on her legs, extending to her inner thighs. There were a few cigarette burns on her arms and body. She could feel the strange touches of men on her body. She felt her nausea build up immediately. But she needed to stay strong; she knew that. She shook her head and furrowed slightly. She fixed her posture.

Augustine walked towards the bed to put on her clothes. She felt warm and safe in her new clothes. She wrapped a towel around her head. She tucked into the bed slowly and turned off the night lamp next to the bed. She started to think; of course, she didn’t want to wash dishes until her hands fell off. Being a sister of sin was a better idea than being the dishwasher. She spent an hour thinking; she had finally decided. She also thought about this whole day. Primo, the bald man, and Copia. She had noticed that they had one sharing feature, which was their eye. The three of them had one white eye. Augustine turned on the bed. Were they all siblings? Or was it just a common thing in this ministry?

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The next morning, Augustine woke up to knocking voices on her door. She grunted and yawned; she sat up in bed. She slowly stood up; her bare feet met with the warm ground. Augustine walked towards the door. She opened the door slowly just to see a strange creature standing there, eyeing Augustine. Augustine looked at the creature. It had horns and a tail. His tail flicked around.

“Augustine?” He spoke. Augustine held onto the door frame.

“Uh… Yeah?”

“Papa Secondo said that I should bring you to his office.”

Augustine kept eyeing the creature. He looked like a devil, she could say.

“Oh yes. Of course. Uhm…” Augustine looked down at her clothes. She was wearing pajamas. Well, it was just a white blank dress.

“Can you give me a second? I will be right back.”

Augustine closed the door, and she looked at the clothes lying on the nightstand. She walked towards the nightstand and picked up the clothes, and started to get dressed. Augustine struggled to put the veil on her head, but she managed somehow. She looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a nun's clothes now. She guessed that it was for Sisters of Sin. Augustine put the shoes on, too. She walked towards the door and opened it. She looked back at the creature. The creature started to walk, gesturing for her to follow him. Augustine followed him obediently.

After a few minutes of walking, they both stopped in front of a door, and the creature knocked on the door. A faint noise could be heard coming from inside. “Come in!” The creature opened the door for her. Augustine thanked him and stepped in. The bald man looked at Augustine well, Augustine was guessing his name was Secondo. He gestured at the chair.

“Ah, Augustine. Buongiorno. Please, take a seat.” So, Augustine did. She sat on the chair slowly. There was a knock on the door. But, without waiting for an answer, the person stepped into the room. It was a man who looked like he was in his late twenties.

“Papa! Copia ate all my biscuits!” He whined. Secondo rolled his eyes once again. Augustine looked at the man. He had black hair, and he had a white eye too.

“Cazzo, Terzo! Can’t you see that I'm in the middle of a conversation? Get out!” Augustine watched the two men silently.

“But Secondo!”

“I said get out, Terzo, damn it,” Secondo grunted. Terzo left the room silently. Secondo turned to Augustine again.

“That bastard… Sorry about that. He is a little immature for his age…” Secondo said. Augustine smiled warmly and shook her head. “It's okay… I don’t mind it at all.” She spoke. Secondo looked at her.   

“So, have you made your decision?” Secondo asked. Augustine nodded eagerly.

“I did, Papa. I want to stay here and become a Sister of Sin if that’s okay with you…” Augustine said nervously. She managed to smile.

Secondo clasped his hands together. “Wonderful! Of course, it's okay. I love to see more people joining our congregation. Then welcome to the ministry, Sister.”

Augustine looked around curiously. Not knowing what to do. Secondo smiled warmly at her. “Ah, of course. Let's take a look at the classes, sì?” Secondo pulled out a few papers and placed them on the table.

“Let's see… We have Cardinal Gerardo’s class; he is a good man, but he is old. We have Cardinal Elmo, and he can be a little grumpy… But he teaches very well. Theres also Cardinal Edoardo. And then there's Cardinal Copia… Oh, sorry. Copia told me he won’t teach anymore, a few days ago…”

Augustine listened to him carefully.

“Why, though...?” Augustine said. Secondo looked at her.

“What makes you ask that… That’s rude to ask. Copia? Eh, he said he gets anxious about all those people.” Secondo explained.

Augustine thought. “I saw him in the kitchen last night… He was busy feeding his rat with the ministry's cheese. And he caught my attention. Is there any chance that I can take like… Private lessons. Only Cardinal Copia and I? I dont think I can handle group classes.”

Secondo thought for a second.

“I can ask Cardinal Copia if you wish, Sister…”

Augustine looked at him and nodded. “I would appreciate it, Papa.”

Secondo leaned to his landline phone, brought it up to his ear, and dialed a number.

“Buongiorno, Cardi. May I ask you something?”

“Sì, you may, of course, Papa.”

“Can you come to my office around 5 pm? Secondo said while eyeing Augustine.

Copia paused. “Yes… Okay. Of course, Papa. I will be there.”

Secondo placed the phone back in its place. He looked at her again. “Don’t worry, sorella. I’ll send you the news in the morning if Cardinal agrees.” He spoke. Augustine just nodded at his words.

“How old are you? Secondo asked. Augustine looked at him.

“Oh… I’m twenty-four, Papa.”

“Can you fill this form for me?”

“Uhm, I don’t know how to read or write.” Augustine said, looking at Secondo. Secondo sighed.

“Okay… I'll read it for you.”

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Cardinal Copia stood awkwardly in front of Secondo’s office. His eyes were looking at the doorknob. He lifted his hand and knocked on the door. After a few seconds, a voice was heard. “Come in!” Copia held the doorknob, the leather gloves sticking to his sweaty hands. He opened the door and stepped in.

Secondo looked up at Copia. “Ah, buonasera, Cardi. Please sit.” He gestured at the chair. Copia approached the chair and sat on it gently.

He fixed his red cassock and his red biretta. “So, eh… What you wanted to talk with me?” He said nervously. Fidgeting with his hands. Secondo looked at him.

“You see… There's a new girl. I think you heard about her. The other siblings are already talking about her… Well, eh. She is a little weird, you know? Primo found her in the garden, in the middle of the night. She was so hungry, and all her clothes were torn apart. And she is so slim for a normal person... Especially for someone her age.” Secondo explained.

Copia sighed, “Ah, sì… I saw her last night. She looked pretty young. How old is she?” He asked.

Secondo looked down at the paper lying in front of him. “Twenty-four.” Copia’s mouth formed an o shape. He nodded.

“She is young. Almost the same age as me.” Copia said, and Secondo nodded in agreement.

“Well, she requested that you become her teacher,” Secondo said quietly.

Copia looked… Shocked. “But Papa, I can't even have time for myself. I can't teach someone ever again…” Copia protested.

Secondo sighed. He looked deep into his eyes. “Please, Copia. She seems weird, but she also seems like a nice person. Plus, I want to know what happened to her. Maybe you can convince her to swing by the confession booth late at night, eh?”

Copia looked at Secondo in disbelief. “Well, I can teach her, but I can’t convince her to go to the confession booth, can I?” He said, sounding a little harsh this time.

“Fine. Just teaching. What time would you want her to come by?” Secondo asked.

Copia thought. “9 am, please. I don’t want her to interfere with my work.”

Secondo sighed and nodded. “Fine, fine Copia. You will talk to her tomorrow morning.”

Copia leaned in. “What was her name again?”

Secondo sighed. “Augustine Clarke.”

Copia nodded. He looked at him. “Did Terzo say I ate his biscuits…?

“Cazzo, Copia. You both are still acting like a damn kid. Grow up for Satan's sake.”

Copia grunted. “He started it first…”