Colleagues avoided them, their eyes filled with suspicion and disapproval. Even

inary now a source of anxiety and dread. Her students, sensing her unease,

onviction, now fell flat, lacking the spiritual fire that had once ignited his congregat

Dean Croft. The Dean, his face grim, stopped him. "Elias," he began

knew what was coming. "

ns. "I've received... disturbing reports," Dean Croft finally said, his voice l

heart. "Compromising my position?

t behavior has raised some eyebrows. Your sermons have

ve of despair. "I've been under a great deal of stres

l issues that are affecting your min

uldn't lie, not to Dean Croft. But admitting the truth, confessing

he said, his voice carefully controlled. "

odded. "I expect you to," he said, his voice a low g

sing down on him. He knew he could no longer keep their secret hidden. The walls wer

ing isolation and paranoia, and the imminent threat of exposure. The Dean's warning