by Ellie Aiden
“Anna, my child, please have a seat.”
I do as I’m asked, trying my best to remain calm, and watch as Mutter Vera takes her usual seat in the corner.
“Excellent. Well Anna, as you know, this meeting is customary shortly before a girl completes her Placement within the Church of The Way. This is a very casual meeting, I want you to feel very comfortable talking to me, and if you have any questions that aren’t answered, don’t be afraid to ask.”
Actually, I think this man means well. I don’t know if he has God’s ear or not, but I believe he has mostly good intentions. His wife on the other hand, well if the glare she is throwing my way is any indication, then my impression of her remains, she’s a psycho bitch. How does Vater Henry not see her for what she is? Love is blind? I hope not. I’d like to think if I ever went off the deep end and became an evil villain, the people that love me would reel me back in.
“Let’s get started, shall we?” Pretty sure that was rhetorical, but I nod anyway. “Good. How is your faith Anna? Where do you think you stand with God?”
I believe I’m on the right side of the Church of The Way’s history. I believe God is livid with the things being done in the name of the Church, and I think he is working through me and my friends to set things straight, make things better. It’s not just selling girls and stealing supplies, its more than that. It’s the way they treat woman, as second class citizens. It’s announced menstrual cycles, arranged marriages, and forced procreation. It’s telling people they are bad for loving who they love. Like Sasha Stone, she will never have the love and comfort of a companion because they tell her she is wrong for preferring women. I understand the bible says marriage is between a man and a woman, but I also know it says it is not our place to judge, only God can judge us, and while it’s possible being gay is a sin, I don’t believe that. God made us all, he made Sasha, who prefers women, so are we saying God made a mistake? I don’t think so.
It’s clear I’ve taken too long to answer because Vater Henry moves to sit in the chair next to me, patting my hand and encouraging me to answer. “It’s alright Anna, not everyone is one-hundred percent sure of their answer. It’s okay to need to think about it.”
I know what my answer is. “I believe I am exactly where God needs me to be.”
It isn’t the answer I would have given a year ago, or hell, even a month ago, but I am confident in it now. Everything has happened for a reason, because God willed it so.
Vater Henry nods his head with an approving smile. “There are no wrong answers, but I admit, that was one of the best ones I’ve heard. I’m proud you feel that way, because it means the Church, the Elders, even me, have done our job bringing you toward The Way.”
It’s all I can do not to laugh out loud. What a crock of shit. I’m all for giving credit where credit is due, but you didn’t do shit for me. Except maybe cause lifelong PTSD.
“Mutter,” he says, giving her the floor.
She stands, hands clasped tightly in front, and begins. “Specifics. Tomorrow, as you know, you will be excused from any lessons or shifts you might normally have. In the morning your attire you are expected to wear to the ceremony will be delivered. Your Mother has spent months making it, and I admit, it’s quite remarkable. Then, that evening, your family will be served a special meal in your private residence, and then at eleven-forty-five p.m. on the dot, I will arrive to escort you to the ceremony hall.
I had no idea my Mother was making my Ceremony dress. She’s an amazing seamstress, and I have no doubt it will be the most beautiful dress I have ever owned.
When she finished she nodded to the Vater, indicating he should continue “In the ceremony, you will be called on by each of the Elders one at a time. What they will ask of you, or tell you, I cannot say. It is different for everyone. Based off your responses, God will then have the opportunity to judge you. He will speak through me, and that will determine your place in the Church of The Way. When it is complete, I will also proudly announce your spousal assignment.”
I can’t help but interrupt. “Do you already know? Who it is, I mean. Or, will God reveal that to you tomorrow night?”
I don’t know if God truly speaks to him, I believe all things are possible, but I am curious, if I had intentions of staying with the Church, who I would marry. I don’t know if that will be revealed before shit hits the fan and I make my grand escape. Probably not.
“Assignments are made months, sometimes years in advance my child. So yes, I already know, and I believe the two of you will make an excellent match.” He pats my hand, before standing and making his way back to his desk. “Do you have any questions, anything you would like to discuss?”
I have a lot of things I want to say, but I need to stick to the plan. No matter how much I want to believe the Vater is a good man, I can’t risk it. It could get my friends hurt, or worse. So instead, I just shake my head.
“Very well, you may go.”
As I make my way to the door, eager to be free of this experience, he says my name. “Anna, there is no need to be nervous, no need for stress. You seem confident, and so I am confident this will go very smoothly for you. You only need to have faith in The Way.”
I don’t say a word, only nod my head and leave as fast as I possibly can.
As I step through the door, I bump into a female body. Looking up, I see it’s Tara looking like the cat that ate the canary. Why is she so close to the door? Was she eavesdropping?
“Tara, what are you doing out here?” I ask her, cocking my head to the side.
She stammers out a response, “Uh, I was headed to the kitchen. You just came out as I was walking past.”
Lie. She was facing the door when I came out, not walking toward the kitchen. If she was eavesdropping, there is nothing that was said that could possibly be an issue, so I don’t really care. But it’s definitely suspicious.
Stepping back from me she smiles before saying, “Okay well, I gotta go. Later Anna.”
Well that was certainly odd.
***
Last night I dreamt of Luke. The two of us walked hand in hand through what looked like a village. As the dream faded he faced me, planting a chaste kiss on my lips, and he said those three little words. Don’t go back. Ha, you thought you knew what was coming. Yeah, so did I. Even in my dreams he won’t say it.
When I woke this morning on the day of my Placement, those words haunt me. Don’t go back. What if that was God speaking through him? What if I wasn’t supposed to come back, and coming back means something bad is going to happen? What if our plan fails, and I don’t make it, or I’m sold to Vater Roger? What if I never see Luke, or Ash, or my Parents, or hell, even Chase and Cody again?
What if, what if, what if!?! So many freaking what if’s. Too many.
A thousand questions roll through my mind, so many that I don’t hear the knock at the front door until I hear several woman talking animatedly. What the hell is happening? Boisterous laughter comes from the living area, voices I don’t recognize, but one I do. Mutter Vera.
“Anna Mae. We have visitors,” my mother calls.
When I step through the door, I’m taken aback. Every single Elder-wife, along with Mutter Vera, take up nearly every inch of available space. No one mentioned this in the meeting yesterday. I scan their faces, each with friendly smiles, even from the Hag, who I didn’t think knew how to.
That’s when I spot the dress Mutter Vera holds up for Elder-wife McGee, and Elder-wife Jacobs to fawn over. I guess this is the part she mentioned, the dress being dropped off. Fine, I just didn’t think it would be a social gathering.
The dress though, Mutter Vera wasn’t kidding when she said it was remarkable. The style has a vintage feel to it. The neckline is high, most likely hitting me directly across the collar bone, and as Mutter Vera turns it around for the others to admire, I see the neck secures in the back with a button and loop closure, and below that a key-hole cut out that spans the entire back down to the waist
line. The bodice will fit tight to the chest and through my waist before flaring out into an A-line skirt. The material, well that’s the part that gets me, its white in color, but the long sleeves are a floral lace that you can see through. The skirt and bodice have a nude material under the lace, that really makes the white of the dress pop.
I don’t know where my mother got the material, but it is by far the most exquisite thing I have ever seen. It looks like something a woman of the nineteen-fifties would have worn on her wedding day.
When my mother approaches, I realize I’m crying.
“Anna, sweetie, what’s wrong?’
“Mother, it’s beautiful,” I choke through a sob.
She seems surprised that a dress would bring me to tears, honestly, I’m surprised, but she is no less pleased, as she wraps me in a hug, through a sniffle of her own. Through the long embrace, glancing around the room, all eyes are on us, and it seems there are several eyes leaking. Must be allergies. Yeah, that’s it.
My mother ushers me over to the couch, where silver trays are laid out. It reminds me of Luke, and I have to shake my head to clear the image. The Elder-wives have brought me breakfast it seems, and gifts.
“Open this one first.” Elder-wife Jacobs says, as she thrusts a small wrapped box my way.
Gifts aren’t something often given inside the Church. The practice is somewhat frowned upon, much like giving gifts at Christmas time. Although, my parents still secretly do. The wrapping is even more surprising. The box is covered in a silver, almost metallic reflective paper, the seems perfectly placed, secured with a beautiful emerald green ribbon tied in a bow on top.
Elder-wife Jacobs nods her head for me to go on. “Your Mother said your favorite color was green. Go ahead.”
That’s wonderfully heartfelt and thoughtful, and it immediately makes me feel sorry for her. She lost her husband just days ago. Did they tell her what he did to the girls as punishment? What he did to me? I honestly hope not; I hope she never has to know. Maybe that’s screwed up, but Elder-wife Jacobs is the youngest of the wives, being in her early thirty’s, and she has always seemed the sweetest of them all. Maybe that’s because she hasn’t been through enough to make her jaded like the other Wives, but knowing what her husband did, will surely change her, and I doubt for the better. Assuming she didn’t already know, but I don’t think so.
Carefully unwrapping the box as the Wives look on, I try hard not to ruin the beautiful wrapping. Lifting the lid, setting it aside, and removing a layer of tissue paper, I see a beautiful hair comb. Not the kind you brush your hair with, but the kind you secure in your hair. It’s obvious it’s very old, probably a relic found in an abandoned house by one of the Scavenger teams, but it is no less remarkable. It appears to be made of silver, with emerald and amethyst stones covering the base, and dozens of tiny teeth to ensure it doesn’t slip out.
“You’ll be expected to wear your hair down tonight Anna. It will look so pretty with your wavy hair,” she croons.
Several of the wives voice their agreement, but I can’t help but notice Mutter Vera remains silent.
The second gift is given to me by Elder-wife Thompson, it takes everything in me to accept it from Dragon Breath, knowing she may be involved in all her husband’s evil deeds. This gift is similarly wrapped, only missing the tissue paper inside. Inside is a beautiful white gold wedding band. I know what this gift is about, and it isn’t for me. Tonight, when I’m assigned a husband, Vater Henry will bless the ring and in three months, I will slip it on my new husband’s finger during our Wedding Ceremony. If I planned to be at the Ceremony, that is. It’s still beautiful, with swirling lines etched through the metal. I’m sure this too was a find by the Scavengers.
The gifts continue throughout the morning. Each wife gifting me with some little trinket. Everything from a silver brush and mirror set, to a small satchel of potpourri, to a new towel and wash cloth set. Thanks, but I’ll keep the My Little Pony set.
As soon as the last gift is open, Mutter Vera begins ushering everyone out the door. It’s like she was just counting down the minutes. I’m glad to see them go though. That was exhausting. Keeping a smile fixed to my lips with everything I know, and everything that is about to happen in just a few short hours, wore me out. And this day is only just beginning.
***
After the wives left this morning, my mother ushered me off to get dressed, before hanging the beautiful ceremony dress in my closet, and insisting I get out a little, get some fresh air, spends some time with Ash. Anything to keep my mind off tonight.
I knew she was right, but she also doesn’t know what we have planned for tonight, and it’s impossible for me not to think about it. I’m still going over every detail later that afternoon, as I sit on Ash’s bed watching her pack. I still need to pack as well, after all, if things go according to plan, we won’t be here tomorrow, but I plan to do that after dinner tonight.
“I only have room for three dresses. I have to take the red one, it’s my favorite, and the purple one too. It’s my second favorite. But which one, the green or blue?” Ash asks.
It’s not even a question. “Blue.”
“Wait, why the blue?”
“Because, green is my favorite color, and I don’t share well.” Facts.
She grumbles out a, “Fine,” and places the blue dress on top of the purple one in her bag.
A knock at the door tells us Chase is here, and the two of us make our way into the living area for what I think will be the last Team meeting, inside the Compound at least. Ash and I take our usual seats on the couch, with Chase in the chair next to us, and Cody perched on the coffee table.
Let me start this off. “First item of business, we gotta pick a team name people. It’s go time, and we can’t just walk around calling ourselves the Team. That’s stupid.”
“Anna,” Cody admonishes. “Picking a name is not the first item of business. And anyway, I already picked our name. Jungle Cats.” The stone face he wears tells me he’s serious.
The room goes silent. Chase, Ash, and I each exchanging looks before the entire room busts out into laughter.
“Oh, Cody, I needed that.” Ash.
“Good one man.” Chase.
“Funniest thing you’ve ever said.” Me.
Rolling his eyes, he grumbles, “I wasn’t kidding.”
And we all lose it again. My stomach hurts from laughing so hard. By the time the room settles down, I have to wipe tears away from my cheeks. Seriously, I laughed so hard I cried.
“Whatever. Does everyone have their bag packed?” Cody looks to each of us, as everyone but me nods an affirmative. “Anna, why aren’t you nodding?”
“Because it would be a lie, Mr. Bossy Pants.”
“Anna you should have already packed. What if something unexpected happens? What if we have to suddenly alter the plan and bail early, maybe before the Ceremony? We can’t just wait on you to pack.” Cody scrubs a hand down his face, sighing.
“Gaw fine, I’ll do it after the meeting. Geez, who died and put you in charge?”
Ash pats my hand patronizingly nodding in Cody’s direction. “He’s right though. We agreed to do it first thing today. We need to stick to the plan, unless something out of our control happens. You’re stalling.”
When did these people get so bossy, I get it, I said I would, and I will. Back off!
“I guess I should fill you guys in on this morning. That is, if we can move on from belittling Anna,” I say, to try to take the heat of myself.
“What happened this morning?” Chase asks sounding panicked.
I should have probably led with; it wasn’t anything bad. Everyone is already on red alert. “Chill Crazy Pants. It’s nothing bad, just thought you might want to know all the Elder-wives threw me a party this morning.”
Everyone seems to be interested in that, so I fill them in on the dress my Mother made, the gifts I was given, and everything anyone said that might be important. Including what
Mutter Vera said as she was leaving, be sure to have faith Anna. Ugh, a shiver had racked my body then, and it does the same as I tell my friends.
When I’m done, we slip into an uncomfortable silence. No one seeming to want to speak first, but finally Cody breaks the silence.
“Okay Anna, you know your part, and you’ll definitely be at the highest risk, but I know you can handle it. You get out what you have to say as quickly as possible, and then when the room erupts into chaos like we hope it will, you need to leave out the same door you came in. I’ll be waiting for you there, Chase and Ash will already be out by the wall.” He turns from me to Chase before he continues. “Were you able to get the rope?”
“Yeah, I got it. Covered it up with a bunch of leaves, close to the wall.”
Cody seems pleased with that, and relaxes just slightly before Ash interrupts.
“What if we can’t climb over though? What happens then?”
She’s looks at Cody as she says it, although I’m not sure her question is only meant for him, so I respond as he opens his mouth to speak.
“Then we regroup. We go to Plan B.”
“Wait, what’s Plan B? When the hell did we make a Plan B, and why did no one tell me?” She sounds frantic, as she stands placing a hand on each hip.
Oops. “Settle down psycho. We don’t have a Plan B, but we will make it up as we go. One way or another we are leaving the Compound tonight.” There is absolutely no doubt in my mind.
There’s a round of, “Agreed,” and then we break, so I can go pack,
***
I had just finished packing, and yes I did make room for some of my new gifts, when my Mother told me dinner had arrived. It really was a special meal, and I spend the whole time thinking this was something akin to the last supper.
Afterward, I had about two hours to kill before I needed to start getting ready, so I had decided a shower would help pass the time. It didn’t. Five minutes later the water had turned cold enough I had no choice but to get out. I had thrown a ball against the wall, that lasted ten minutes, brushed my hair twice, flipped through a magazine on the couch, and still only managed to waste an hour.