Held (Gone #2) (3 page)

As they walked her way, their eyes seemed to look into her soul. Their faces showed no emotion, not helping to ease Macy's fear. She wanted to run away, but her feet wouldn't move. These people were probably going to tie her up and leave her somewhere, just as Chester had done when he first took her. She wanted to run—but her body wouldn't cooperate. Fear paralyzed her.

Chester took her hand. Where had he come from? Macy hadn't even noticed him walk around the truck. He pulled on her hand. "We need to meet them, Heather."

Her feet still wouldn't budge.

"Come on. Don't be rude." He pulled on her harder, forcing her to walk or fall down.

Luckily, her feet cooperated. Though she stumbled, she walked with Chester as he held her hand. They stopped when they were only a couple feet from the four creepy strangers.

The shortest man, the one in front, nodded at them. "You must be Heather. Your dad has told us so much about you."

She stared at him, her mouth too dry to reply.

"I'm Jonah and these are my assistants. You'll get to know us quite well. Has your dad told us anything about us?"

Macy shook her head no, hoping that was the right answer.

He smiled, his dark brown eyes squinting as he did. "Good, good. He's followed our directions. Our community is private and we don't discuss it out in the world. Is that something you can agree to also?"

Macy nodded, swallowing. She would be happy never mentioning anything that she had been through, if it meant she had the chance to get away.

"Let's go inside and get acquainted. The sooner we get the rules out of the way, the sooner you two can settle into your home. Your new mom has been busy getting the house ready. She's so excited to meet you."

Community

The shack was nicer on the inside than on the outside. It had a clean, beige carpet that covered the room. Furniture was minimal, but nice. It was all the same color as the carpet. The walls were white and a table with eight chairs sat off to the side.

Jonah pointed to the floor. "Let's sit."

Macy looked at the couch and back to him. Was he serious? All the adults sat down. Apparently he was. She sat next to Chester. It bothered her that she felt more comfortable next to him. But then again, she at least knew that he wasn't going to kill her. The other four—who knew?

No one said anything for a full five minutes. Macy looked around, her pulse still pounding in her ears.

Finally, Jonah looked at her. "Before you two you enter our community, you must go through the purification process to wash the world off. You can't have even a trace."

Macy's eyes widened.

As if answering her thoughts, Jonah continued. "The world is full of evil and we all must become clean before leaving it. Anytime we are forced to go back out there, we must purify ourselves before entering."

Macy nodded even though she had no idea what he was talking about.

"Once you're clean, I will explain everything. Your dad is the head of your household, so he will go first." Jonah rose and so did Chester. They walked to a door that Macy hadn't noticed. Jonah opened it and Chester walked in, closing it behind him.

The lady looked at Macy. "My name is Eve, Heather. I'm looking forward to having you join our community."

"Thanks." Macy couldn't take her eyes off the door the Chester went through.

"Your dad is cleaning the world off."

Just then the sounds of a shower were heard.

Eve continued, "When he has scrubbed its evil away, he will put on clean, white clothes and join us. Then it will be your turn. You'll find the cleaning supplies in the bathroom and it's important that you scrub every inch of yourself. We can't have any remnants entering our land. Will you be able to do that or do you need help?"

"I can scrub myself."

"You'll have to work hard. Your skin should burn."

"Okay. So hard it burns. Got it."

"Good. We'll give you a proper welcome after you've gone through the purification. You understand we can't touch you while the vile world is still on you."

Macy nodded, but had no clue what Eve meant. She had a feeling that she would understand all too well soon enough.

"We'll sit in silence while we wait. Meanwhile, reflect on good and evil."

What did that mean? Macy looked down at her hands, pretending to think about it. It felt like forever before she finally heard the water stop. Did that mean Chester had purified himself? And did that mean she was about to take another shower? Why had he had her take a shower before they left? Did he think she needed to be extra clean?

The door opened and he came out, wearing white pants and a white shirt that resembled a pillowcase with arms and his hair was wet. Beads of sweat broke out around her hairline.

Eve looked at her. She had a serene look on her face. "It's your turn, Heather. Don't touch your dad since he's pure and you still carry the evils of the world."

She had no problem avoiding Chester. Macy got up, never so nervous about a shower. Chester nodded to her, walking far away from her. There was no way a shower had cured him. If they were so worried about keeping evil away, they were bringing it in with welcome arms by accepting him.

She went into the bathroom. It was a tiny room with barely enough room to move around, which was no surprise given the size of the building. Everything was so clean it sparkled. The shower was nothing more than a stall and she saw a pile of white clothes on the counter. Those were her new clothes.

Was she going to have to wear them all the time now? Did everyone in the community wear all white?

Macy noticed a trash can in the corner. She walked to it, seeing Chester's clothes piled inside.

There was a knock on the door. "Do you need help starting the shower?" asked Jonah.

"No. I was just about to start it," she called. There was no lock on the door, so she would have to hurry. The last thing Macy wanted was to have someone walk in on her. She pulled off her clothes and threw them on top of Chester's. The tile was cold on her feet as she walked to the shower stall.

There was only one knob for the shower, and it was market with a "C." She took a deep breath before turning it on. Hopefully it was mis-marked and she could still adjust the temperature. Macy turned the knob and gasped as icy-cold water rained down on her. She turned the knob further, finding that it didn't help.

The water was so frigid that it had to come directly from outside, where snow still remained in the shady spots. She had to get out as quickly as possible, but Jonah and Eve would probably check her skin to make sure it was red, showing that she'd scrubbed hard enough.

On the wall hung a scrub-brush and underneath it sat a jug of unmarked liquid that had to be soap. She grabbed the brush, not wanting to think about how many other people had used it before her. She poured some soap onto it and winced. It had a strong, unpleasant odor.

The scent was the least of her problems. The water was still freezing. She didn't have to press very hard for the brush to hurt. Her arm turned red as she washed without adding any extra pressure. She rubbed all over, hoping it would be enough and that they wouldn't send her back for a second shower.

Her teeth chattered in the cold and finally had herself clean for the second time that day. She rinsed herself off and then the brush. Was she supposed to use the soap for her hair? So much for the conditioner she had sneaked in from the hotel. If she used that, they'd know. It didn't smell anything like the soap. She finished the shower and finally turned off the icy water.

Shivering, she found a white towel sitting behind the clothes. She stood for a moment, wrapped in the towel just trying to warm up. What kind of sadists were these people?

A knock started her. "Are you almost done, Heather?" asked Eve.

"Just a minute," she called. Macy toweled off her hair and then put on the white clothes. They were stiff and uncomfortable, but at least they fit. She had been worried that she would have had to wear the same size as Chester.

What was she supposed to do about shoes? Macy looked around and noticed a pair of white shoes sitting against the wall next to the counter. A pair of white socks sat on top of them. At least she wouldn't have to go barefoot.

Macy went out to the main room, her hair soaking the back of the shirt. All five of the adults stood when they saw her. Eve took her hand and brought her to the group. "Now that you've been purified, it's time to go over the rules. Are you ready?"

Holding back a sigh, Macy nodded.

They all sat in a circle. Chester and Eve sat on either side of her. Jonah sat across from her and the other two men sat on either side of him.

Jonah looked Macy in the eyes. "You are indeed blessed, child. Most people never find the true way. It's hidden because of the evil in their hearts and minds. You've been given the gift many never know they want but cannot have."

She continued staring into his eyes. His hazel eyes bore into hers with an intensity she could feel.

"I'm Jonah, as you know, but what you don't know is that I'm the great High Prophet. I receive messages and visions to guide our community in the way of righteousness and pure living. It is my job to take care of my people, seeing to it that everyone makes it to the Holy Land beyond this world. It's my job, for lack of a better word, to find puritans such as yourself: the holy vessels of righteousness who will ascend with me on the great and magnificent day. Do you have any questions?"

Macy shook her head. She did have a bunch of questions, but Jonah wouldn't appreciate any of them.

"You've already met Eve. She's the High Prophetess as my first and primary wife. Eve receives visions also, but not at the volume that I do. Mine are daily, and each evening we gather as a community so I can share what has been bestowed upon me that day with the community."

Awesome.

Jonah indicated to the men next to him. "These are my primary assistant prophets, helping with the community. This is Abraham and Isaac. As you may have guessed from their names, they're father and son."

"Does everyone have Biblical names?" Macy asked. Would she be getting yet another name?

Jonah's eyes narrowed slightly. "Women do not speak to men unless spoken to. I did not ask you just now if you had any questions, but I will let it slide since we haven't yet gotten to the rules. Do you understand?"

Macy nodded, biting back a sarcastic reply.

"I asked you a question. Do you understand?" He sat taller, staring at her with an even deeper intensity.

Eve nudged Macy's knee with her own.

"Yes, I understand."

Jonah's face relaxed. "Good. Now, to answer your question, receiving a Biblical name is a high honor. Only those who have proven themselves get a new name. It's a day of celebration when that happens. We hold a Holy Festival in honor of the occasion. If you're blessed enough, you shall have a festival in your honor. But first, your father must have his own celebration as head of the household. Otherwise, you must wait until you reach maturity."

Macy's head spun. She wanted to put her hands on her head, but didn't dare.

"Now that you have a basic understanding—I wouldn't want to overwhelm you with everything in one day—we'll move onto the rules. You already know never to speak to a male puritan without being spoken to, although some may give you permission to speak freely. That is up to them. As mentioned, every night we gather to hear the message of the day. Never, ever miss that. It is of the utmost importance. Everyone must hear and apply it to remain pure so we can enter into the Holy Land. We are holy vessels of righteousness, remember."

Using those big religious words must make him feel important
, Macy thought.

Jonah went on, explaining things such as proper foods to eat, what constituted as sins, and how the puritans were to cleanse themselves from all unholiness. Basically they had to go through a cleaning like she had just done, or endure a public shaming. Macy didn't ask what that meant.

"Will you be able to remember all of that?" he asked, looking back and forth between Macy and Chester.

Macy shook her head.

Jonah smiled, clasping his hands together. "No? Well, you're being honest. You're truly a chosen vessel, child. I can't express the joy that brings to my heart. Eve will stay in here and drill you on the rules until you have the basic ones memorized. While you two are doing that, I will take the men and we will cleanse, purify, and bless your truck and its contents. Then you may bring them into the community."

Eve took Macy's hand and led her to the couch while the men rose and went outside.

"Can I speak to you without being spoken to?"

"Of course, child. What is it?"

"What are they going to do to the truck?"

"First, Jonah will pray over it as he walks around it. Then the men will lay hands on it while praying and receiving visions. Once all that is complete, Jonah shall anoint it with a special blessing. Afterward, he will wait for a higher vision, and if he gets a positive one, you and your dad will be able to go home."