by Jewel, Bella
We reach a white van, and the door opens before we come to a stop. There are two more men inside. I’m tossed in without hesitation, and I crash to the floor. I push up, scurrying towards the open space, but run straight into the barrel of a gun. I scream and throw myself backwards as the men pile in. I’m surrounded, with nowhere to go. I couldn’t get past them if I tried.
“Let me go,” I scream as the door is slammed shut.
“Sit still and stop screaming,” the man holding the gun growls, “or I’ll kill you.”
“What do you want from me?” I cry angrily to the blond man.
“I want my brother.”
“I beg your pardon?”
He grins. “Oh, he didn’t tell you?”
“Who told me what?”
His grin turns into a full-blown smile, and it hits me like a damned sledgehammer. I stumble backwards and look up at him, really taking in his face. The shape of his eyes, the curve of his jaw, the dimples, but mostly . . . the smile. I’m not familiar with him, as I first thought, but now it’s more than clear why I thought I knew him.
This man looks like Johnny.
And Tank.
And Heath.
“Nice to meet you, Lucy. I’m Josh.”
Oh God—he’s the fourth brother.
No.
No.
Chapter Twenty-One
I don’t say another word. I peer out a small slit in the covered windows to see we have arrived at the space they occupy in the woods. I think I’m in shock. It all starts making a great deal more sense now. For whatever reason, Josh thinks Heath is dead, and now he obviously knows that isn’t the case. What I want to know is why he’s taken me and what exactly happened between the four brothers.
The van comes to a stop and three of the men stand guard by the door as the other two haul me up, holding me so tightly I’ve got no chance of moving, my body is a numb mess. My mind is spinning. I don’t know which way is left or right. I’m so damned confused.
The door opens, and I’m hustled out. We’re already inside the fence, and I get a better chance to look around. There are a few poorly lit huts surrounding a campfire right in the middle. Off to the left is a rather large shed-like building and it would seem that’s where I’m being led.
There are people everywhere. Young, old—all races. They’re all wearing white gowns, their hair flowing freely, and they all stop and watch me with scornful expressions as I’m dragged behind Josh into the shed.
The second we step inside, I gasp. It’s huge and elegant and not what I expected. Polished wooden floors, modern furniture—it’s set for a king.
We move to a room where I’m finally released. The windows are barred. I can tell by the panel by the door it is code-locked. I’m being held prisoner. Surrounded by a small but strong group of men, my heart pounds as I stare at the one man who so obviously runs this place. The man who is related to the man I love. How can they be so different? What happened to this man for him to become so . . . terrifying? Was it the same thing that happened to Tank? Is that why he’s so angry?
“I can’t believe you’re his brother,” I say softly, finally speaking the words that torment my thoughts.
His eyes find mine, and he grins. “He didn’t tell you much at all, did he?”
I don’t answer.
“I had a suspicion he was alive but couldn’t find the proof. Then he let his guard down the other evening when he stormed from your house in a rage.”
Oh god. The night I kissed Gerard.
“You’ve been watching me.” It’s not a question.
“Of course I have. I had a suspicion something was up, and I’ve seen you with Sheldon. It didn’t take much to figure it all out.”
I let him down. I let Heath down.
“What do you want from me?” I whisper.
“I don’t want anything from you, but I saw the look on my dear brother’s face. He’s in love with you. He’ll come for you.”
“And what?” I snap. “What do you think you’re going to gain from that?”
“This time,” he says, his eyes growing cold, “I’ll make sure he’s really dead.”
My blood runs cold.
No.
“What kind of monster are you?”
“I’m not a monster; I’m just carrying out God’s will. My brother is the monster here. He chose to take the wrong path and for that, he’ll be punished.”
“Why Heath?”
“Heath is the reason they’re all corrupt. Without him around, I have all faith my brothers will come to see the light.”
“My god, do you hear yourself?”
He laughs. “Why yes, I do.”
Sick. He’s sick. “Heath will end this. He’ll end you.”
He throws his head back and laughs. “He can try. I have all faith that I’ll be protected when needed.”
“You’re insane.”
“No, my dear. He is.”
I close my mouth. He’s just enjoying every second of this. He’s enjoying the taunts. The fighting.
“I’m going to let you settle in. Feel free to read my works beside your bed. Perhaps you’ll learn something. You might be able to be saved yet.”
“I’d rather burn in hell than join you.”
He flinches.
Ah, so he does have a weak spot.
“As you wish.”
He walks out before all the other men, and a second later, the door beeps as he locks it from the outside.
I’m effectively their prisoner.
* * *
I don’t see or hear from them again for the remainder of the night. I go through every corner of the room, but there isn’t a single way out, nor is there anything that could be used as a weapon. The lamp beside the bed is glued down, for Christ’s sake. There’s a bed that’s so solid I couldn’t move it if I tried, a few beside tables chained to the ground, and an old sofa. That’s it.
Well, there is his written dribble beside the bed, but Josh can go to hell if he thinks I’m reading that crap.
So I sit on the end of the mattress until morning washes through the barred windows. I take the chance to peer out, but see nothing except trees and a huge fence in the distance. Sighing, I go back to my spot on the bed and wonder how the hell this man can think killing his own brother is God’s will. Who and what creates someone to be like this? Who in his life taught him to be such a monster?
The door opens just as the sun disappears into the sky, and Josh walks in, followed by three of his men. He carries a tray of fruit and water. He puts it down, and I scowl at it. “You will eat, then you will bathe. We don’t tolerate uncleanliness here. Nor do we tolerate wastage.”
“I’m not showering in front of you crack pots,” I snap.
“Then you’ll be held down and forced to.”
My skin prickles, and my heart pounds. “You even try to touch me, I’ll make you wish you hadn’t.”
He smiles. “Empty threats.”
“Let me speak to him,” I demand.
“Not going to happen.”
I cross my arms and glare at him. He smiles and walks towards me, sitting on the edge of the bed. I stand. He’s repulsive, and I don’t want him anywhere near me.
“Did I ever tell you the story of why my brother was turned into the arms of Satan?”
“Get out.”
“He’s younger than me, but he was always the troubled one. He never obeyed our parents and was always leading Johnny and Tank astray. We went to church every Sunday, but he refused to co-operate. I met Mathew there.” He looks to the man at the door and I glance at him, recognizing him as the one from the mall. “He taught me the way. He knew right away I was the one to lead us all into Heaven’s gates.”
“Jesus, you really need to get some help,” I mutter, crossing my arms.
“My parents passed away, and he took us all in to save us from going into the foster system. I was leading my brothers down the holy path when Heath stepped in. He was so angry
. So violent. I knew it was already too late for him. I tried to lead him, tried to help him, but he simply wouldn’t allow it. I had to punish him.”
The scars on Heath’s back flitter into my mind, and vomit rises in my throat.
“You . . . you whipped him.” I gasp.
“I did what I had to, with the help of Mathew, to banish the devil from his soul. Tank stepped in and interfered; Johnny turned against me. Heath had gotten into their minds. I was too late. They disappeared, and I didn’t see them again until Heath was nearly thirty years old and they moved back to town. I had a dream after I saw him in the street; it just so happened we ended up in the same city. God told me that I needed to save my brothers, that it was time to eliminate Heath from the world.”
I think I’m going to vomit.
“So I hired a professional to end him. It turns out, my poor corrupted brothers went in to protect him and had the professional tell me the job was done. It never felt right. I always felt as though something was amiss, like I wasn’t totally satisfied and my brothers never came back to me like I had been told they would. I was being investigated, people were asking unusual questions, and I knew, I just knew that he was still alive.”
What kind of sick monster is he?
“At the time, I was busy claiming my land for the return of our holy one, until he interfered and stopped my mission. Now I must end him before it’s too late. I have my orders; I will carry them out.”
“You’re sick!” I spit. “You killed innocent people.”
“I sacrificed their souls. They’ll all be saved when my mission is complete.”
“You need help, seriously!” I yell, backing up. “Get out of here.”
He throws his head back and laughs. “I do like a challenge.”
“I’m not a challenge. I want nothing to do with you, creep. Your brothers, they’re stronger and they’re more determined. They’ll bring you down; you can guarantee that.”
He steps forward, and I put my hands out in front of me, as if that’s going to stop anything.
“I do not fear death, sweetheart. But they should.”
With that he turns and exits the room, his men following behind him. He slams and locks the door, and I lower to my knees, trembling.
This is so much worse than I’d first imagined.
Chapter Twenty-Two
I don’t eat. I don’t trust a single thing on that plate.
They’re likely to drug me to get me to do what they want. I’d bet money that they drug half these people to keep their minds in a state that’s easy to be manipulated. That thought is terrifying. I wonder what these people would really think if they got away from this place and cleared their heads? Would they still believe in this nonsense, or would they actually see what’s right in front of them?
The door unlocks later that afternoon, and I don’t expect the person who enters.
It’s Hayley.
She steps in with a tray in her hands, her eyes darting around nervously. I leap up, but manage to slow myself down as I move closer to her. I don’t want to freak her out. “Hayley,” I say softly. “It’s nice to see you again.”
She looks to me, and then turns and stares behind her. She walks in and puts the new tray down and picks up the still full breakfast one.
“Hayley,” I prompt. “Please.”
Her eyes meet mine. “I’m afraid,” she says softly.
“I know. I know you are. So am I. I need your help.”
She shakes her head a little, glancing behind her again. “I c-c-c-can’t help.”
“You can help. You can leave this door open by mistake for me. I need to get out of here. I need to help my friends. They don’t deserve to die, and that’s what he’s going to do to them. Do you understand?”
Her eyes get big. “If he says that’s what needs to happen, I cannot defy him.”
“Do you really believe that?”
She nods hurriedly and rushes towards the door.
“Have you ever had a normal childhood, Hayley?” I say to her back, my heart pounding. “Have you ever been to the beach? Or eaten ice cream in a cute little diner? Or had a boyfriend who isn’t old enough to be your grandfather? It’s a beautiful world out there. He’s keeping you in here against your will.”
She’s frozen on the spot, and I wonder if she’s going to scream for a moment, her body is so tight.
“Have you ever been on a rollercoaster?” she whispers so quietly I barely hear her.
“I have, Hayley, and so can you. If you let me get out of here, I’ll get you out, too.”
“I d-d-d-don’t remember what life is like out there.”
“It’s amazing, and it’s fun, and you can just be a kid and worry about things like being late for school.”
“I don’t remember school,” she says softly.
I take a weary step closer. “Hayley, I can help you. I promise you that. I won’t let anyone hurt you; I’ll get you out of here.”
“No,” she says quickly. “No, I can’t.”
“Hayley, please.”
A man appears in the doorway and glares at her. “Hurry up.”
She scurries out, and I reach a hand to the empty space.
God dammit.
I was so close.
I have to get out of here.
* * *
“Get up.”
I let my eyes flutter open. I jerk upright, realizing I fell asleep against my will. Josh is back and standing by the bed. My skin prickles and I scurry off the other side, body still weak from sleep.
“What do you want?” I say, my voice thick.
“Step forward.”
“Get fucked.”
He makes an angry sound in his throat and raises a hand, waving it. Two men approach me, with clenched fists, and I launch back over the bed and roll off the side closest to him. He lashes out, curling his hand around my wrist. I scream and launch a foot in his direction, kicking him so hard he takes a few shaky steps backwards. I roll to my hands and knees and charge towards the door. I don’t get far. A hand catches my ponytail and launches me up. I scream as pain shoots through my scalp. Tears burn under my eyelids, but I swallow them down, refusing to let my fear show.
“Let me go!” I scream.
“Cuff her.”
A second later, my hands are jerked behind my back and I’m being cuffed.
“You’re going to come and watch one of our ceremonies, maybe learn a thing or two.”
No.
“No.” I squirm, but the men behind me are bigger and stronger. I’m shoved out of the room and dragged through the shed.
When we get outside, it’s night and the campfire is roaring, surrounded by a solid fifty people in white gowns. Vomit rises in my throat and I try to dig my heels in as my feet drag through the dirt. Even though nothing happens—I just keep moving and fighting. The people part as he walks through ahead of me, bowing down, worshipping him. Sick. It’s sick. As we reach the center clearing, he puts his hands out either side of him and says, “My children, tonight I have a new member.”
“I’m not a fucking member!” I spit, and a few gasps can be heard.
“As you can hear, she’s defiant. We’ve had a few non-believers in here, and we’ve managed to show them the way. I’m confident she’ll soon believe, too.”
He can keep dreaming.
“Now, we shall begin.”
He closes his eyes, arms still out beside him, and he starts chanting. Everyone starts swaying from side to side, closing their eyes and chanting with him. It makes me feel ill and I try to block it out, but their chant becomes louder and louder and they seem to fall deeper into it with every passing second. Even the men holding me murmur the words I don’t understand.
I want it to stop.
“Bring her forward.”
My eyes dart to the left where the crowd parts and a young girl is brought in. She’s naked, possibly about seventeen, and her hair is pale blond and falling around her body in long waves
. I struggle in my holders’ grips, but they don’t move. No. She’s too young to be caught up in this. “Let her go!” I yell. “You sick bastard. Let her go.”
The girl’s eyes flicker to mine, and she looks scared. She doesn’t want to be here.
“Silence,” Josh barks.
The girl kneels down before the fire, hair falling over her frail body. I can’t watch this. I won’t watch this. I scream and thrash, forcing my body to make the biggest scene I can by moving as much as possible. I do this until Josh storms forward, curling a hand into my hair and pushing downward. The men holding me kneel, forcing me down with them. My knees hit the dirt and my head is shoved down so I’m bowing.
“You will be silent or I’ll make sure you’re taken care of in a way you will not like,” he hisses into my ear.
Tears finally break free and roll down my cheeks.
He stands and goes back to what he was doing, beginning another chant. I clench my eyes shut and don’t open them again.
Not even when the sounds around me threaten to haunt my mind forever.
Chapter Twenty-Three
I’m curled on the bed.
I don’t want to move.
I feel sick.
I want to go home.
It’s easily past midnight. The place is eerily silent. I can’t sleep—I won’t sleep. I wonder how many other girls they have in this place against their will. Have those kids been here since they were born? Are their parents here? Were they taken without anyone knowing? Did they join? I have so many questions and so few answers.
The door clicks and I press the pillow to my chest, my heart pounding. The door opens and a second later, Hayley appears with a small lantern in her hands. I leap off the bed and rush over. “Hayley, what are you doing here?”
“I want to go,” she says softly. “I want to go.”
My heart pounds. “Okay. Okay, honey. You have to show me how to get out of here.”
She nods, and her face is so panic-stricken I want to take her into my arms and hold her tightly, but I can’t. I will, though. We must be smart of the time we have together to plan our escape. When we get out of here, I’ll make sure she has a chance. I’ll make sure she’s okay.