Page 32 of The Cult

Clearly tired of this conversation, Micah snaps, “I think I know how to handle it, Nadine.”

I glance up and see her focused on me with a look that could kill. “Maybe we should have Nash here do it. He seems to get along with her.”

The expression on my face is definitely not the placid one I wish I could wear at this second. Micah notices what must be horror coming from me and walks over to pat me on the back.

“Nash is too busy doing other things for me. I’ll take care of the financial issues with the new recruits. Anything else?”

Nadine narrows her eyes in rage and asks, “What? What do you have him doing? I should know since I have to deal with any issues that crop up.”

Just like the last time I had to be here with the two of them, I feel like I’m going to be sick. I have no idea what Micah means when he says he has me doing things for him. Other than keeping an eye on Lara, nothing else has changed in my duties as a guard.

For his part, her question doesn’t seem to faze him. He sits down on that favorite chair of his and closes his eyes. I get the sense that she may want to keep talking, but for him, this meeting is over.

“I need to speak to Nash alone, so you can go, Nadine. Get me the forms they need to fill out, though. I’ll do that either tomorrow or the next day.”

And with that, she storms out, slamming the door behind her in an uncharacteristic show of anger toward our leader.

I remain silent, waiting for Micah to speak, but he seems happy to merely sit and relax with me standing in front of him. I want to tell him how happy I am to not have to deal with anything concerning financial forms with any of the new recruits. I’d do it if he told me to, but hearing him say I shouldn’t be given that task made me happier than I can express.

Finally, he opens his eyes and smiles at me. “I called you here because I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate all you do for me, Nash. As you probably know, everyday affairs here on the farm are far more complicated than they seem from the outside. In addition to making sure my people are cared for, the mundane details like who eats what and dealing with the new recruits and their financial duties to the group have to be taken care of. Between you and me, I hate that part. The mundane stuff, I mean. That’s why Nadine is so important to me. She takes all of that off my shoulders.”

He stops for a second or two before adding, “Well, usually she does. I don’t want any more problems with Lara, so this time I’ll have to take care of the financial issue. It’s important, though. This place doesn’t run on believing in ourselves and the greatness inside all of us. As much as I wish it did, in reality, The Golden Light requires the same things any large family does.”

I nod, trying to remember when the last time I thought of all of us here as a family. Maybe if Nadine didn’t walk around terrorizing everyone I might be able to bring back that feeling.

“You look tired, Nash. Is everything okay?”

Shaking my head, I smile. “I’m sure it’s just the heat.”

Micah’s eyes open wide, and he leans forward as if he wants to tell me a secret. “Speaking of that, I made sure to check on the women in the gardens after you mentioned them before. They were fine, but it’s good that you brought that to my attention.”

Sure I need to do something to change his impression that I thought he hadn’t been concerned about them, I say, “I only wanted to make sure they were given enough water. It gets so hot out in that sun all day.”

Nothing comes out the way I intended it, but thankfully, Micah doesn’t seem offended. “Do you know why I like you so much?”

I shake my head, and he answers, “Because you make me remember what The Golden Light is all about. And for that, I’m thankful, Nash.”

What he means by that I’m not sure, but I smile, hoping he truly thinks of me in that way.

He looks up toward the ceiling and lets out a heavy sigh before returning his attention to me. “I want you to know I took to heart what you said earlier about groups needing a single leader. I sense you disagree with my giving Nadine so much power.”

Oh, God. Now we’re moving into territory I absolutely don’t want to be anywhere near. Discussing Nadine can’t have any positive outcome. He thinks the world of her, and anything I say against her, no matter how true, will only come back to haunt me.

Quickly, I answer, “It’s not my place to judge you. You’re the leader of the greatest group I’ve ever been a part of. The Golden Light saved me, Micah. You saved me. When I thought I had nothing to live for, you showed me I did. I’m forever grateful for that and all that I’ve been able to find here.”

I watch his expression to see if I’ve successfully dodged explaining how I feel about Nadine. He listens intently, obviously pleased by the way I answer, and when I finish, he gives me a big smile.

“That right there. That’s why I like you so much, Nash. I’m trusting you to keep an eye on Lara for me. Do you have anything to report?”

“Not yet. She’s been busy doing what she was told to do, so I hope she’s made it over the bumpiness from her first couple days here.”

“Good. Good. I like the way you think. Go ahead and enjoy some time to yourself. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

I smile and bow. “Thank you, Micah. Have a good night.”

“You too, Nash. If anything happens, I want to know immediately, though. I don’t care what time it is. Understand?”

“Yes.”

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