Page 44 of The Cult

“Mom seems to be getting worse. She’s more detached.” She sighed. “It’s like she doesn’t even know me sometimes. Her eyes look dead, and all she wants to do is sit at home.” She clenched a fist, barely concealing her frustration. “I’m tired of this place. I wanna get outta here.” Her demeanor changed, appearing agitated and anxious.

“I’ll get you and your family out of here,” I promised. “Your dad asked me to take you all to safety.”

Madison’s eyebrows rose in disbelief. “Where is he?” She stepped closer to her brother. “Do you know where Dad is?”

Abel shook his head. “I don’t, Maddy.”

Madison directed her attention back to me. “Is he okay, Uncle Tobias?” There was helplessness in her voice. “He’s been gone for a couple of years.”

I could shield them from the truth and tell them he was all right, that their father was somewhere safe, but I wouldn’t want to give them a false sense of hope because, truthfully, I didn’t know whether Oliver was alive, let alone safe. The thought of the last real family I had falling to a tragic death felt like someone pouring acid on an open wound. The truth could be a bitter pill to swallow, but deception and empty promises hurt more.

Deciding to be honest, I said, “I don’t know. The last time I spoke to him … he didn’t sound good.”

“What do you mean?” Madison asked. Her eyes glistened, but she didn’t cry.

I struggled to find the right words, and that alone should’ve sent a warning to my brain. Usually, I didn’t care about how others felt. This wasn’t me. Never could be.

The sound of dogs barking broke the silence. Thankful for the interruption, I changed the subject. “We have to go,” I urged.

“I’ll come back. I promise,” Abel said, hugging his sister.

“Stay safe out there,” she said. Madison brought her attention to me. “You too, Uncle Tobias.”

“I’ll be back, okay? Don’t tell anyone that you saw us,” I instructed.

“Okay.” Madison nodded. She tiptoed to Abel and planted a soft kiss on his cheek before running back to the trailer house.

“Let’s get going.” Abel and I traced our way back to the woods, to the other side of this godforsaken place.

Twenty: Abel

My mind was a mess, my emotions in turmoil when I entered the hallway leading to my barracks. The guards didn’t seem to have noticed my absence and I was thankful.

“We’re still on.” Colt’s words rang in my ears.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Our plan was still in motion. This would be over soon. In a few weeks, we’d fight back, even if it destroyed us.

Tobias walked behind me, his prominent presence conspicuous. Even without speaking, it was hard to miss the aura he exuded. I debated whether to let him into our scheme. Not because I didn’t trust him—I did. But entangling him further in our world was too risky. Involving him would be unfair. He had a life waiting for him outside of this hell; a wife, perhaps even children of his own. A pang of jealousy came out of nowhere at the thought of Tobias belonging to someone else. I was so green with envy, a knot settled in my stomach, making me nauseous.

The clock struck two a.m. I groaned. I had four hours left to get some sleep if I went to bed now, but I was wide awake, physically and mentally. The reason was walking right behind me. The original plan was to go out for an hour, but we’d lost track of time even before I visited my sister. But the dangerous trek across the compound had been worth every hour of sleep. I missed Maddy. It pained me that I couldn’t help her take care of our mom, who’d been struggling mentally. Mom’s detachment from reality began ten years ago. Nobody knew how it started, and we were too young to ask questions back then. The cult’s doctor had given her medications to help, but they only made her worse. Her condition worsened after Dad left, because she hasn’t spoken since.

My chest tightened. What happened to us was unfair. We didn’t ask to be a part of some cult, yet my sister and I had to suffer the consequences of living in this hell. I spent every second thinking about how we could escape the chains binding us to Orcus and his iron claws. Where are you, Dad? Why did you leave us here?

We reached our quarters. “Thank you,” I said, turning to face Tobias. I stared into his eyes. “It’s nice to have someone who cares for a change.” I’d been grappling with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the genuine concern he’d shown for me and my family, and I couldn’t hold back any longer. Fueled by a surge of emotion, I hugged him.

Tobias didn’t respond as I expected. His posture tensed; his body stiffened. He abruptly pushed me away, his strong force causing me to stagger back. “What are you talking about?” he growled.

His reaction left me momentarily disheartened. Did I misjudge him? Was his kindness all an act? I stepped back, studying his guarded behavior. Despite his dismissal, I was determined to uncover more. Dad had spoken highly of Tobias, emphasizing his loyalty and friendship. “We’re like brothers,” he used to say. Tobias didn’t make a swift exit, leaving me optimistic. Maybe, beneath his stoic facade, he was willing to let someone in.

Wishful thinking. I was proven wrong when he spoke.

“I gotta go.”

“Do you have to?” The aftermath of that fucking awkward hug lingered. Tension swirled between us.

“I don’t have to. I need to,” Tobias answered.

“Can you stay for a little while? Please?”

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