Page 22 of Jeremy
Swallowingthe donut, he shakes his head and snaps that branch in half. “Not necessary.”
Heturns and heads back to his house, leaving me standing in his yard wonderingwhat the hell it is about this sullen, rude man that has me so fascinated.
MaybeI’m just a masochist.
ChapterSix
Jeremy
Makingsure my child is well cared for and safe without getting involved with themother is a line I’m struggling to tread successfully. There’s one realizationI’ve come to over the past few weeks that I have to face; I can’t walk awayfrom this.
Ithought I could. That as long as I knew she had money for the baby, I couldjust return to my old life without a glance back. It’s not possible. All I’vebeen able to think about is the baby and what kind of life my son or daughterwill have.
Istill think it’s best if I’m not in it, but I know I can’t just leave. He orshe may not know me, but I can at least keep an eye and make sure they haveeverything they need. I’ll do my best to keep them safe.
Mypreoccupation with Melissa and the baby hasn’t distracted me from my main goal,though. The True Life bonfire get together is tonight, and I’ve spent the lastfew days researching as much as possible. I need to fit in if I’m going toinfiltrate this group and figure out how to bring them down.
Mylast days have also been extremely busy since I’ve rented an apartment, andfilled it with the normal, bachelor pad type of furniture. It has everythingI’d need to stay a few days, and I do what I can to make the place look livedin. It’s just a backup, but I know it’s a necessary precaution. There’s no wayI’m leading these cult crazies back to my real home, and I’m sure I won’t makeit into their circle without them researching me a bit. If at any point I haveto invite them over, that’s the place I’ll use.
Theflyer I was given says to show up at eight, and it’s just a couple of minutesshy when I turn down the long, winding driveway. A sign announces I’m enteringthe property of the True Life Center, and I expect to roll up on a massivecompound or at least a large building. The last thing I expect to see is a rowof shabby trailers.
It’sseriously dark out here, but little solar lights line the drive, leading theway to a gravel area near the trailers where two four wheelers are parked. Thewhole place has a creepy post-apocalyptic vibe, mostly because the trailers areobviously occupied, but dark. There are no power lines leading to the area, sothey’re totally off the grid.
Afigure carrying a flashlight approaches my car, and when I get out, I recognizethe girl who gave me the flyer. “Kelly?”
“Hi!Welcome to True Life! I’m so glad you could make it.”
Shrugginginto my jacket, I ask, “Am I the only one?”
“Everyoneis up by the fire. You’re just in time. The First Men are going to speaktonight.”
“FirstMen?”
“Anthonyand Shaun. They started this community and they keep it thriving.”
Ifthis is thriving, I’d hate to see what they consider suffering. Another carpulls in and a young woman climbs out, her expression cautious. “Hi, am I inthe right place?”
“Areyou looking for the True Life meeting?”
“Yes,I saw this ad that says you help the environment.”
Kellysmiles and nods. “You’re in the right place. We’re just headed to the bonfire.You’ll learn all about our community and what you can do to help. I’m Kelly.What’s your name?”
“Haddie.”She joins us with a relieved smile.
“Great,well, this is Jeremy. He’s new tonight as well. I’ll take you guys to thebonfire.”
Haddiedoesn’t seem concerned when we walk down the path that separates the two rowsof trailers, but I can’t understand why anyone would see how these people liveand think it’s a good idea.
Thetrailers are small and run down. Most of them have damaged or no underpinning,so I’m sure wildlife is a problem. Clothes lines criss cross the spaces betweenthem, lined with sheets and clothing that flap in the cool air. Lawn chairs andother broken furniture rests here and there. The most disturbing site is thescattered toys lying in front of the last trailer. There are kids here.
Wereach a road that was invisible in the dark, and a large house comes into viewin the distance. It’s well lit, and I assume it’s just a neighbor who doesn’tbelong to this group until Kelly speaks up. “That’s where the First Men stayand work.”
“Theyhave electricity,” I remark.
“Ofcourse,” Kelly says, as if I’m the dense one here. “They have to have the powerto communicate to keep this place running. It’s a necessary evil.”
Weapproach the top of the hill where about twenty people sit around the fire,laughing and talking. “Hey everyone! This is Jeremy and Haddie. They’reinterested in finding out more about True Life.”
