Page 64 of Regressive

“I don’t know.”

But deep down I know I fucked up. Big. “If you tell me what your plan is, I can help you.”

Our friendship runs deep. Different from him and Elon, who have bonded over their jobs outside this world, or with Silas with who he shares the guiltiest of pleasures. But we’ve always been friends—tight—and I hope he can still trust me.

“My plan is to take her to someone who is willing to fight for her more than anyone else.” His eyes dart around. “Her mother.”

My chest tightens. This is real. He’s not fucking around this time. Panic burns. “You found her?”

“Yes. Well, Elon found her. But tonight, after we handled the Jeb situation, we went to locate her.”

Blood rushes to my ears as I listen to my friend describe what happened that night. Rex, Elon, and Silas went to the address they found on the internet. It’s a meeting space, for people that have escaped a cult or for family members wanting to help their family and loved ones out of a cult.

“She was there,” he says, ‘closing up after a meeting.”

“And?”

“She recognized me,” he admits. “I look a lot like my father did at my age—when they were friends. It took me a few minutes—mostly Silas—to convince her we weren’t there for trouble, but to talk to her about Imogene.”

I grab ahold of the picket fence just off the side of the road, bracing myself.

“And?”

“And she wants her. She’s always wanted her. My father was the obstacle in the way.”

A wave of emotion rolls over me. Panic. Curiosity. Fear. When it settles, one bubbles to the surface: Anger. “So what? You pack her up and just drop her off at her mother’s house? To a woman she hasn’t seen in years? Stealing her from the only home she’s known her entire life and tossing her into the secular world?”

“I want to get her somewhere safe, Levi, and this is my only option.”

“There’s nowhere safer than Serendee.”

“Do you really believe that? After seeing that brand on her? After seeing the marks you’ve given her?”

It’s a low blow, but one I maybe deserve. Still, I deflect. “She asks for the Corrections, Rex, begs for Enlightenment.”

“Why?” Rex’s voice trembles. “Why do you think she wants you to Correct her like that?”

When I don’t answer he turns away, but I hear him clearly when he says, “She’s as bad as The Fallen. As compliant and confused, you know that right? For every effort I made to break that out of her, it was pointless. Imogene isalreadybroken. I don’t know if there’s a way to fix her.”

“So that’s what this is about? You’re throwing her away? Tossing her aside like a broken toy?” The rage builds in my chest. “Angry because your father marked her first?

“Shut up,” Rex says, arms dropping to his sides, while his chest puffs out.

“No, because someone has to talk some sense into you.” My voice rises and I’m aware of a couple walking within earshot. I lower it. “He will find you, and when he does, it will be a hundred times worse.”

“Maybe that’s just what he wants us to think.” His chest rises and falls, like he’s barely containing his own anger. “She needs to get away from the darkness of this place. I’ve spent most of my life being a selfish prick, Levi. For once, just let me do the right thing.”

His eyebrows raise, like he’s offering me the chance to challenge him one last time. I don’t. He’s right. We may not be able to save ourselves, but we can do the right thing for her.

“Go,” I tell him. “Get everything ready and let me know what you need me to do.”

“Thank you,” he says, thrusting out his hand.

I look at it, prepared to shake it, but instead step forward, dragging him into a hug. “Just make sure she’s safe,” I say. “For real safe.”

“You got it, brother.”

We separate, and as he walks toward the house, I don’t know why it feels like a goodbye. Maybe it’s just the reality of what comes next, or the sensation of separating the past and the future. No matter what it is, whatever comes next will change life for all of us.

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