“I volunteer to keep busy and to stay out from underfoot around here,” I voice, hoping to sound convincing.The moment he learns I receive money, he’ll want every dime to be given to The Fellowship.
“And you thought to just now say something?Did the mayor’s daughter put you up to this?After that display at the carnival, I can’t believe I agreed to let you hang around that Jezebel.Have you forgotten your place here?”
I’ve tried so hard to hang on to my connection to Raegan, but after the knowledge that she’s involved with the local MC, quite a few members of The Fellowship are questioning how the mayor runs his house.I don’t mention the bruise across her face when Ivy called me and told me that something bad happened to her, and that I needed to get over to Stone’s house.I stayed there with her and did my best to be the friend she needed.I listened to her, we went for a run, then came back and ate pizza.She told me what had happened with Dennis.I wanted so badly to share with her all the horrible things that I’d experienced, but couldn’t.My throat seized up, and the words never came.She had a lot on her plate at the moment, and I didn’t want to add another item to it.The last thing she needed was to hear about what I’d endured for the last decade of my life.
The men of The Fellowship are nothing but power-hungry bottom feeders who look down on others to make themselves seem tall and important.I learned that after a year into my mission.
The moment I stepped off the plane in Colombia, a group of men were waiting.They ushered me into a van and drove me to a remote village out in the middle of nowhere.The camp had no running water.Everything looked desolate.A man and woman came over and took my small suitcase and backpack from me and searched through everything right there on the dirty ground.The man took my passport and cell phone then left while the woman sifted through each article of clothing.She tossed me a handful of my clothes and kept the rest.She walked me over to a small hut-looking building and pointed to a straw makeshift bed.
I cried that first night and every night after it for a few months.How could Papa send me here alone with no one?Every day was the same.We’d get up before the sun to dig holes until the sun set.I wasn’t the only one there who was young.I’d learned that The Fellowship had many campuses around the U.S.Several others my age were there too and just as scared as I was.Too bad that was just the beginning of our hell.
“I won’t have you disgracing my name or the name of The Fellowship,” Papa scolds.“I’ve worked too hard for the likes of you to be my downfall.”
“Shepherd Walter, I think it’s a great idea for our young ones to interact with the people of the town.She’ll be able to recruit other young adults to your ways,” Judy speaks up and flinches when Papa whirls around to see who spoke up.I want to vomit at the thought of bringing anyone into this cult.I’d really have to hate someone to want to expose them to The Fellowship.Judy is a nice lady.She and my mama were friends when I was growing up.She was married, but I’m not sure what happened since everyone says she’s now one of Papa’s five wives.
“I didn’t ask for your words, Judy,” Papa snarls then turns back to me.I see the sympathy in her eyes when she looks at me from over Papa’s shoulder.
Papa’s eyes narrow on me as he looks me over from head to toe.
“I expect you to present yourself in a sweet manner when out in the town.You represent The Fellowship, and I won’t have it tarnished like that whore the mayor claims as his daughter,” he instructs.“I’ve made a match for you that will seal an enormous connection with The Fellowship.You’ll meet him next week, and the ceremony will happen a few days later when his grandfather comes to town.”
Looks like my time is running out.The Fellowship has rules.Once you’re married, the woman isn’t allowed to leave the home until she’s pregnant.She’s to be locked in a room available for her husband every minute of the day.
“Yes, Papa,” I reply, biting my tongue.It’s the only way for me to stack up as much cash as I can before I escape this hellhole.I’ve started storing a few things Raegan’s given me over at her place in a few bags.I know she wants to ask why I always dress a certain way then change when I go over to her place or to work, but she doesn’t.
“I’ve got more important things to deal with than this right now, Sutton.”He doesn’t wait for me to respond before he gives us his back, walking out of the room.
“You’re going to bring trouble to us, girl,” Karen voices from the kitchen doorway.“You should be here helping around the farm and with your siblings.”
“Let her be, Karen,” Judy responds, stopping the hateful woman’s rant.
“She should be out in the field with the others.”
“She is right where Shepherd Walter granted her.Let her be,” Judy tells her again, but this time with a little more force.
Karen huffs then storms into the kitchen.We hear cabinet doors shut and pans clank, and it brings a small smile to my face in satisfaction.
“Steer clear of her for a while, and you might not want to eat lunch or dinner here,” Judy says with some humor in her tone.
I nod in agreeance.“Thank you for helping me.”
“I was young once and couldn’t wait for my own independence,” she reveals.“Make sure not to give them any reason to take it back,” she whispers.
“I won’t,” I utter.
“Good.”
“Can I ask you a question?”I ask as she picks up a laundry basket full of bedding.
“Of course.”
“Do you know where my mama is?”
I watch as she stiffens and her eyes widen.She looks around the empty room then leans forward, closer to me.“We aren’t allowed to speak of her, Sutton.”
“I know but…I haven’t seen or heard from her, and I just want to know if she’s still alive or anything at all,” I plead.
Judy looks around again.“If she is, then Jared would know.”
