First the physical punishment, then the mental...

"Carlos," Patrick says. "Please bring me the witness."

Your mind swirls as you try to comprehend what Patrick has just said. The witness? Carlos's face remains impassive as he rises and heads to his tent.

"Boys," Patrick announces, "I believe this whore was sent to us for a reason. You need to learn about the powerful urges of the body, how they can consume you and control you and ultimately, if you're not careful, ruin you. I am sorry you have to see such depravity firsthand, but I pray that you will be better men for it in the end."

The boys hmm and yes quietly until Carlos returns. You can't quite make out what's in his hand in the dimming light of the setting sun. When Patrick strikes a match, though, everything becomes instantly clear.

The witness, you remember, is a large votive candle, brought on church retreats to burn all night long if someone is lonely or in need of prayer. It represents the light of goodness and God and is meant to bring hope in the darkness. Why did he just light the candle? you wonder, though you're sure you won't like the answer.

"Lie down, whore," Patrick commands you. You're mortified to be naked in front of these boys again and ashamed to submit yourself to the humiliation of lying on the ground before them. But you've learned your lesson enough times this weekend and quickly clamber onto the rough, dirty ground.

Patrick stands over you, candle in hand. The look of disgust in his face hits you like a ton of bricks, and you're surprised to discover how disappointed you are in yourself for letting him down. You hope that, whatever comes next, you're able to prove yourself worthy of his smile again.

"Ouch!" you yelp as a burning pang radiates from your belly.

"Shut up," Patrick says quietly. "For the rest of the night, you will only speak when spoken to. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir," you whisper.

You feel another sharp pain and inhale a breath but manage to keep quiet. That's when you realize what's going on: Patrick is dripping hot wax on you from the votive! He's burning you with melting wax!

"Each of us is going to have a turn to witness this whore," Patrick announces to the group. "You will hold the witness candle for ten minutes. You may touch the whore, but she will remain lying on the ground, and the candle will continue to drip on her. After each of us has our turn, we'll turn in for the night."

You do the math, though even simple figures are hard with the dripping wax searing your skin. Ninety minutes of this slow ****...