Page 65 of Malachi
“Now, wait just a minute, Titus. We brought Leviticus on and it has done us a world of good. I think bringing Malachi into the fold may be just what we need to see this project to its next step.”
The Reverend’s words filled me with icy rage, but I was able to hold it at bay. I had a part to play here.
“Let’s head back to the church and have a discussion, Malachi,” Father agreed, clapping me on the back and leading me away from the construction site towards where the cars were parked along a grassy excuse of a road. I turned my head, catching Gideon’s eyes. He knew, just as I knew, exactly where I was going and why.
The drive away from the construction site to the church was much needed quiet for me. I was alone and could let my guard down. A moment of solitude was essential if I was going to keep my cool during this little meeting of sorts. I could keep my cool better than many men, but not when it came to this. It would be more difficult than ever to keep a straight face, let alone to act interested and supportive of such heinous endeavors.
I pulled into the church parking lot, taking several deep breaths and readying myself for the conversation to come. Granted, I don’t think anything could have prepared me for what awaited me when I walked into the back conference room of the church.
I had thought there would be a meeting between myself and the Reverend, Father, and possibly Levi. What awaited me was a room full of ten Elders, Levi included, ready to welcome me into the fold of depravity.
“Malachi, this is a very serious occasion, and a very exciting one. We want to welcome you into the Elder’s inner sanctum,” Reverend Jacob began auspiciously.
“I thought I was already an Elder,” I feigned ignorance with a halfhearted chuckle. Several of the Elders laughed along with me, their smiles of acceptance giving off a sense of community. I could see how being in such a group would be something to strive for. They played the part of welcoming unity to a tee.
“You most certainly are an Elder, one we are happy to have among our ranks. However, this is something different,” the Reverend continued. “We are the elite, an organization dedicated to not only the continuation of the Zion culture, but striving to see it flourish.”
The man had a flair for the dramatic, and this occasion fed that frenzy.
“It is time we bring you into the fold in truth, Malachi, just as we recently did with Leviticus. Leviticus, why don’t you take a moment and share what has made being a part of this group so important for you?” the Reverend urged.
Levi stood, clearing his throat as he spoke.
“For me, it has become a place of community and of camaraderie. It is the Lord’s command that we not think of ourselves, but to work towards building heaven here on Earth, to work selflessly towards His goals and desires for our world. This group, this gathering of godly men, is exactly that.” I had every desire to scoff and roll my eyes at Levi’s words, but in reality, I wish I had his capability for a turn of phrase.
“Well said, Leviticus,” the Reverend praised, clapping his hands. “This is exactly our mission here. We are striving to build a bigger and better Zion, in the image God has commanded.”
I felt the rage trying to take over and fought against it. Levi caught my gaze, nodding his head nearly imperceptibly, but I saw, and I understood.
“In order to do so, we have taken on a few endeavors we keep close to the vest. This information is not to be discussed with anyone outside of this room, not for any reason. Do you understand?” I could feel the Reverend’s eyes narrowing in on me.
“I understand and agree, Reverend,” I gave my word readily.
“Good. Now, onto business. Keeping Zion running takes more than what most people understand. An opportunity came up a few decades ago now that proved to be the answer to our prayers,” the Reverend began. I felt sick, knowing what he was going to say, and yet unable to stop it from coming. It was like watching a train about to crash.
“What kind of opportunity?” I asked, hoping I was showing curiosity and interest versus the utter disgust I felt.
“We are in the business of providing goods to people who desire them,” he explained, which was no proper explanation at all. Of course, I already knew the truth about it all. “We provide people with children.”
And there it was. The truth of it. Each of the Elders watched, almost with bated breath, as they waited for me to react.
“That sounds admirable, to say the least. Definitely the Lord’s work. After all, we must go forth and procreate. We must fill the Earth with the children of God.” Christ, the words were sickening on my tongue, like battery acid.
“Right you are, Malachi. Right you are. It is the Lord’s work indeed. The Lord spoke to me and told me that this was exactly we needed to make Zion thrive. Ever since, we have done exactly that. We have thrived. So, now we will bring you into the fold. We find children and bring them here, preparing them for their new homes. Though, some of the children, we adopt into Zion,” the Reverend finished, looking far too proud of himself.
“So that’s what the construction is for. A place to house the children in transition,” I deduced, pretending as though the pieces were only just now coming together.
“Exactly! You do have bright boys for sons, Titus,” the Reverend chuckled, clapping my father on the back triumphantly.
“That I do!” Father agreed readily. He was a smug fucking bastard.
The rest of the meeting went on exactly as I had expected. I learned the details of the business, as they called it, though nothing I learned was new. It was a regurgitation of Levi’s earlier information. By the time I finally left the offices of the church, I felt equally sick and enraged on an entirely new level.
The men gathered here were even more despicable and insidious than I had imagined. Levi’s countenance that day suddenly made sense. He had been close to vomiting, and I felt exactly the same now as I drove out of Zion and back to my home. Back to Eden. That I could focus on.
By the time the house came into view, the thought of Eden was the only thing holding me together. I wanted to scream, to rage and to pummel each of them to death, but I knew I couldn’t, and we all knew why.
I pulled into the driveway, not bothering to pull into the garage. Slamming the door, I stalked my way up the front steps and into the house.
