Page 67 of The Cult

“So if we just get him, all of this will end?” Jameson asks, again sounding far too optimistic for the situation.

He just doesn’t understand the mentality of The Golden Light people. I don’t know how to explain it to him so he gets it. They don’t just believe. They believe with every fiber of their being, and if Micah told them Lara needs to be silenced permanently, they’ll do whatever they can to make him happy.

Their leader has convinced them they’re under attack by those who don’t believe in him and all he teaches. All they see is the outside world threatening to take away all they love. For them, this isn’t a simple matter of making sure people don’t see the darker side of the group.

No, to them, it’s truly do or die, as if they themselves are under attack.

“You can kill Adam, but the guys around him aren’t any better,” I say, wishing I could explain how truly devoted Micah’s men are and how willing they are to kill for him.

My answer makes Jameson wince as if he’s in pain. “We aren’t used to this here. This is a small town. I’ve never even shot my gun the entire time I’ve been on the police force.”

I want to shake him and make him see the time for thinking his little town was safe is over. Jesus, they should have been on red alert the damn second Micah and his crew set up shop here, but as usual, The Golden Light made it seem like all he wanted was to help people. That combined with people’s fear of offending anyone when it comes to religion make it so easy for them to worm their way into this small town just as Micah has done everywhere he goes.

A gunshot breaks the silence, and I look down the block to see Adam smiling. My heart in my throat, I whip my head around to see if anyone was hurt across the street. Damnit, I can’t see where she is!

“I need to get over there to make sure Lara’s okay.”

Jameson’s eyes open wide with fear. “No way. I won’t be able to cover you with at least three of them down there. You’ll be like a target in a goddamned shooting gallery!”

Pointing toward his fellow officers down the street toward the corner, I ask, “Can’t you radio them and ask them to cover me? I can’t let her get killed.”

Lara can’t die. Not after all we risked to leave The Golden Light. I promised her I’d get her away, and no one, including that fucking psycho Adam, is going to stop me from doing that.

Before he can answer me, I hear three more gunshots and know my former fellow guards have decided they can get to her somehow. I can’t let that happen.

I take a deep breath and say to Jameson, “They’re focused on her now. They think they can get to her. I have to distract them. Just start shooting in their direction as soon as I come out from behind the building here. With any luck, they’ll only nick me.”

He doesn’t get a chance to try to talk me out of it, and with my heart racing, I jump out from my hiding spot and race into the street. I don’t get more than a few steps off the curb before Adam and his men start shooting again. Thankfully, they’re focused on the other side of the street.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see someone move near the doorway of The Golden Light building. It’s Nadine, and she’s aiming for me.

“This is for Micah!” she screams.

From behind me, a shot rings out, and a second later, I see her drop to the ground. Glancing back at Jameson, I see him smile and wave me on toward the side of the street where Lara is hiding.

I’m almost there. Just a few more steps and I’ll reach her.

32

Lara

When the gunshots stop,I lift my head, but I can’t see anything. Rina sobs uncontrollably into her hands, saying I’ve taken away the best thing in her life and that she’ll never forgive me. I don’t care if she can’t as long as I know she’s far away from those Golden Light bastards.

A tap on my shoulder makes me stiffen in pure fear, but then I hear a man’s voice say, “It’s okay now. You’re safe. Are you hurt?”

I gently lift myself off Rina, making sure to keep a hold of her so she can’t run away. Smiling at the officer, I answer, “I think we’re fine. Just a little shaken up.”

As much as I want to know if any of The Golden Light guys were hurt, I’m afraid to ask. He doesn’t offer that information, instead focusing on helping Rina and me to his police car. I’m sure we’re going to have to give statements, although I don’t believe he’ll get much out of my sister. It’s going to take months, at least, to deprogram her of all that Micah Golden Light nonsense.

On our way to the police car, I look around for any sign of Nash, but I don’t see him. The officer helps us into the car and then gets behind the wheel, so I ask, “Was anyone hurt?”

Before he can answer, I see other officers standing in a circle in the road. Craning my neck, I try to see what’s happening, but there are too many men blocking my view.

“What’s happening over there?” I ask the cop as he starts the car.

He looks in his rear view mirror and sighs. “Someone got shot.”

As he puts the car in drive, I scream, “I need to get out! Please open the door! Please!”

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