Page 31 of The Cult

And then in the midst of the worst moments of my life, I felt a hand touch my back, and when I turned around, the man from the stage stood in front of me smiling. No one else was nearby, which seemed odd since I had the feeling this guy liked a crowd close at all times.

“I’m glad you came back, Nash. After the meeting, I thought about you all afternoon. Whatever happened before this moment, none of it matters. All that matters is helping you find your greatness, and I know with all my heart that once you find the love you deserve, that greatness inside you will come shining through. Are you ready?”

Every word filled me with a blissfulness I’d chased for so long. All I wanted was to know what this greatness he saw in me was and how I could see it for myself.

He held out his hand and smiled. “Come, Nash. Come home and be with people who love you. Come to The Golden Light.”

16

Nash

Summoned once againto Micah’s rooms, I stand alone waiting for him as he talks to a member of The Golden Light in another part of the cabin. As much as I know I shouldn’t, I try to understand what they’re saying, but it comes through the walls and door as unintelligible mumbling.

It’s probably better that I can’t hear what they’re saying. I already know too much for my own good.

The door behind me opens, and I turn to see Nadine march in with a look of determination on her face. Great. Just what I need now. All I want to do is go back to my cabin and relax for the night. I’ve had enough of her for a lifetime.

“What are you doing here?” she asks in her usual icy way.

For a moment, I consider not answering her and instead waiting for Micah, but I know that will only result in more problems. “Micah wanted to speak to me.”

That gets me a disgusted grunt, but thankfully, she continues on her way to the door on the other side of the room. Good. Go bother Micah and whoever he’s talking to and leave me in peace.

I only get a reprieve for a minute before she and the leader of The Golden Light walk back into the room. They’re talking about something concerning the children here on the farm, but I try not to listen.

“The mothers need to be talked to, Micah. They need to make sure the children are kept under control.”

Nadine stops talking for a moment, so I look up and see Micah with his eyes closed and pinching the bridge of his nose. She doesn’t take any of that as a hint he doesn’t want to hear what she has to say right now, though, and continues her complaining.

“You know, this wouldn’t be an issue if you’d let me give the children what we give to their mothers. That’s the reason why they’re so unruly. Their mothers can’t control them because they eat the food and drink the lemonade like everyone else, but the children don’t. Not to mention it forces everyone in the kitchen to make special food for them that doesn’t have the drugs in it.”

Micah sighs and shakes his head. “I’ve made my decision on that, Nadine. The children will not get anything in their food but food. They need nutrients to grow, not drugs to keep them quiet. They’re kids. They’re supposed to be unruly sometimes. I don’t want a repeat of what happened last summer. Do you hear me? Not another child will die on this farm.”

As he says that, I remember that little blond girl who passed away last July. Micah and Nadine told all the members that she came down with a terrible flu that took her life, but all the guards knew she died because she got too much of the drug they give to all the women. I’ll never forget her mother’s wailing at the memorial service a day after her daughter died. It made my chest hurt to listen to that.

Nobody saw that member for a long time. I suspected she was quietly disposed of like all the others who’ve become a problem, but just last week I saw her smiling and happily telling other members she’s due in just a couple months.

“Fine. I understand your feelings on this,” Nadine says in a much softer tone that a moment ago. “I just wanted to keep you up to date on the issue.”

Micah waves his hand and walks toward me. “There is no issue. They’re children. Now what else do you have to tell me?”

I focus my attention on the wood floor as she sits down in a chair behind his. Sounding frustrated, she asks, “Don’t you think we should do this in private, Micah?”

As much as I agree with her, I can’t say a word to support her on this. I’d love to since I don’t like knowing so much about what’s going on behind the scenes on the farm. I much rather being simply a guard with knowledge of as little as possible regarding what goes on here.

Unfortunately, that isn’t how Micah feels about the situation.

“We are in private, Nadine.”

She doesn’t answer him but clears her throat as if to remind him I’m here.

“No need to censor yourself around Nash. He’s as loyal as they come. So what else do you need to talk to me about?”

Still staring at the floor, I can’t help but notice she hesitates for a long moment before continuing. “Fine. The new recruits will need to give us their banking information and details on anything else they own. I usually do that, as you know, but since that includes that Lara girl, it might be better if you handle it this time.”

Again, Micah sighs. “Yes, you’re probably right.”

“Don’t forget you’ll need to have them sign the papers.”

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