Page 54 of The Cult

Ignoring the noise, I focus on finding the building I need to go to. I step out into the sun again and begin walking toward where it should be, but that banging makes thinking of anything else impossible.

Where is that coming from?

Unable to concentrate, I backtrack and follow the sound. It grows louder with every step I take, so it must be coming from somewhere close. I look at each window but find no one.

Is this all in my head? Damnit, I shouldn’t have consumed anything, but I was so hungry by the time lunch rolled around that I couldn’t help myself. That was stupid, though. I know what they do to the food and drink here to keep the women under control.

I just thought I was safe because I was a guard.

As I try to determine if I’m losing my mind or not, a muffled voice joins with the banging noise. I look around again, desperate to find who’s making the noise not only to help them but to know I’m not crazy.

After nearly giving up hope, out of the corner of my eye I see someone waving their arms in the window of a nearby building. I can’t make out who they are, so I hurry over to see what’s wrong.

I’m stunned to see Lara flailing her arms around her head and screaming at me. I can’t understand what she’s saying, so I move closer to the window through the bushes planted beneath it.

Her mouth opens wide and I can tell she’s yelling something, but even next to the window I can’t hear the words. She looks upset and frustrated with me.

“I’m sorry. I can’t hear you,” I say loudly, pointing at my ear to make her understand whatever she’s saying isn’t coming through the glass.

Her expression falls, and she shakes her head. I can’t tell for sure, but I think she might be crying. Damnit, I have to find out what’s wrong with her.

I tap on the window and smile as I point toward the nearby door. “I’m going to come in. Just wait, okay?”

Lara shakes her head, and I don’t know if she’s trying to tell me she can’t hear me or I shouldn’t try to come inside to see her. I can’t stand out here not understanding what she’s saying, though. She needs help, and I want to give it to her.

It’s the least I can do for her now.

Happy to find the door unlocked, I walk into the building and knock on the first door I think could be her room. I get no response, so I knock again and then turn the doorknob.

Locked. Why is she in a room locked from the outside?

I grip the doorknob tightly and jerk it down toward the floor, snapping it off the door. Lara throws the door open and pulls me inside her room. “Shut the door! I don’t want them finding you here!” she whispers before hurrying over to the window to close the blinds.

“What’s wrong? Why are you in here?” I ask as I look around her room for any sign of cameras but see none.

Plain white walls, white industrial tiles on the floor, and furniture screwed to the floor make this place look like a prison cell. Why is she being held in this room?

“I don’t know. I nearly escaped this morning, but they got me and brought me back here.”

She stops and lets out a heavy sigh. “Or maybe that was all in my head. I think it’s possible they drugged me while I was asleep.”

“I know. I think I got some of it too in a piece of bread. Or maybe it was the lemonade.”

Lara’s eyes open wide. “Don’t drink the lemonade! That’s one of the ways they drug the women here. Lemonade and those damn cookies.”

She sounds frantic bordering on mad, but I believe her. “Okay. We’re going to be okay. I don’t think Micah gave me much. I’m much bigger than the women here, so the dose probably wasn’t strong enough.”

As she shakes her head, Lara asks, “Where is this building on the farm? And you should see Micah. Your leader has suddenly started wearing shirts and Crocs. Crocs! That’s proof enough he’s not some prophet who knows all.”

The words tumble out of her mouth like an avalanche of sounds. Some I understand, but others make no sense. I’ve heard nothing of her nearly escaping. I think Micah would have mentioned that to me when we talked since I was supposed to be watching her.

“What do you mean you nearly escaped?” I ask as she paces back and forth across the room.

She stops and throws her hands up in the air. “I nearly got out! That’s what I mean. I got to the gate, but then everyone appeared out of nowhere. When Bethany was passed out and needed help, I couldn’t find a soul, but when I’m about to get my freedom, these people materialize out of thin air? I blame Micah. He did it. He let me think I was going to be free, and then he yanked it away from me at the last moment. I think the drugs are messing me up. I’m having a hard time remembering things correctly, but I know it’s not me. It’s the drugs.”

I don’t know what she’s talking about, but she might be right about them drugging her. I’m convinced they’re doing it to me too.

“You need to make sure you don’t eat anything, Lara. That’s how they get the drugs into your system. It’s in the food and everything you drink.”

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