Prayer and Contemplation [St. Basil's Cathedral]

[Matías]

Matias didn’t flinch. He had heard questions like that before in the faces of people who thought they were hiding their fear. But this one came from a girl. A child. No—not quite a child. Someone hardened too early.

He didn’t look at her right away. His eyes stayed fixed on the crucifix, his hands resting loosely on his knees. Then he spoke, calm and low.

“So what if I was?” He turned his head slightly, just enough to glance at her from the corner of his eye. “Would you treat me differently?”