The dorms sat at the left end of the property—two long, low buildings made of the same clean white siding as everything else here.
As we got closer, Malachi said, “Most of our brothers share their rooms. Two, sometimes three, depending on the size of the space. But,” he gave me an almost conspiratorial smile, “as it happens, we have an empty one. You can use it until we need the space. I think it’s best for you to have solitude, at least at first. Settling in can be… a big adjustment.”
“That’s generous of you,” I said. “Thank you.”
“It’s no trouble,” he replied. “The Light rewards kindness.”
Inside the building, the silence was heavy, only broken by the occasional creak of floorboards as men moved in their rooms.
Malachi stopped in front of one of the doors near the back of the first floor. “Here we are.”
He pushed it open, revealing a small but tidy space—a single bed, a small table, a metal-framed chair, a wooden dresser, and a narrow window overlooking the surrounding fields. A Bible sat on the nightstand, its cover well-worn, the spine cracked from overuse.
“This will be yours,” Malachi said. “If you need more blankets or anything, just let someone know.”
I set my bag down on the bed. “Looks perfect, Father. I appreciate it.”
He nodded, clearly pleased. Then he held out his hand. “Before I forget, Brother Jace—your identification, please. We keep a record of every soul who enters our fold. We must maintain order and safety within the community.”
I gave him my best easy smile, then fished the fake ID out of my wallet and handed it over. “Sure thing.”
He took it delicately, as if it were sacred. “Jace Luis Trenton,” he read aloud. His eyes flicked up to mine, studying me for a beat longer than I liked. Then he nodded, tucking the card into his robe pocket. “I’ll return this before the end of the day. Just need to record your information for our records.”
“Of course,” I said smoothly.
“Dinner is in one hour,” Malachi continued. “Brother Gabriel will come for you. Afterward, you’ll attend evening prayer. It’s a beautiful service—intimate. You’ll feel the Light for yourself.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
He smiled again, and something about it made my skin crawl. “Rest, Brother Jace. You’re among family now.”
He turned to go, and Gabriel followed him out, closing the door quietly behind them.
The second they were gone, I exhaled and ran a hand over my face. The air felt lighter already.
I scanned the room—corners, under the bed, and the small vent above the door. Nothing obvious, no wires, no cameras. Still, the hairs on my neck stood up like I was being watched.
I sat on the bed and leaned back on my hands, staring up at the low ceiling.Thank fuck I didn’t have to deal with roommates.
The Bible caught my eye again. Its title was faded, but inside, I could see notes scrawled in pencil in the margins—“explanations” of scripture that twisted its true meaning, a lot of “The Light this” and “The Light that.”
I shook my head, then waited a few minutes after the sound of their footsteps faded down the hall before I stood. I unzipped my bag and started to unpack, my meager belongings looking almost absurdly out of place in the bare little room. My eyes landed on the white robe folded neatly across the end of the bed.
It was simple but well-made, the fabric soft under my fingers, freshly laundered. There was something unnerving about it,though, as if they’d known exactly what size I’d be before I even arrived.
I wondered how long it had sat there. They didn’t know I was coming, so was my robe ready and waiting since the day of my visit, or had someone hastily prepared it while we were at Malachi’s house?
I peeled off my shirt and jeans, then slipped the robe over my shoulders. It was looser than I expected, a little too long in the sleeves, but it fit well enough. The fabric smelled faintly of soap.
I caught my reflection in the small mirror above the dresser. The robe transformed me. In it, I looked like I belonged here.
“Creepy as hell,” I muttered to myself.
I sat on the edge of the bed, tugged my phone free from my boot, and checked the time—just before 1800. I dialed Patel’s number, my heart ticking a little faster, even though this was routine.
He picked up on the first ring. “All good?”
“Yeah,” I said quietly. “I’m in. Everything’s fine so far. They bought the cover. I’ll make contact again at 2100 unless something changes.”
