But only the older man lowers his gun as he reaches for mine. The other two keep their weapons trained on me.
They might have heartlessly narrow worldviews, but they’re not stupid.
“Were you headed toward our compound, sister?”
“Yes. I heard you take good care of women. You’re not going to… to… take advantage of me, are you? I’ve kept myself pure all this time.”
That last bit I throw in from a random bit of inspiration, and it’s definitely the right thing to say.
The older man smiles. “You’ll be more than welcome in the safety of our walls. We welcome all women who want to walk the narrow way.”
“I do. I really do. Thank you so much.”
“Come on back with us then. We’ll introduce you, and you’ll be safe. No one will take advantage of you. You’ll have the time you need to get used to our ways in the Training House, and then we’ll find a good man for you to marry.”
The Training House. Nothing would sound worse than that to me.
“That would be wonderful!” I’m aiming a wobbly smile at all three of them. “Thank you so much.”
If only one man left the others to escort me to the compound, I would have been able to get away. I’m convinced of it. I’d take him by surprise and kill him before he knew to expect it. I had to give up my gun, but I have a knife in my ankle holster. That would have been enough.
But all three of them escort me instead, and they keep their weapons at the ready the whole time.
Trying to escape would be the end of me, and I’m not ready for my life to end yet.
I’ve only recently discovered I have a lot to live for.
22
My stomach continuesto sink lower and lower into my gut as they guide me through the main gate. At the sight of all the guards and the clang of the gate shutting behind us, I’m momentarily afraid I might vomit.
What have I done to myself?
I never should have come here alone. I’ve been so used to acting on my own that I never even questioned that was the best option, but looking back now I can see it was a mistake.
I should have told Micah when he asked. We should have come down to investigate together. Everything would be different if I had made a better decision.
At the very least, I should have suspected they’d have guards patrolling the perimeter and stayed out of sight better.
Poor Micah.
No matter what, I’ll not be home before dark. He’s going to know something happened to me. He’s going to be so scared and upset but have absolutely no way of running to the rescue.
He’ll have no clue where I am.
He’ll be left abandoned with my sweet Molly. The thought of them waiting for me as it gets dark almost makes me cry.
I don’t, of course. Things are far too precarious right now to indulge in tears.
The guards lead me past the chickens and toward the one large building I couldn’t identify.
Well, shit.
That must be the Training House.
A plump, middle-aged woman greets me. She has a tight bun and a stern expression. Her name is Mary, and she’ll have charge of me while I’m being trained.
I manage to thank the men profusely and smile hopefully up at Mary.
