Alex's Story (Dice Changers)

I've seen the cult sacerfice dozens of convicted rapists and pedophiles. We took great pains to ensure that the people we sacrificed were, in fact, the evil we were trying to kill. We didn't sacerfice people who we weren't certain did these horrific actions, only those we know beyond a shadow of doubt, and for some reason were allowed to keep breathing. So, with our connections with the local police, we managed to get them transported to our building where we would sacerfice them in the name of God so that their evil would be wiped from the earth and God's anger would be fed and not feast on our nation. Then one day, the news headlined a story of a girl being raped, supposedly by a 17-year-old boy. Her screams were heard by a man, and he shot the boy. However, he escaped. Soon, the suspect was cuffed, and a trial was held. The evidence for the suspect seemed undeniable. The suspect knew the girl; he was young, had a history of being a loner, and wore the same style as the suspect. A DNA test even had blood on the tip of his pants. His blood. However, the suspect claimed innocence. He said that someone bumped into him. Hence, the blood on his pants. He also said that tons of boys his age dress the same way as him. He also claimed that the only thing he knew about the girl was her name and her boyfriend. This did not convince the judge or the jury. They convicted him of being guilty. Of course, several other believers (myself included) watched the trial live from within our tower. Many of us were convinced that he was guilty as well and that he would be the next sacerfice. Others disagreed. "It's not clear-cut. Had he confessed that he was guilty, then this whole thing would be a formality. Also, he's awfully calm for as young as he is. Which either means he's an excellent actor or he's innocent and knows that this is a waste of his time," said a fellow cultist. "Oh, please, he's sweating bullets and trying to play it off as calmness. He's for sure guilty," said another. I didn't know what to think. There were too many unknowns, and this kid didn't give the best of answers or defense.

Days later, while I was doing a prayer session. Several cultists somehow got their hands on the kid and took him to a cold, dry room. I followed them (as I oversaw the ceremony from beginning to end to ensure all was done correctly). "You have been condemned for your actions and will be sacrificed as a result," said one of the cultists. It was how we started the ritual. "I didn't do it. It was her boyfriend. I swear it was. I'm innocent." The boy pleaded, even beginning to cry. The innocence in his voice made me and others think that he was innocent. "Stop. Stop. Let him go." I said, walking to the room where the kid was. "What do you think you're doing? You're ruining the ritual," said one of the cultists as he tried to stop me, even blocking the door with his whole body. "How many times have we seen this? A guilty man claims innocence when we know the truth. This boy is no different. He is a monster, using his youth as a shield," he growled. "Get out of my way," I said in a threatening monotone voice. We locked eyes, but neither of us backed down. "I can't. Our pastor is waiting for us to bring the boy. If we delay, then he'll curse us, or worse, God himself will smite us," said the cultist. "We still don't know if he is actually guilty. He keeps saying the boyfriend was the real criminal. Perhaps for once we have the wrong guy." I said.

Then the door to the ritual room opened and out came the pastor, his son, and several members. "What's the hold up?" asked the pastor in his kind and formal tone. "Alex here wants to set the boy free, thinking that he's innocent," said the cultist. The pastor looked at me. "Is this true? Is the boy truly guilty of his crimes?" asked the pastor, like a father to his child. "I...I don't think so. Something about his words and cries is not like the others." I said. "Well, he is just a boy. This will be the first time we will sacerfice someone who is this young. However, I assure you that if we go through with this, and the boy was innocent the whole time, then may God curse us for breaking this sacred ritual," said the pastor as he tried to reassure me. He opened the door, and several members grabbed the boy. "NO! NO! PLEASE! Don't kill ME!" cried the boy as he was dragged to the altar room.

We bound him to it, began our chanting, and before long, he killed him with our ritual dagger. I watched helplessly as they killed him and drained his blood. "It is finished, take the body downstairs," said the pastor. Several members followed the order and carried his body down the stairs. All 23 floors. I remember now why we take the stairs instead of the elevator. It's to remind us that evil and sin are completely separated from God and Heaven. It reminds us that slaves to sin will have their final grave in Hell. But that boy didn't deserve this death. I knew it, many of us knew it too, and yet I allowed it to happen.

Over the course of the following months, people learned what happened. The action slowly began dividing the cult, as many thought we sacrificed an innocent life and that it broke a core tenet of the faith. Debates and arguments became common. Until things reached a boiling point and the cult killed itself. Members fought each other, and we used our dice powers against each other. Then a group of teens came, followed by the police. We were outmatched, outnumbered, and outgunned. I was on the 15th floor, fighting people I once called family. I was then knocked out by the teen heroes and found myself in an emergency vehicle driving to the hospital. I recovered, I was questioned, and I was studied.

Now I'm giving this testimony so that people know the truth. The cult I served was evil to its core; it lied and told the truth, it brought enemies and gave me a family, it ruined my old life and built my new one. I still have my dice set, but I rarely touch them. The memories are too painful. I'm now free with my new life. I'm married, I have a decent job, and I have refined my beliefs. I just hope I'll be able to do enough to atone for not stopping the cult from sacrificing that poor kid, to atone for killing a once-friendly face, and to atone for my foolishness for believing the lies to begin with. Maybe one day.