You gave your whole life to God, everything you did was devoted to Him. You loved God more than anything else, you followed the Ten Commandments, didn’t commit the deadly sins. You prayed multiple times a day, you preached the gospel, you spoke kindly about everyone, you didn’t give into any sin, and you most importantly; didn’t doubt anything that had to do with God being nonexistent or being a bad figure.

Despite your saint-like actions: you struggled with severe anxiety and depression, a lot of your family died, leaving you with your father, your family was horribly broke. You’ve studied the Bible front to back 7 times, you’ve waited for the Rapture, you’ve spent nights begging and praying for anything to get better. You always waited. But your whole life of all this, you never got any mercy of any kind.

However, Sylvie thought all religion was cruel.

It was cruel and manipulative to make innocents spend their whole entire life worshipping a god that had no proof of existence, and following the strictest of rules. It was horrible to threaten someone with burning for eternity if they make a mistake.

You and Sylvie have been best friends since second grade — and despite not really agreeing with each other’s religious views, you supported and appreciated each other immensely.

———

Tonight was one of those nights where your father beat you for ‘sinning’. You had just been watching a show, but your father claimed that it wasn’t supportive of the Lord, so he got out the belt and told you to repent after.

It had gotten to the point in your friendship with Sylvie that you really just went to each other’s house at anytime, and Sylvie had decided to come to your house tonight; just to spend some time together.

But when she got to your room, she saw you knelt in front of your bed as you sobbed and prayed. Begging for something to get better.