Page 36 of Signs and Wonders

“It depends,” the woman answered. “We have some who come for the one-week and two-week programs. Others choose to stay longer, and a few advanced students take advantage of our residency program.”

“I have to admit, this whole ‘wellness’ thing is new for me.” Evan managed to sound bashful. “But I like the idea of getting away from all the stress I have going on.”

“Exactly! And our teachers have techniques you can use when you go home that keep the stress down to a dull roar,” his contact replied.

“Is it true that you can’t use cellphones or microwaves?” Evan asked.

The woman laughed. “There are restrictions, but we’re not totally cut off from civilization. The strict rules are only right around the observatory. But we lean into leaving those distractions behind.”

“I can get a little claustrophobic,” Evan lied. “It looks like there’s only one road in. Have you ever had problems with flooding or rockslides?”

“Not that I’ve heard.” She sounded amused but slightly guarded. “We take every precaution to ensure our guests are safe and happy. Despite the Quiet Zone, emergency services have exemptions. Being ‘cut off’ is more a state of mind than a reality.”

Seth wasn’t sure he believed that, but she made a good pitch.

“Do you have anything in particular that makes you anxious?” The woman asked Evan. “By the way, I’m Jennifer.”

“My boyfriend’s a first responder,” Evan said. “It’s a dangerous job. I worry about him a lot, but he’s good at it and he gets a lot of satisfaction from the work.”

Seth suddenly had the feeling that Evan wasn’t just making up responses.

“And how about your work?”

They had talked about making sure Evan remained untraceable, and this wasn’t the first time they had infiltrated somewhere with a false persona. As a former bartender, Evan was good at being personable without getting too personal. Still, hearing him talk to the woman gave Seth an unsettled feeling.

Is he unhappy? Has the “quest” gotten to be too much? Am I turning into one of those obsessed bastards like in the movies?

“I’m a freelance photographer,” Evan told her, which was partially true. “You know how it is—lots of freedom, no steady paycheck. It’s nice for now, but I don’t think I want to be doing this for the rest of my life.”

Between Seth’s online security work, Evan’s growing graphic design business—and the low costs of their RV lifestyle—money wasn’t an issue. Still, Seth had thought about what it would take to settle down when the coven was destroyed.

Buy a house. Go on vacations. Put some aside for retirement. Live to old age.

We need to talk. I don’t want to assume we’re on the same page. What if he wants something different?

“Better take your seat—the program’s starting,” Jennifer told Evan.

“You’ve got a good turnout,” Evan remarked. “Probably thirty people—and four of your team. Is it always this busy?”

“I think it’s a sign of the times,” she replied. “People are searching for peace. We try to help them find a way to forget all their worries.”

Seth shivered. While the woman’s delivery made the words sound reassuring, knowing Swain’s involvement and the fate of his victims gave them an entirely different meaning.

“I guess I can see the appeal—I mean, if you didn’t have other attachments,” Evan said. “Or if you were feeling adrift.”

Seth wasn’t sure whether Evan was playing his role or if there was a hint of something deeper in his wistful tone.We are so going to talk.

“Exactly,” Jennifer agreed. “When you’re part of Renou-Vous, you’re family.”

Seth knew that many cults and unhealthy wellness groups made the same pitch to people who felt alone. The combination of friendly representatives and the promise of a place to belong was powerful. At the lowest point in his life, he might have felt the pull himself.

“Go ahead and sit down,” she repeated. “We’re about to get started.”

Seth heard rustling as Evan probably inched across a row of seats. “I hope this isn’t a slide show,” Evan said for Seth’s benefit, probably voiced to the person sitting next to him.

“Did you have a look around? What did you think—” Evan went on, clearly talking to someone at the event.

Evan’s voice cut out, and the link went dead.

---