Page 52 of The Cult

My insult doesn’t have the effect I hoped for. Maybe he’s not bright enough to know I was being rude. I wasn’t exactly subtle about it, though, so whatever he’s smiling about now probably has nothing to do with what I think of his appearance.

“You seem very interested in what I’m wearing today. Do I remind you of someone and that upsets you?” he asks in a clinical way I think I despise the most.

Even more frustrated than before when I couldn’t get that damn window open, I flop down on the bed and roll my eyes. “No, you don’t remind me of anyone and that’s upsetting me. You’re the one who’s pissing me off with all your quiet talk and offers to discuss my feelings. I want to get out of here! What about that isn’t registering in your head? I don’t want to talk. I want to leave.”

“Maybe we can discuss another topic. What about how you’re feeling after this morning?”

What does he mean? Did something happen this morning that I don’t know about? Is he talking about my near escape?

“I’m feeling fine. I’d be feeling even better if I wasn’t being held here against my will.”

“Would you like something to eat? I’d be happy to escort you to the dining hall and sit with you while you have some lunch.”

I shake my head as what he says baffles me. “What? Have you given up on the whole messiah thing and now you want to be my best friend? I already have one of those, so too bad for you.”

“Who is your best friend, Lara?” he asks as he sits up straight in his chair.

For a few seconds, I debate whether I want to tell him the real reason I came to this place. He probably knows already. Nash likely told him what I’ve been up to the whole time I’ve been here, so there’s no point in hiding it anymore.

“My sister. Her name is Rina. She’s the reason I’m here.”

Micah tries to give me a smile, but the corners of his mouth barely hitch up. “I know. I know, Lara.”

So he’s been on to me, but for how long? I bet Nash confessed everything after all that screaming he did. And to think I was feeling sorry for him. Bastard! Now I hope he did suffer.

“Well, then you know. Great for you. It doesn’t change the fact that I want to get the hell out of here. I need to find Rina. I’ve decided she’s not here, so if you don’t mind, I’d like to go now.”

“Would you like to talk about Rina?”

God, he’s irritating.

I swing my legs front and back as I sit on the bed, something that reminds me of how she and I used to do that for hours in the bedroom we shared. Neither of us could ever sit still, even when our parents grounded us and sent us to our room. We’d talk and giggle about whatever happened that day, all the while swinging our legs with all that nervous energy cooped up inside us.

“No, I don’t want to talk about my sister. She isn’t someone who would ever come to a place like this. I know that now. I can’t believe I ever thought she’d even consider coming here. Rina’s too smart to buy into all this feel-good positivity nonsense.”

Micah nods, but I know he’s not really listening. He’s hearing me and waiting for his chance to respond. He’s one of those people. I hate having conversations with people like that. You barely get the words out of your mouth before they start yammering on about whatever’s on their mind.

Surprisingly, he doesn’t say anything for a long moment. I still think he’s a selfish bastard, though. One time being polite does not a nice person make.

Finally, he asks, “Do you think you’re like your sister, Lara?”

I can’t stop myself from throwing my head back in laughter. “Do you mean do I buy into all of this self-help crap you spew here? No, Micah. I do not. I was barely able to pretend the first time I met you, but now I can’t even muster up the acting chops to fake it. Neither my sister nor I would ever truly believe in all this nonsense you and your people spew here.”

He frowns at my condemnation of all of this Golden Light silliness. Too bad. Maybe if someone had told him the truth about it in the beginning, there wouldn’t be women out there being drugged day after day so they’re willing to work for him.

I am curious about something, though. Where is his best buddy Nadine and her boys? Out terrorizing like usual?

“So, tell me, Micah. Where’s Nadine today?”

Again, he’s quiet for a long time before he asks, “Nadine?”

Why does he want to play this game with me? He knows damn well who Nadine is. Why act like he doesn’t understand the question?

“Yeah. Your girl Nadine. She’s got to be lurking around here somewhere. She always is. You told me you wouldn’t let her harm me again, but I think we all know you don’t have that kind of control over her. Or maybe it’s that you don’t want to be the bad guy and prefer her to do the dirty work of scaring people. Either way, she’s a shitty person, and you’re a shitty person for letting her behave like that. You know, just in case nobody’s ever told you that before.”

With that, he stands from the chair and walks toward the door. “I’ll leave you be for now, Lara. Someone will bring you lunch soon since I’m sure you’re hungry. We’ll talk later.”

“I don’t want to talk later!” I scream. “I want to be let free from this place.”

---