The Last Sin Eater Page #2

unless they're killing something.

- I brought you some fresh meat, ma'am.

- You been in a fight, young Kai?

No, ma'am.

Mighty thoughtful of you.

But I don't know whas gotten into

the young ones in this cove,

bringing an old lady meat and flowers.

Squirrel meat?

Did you think you were going

to get her to talk with squirrel meat?

Don't think I don't know why you're here,

Cadi Forbes.

Maybe you do. Maybe you don't.

Do you think this is all a game, Cadi?

I asked my pa about the Sin Eater

and he clean knocked me off the porch.

He said if I ever asked about him again,

he'd take the skin off my back.

He said just mentioning the man

brings evil into a house,

let alone look at him, like you did.

So, you looked at him, did you?

Yes, ma'am.

What were you thinking, child?

Couldn't help myself, Miz Elda.

It was the way he spoke to Granny.

He was so sad.

He spoke as though he loved her.

And for good reason.

After your granddaddy passed on,

your granny would take an offering

to his grave whenever she could.

A bundle of carrots,

half dozen ears of corn, some eggs...

And she'd leave them there

on his grave, for the Sin Eater, as a gift.

No one in this cove

ever treated him with such kindness.

But your granny did.

He would come down

off Dead Man's Mountain...

- Dead Man's Mountain?

- Dead Man's Mountain?

Thas not what I meant.

- Is time for you two to get along now.

- Yes, ma'am.

Miz Elda, if I can find the Sin Eater

and he eats my sins away,

will Mama forget?

No, child. She'll never forget.

But maybe she'll be able to forgive.

Was the Sin Eater

the only reason you come by today, Cadi?

Yes, ma'am.

But it won't be, next time.

Who'll take away my sins, Cadi Forbes?

See what you done.

It serves you right.

I hope you broke your foot.

- Would you stand fast already?

- Is your fault, sneaking up on me.

I didn't mean to scare you, Cadi.

I cross my heart and hope to die.

Be careful what you wish for.

Are we going

to Dead Man's Mountain or not?

- I wanted to talk to you first.

- What about?

Is just I ain't never seen my pa

afraid of nothing. Nothing.

But he's most assuredly afraid

of the Sin Eater.

Well, I'm not afraid

because I know he'd never hurt me.

Well, maybe he hurt you

when you looked at him.

You just didn't know it.

What you saying?

Well, for one,

you can't get him out of your head.

My ma says there's powerful dark spirits

all over these mountains

that need to be left alone.

What spirits?

Maybe that girl that you were

talking about is not what she seems.

Lilybet ain't no spirit. She's me friend.

Look,

I'm sorry your pa hit you on my account,

but I'm going to go find the Sin Eater

with or without you.

Wait, I'm going with you.

- You don't have to.

- Yes, I do. I need to protect you.

There's probably

a thousand hiding places up here.

Maybe I could bring my old hound up here.

We could flush him out.

The Sin Eater ain't a rabbit, Fagan.

- Vittles.

- What?

What are you talking about?

Remember what Miz Elda said about

Granny leaving gifts for the Sin Eater?

Maybe it is like snaring a rabbit,

after all.

I got to go.

Is Clees signal

when Pa's looking for me.

But there's still light left.

I can't, Cadi. Pa will skin me

if he catches me anywhere near here.

You hurry and get home yourself,

Cadi Forbes.

When you're done clearing,

come outside and finish your chores.

Yes, Ma.

I have to tell Fagan.

Stranger.

Hear me when I call, O Lord.

Hear my prayer.

For it is unto thee, and thee alone, I pray.

You are a God

that hath no pleasure in wickedness,

and there is wickedness

in these mountains.

Where were you?

Why didn't you meet me at the cemetery?

Because the Kai is getting sly of me

missing all the time.

Well, he came, Fagan.

The Sin Eater came to Granny's grave

and took the preserves I left him.

Did you talk to him?

Not exactly.

I sort of fell asleep.

But he took my gift. I know he did.

Sure he did.

Now hush up.

I want to listen to the stranger.

Mama!

Why did you take this

to Granny's graveyard?

I...

Didn't you think

I would come looking for you, Cadi?

You're always going places

that you oughtn't.

Now you're a thief. Besides, stealing...

From your own family!

No, Mama. I...

You never think before you do things.

Why?

Fia!

What have you done?

Angor!

There's a stranger

camped at the bottom of the Narrows.

The Kai says he's going to deal with him.

Whas the harm in letting him stay?

The Kai says he's crazy.

Besides, there's no more land for him.

No more room.

Sounds like the Kai

makes all the rules in this cove.

Do not be speaking bad about him, Fia.

Brogan and his family have always known

whas right for this cove.

We're not gonna have anything

to do with that stranger, right?

Cadi?

What is it, Mama?

I want you to have this.

Is okay. Take it.

What are you going to do

with those preserves?

Save them for the Sin Eater.

Why not take them to that bee-lady?

Maybe she knows where he lives.

Sin Eater.

Wait, Sin Eater.

No! You mustn't follow him, child.

Let go of me.

Sin Eater, please wait.

Sin Eater. Sin Eater, wait.

I ain't going back until you talk to me.

Please. I need you.

You talked to that woman.

Why won't you talk to me?

Why did you dare look at me

at your granny's funeral, Cadi Forbes?

Because I need you to take my sins away.

Is not done that way.

Now, go home

and don't come looking for me again.

If you don't take my sins away now,

then I'll make it

so you can do it the proper way.

I can't go on living

with this hurt inside me.

I can't live knowing all the pain

I've caused everyone.

Sin Eater?

Come back tomorrow.

The woman you saw, Bletsung MacLeod,

will show you the path up the mountain.

Bring me whas necessary

for the ceremony,

and we'll see what God allows.

And whatever happens,

you must promise me

you will never come back

to this mountain.

I promise.

I'm here, child.

Climb no further.

I brought the wine and bread

and the white covering.

Miz Elda was kind enough to give it to me.

Miz Elda

ought to have known better.

She wanted me to tell you something else.

She wanted you to know

that she hasn't forgotten your name.

Please, give her my thanks.

Yes, sir.

Now lie down on the ground

and cover yourself with the shroud

and keep your eyes shut tightly.

Tell me what sin it is grieves you so.

Did my Granny tell you her sins

before she passed?

No.

Then, if is all right with you,

I'd rather not say my sins aloud.

I give easement now to thee, Cadi Forbes,

that you might live a long and full life.

And for thy peace, I pawn my own soul.

Nothing's changed. I feel the same.

I'm sorry, dear child.

Please. You have to tell me.

How do I get rid of what I done?

I wish I knew, Cadi Forbes.

I wish I knew.

You shouldn't be here, Cadi.

You've been warned to keep away.

- Are you daft?

- Let go.

Let go of me.

Dear child, what in heaven's name

could be so terrible

as to make you

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes