Page 6 of Redeemed

“This is Westwind Creek,” Julie says as we drive over a stone bridge. “It flows all the way out to Birchwood Lakes.”

Peering out the window, I catch a glimpse of the sparkling water rushing down a slight incline. “It’s pretty.”

“Isn’t it? Pemberton only accepts the best students—or the richest, depending on who you ask. A lot of money flows in and out of this place, and they put it to good use.”

“The best students?”

My stomach sinks. Cornerstone runs their own school. It uses a state-approved curriculum, otherwise the government would step in, but I got the sense there was a lot that we didn’t learn. I got decent grades, but I don’t think I was anywhere near the best.

“Don’t worry.” With a reassuring smile, Julie reaches over and squeezes my hand. “You’ll do just fine here, and if you need help, we’ll get you a tutor.”

“Okay,” I whisper as Julie pulls into a parking spot in front of a large, brick building.

There are some girls my age wandering around, and I find myself staring at them. One is wearing a shirt that doesn’t cover her stomach and leaves her shoulders bare, and another is wearing a tight T-shirt with the words “Women don’t owe you shit” plastered on the front.

“Is that… normal?” I ask weakly.

“What?” Julie follows my gaze. “The… the girls?”

“What they’re wearing.”

“Oh.” She laughs. “Pretty normal, yes, but you don’t have to dress in any way that makes you uncomfortable. Do whatever makes you happy.”

Whatever makes me happy.What an odd concept.

While Julie turns off the car and texts her husband, I stare up at the building in front of us, waiting for…somethingto happen. At Cornerstone, women almost never went to college, and it was often rare for men to, as well. Beckham pushed for apprenticeships, trade jobs, or seminary. On the occasion that someone did need go to college, he only approved of a few, and they were all the strictest Christian universities.

Pemberton University, though, isn’t Christian. Beckham warned about places like these. A couple parents at Cornerstone let their kids go to non-Christian colleges, and they were never heard from again.

They’ll corrupt your mind,Beckham said from the pulpit one day.They’ll force you to conform and denounce the Lord.

I used to be so afraid of colleges. Now here I am, planning on hiding out in one for the next four years. But what other options do I have? Here, I have a place to live, food to eat, and a way to get a good-paying job when I graduate.

At least, that’s what Julie told me.

Julie finishes her call and slides her phone into her purse. “Ben is on his way over with all your stuff. You ready to go in?”

One last time, I take in the building. It just looks… normal. Not evil, and definitely not like some kind of trap.

Maybe this will be my salvation.

“I’m ready,” I say.

Once I’ve grabbed my bag from the backseat, we head inside. Julie walks confidently through the halls and ushers me into an elevator.

“You’re on the third floor. Good thing Ben is doing most of the heavy lifting today.” Julie winks at me.

“So that’s still the same?” I ask.

“What is?”

“Men doing all the hard work.”

“Oh.” Julie chuckles. “Not always. I mean, it’s still pretty common, but not everywhere. Feminists have done plenty of work to dismantle the patriarchy and all that.”

I nod even though I only understood half of what Julie just said.

Once we’re on the third floor, I follow Julie down yet another hallway. She stops at a random door and knocks a few times before unlocking it. Inside, it looks like my roommate has claimed her half of the room, although she doesn’t seem to be here.

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