Page 14 of The Cult

Surprised he’s given me a new job, especially since Adam and the other guards usually handle new people, I nod and wait for more instructions. When he doesn’t say anything more, I ask, “Do you want me to come to see you immediately after they’re finished?”

Micah looks up toward the beamed ceiling like he’s thinking and then smiles. “Yes. And if you think there are any that I should meet immediately, bring them along. Otherwise, I’ll meet them when the time comes.”

“Okay.”

He focuses intently on my face and asks, “You know what I look for, don’t you?”

I don’t answer with anything more than a nod. I know what he likes in women. Innocent looking. Small. Big tits. Big eyes. Nice mouth.

There’s something about rattling off a laundry list of physical features he wants me to keep an eye out for that feels slimy. That’s the main reason I’ve always been satisfied to be a guard and nothing more.

Micah laughs and slaps me on the back as he passes me by. “You know what I’d love? A redhead. If you see one who has what I like, move her to the head of the line.”

He leaves me standing in the main meeting room alone, so I hurry to leave, just in case Nadine comes back. Dealing with Micah is intense enough after the day I’ve had so far. Having to endure one of her interrogations isn’t on my list of things I want to go through again.

Once was enough.

I watchas Nadine gives the usual introduction to the new people. The light means unconditional love. They’re chosen ones. All the potential in the world exists in them.

It’s all very inspirational and positive. It’s also nothing vaguely close to what we do here.

Five women. Three remind me of the girls who work on the farm down the road. Nothing much to look at but they seem like they can bench press a tractor. The other two might work for Micah. Neither is a redhead, but the one looks so innocent she might be a virgin.

As for the last one, on second thought I can’t see him wanting her. I can’t put my finger on it, but something about her seems far too smart for him.

Or this place.

“We’re all about bringing out the best in every one of us here at The Golden Light. Each human being deserves to achieve as much as they can, and we’re here to help you with that. You’ll each have a few days to acclimate to the group, and if you find it’s not for you, then you can leave and take whatever you gained here with you. How does that sound?”

Nadine smiles at the five women, and for a moment, I actually want to think she believes what she just said. The problem is nobody ever leaves here. Not for long, at least. Poor Maren is proof of that.

If only she’d just accepted her fate.

All of the new recruits nod, and Nadine claps her hands like she’s thrilled she can be part of them achieving all they can be. That self-help positivity shit is just that. Bullshit. Oh, this group may have started out to be a kind of new age gathering of people looking to improve their lives, but those days are long past for The Golden Light.

None of these new people notice that Nadine doesn’t ask if they have any questions. That should be their first clue none of what we do here is to help them be anything but followers of Micah. Instead, they excitedly listen to her talk about how finding your true purpose and greatness in this world is truly finding the highest form of love. It all sounds wonderful, and their expressions tell me they buy it hook, line, and sinker.

“Okay, the first thing we need to do is get you something to eat and something cold to drink. This heat has been oppressive, but like with everything else here at The Golden Light, we want to set you free, so let’s go over to the mess right now.”

That should be their second clue. We don’t call it a dining hall. It’s a mess, just like it’s referred to in the military. And just like when you join the service, once you sign your name on the dotted line, your life is no longer your own.

The big difference here is there’s no getting out. Ever.

I study each woman as she walks out behind Nadine and silently decide only the one with the virginal look to her is worthy of mentioning to Micah. As for the four others, well, the three muscular ones will be welcome additions to the farm. I have no idea what the fifth one will be assigned to. She’s not Micah’s type, so I doubt she’ll be welcomed as one of his favorites. I imagine Nadine will find something for her to do. She always does.

As I follow behind them on my way back to his quarters, that last one looks around like she’s searching for something. Her head swivels left and right with each building they pass on their way to the mess while the others simply look straight ahead. What’s she so curious about?

The women file into the building near the center of the compound to get their first taste of The Golden Light food and drink. They have no idea that’s the first step to keeping them here forever, whether they like it or not.

Micah walks out of his rooms and waves me over to him, so I hurry to where he’s standing on his porch and bow. Pointing toward the mess, he asks, “What did you think of them?”

I answer him directly and without including any of my opinions about the women. “Very much like the usual new recruits. Enthusiastic. Eager to find their highest potential.”

“Any I’d like?” he asks, cocking a single eyebrow.

Nodding, I answer, “One, possibly. Maybe a virgin. She looks it. The others I don’t think so. Three look like they can lift me over their heads, and the other one…”

Before I can find the right words to explain how she seemed a little too curious, he shrugs. “Oh, well. One out of five isn’t bad. Twenty percent, right?”

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