The Heretic (Dragonetti, Robert) Rating: R

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Robert pulled at the restraints binding him, but there was no give. Nothing that would allow him to escape. No way out. They'd come to get him from the parochial house that afternoon. They'd told him they wanted a word. Robert had gone along, assuming that he was going to get to see the new base of operations for the inquisitors and then he'd be able to tell Peter where they were. He was half right. He was certainly shown the new headquarters beneath the stinking Thames. And then they'd clubbed him on the back of the head. He'd awoken tied to a pyre.

"I trust you understand why we're doing this to you?" Father Dragonetti drawled, not bothering with his hood. He didn't need to hide from traitors.

Robert shook his head. "No! No I don't!"

"You gave Father Kemp our names. Our locations. That was a very bad decision, Father MacGavillary. Are you that afraid of him that you'd fold the second he wasn't in our custody anymore?" Dragonetti rounded the pyre, looking right into Robert's eyes.

"I didn't tell them anythin'!" Robert thundered, thrasing against his restraints. Peter would have noticed he was gone by now. Peter would come for him. It didn't matter what he'd done, Peter would come anyway.

"Oh, but you did. One of Father Kemp's friends paid our hotels a little visit this afternoon. Of course we'd already moved on, but the desk clerk was kind enough to inform us of the visitor. And the only way they could have known where we were staying was you."

Robert shook his head. "No, Father Alvarez knew!"

"Alvarez flew to Brazil days ago. And without them pulling on his weasely ears he'd have no reason to divulge that information. He hates Father Kemp as much as I do. It was you. Believe me, that visitor today signed your death warrant."

Robert shook his head. "No! No, I get a-an inquisition. You're supposed to purify me! Le' me ask for forgiveness!" Peter is coming. He'll come for you.

Dragonetti shook his head. "Sorry, Father MacGavillary. But this is indeed your second sin. Your first was giving up Peter Kemp. You gave him to us. You did a traitorous thing. We didn't punish you because his suffering would be your penance. His return to the church your forgiveness. But now you have betrayed us. You have come back to sin. You are a heretic and a repeat offender. And do you know what happens to repeat offenders?"

Robert licked his lips. "You...you burn 'em." He was shaking now. Sweat was pouring off his large body. It couldn't end like this. Not like this. Peter had just forgiven him. He was going to prove that he was trustworthy. Oh...he'd miss Kat's babies being born. And Peter's son. He'd wanted to hold Peter's son. And he'd never play darts with Peter again. Never talk to Kat about the sexy men they'd seen that day, as was Kat's favourite topic. Never hold Spectre's hand again. Never laugh with Thomas.

"That's right, Father MacGavillary. Your ashes will be offered up to God. Your sins will be cleansed in the flame." Dragonetti moved over to a small can of petrol and he began soaking the wood beneath the pyre and Robert as well. "This room isn't as large as the last one...it'll have to do though."

Robert swallowed roughly and he struggled against the ropes cutting into his skin. The smell of petrol reached his nostrils and his eyes burned. "Please. Please don' do this!"

"You forced me to do this, Father MacGavillary. I am sorry." Dragonetti replaced the petrol can and then he was joined by several priests. They went through a mass, begging for mercy on behalf of the heretic, Father MacGavillary. When they reached the end, Father Dragonetti reached into his pocket and he pulled out a match.

Robert's breaths were shaky and nervous. "Oh god, please! Please don't!" They were trying to scare him. Trying to scare him into giving away something. Peter would come. Peter always came. Peter always rescued people. It was what he did. He had faith in Peter. Peter would save him. He wished Peter would hurry.

"Any last words Father MacGavillary?"

Robert stared down at Dragonetti. The knowledge that any moment his hero would come bursting through the door gave him strength. "You're weak." Robert spit the words out. "You hide behind your God and your fear because you don' know how to love. You believe because you're afraid of having nothin'. Which is why Peter Kemp will beat you every single time. Because he's stronger than you. Because he's no' a coward."

Dragonetti cocked his head to the side and he lit the match. "Funny. I don't see him here. Do you?"

"He'll come." Robert said firmly. He knew it was true.

"We'll see." Dragonetti threw the match on the wood and it burst into flame.

Robert's breath grew more and more shallow as the flames grew higher and higher. It was hot. Too hot. It burned as his skin and he whimpered. His eyes never showed his fear. Peter would save him. The fire grew, rising up the wood until it reached the pyre. Flames licked at his body and Robert grunted. It consumned him like a hungry beast and Robert screamed as the flames blackened his skin, making it bubble and crack. It was agony. Pure agony but Peter would save him. The fire was eye level and rising. The heat was all Robert knew, eating him alive from the outside in. And as the flame enveloped his large body, the only thing running through his mind was Peter will save me. Peter will come. Peter will stop this. He'll be here. He's always there. Peter will-

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Father Dragonetti watched as Robert's screams died down and were silenced. Then he turned to Father Malcolm beside him. "Let him smoulder. When it's done, collect the ashes. I'd like to send Father Peter Kemp a present."

And Alessandro Dragonetti turned and walked away.