Turn Back Time

by Stacy Claflin

  After refueling, he went back to his office and checked on the status of Chester’s transfer. It had still been pending when he’d checked that morning. He doubted anything had changed yet, but it was their only hope in a case that was growing colder every minute. He wanted to find and rescue each and every person from that cult.

  The page took a moment to load, and then he skimmed the details. There were a few minor updates to the upcoming transfer—no date yet, but things were moving forward faster than expected. He might be able to speak with Chester in days or weeks rather than months!

  Beautiful

  Knock, knock.

  Jonah grumbled and then scribbled a few more furious notes onto his parchment paper. “Come in!”

  The door opened slowly. He sighed. It had to be Abraham. He was one for a dramatic entrance.

  Instead, Eve walked through the door.

  Jonah’s jaw nearly dropped to the desk. “Eve?”

  She stepped inside and closed the door. Jonah’s heart raced. He hadn’t seen his first and primary wife in over ten years. She wore the same white garb as everyone else and had her hair in a tight bun like every other woman resident. Unlike anyone else, she didn’t appear to have aged a bit.

  “When did you get released from prison?” He rose and hurried over to her. Even close up, she looked exactly the same.

  She reached behind her, removed the hair tie, and shook her head, causing her long black hair to fall freely down her back and over her shoulders. “I told everyone to keep it a secret so I could surprise you, dear husband.”

  His pulse raced through his body like an out-of-control locomotive. He ran his hands through her hair and pressed a palm on her cheek. She was real and she was there—exactly as he remembered her in every way possible. “How did you hold up? Did they treat you well?”

  Eve stepped closer and pressed her soft lips on his. “It wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. Persecution makes us stronger, right?”

  “Yes.” Jonah placed both hands on her soft hair and kissed her greedily. It wasn’t until that moment he realized just how much he’d missed her all those years. He reached back and locked the door.

  She pulled back. “The elders are expecting a meeting. They’re gathering everyone now.”

  “They can wait.” He pulled her over to the couch and looked her over again. “Did you find the fountain of youth? You haven’t changed a bit.”

  Eve laughed. “I wish, darling husband. But I’m glad you feel that way.”

  “Oh, I do.” He went around behind her and kissed her neck. The whole community could wait as far as he was concerned. His wife and best friend was finally back in his arms.

  An hour later, a knock sounded. Jonah kissed Eve’s neck and sighed dramatically. “The Great High Prophet’s work is never done.”

  “No, it’s not. We’d best not leave everyone waiting any longer.” She rose and smiled at him.

  Jonah walked over to the door. “Who is it?”

  “Abraham, Great High Prophet.”

  “Eve and I will find you in the meeting hall momentarily.”

  “We need to discuss—”

  “I said I’ll see you in the meeting hall, Abraham.”

  “Yes, Great High Prophet.”

  Eve came over, patted Jonah’s shoulder. “Let’s not keep them waiting.”

  “They’ll be fine. Those sheep will wait three hours for me if it takes me that long.”

  She kissed his cheek. “Everyone admires you deeply, but let’s not take advantage of that. Besides, I’m eager to see everyone.”

  “Not quite everyone.”

  Eve nodded. “I hear Chester is still in prison.”

  “He’ll be free soon enough. There are some we can’t find and a few we’re waiting on.”

  “Oh?” She arched a brow and pulled her hair back. “Who are we waiting for? This sounds interesting.”

  “We’re leaving a couple community members for Chester to snatch personally. He requested to take them himself.”

  Eve nodded. “Chester’s brat and Luke?”

  “Correct. They even married, making it all the easier to take them together.” They finished getting ready and headed outside. Jonah turned to her. “Have you toured our new community?”

  “No. I told James to bring me straight to you.”

  Heat blazed through his body. “I want to bring you back in there and never come out.”

  She held his gaze. “Maybe we ought to have a second honeymoon, but really, our people are waiting for us. We should at least meet with them, and then we can have some time to ourselves.”

  “Wise as always.” He took her hand and threaded his fingers through hers.

  “Public display of affection?”

  “I don’t care.” He led her in the direction of the gallows and courtroom. “And besides, everyone is in the meeting hall.”

  “Abraham told me it was that way.” She tilted her head in the opposite direction.

  “I have something to show you first.”

  “If you weren’t our enlightened leader, I’d say you were naughty.”

  “Call me whatever you’d like.” They walked down a street lined with homes. Jonah led her through a few yards, taking a shortcut.

  “Where are you taking me?”

  “You’ll see.” They cut across a few more homes before finally coming to the fully-finished gallows. The tall wooden platform loomed in front of them like an angel from Heaven. The sun even shone down on it through the trees, giving it an effervescent glow.

  Eve gasped but didn’t say anything.

  “Speechless, my dear? She’s beautiful, isn’t she? Almost as stunning as you.”

  “Are we really going to have enough executions to warrant three nooses?”

  Jonah patted her hand. “We have so many people in our jail that it will take all day to get through them. In fact, I’m sure we’ll need to take a lunch break.”

  She stared at it for a moment before turning to the half-built courtroom. The main beams towered over them, taller than the trees. The walls had yet to be built, but the seats and Jonah’s massive judgment desk had already been built.

  “Would you like to walk inside?” he asked.

  “Let’s see you behind the desk.”

  Jonah grinned and marched down the aisle, his chest puffed out as far as it would go. He stepped up to the platform and around the massive desk. A plank of wood was mounted to the structure, allowing Jonah to stand all the taller. Unfortunately, given his shorter stature, he needed every inch of boost he could get.

  Once on the plank, he looked over the desk and to the empty, half-built courtroom. Eve sat front and center, her hands folded on her lap. She smiled at him and gave a little nod, encouraging him.

  He picked up the gavel with his name engraved on the side and gave it a solid thunk on the desk. The sound was impressive, but not nearly as much as it would be with walls around to help it echo around the room. He pictured the scene—every bench packed with white robed people hanging on his every word.

  Sentencing the executions was going to be glorious, simply glorious.

  Newcomer

  Lottie glanced past the three other women circled around her. The last five or six days had gone by in a blur as Lottie won over friendships with some of the other women.

  She glanced behind them at the others. “I think some of them might suspect what we’re doing.”

  Sydney frowned. “They should help us, then! Escaping is in all of our best interests.”

  “Not if they’re worried about being whipped.” Lottie shuddered. Every time she closed her eyes, the beating replayed in her mind and in her dreams.

  “Or if they think they stand a chance in court,” Sydney said.

  “Against Jonah, who will be both judge and jury?” Kinsley shook her head. “Nobody’s that stupid.”

  “We know that,” Lottie said, “but they still might trust him.”

  “Even after he kidnapped us, lock
ed us away, and tortured some of us—forcing the rest of us to watch?” Jayla crossed her arms and twisted her mouth in disgust. “If I’d had any respect left for that man, that would’ve changed my mind for sure.”

  Kinsley leaned forward and lowered her voice. “We need more people if we’re going to attempt anything.”

  Lottie nodded. “And I’m afraid I won’t be of much use with my hip acting up like it has been. If nothing else, I can serve as a distraction so you three can get out and back to your families.”

  “Are you kidding?” Sydney exclaimed. “No way are we leaving you behind. You’re the mastermind, and besides, I can’t do that after all you’ve done for my family.”

  “How many more do we need?” Jayla asked. “Realistically?”

  Lottie looked over at the rest of the group. With the new prisoners, they now had an even fifteen, but none of the other eleven seemed to have any interest in escaping. Most everyone else had paired off, and each couple stayed to themselves. “I’d say we need more than half of us—maybe nine? If we have to fight the guards, we don’t want to risk the other prisoners turning on us.”

  “We have to more than double our group?” Kinsley’s face fell. “We’re never getting out.”

  “Sure we are,” Lottie said. “As long as we stay positive.”

  “How’s that supposed to help?” Kinsley stared at her.

  “That’s how we’ll spot an opportunity and take advantage of it.”

  “I guess.” Kinsley sighed, not looking convinced.

  Click.

  Lottie sat up taller, eyes wide. Her heart thundered against her chest, nearly breaking through her ribs.

  Click.

  It was too early for dinner, so that could only mean one thing. “Are they going to beat someone again?”

  Click.

  Sydney’s face paled. “I don’t know, but scatter!”

  Click.

  The four women split up, each scurrying to their own usual spot against the walls.

  Click.

  The door slid open slowly. Something crashed against the wall. Jayla exchanged a worried glance with Lottie.

  Could it already be time for the trials to begin?

  Lottie’s stomach tightened. Her soup and bread from lunch threatened to make a reappearance.

  The door flung the rest of the way open with gusto, hitting the wall. Two guards came in, pulling in a prisoner with a tight bun—another woman. Maybe Lottie and the others could get her to join their little group of soon-to-be escapees.

  One guard grabbed the new prisoner around the neck, and she cried out. “That’s what you get, you disgusting rebel.”

  She struggled against him. The other guard struck her across the face. Together, they shoved her against the nearest wall. She landed with a hard thud and crumpled to the ground.

  Lottie could hardly tear her attention from the newcomer, curious who had been brought in after what she guessed to be more than a week since anyone had arrived. After a few moments, Lottie turned and exchanged curious glances with her friends.

  The new girl still hadn’t moved. Her head hung low in her lap, making it impossible to see her face. The white robe stuck out, also blocking the view.

  One of the guards brought out a whip with tiny wires twisted around the straps.

  Lottie gasped.

  Sydney shot her a wide-eyed glare and shook her head.

  The guards didn’t seem to notice Lottie’s lapse in judgment. The other one brought out a rocky whip and kicked the newest prisoner. “Look at me, woman!”

  She rolled over, but her face was still blocked from view. Lottie’s heart constricted, terrified to find out who it was and what the guards would do to her.

  “Unlike the other evildoers, Jonah believes you have potential. Your sins must be beaten from you before you can return to your husband.”

  It took all of Lottie’s self-control not to cry out and run to protect the poor woman.

  “Now stand up and turn around!”

  The newcomer rose, shaking and using a wall to balance. She turned her back to him, facing the door, continuing to keep her identity hidden. The guard undid her robe. It fell, exposing her back. She grabbed the robe in front, holding it up to her chest. With the fabric sliding down, it revealed a tattoo on her arm.

  “Physical pain brings spiritual blessings to those with good and decent souls.”

  Both guards raised their whips high into the air. Their backs were to Lottie and the other prisoners—that meant she could look away. Lottie played with a hangnail and tried to ignore the harsh whips lashing the woman, who cried and screamed.

  Finally, silence.

  “That’ll teach you.” The two guards stormed out of the room, slammed the door, and locked all five locks. The woman crumpled to the ground, burying her face into her arms.

  Lottie exchanged worried glances with her friends, then crawled over to the injured woman and stopped a few inches away. She kept her gaze focused on the woman’s head—she couldn’t bear to look at her back. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded, but didn’t otherwise move.

  “Do you want some help up?”

  She shook her head, still not showing her face.

  “Can we do anything to help you? Unfortunately, we don’t have anything for your wounds.”

  She shook her head no again.

  “Well, if you do decide to get up and move around, it helps to have friends here. There’s a small group of us ladies, and we’d be happy to help you out as much as we can.”

  The woman sat up and stared at Lottie. Her eyes were red and splotchy and her skin pale, but Lottie would recognize her anywhere.

  Rebekah. Chester’s wife.

  “What can you do to help me now?” Rebekah asked.

  Lottie’s heart thundered against her chest. She couldn’t find her voice.

  “Exactly what I thought.” She lowered her head again.

  Lottie tried to find words, but they wouldn’t come. Too many questions filled her mind. Did they have Chester? Were they going after Luke and Macy? After a moment, she cleared her throat. “Well, if you want to talk, I’ll be over there.”

  Rebekah didn’t respond.

  “Okay, then. Whenever you’re ready.” Lottie rose and went back to her typical spot against the wall and studied Rebekah, who didn’t budge. Jayla, Kinsley, and Sydney all exchanged glances with her—all wanting to know who’d just arrived. Lottie mouthed, “Rebekah.”

  The same shock and concern raging through Lottie registered on each of their faces.

  Decision

  Alex closed his laptop and pushed the chair away from the desk. He’d been staring at the screen too long and a headache was starting to form. He squeezed the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes.

  It had been about a week since he’d told Dad about the idea to join the academy. He’d taken it better than Alex had expected—telling him to do what was best for him. He’d even brought up hiring a virtual assistant, just like Mom had mentioned.

  Dad’s support had been a weight off Alex’s chest, but he hadn’t made a decision yet. He needed to decide either way. His dad had asked him about it a couple times, but now that Alex felt free to make the decision he was torn. It was a huge life change with the potential to change everything.

  He might be able to finally win Zoey over and give her all the good things she deserved. But what if she didn’t want a relationship with a cop? He might have to work odd hours or weekends. She might worry about him. It seemed like every day he heard about a cop somewhere being shot or knifed.

  His heart sped up with excitement. Being an officer would certainly be more exciting than being Dad’s assistant. He could actually help people. Kind of like with his blog, but out there in the real world. Every day would be a new adventure. Maybe he’d help a lost kid find his parents one day and then the next find a clue that would lead to solving a huge murder investigation.

  The more he thought about it, the more he rea
lized what he actually wanted to do. He chuckled to himself at the irony of it. He—Alex Mercer, the lifelong screw-up—was going to become a cop. Upholder of justice. Defender of the defenseless. The face of the law. Okay, that was probably going a little too far, but it was still the last profession he’d ever expected to consider. But like Nick had said, he did have street smarts—not like stunts at the homeless camp did much to prove that. Stuff like that only showed why Alex would be the last one anyone would expect to become a policeman.

  Then again, maybe joining the force was just what he needed. The discipline it would require could be a great way to put his creative energy to good use. He could still do things like go to homeless camps to question potential criminals, but he’d have to do it legally, keeping him from making stupid decisions like he was prone to making, if he was completely honest with himself.

  Alex sniffed the air. Chocolate chip cookies? That could only mean one thing—Ariana had to be over. He jumped up from the chair and rushed to the kitchen. Sure enough, she and Mom stood in front of the oven wearing aprons. Mom wore a red one with lip prints that read Kiss the Cook across the front, and Ari wore a pink polka-dotted one with white lace.

  “Daddy!” She dropped the spatula on the counter and ran over to him.

  Alex wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. “How long have you been here?”

  She shrugged. “Long enough to make cookies.”

  “Next time let me know when you get here.” He ruffled her hair. “Can we eat the cookies?”

  “They’re hot,” Mom said. “We just pulled them from the oven.”

  “So, that’s a yes?” Alex winked at Ari.

  She giggled.

  Alex grabbed a cookie. It burned his finger, and he bounced it back and forth between his hands.