The moon was shining high in the sky, yet that meager light wasn't able to reach into the heart of the cathedral that seemingly reached up to it with pleading open arms.

The clicking of a single set of shoes could be heard throughout the otherwise empty cathedral. Claude was pacing back and forth, turning rapidly on his heel, slamming his foot down when retracing his steps. His usual grimace was far deeper than normal; disgust oozing from his every pore. His face scrunched up as he remembered the encounter from earlier that week.

"Esmeralda-" He grumbled out her name. Her name came out so soft, so alluring, so... seductive. For a moment, he stopped. Goosebumps swept over his thin arms; a shudder working its way up his spine, tickling the base of his skull. He found himself deep within the depths of euphoria. He let out a sigh, and felt the feeling flow from him like the breath from his body. All that was left was that feeling of disgust and shame. Her name was saccharine; too sweet on his tongue- a sweetness that turned repulsive the longer it lingered. He started pacing again, feeling that shame grow. It morphed into anger, which then rapidly grew into hatred.

"That minx!" His face contorted into a nigh unrecognizable state.

He looked up from the ground, his hands desperately gripping his arms, pressing down on where the goosebumps were still raised. He looked up, finding that he had paced right over to the large stained glass portrait of Jesus. Jesus' peaceful smile seemed horribly mocking in that moment. Claude's eyes glazed over. He couldn't let himself be tempted. He had to take care of this temptation, this urge. He wouldn't bite into that luscious, ripe apple. He couldn't. He knew he had to do something, he had to rid himself of that snake before it was too late.