Once again the torturer steps back, as if commanded by God himself, and flings the whip back and lashes it against the poor ill-fated woman, with such ferocity that even Red Feline is silent.  

This is the moment he has prepared for, the complete ravagement of this woman's back, without mercy, without restraint. He lashes her for what seems an eternity, making her cry and moan, watching her every movement, knowing she will resist, because he sees it in her eyes, those averted eyes.

Melissa cries to God for mercy and strength, she thanks God for giving her the chance to redeem herself, she forgives her torturer, prays for that poor woman in the cage who had not the grace of being a servant of God. Melissa holds on to her resolve. 

She is not going to confess to something she didn't do and she will accept this punishment as something she deserves for what she did, dreamed, felt, thought.

Her resolve is obvious to her torturer and is partly guessed by Red Feline who now comprehends the reality of faith. Even if she does not believe in it. She gives the nun credit for what she bears with dignity and maybe even love, a love that Red Feline herself doesn't try to understand, at least not now.

Melissa is full of love even at this moment when there is nothing but hatred for herself. "Whose hatred?", is her question. "Who could harbor such feelings against her, to accuse her to the Church?".

Whatever the accusations against her are, someone has to be involved. Someone she knows, someone who shared meals with her, someone who knelt near her in prayer. One of her sisters had started the accusations, spread the rumors, led the Inquisitors to her cell in the convent that morning...not long ago, just days ago. How many days, Melissa cannot recall.

The whip on her back is a consistent presence and each lash has a name. The same name, her accuser's name.

The torturer feels he has accomplished the first part of his task. He has to save his strength. He has a long day before him. He stops the flogging and walks to the nun to release her bonds.  

Red Feline, crying and disgusted, leans inside her cage, hoping that the suffering of the poor woman is over, even if it means hers will now begin.