Page 48 of The Cult

“Lara! Stop!” a female’s voice calls, but I don’t look back.

I’m almost there. Just a little ways more. Once I make it to the road, I can flag down a car. As I think that, a fear that I won’t be far enough away spikes in me. Nadine’s men will be able to catch me if I don’t keep running when I reach the road.

That can’t happen. I can’t finally get away and have them snatch my freedom away from me so cruelly.

I turn my head and see people running after me. Where did they come from? Even Bethany is with them. I tried to help her, and this is how she repays me? This is what you get for being nice. I should have left her lying there with her head in the dirt next to the lettuce plants. I would have been away from here by now if I had.

“Lara! Lara! Come back!” one of them cries out in desperation.

In my head, a single word repeats over and over. No! I will not go back. I will not be kept here against my will anymore.

They run so much faster than I can, though, and just before I reach the main road, I feel hands grasping for me. They claw at my clothes as they sob over and over, “Lara, come back! Come back!”

There are too many of them. I keep my gaze facing ahead, but they pull me backwards. They won’t let me go.

Finally, a man’s hand lands hard on my shoulder, and my body slows before I start falling to the ground. He’s holding me down so I can’t move. I thrash around like a wild animal, but it’s no use.

He pushes me down so my knees hit first. Sharp rocks stab at my kneecaps, and then his hand slams my head to the ground. Dirt fills my nose and mouth, and I begin to cry at how close I was to getting away.

I open my mouth to scream for him to let me go, but no words come out. My heart races as all their hands keep me down on the ground.

They got me, and now I’m stuck here.

23

Nash

“There should bea clock in this room,” I mumble to myself as I continue to wait to be released.

I’m not stupid. I know what’s going on here. I’m not Micah’s favorite anymore. Once I tried to help Lara, he decided I wasn’t following the rules. So now I’m just another one of his guards. That’s why I’m still being kept here.

I pace back and forth across the width of the room, spinning on my toes instead of my heel when I get to the dresser on one side and the door on the other. Each time, I wonder if now is when someone is going to come back and release me.

When I reach the door again, I stop and wait, but nobody comes in. I did my time in the box. Why am I being punished like this?

A sound like footsteps coming toward the room makes my heart skip a beat, and I wait to see who it is. Micah’s probably still angry, so he’ll send someone else to deal with me. That’s fine. I don’t care who it is who springs me from here. I just want to get out.

For the third time in the last few minutes, I look up at the spot on the wall where there should be a clock and sigh. I have no idea what time it is. It’s still light out, and I’m guessing it’s maybe midday. My stomach grumbles, telling me it’s time to eat.

As I stand there lost in thought about what’s for lunch today, a knock at the door startles me, and I spin around to face whoever it is that’s about to come in. But all they do is knock again, so I yell, “Come in!”

I’m surprised to see Micah walk into the room. Quickly, I size up his expression. He looks sort of happy. Not ecstatic or anything, but not miserable or angry. That’s something.

He’s not wearing a shirt or shoes. At least that’s back to normal.

I bow and wait for him to tell me I can stand, but he just starts talking again. Maybe he doesn’t want any of us to bow anymore. Or maybe it’s because he’s planning to send me away?

That thought hits me like a punch to the chest. I’ve been with The Golden Light for so long I don’t know if I can make it out there in the world on my own again. Would Micah really force me out just because of one mistake?

“I’m glad to see you up and around, Nash. How are you feeling?”

“Fine. I’d like to go back to my room, though.”

He nods like he’s considering my request and smiles. “I think that can be arranged. I just wanted to make sure you were recovered after everything. Are you really feeling better?”

Frustration builds inside me and threatens to explode out of my mouth, but I keep calm and answer, “I feel fine, Micah. I’m hungry, so when I get out of here, I’m going to get some lunch at the mess hall, and then if it’s okay, I’d like to go back to my cabin. I’m sure I’ll be ready for work tomorrow morning.”

Holding up his hand like he wants to stop me, he shakes his head. “Let’s not worry about getting back to work, Nash. That will come in time. For now, I’m just happy to see you feeling better. Your idea of grabbing some lunch sounds good.”

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