Page 93 of Sundowners
The figure took in my physical appearance and a look of discomfort came over their face before they trained their gaze on my face.
“My apologies for your treatment. It is necessary that we have the correct number of participants for the ritual, but I did not wish to see anyone mistreated.” The figure turned and frowned at Stephen. “Why is the man unclothed?”
Stephen bowed and then straightened. “My apologies. I have corrected the situation.”
The Source turned back and smiled at me this time. “Wonderful, you’ve received the vestments. When evening arrives, you shall receive a small meal and then we shall travel to the ritual site. Do you have any questions about what is to happen? I gather you have been instructed—”
I opened my mouth to protest but my vocal chords were…paralyzed. I couldn’t make a sound.
“Yes, the professor and his family have received instruction on what will take place. Now, let’s get you back to your sanctuary so you may rest.”
The Source looked from him to me, and seemed frustrated.
“Leader Stephen, I should like to spend time with the professor. It has been so long since I have spoken with an academic—”
“There isn’t time. The sky grows dark and you must prepare.”
The Source seemed almost childlike as they pouted. “I hope we will have time to talk afterward. I always enjoy learning other perspectives and it has been a long time.”
They looked to Stephen and glided past them out of the room, and it was then I realized the truth.
“You’re manipulating them.”
He lost his smile and became…agitated. “You have no idea what it’s like. The Source must be kept. They could level this entire area, cause a catastrophic earthquake or worse. For fifty years, they’ve been my responsibility, and now, thanks to Creed’s interference and those four idiots, I have no hope of ever being free!”
“You certainly don’t have a hope if you’re kidnapping people.”
He glared at me and shook his head. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ll be back when it’s time.”
He shut the door, and I cursed, furious to be trapped here. Naked. I looked around the room and then closed my eyes, trying to focus on getting my tinnitus to stop so I’d be ready to face anything these people threw my way.
“Roman! Roman!”
I rushed to the adjoining wall.
“Emmanuel, it’s me, I’m here! Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m okay, but where’s my mom? What happened?”
Shit. Emmanuel was a mouthy kid just like me. I didn’t want to take the chance that he’d upset the delicate balance here.
“Hang in there, okay? Don’t believe everything you see. This guy Stephen is bad news, and he can make you see things that aren’t there. Did they take your clothes?”
“No, they didn’t touch me.”
Weird.“Good. Do you have your phone? Or shit, what about your Apple watch?”
“My phone’s gone, but I have my watch.”
“Text Rey and Vanessa, make sure your location is on. Do you have service?”
“Barely. I’ll keep trying.”
I pressed on the walls around the room, trying to find any weakness. They were covered with, like, pressboard, the kind we had in the university classrooms so people could hang stuff. I wondered if we were in a school building somewhere?
“Roman, what the fuck is going on?”
I sighed. “I don’t know everything, but it has to do with the attacks in town…and my boyfriend.”
