“In the ground?” Hop asked.
“Yes. They buried them and left them in the dirt for three days. She said some women died. It was some weird purification ritual.”
Hop nodded. “That is weird.”
“She clawed her way out of the dirt and took off. She only stopped at my camp to drink water. She was desperate. I couldn’t leave her.”
“Damn, so they’d buried her in the dirt and left her there?” Bud asked.
“Yes.”
Zip shook his head. “How long was she supposed to stay buried?”
“She said three days. I tend to believe her. The things she has said led me to believe that cult would do something like that.”
Trip stood and stretched. “We’re here for you, whatever you decide.”
He was thankful he had friends like these. He didn’t know what he would do if he didn’t have close friends. They held him together and kept him sane. Now, he just needed to figure out how to help Flora recover and start really living.
13
Flora was happy to see Talia when she showed up at noon. Talia brought along more clothes, including a bathing suit. Flora didn’t think she would ever use the bathing suit, but maybe she would be comfortable enough to wear some sort of bathing suit one day.
“Listen, I know it might be overwhelming here, but you’re doing great,” Talia said.
Talia’s words helped, but she wondered if she was really doing great. She needed something to break up her day. She’d read much of the book Q had given her, but she needed more. She needed something to keep her hands busy.
“It has only been a few days, I guess. It’s just been difficult.”
“Is there anything I can do to make it easier?”
Flora shook her head. “I don’t think so. I don’t know what else I need to do. I think everything is handled, and then life gets complicated.”
Talia laughed. “Life is almost always complicated. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not too bad, but there are so many times I wished things were easier.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
Talia shook her head. “No. I’m fine now. Not that long ago, my sister tried to kill me by selling me to a man in another country who would have killed me after I was no longer any use to him.”
“Oh no. I’m so sorry. That sounds awful. What happened to your sister?”
Talia shrugged. “I haven’t heard from her or anything about her. She might have escaped. I don’t know.”
“That is so awful.”
“It was, but I got through it. I grew stronger, just like you’re going to grow stronger. Lean on us, and it will get better.”
“Do you really think everything will get better?”
“You’re free now. You have us to help you navigate the world.”
“That’s the scary part. I don’t know what is next. How will I survive? I’ve come to realize as I’ve read Q’s books that I won’t be able to survive on my own.”
Talia put her hand on Flora’s shoulder. “There is no way we would ever let you slip through the cracks. We will keep helping you.”
“But I need to be able to support myself.”
“You’re smart and capable. I’m sure you’ll learn something soon enough. And until then, you have your friends who will help. Also, Q will help.”
