Page 46 of The Cult

Nodding, he sighs. “Actually, it was more like thirty hours. You were in the box for the two hours ordered, but things got a little out of control, so I thought you might benefit from a nice rest.”

His answer stuns me. I stumble backwards until I feel the mattress hit the back of my knees and then my legs give out. I collapse onto the bed shaking my head in disbelief.

“I lost an entire day? How can that be? Why?”

“You were out of control, Nash. The box did something to you this time, and you needed to have something to calm you down or you might have a heart attack. You’re fine now, though, so you don’t have to worry.”

As I look down at my legs that just gave out, I have to wonder about his definition of fine. “I don’t know what happened to me and my body doesn’t seem to have the strength it should. Please forgive me, but I don’t feel fine.”

“Well, you will be. Just give it a little longer.”

And with that, he stands up and starts walking toward the door. No answers. Nothing but nice words that said little and did nothing to make me feel better.

“Wait, where are you going? Can I go back to my cabin? I don’t have to stay here, do I?”

He looks at me and sighs again. God, what is with all this sighing? Micah has never been like this. Something must be really wrong with me.

“For a little while, I’m going to need you to sit tight in here, Nash. You’ll get to go back to your room soon. I promise. Until then, just relax. Try not to push yourself too hard to remember. That won’t help anyone. If you’re meant to know what happened, your mind will let you.”

Before I can say another word, he walks out, closing the door behind him. I don’t know what to think about what just happened, but something feels very wrong about it.

I sit with my head hung, unsure about everything for God only knows how long, and then I realize I didn’t bow when I saw him. I never forget to do that. I must really be messed up to remember to do that.

But why didn’t he remember I should bow when I see him?

22

Lara

Damn,where is Nash? I knew I shouldn’t trust him. He’s probably the reason I’m stuck outside in this hot sun today. Do I look like someone who knows the first thing about tending a garden? I’ve killed every living thing I’ve ever brought into my apartment, so if these Golden Light people think their version of a farmer is the job for me, they’re crazy.

He warned me not to look around, but I can’t help it. He should have appeared by now. I heard someone say he was the one making all that noise two nights ago, but nobody’s said a thing since.

My stomach tightens at the thought that he got into trouble because he tried to help me. Or maybe he did something else that got him punished. Whatever it was, he cried out for hours, and everyone on the farm heard him. I told Cheyenne not to go outside to see what was happening, but she didn’t listen. I never moved from my bed until morning.

Now she’s missing too.

I pick a ripe tomato and gently place it into my basket beside me on the ground as I wonder if maybe the two of them are in the same place. Maybe he helped her with something too and that’s why he got in trouble.

“Lara, how are things coming?” Bethany asks from the next row over.

“Good. Just picking some nice tomatoes. How about you?”

She points at the head of lettuce in front of her and grimaces. “I don’t know if I’m supposed to pick this whole thing or just some leaves. Do you know anything about lettuce?” she slowly asks.

I have the feeling she sounds very different from the first day I met her. That was less than a week ago, though. Wasn’t it? Why would she change like that in just a few days?

Maybe it’s all in my head, but it feels like time passes very strangely here at The Golden Light. It’s the drugs, I bet. They distort everything.

Well, the joke’s on them because I didn’t eat or drink much at breakfast this morning. Then I made sure to hurry to the ladies’ showers right after and stuck my finger down my throat to throw up in a garbage can so none of whatever they’re using to dope us up stayed in my system.

That’s my plan for the rest of the meals I have to eat while I’m here. I’m still holding out hope I’ll get to escape soon, but since Nash has disappeared, getting to my phone might be a problem. I don’t know where they keep them, and the last thing I want to do is pop up on Nadine’s radar again. Once was enough.

As I reach down to pick another tomato, out of the corner of my eye I see Bethany crumble to a heap on the ground. I turn to look around for someone to help, but nobody is around. I can’t just leave her there, so I climb over the row of plants to get to her.

Looking down, I can’t help but notice how pale she is. We’ve been out in the sun for at least an hour, but she’s as white as a ghost. I crouch down and touch her cheek. It’s surprisingly cool, almost clammy.

“Help! Help! Someone help me!”

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