Page 98 of Ezekiel
And with that, I turned on my heel and walked to the back door. I could see him there, standing on the back porch. His arms wrapped around his body as the night’s chill surely was getting to him. I also knew that he needed this time.
When I turned back to the table, I saw them all looking at me expectantly.
“I said what I said. Figure it out,” I stated firmly, and made my way to the study. I needed to be away from them for a moment. I could feel the anger and frustration nearly vibrating beneath my skin.
It wasn’t long before Delilah and Ruth joined me there, shutting the door quietly before they sat in the chairs beside me.
“That. Was. Amazing,” Delilah whispered, almost in awe of what had just happened. I scoffed derisively, unsure of what to say.
“Seriously, Talia. You put those men in their place like it was nothing. It was a sight to behold, and honestly, it needed to happen. I will be the first to admit that I don’t know what’s going on with Zeke or what his issues are. I’m not very close to him and have never felt comfortable asking. Honestly, I figured Levi would tell me if there was something to tell. And for that, I’m sorry. I will do better.” Ruth’s kind words hit deep and I gave her a smile.
“Thank you,” I muttered.
“I have been relatively close to Zeke since marrying Ollie. I never asked him, but certain things were obvious. Thank you for standing up for him. When I think about it, I should have already done that, long before now. I should have made an issue of it with Ollie, at the very least. I will do better, too,” Delilah added sincerely.
“I’m sorry I lost it out there,” I admitted with a sigh. I was emotionally exhausted. Again.
“You should never apologize for standing up for your husband,” Ruth reassured me. I knew she was right, but I didn’t want to add discourse to the brothers. I was just so mad at all of it.
“The whole thing was just too much. Not just the way they treated Zeke, but the way Levi just took control.” I sighed with exasperation.
“Trust me. I know,” Ruth deadpanned. Delilah and I both looked at her for a moment before giggling.
“I have a feeling you do, Ruth,” I replied with a smile of commiseration..
“I just think there’s a better way to handle it, honestly. Levi can be a dick when he sets his mind to it,” Ruth muttered.
“Ollie, too,” Delilah agreed.
“Oh, trust me. Zeke can be impossible sometimes. But we love them,” I added with a smile.
“Yes, we do love our Temple brothers, don’t we?” Delilah said, and we all nodded.
“So, in all reality, is it okay if I talk to you about a few questions I had, Talia?” Ruth asked, changing the subject.
“Yes, just one question at a time, if you don’t mind,” I chuckled.
“Of course. You said that you had the memory of a woman’s voice. You were about to tell us about that when everything went to hell. I would like to hear what you remember.” Her approach was so much kinder than the brothers had been. It instantly made me feel calmer, and safer, truth be told.
“She sounded young-ish. Like perhaps our age or maybe just slightly older,” I began.
“So late twenties, maybe thirties?” Delilah asked.
“Exactly. Her voice wasn’t harsh like the men. She didn’t yell in that booming, threatening way. But it wasn’t kind either,” I explained. “It was like ice. I can’t explain it, but even in my memory, I felt fear hearing her speak. Like she was someone I couldn’t trust.”
“That makes sense. I’m trying to fit the pieces together and figure out what happened, but there are just too many missing parts,” Ruth continued.
“No kidding. How do you think I feel? I have about a million different theories that bounce around in my head all day and none of them stick. Nothing makes sense. Because I don’t have any actual evidence. I have nothing to anchor this experience to.” The entire thing was as exhausting as it was infuriating.
“I can’t even imagine,” Delilah sympathized.
“Me either,” Ruth agreed.
“What sort of theories have you been thinking?” Delilah asked.
“Everything. Anything. And sometimes nothing at all. The big question that I keep coming back to is who kidnapped me? Was it the people here in Zion? Was it my adoptive parents? Or was it some unknown source who then sold me out to Zion, and Zion is truly innocent in all of this?” I rambled, still finding nothing concrete on which to pinpoint this entire thing.
“Oh fuck. I hadn’t even thought about it being your parents. Er — your adoptive parents. How fucked up would that be?” Delilah said in horrific awe.
