with, they look to you for guidance.” Judah leaned forward until I met his eyes and he emphasized, “We need order. We need our beliefs and customs to be honored, or our people will not trust in your judgment. With the Klan on our side, we are growing financially. We are protected from the outside world. It is now time to focus within the confines of our walls. Thousands and thousands are waiting for your leadership to shine through. Sermons are not enough. You need to lead more of the Sacred Circles and finally appear at the Lord’s Sharings.”
Judah’s words were right. My uncle performed these ceremonies, and our people never doubted him. And I knew, as per our traditions, I had to lead these practices. Our beliefs were based on sexual pleasure, even if I had never experienced it myself.
“Brother?” Judah prompted. I nodded my head.
“I will lead them,” I agreed, fighting my inner will, which taught me otherwise.
Judah’s face split into a huge grin. “Perfect,” he sighed in relief. “And believe me, you will want to participate after today.”
I frowned again. But all I could replay in my head were Mae’s words… Have you ever raped a child… have you ever taken a child in a brother-sister exchange…
As the van drove on, I looked out of the window, then closed my eyes. I prayed to the Lord to help me navigate this nightmare.
*****
An hour later, Brother Luke pulled onto a side road, a dirt path to a familiar place.
“Why are we here?” I asked Judah.
“You know this place?” he asked in surprise.
I nodded. “Judah, what—”
“You have waited this long, brother. Just a few more minutes and you will see what I have done for you.”
I looked out of the window at the ghost town we used to use in drop offs with the Hangmen, and my stomach rolled in trepidation. There was nothing here. Nothing here but derelict buildings and dirt.
I sat in silence as we approached a dark old mill. There was a van out front, but nothing else. As our van drew to a halt, two men came out of the mill.
The men were dressed all in black. They weren’t from the commune. They were no one I recognized.
The bigger one of the two flicked his chin as we got out of the van. “Judah?” he asked, but I shook my head and pointed to my brother. The man smirked. “Fuck. Hard to tell you two apart.”
Judah stepped forward and took the lead. “Did it all go well?”
“Like clockwork,” the man replied. “Our men went in and moved the stiff. Nothing will be left when the next person turns up. Total disappearance. Records have been wiped about who she was meeting. No traces, like the Klan’s Grand Wizard paid us to do. We do shit right. That’s why he put us on the job.”
Paid men, I thought. But what did Judah need paid men for?
“And the stock?” Judah asked.
“In the mill. Along with the girl.”
Judah’s eyes brightened again. I wondered what had got him so excited. Then he turned to me. “Ready for your surprise?”
I cautiously nodded my head. Judah and I followed the men toward the mill. Silence reigned as we approached. The man Judah had spoken to unlocked the large mill door. In a matter of seconds he pulled it wide open. Dim light from oil lamps spilled onto the dirt road and we all stepped inside. At first I could see nothing but an empty old mill. Then, at the back I could see a young girl holding a gun at someone tucked behind a wooden partition.
Lord, I thought. The girl looked all of thirteen or fourteen, maybe? And she was one of ours; dressed in the commune’s uniform gray dress and white headdress.
The paid men turned and smiled. “Refused to move for even a second. Said she was a soldier in the holy war, and that she would keep her post until you guys arrived.”
I narrowed my eyes on the girl, trying hard to recognize her. I could not, but when I turned to Judah, he was watching her. Watching her like she was his everything. Like he used to look at Phebe…
No…
“Brother Judah.” The female voice came from the young girl. When I moved my attention toward the back of the mill, the young girl came running toward Judah and immediately wrapped her arms around his waist. Judah’s arms circled her back and he pressed a kiss to her forehead.