Those Who Prey

by Jennifer Moffett

  As details of the deadly mission trip to Italy continue to come out, everyone—including those involved—are left questioning: How could this have happened? Some will say it was predatory manipulation. Others will say it was just students unprepared for the real world.

  For Emily, things aren’t so clear-cut. “I don’t have an answer,” says Emily. “They made me feel like I belonged, like my existence truly mattered. They made me feel loved. And for most of us, that’s enough.”

  Author’s Note

  When I moved from a small town in the Bible Belt to New York City in my early twenties, I struggled to talk about the fundamentalist evangelical upbringing I left far behind. I grew up attending church three times per week; chapel and Bible courses were every weekday. We didn’t have proms in high school because dancing was one of the many things strictly forbidden. Hell was not an abstract place. My post-college friends had questions—understandably so.

  “So like the movie Footloose?” a few would eventually ask. Yep. Pretty much.

  Then one said: “Oh, I’ve heard of that. It’s a cult.” Whoa. Wait.

  Cult?

  A controversial religious sect that flourished in the nineties was, in fact, an offshoot of the religion in which I was raised. Though my childhood church and the infamous sect shared similar names back then, each kept a wary distance from the other. I remember hearing words like “charismatic” and “multiplying ministries” whispered to describe something controversial happening somewhere else. When journalists began exposing their questionable practices, numerous ex-members came forward to describe the aggressive tactics and controlling behavior that accelerated congregation sizes and contribution numbers. But the movement spread like wildfire in the nineties, as recruiters began targeting college campuses, seeking out students who seemed lonely or out of place. Multiple universities had to ban these groups from their campuses—not for their purported beliefs, but for harassing students.

  In 1997, The Washington Post reported a typical college student was “likely to be approached at least once by cult recruiters.” Many students would never know they’d been approached, as cults frequently change their official campus names to benign titles to slip under the radar.

  In my research for this book, I was shocked by how many campus cults have been operating since the nineties and are still thriving today. I read numerous heart-wrenching personal accounts by ex-members—brave individuals willing to publicly relive their nightmares so other survivors would know they aren’t alone, and to warn potential victims. Each real-life story weighed on my heart. How could people willingly inflict damage on vulnerable students away from their families for the first time?

  The more I studied multiple cults, the more I saw a clear answer.

  Brainwashing isn’t science fiction—it’s very real. And it’s extremely dangerous. A brainwashed individual can be coerced into believing—or doing—just about anything. Whether coming from a Bible-based cult or the NXIVM “sex cult” from recent headlines, the tactics are nearly identical. High-pressure groups are defined as “cults” by their manipulative and abusive behavior, regardless of which particular doctrine they claim to follow. As Those Who Prey shows, any doctrine can be twisted to fit any motive.

  One thing I learned by discussing this book’s subject matter with strangers and friends is that most people know of someone affected by a cult, and it’s often kept secret. Survivors understandably can be reluctant to discuss their experiences for fear of stigmatization. Some worry people may think they weren’t smart or savvy enough to recognize the signs. But in reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

  As the saying goes, no one “joins” a cult. Seeking a genuine connection can make anyone vulnerable to those trained to prey on others. Cults also pretend to be one thing—promising to change your life for the better—and they rarely show their true colors until you’re in way too deep to easily walk away.

  Finding a way through the dim labyrinth of fear and anxiety can seem impossible, but I hope Emily’s journey in Those Who Prey will illuminate a path. Although the characters, situations, and cult in the book are purely fictional, the general recruiting tactics are realistic and still used by many cults today.

  I wanted this book to show how this happens. How it could happen to anyone.

  Escaping a repressive situation can be truly scary; however, unflinching strength and a deep capacity for empathy can be found on the other side.

  If you or a loved one is struggling with cult trauma, or if you simply want to learn more about cults from a reliable resource, the International Cultic Studies Association is a solid starting point: icsahome.com.

  Acknowledgments

  Getting a book ready for publication requires more sets of eyes and hands than I ever imagined. I’d like to thank the following people who helped me get this manuscript ready to fly out into the world.

  Shannon Hassan, my amazing agent who believed in this book from our first conversation—for her keen editorial eye and steady approach that led to my dream publisher. The entire team at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

  Alex Borbolla, my brilliant editor, who gives the perfect insight with a touch of humor and lots of dog pics. Working with you is an absolute joy! Debra Sfetsios-Conover for designing such a compelling cover for this book. And Adams Carvalho, whose haunting cover image still makes me stare in awe. Thank you also to Clare McGlade, Tatyana Rosalia, Crystal Velasquez, Chantal Gersch, and the sales and marketing team at Simon Teen. To the entire Atheneum family: I’m so incredibly proud to be part of your team!

  It’s difficult to pinpoint the moments that lead to a writing career as they are happening in real time. But when you look back, you can see it so clearly.

  I’m incredibly grateful for the following:

  Friends from the SoHo days at Jumbo Pictures: Watching all of you achieve your creative dreams over the years has been a huge source of inspiration to me. Ken Scarborough for the museum walks and bookish talks amid the crisscrossing streets and avenues that cracked open my creative brain. Al and Alysoun for the coolest adventures. Scott and Michelle Fellows for all the fried eggs!

  The University of Mississippi Department of English—a place where I finally began to hear my voice and develop it on the page. Donna Ladd at Jackson Free Press for helping me learn to “shut up and write” while giving me a place to rave about books early on. Thank you also to all the magazine editors who supported my work over the years.

  Women of Words, the Gulf Coast writing group who kept me going when a hectic life almost kept me from writing: Valerie Winn, Faith Garbin, Cynthia Tanner, Bev Blasingame. And Mary Ann O’Gorman, a kick-ass critique partner, dear friend, and fabulous fairy godmother.

  Those who offered feedback and encouragement along the way: Matthew Pitt, Jordan Sanderson, Shelley Ingram, Barbara Lee, Tara Skelton, Javier Gómez, and so many other colleagues and friends. Marc Poole for letting me sneak into his art history class, and Curtis Houston with Wild Woods Creative for the graphic design expertise.

  The writing community, especially Liz Lawson, Tanya Guerrero, Laura Taylor Namey, and Eva V. Gibson for their specific advice and constant shout-outs. And Shannon Takaoka, debut pal and critique partner extraordinaire. The Roaring 20s and Class of 2K20 Books debut groups for the virtual camaraderie.

  Kristen Brandt and the Mississippi Arts Commission for supporting this book’s journey through the publication process. And the independent bookstores throughout our state for consistently lighting the way forward, even during the most uncertain times.

  My mom and dad, who always encouraged me to follow my dreams, even when those dreams were far-flung and a bit far-fetched for a small-town girl from Arkansas.

  Dr. Ann Brown, who called me into her office after reading my undergraduate essay to tell me I should consider a career in creative writing. I didn’t fully process the suggestion at the time, but now I think about this a lot and never hesitate to tell my own undergraduate students the sa
me thing every time I run across a piece of writing that lights a flame in my heart.

  My brother Randy for being the best tour guide ever. Amy Pruett Hernandez, Emily Dwight, and friends who studied abroad with me—there’s nothing better than a travel buddy with a Eurail pass, a passion for art, and a sense of adventure.

  Anne Daniel and Kimberley King Clearwater, for the lifelong support system. All the friends and family members who encouraged me to stick with this path.

  The readers of this story who may recognize similarities from their own personal journeys.

  About the Author

  Photo courtesy of the author

  JENNIFER MOFFETT is an author, editor, community college instructor, and all-around beachgoer. She lived in Arkansas until a college study-abroad program in Italy sparked a lifelong passion for travel. After working in children's television in New York City, she received an MA in creative writing from the University of Mississippi. She lives on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Visit her at jbmoffett.com.

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  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Text copyright © 2020 by Jennifer Moffett

  Jacket illustration copyright © 2020 by Adams Carvalho

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  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Names: Moffett, Jennifer, author.

  Title: Those who prey / Jennifer Moffett.

  Description: First edition. | New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, [2020] | Audience: Ages 14 up. | Audience: Grades 10-12. | Summary: “College freshman Emily is seduced into joining a cult with deadly results”— Provided by publisher.

  Identifiers: LCCN 2019046022 | ISBN 9781534450967 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781534450981 (eBook)

  Subjects: CYAC: Cults—Fiction. | Universities and colleges—Fiction.

  Classification: LCC PZ7.1.M6377 Tho 2020 | DDC [Fic]—dc23

  LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019046022