Chapter Seven

Lucian

Elise is finally asleep. I wait a few minutes before getting up. I don’t plan on doing anything tonight, so I’d like to keep an eye on her to make sure the nightmares don’t bother her. I’m thinking her falling asleep next to me might help, but we will see. I hated to see her go through that every night, but I know she needed space.

When she took down the cameras, she missed half of them. I thought about just telling her, but I disconnected them from anyone else being able to access them. No one was able to unless I allowed it, and they only ever were allowed the first night I visited her and a few other times I felt were important.

Tonight’s event never would be allowed to be viewed by everyone because it had nothing to do with the dynamic of the community. Not everyone should or does share every part of her personal relations anyway. When Jake told me she reached out to him, he felt bad for betraying her, but everyone was worried about how reclusive she had suddenly become. Carol said that she spoke with her but refused to divulge anything beyond saying that she was working through some things and needed space. I could have easily looked at the cameras, but I found that it would be highly invasive.

I have spent every free moment searching through Dad’s notes, trying to find something. He took such detailed notes. I’m hoping that Jennifer disclosed to him, but if she did, it won’t be in these notes. He wouldn’t have made a record of an admission unless it was disputed. If it’s not disputed, the person would be shunned. The fact that Jennifer suddenly came into money suggests that Dad was the one to give her the money. That only happens if someone high ranking fucks up. It was his way of apologizing and ensuring they were comfortable. Some have seen it as a way to pay people off, but it was far more harmless than that. I have personally seen him provide a woman with everything she would need to live a comfortable life after her husband, who was also a council member, beat her in a drunken rage. This was also while he helped her take charges out on him for assault and battery. He welcomed people to speak up, and the community has the funds to help. Why not do that when someone goes through something so traumatic? If a council member raped Jennifer, I guarantee Dad would have set her up for life. If he had known she was pregnant though, he would have found the baby a home. He never would have wanted the baby dropped at a fire station in fear of what happened to Elise being a reality. All of this is so complicated, and I know the answers are in that house, but I know she needs to find them on her own. If she wants my help, she will come to me like she did before.

I check my phone and see that Bradley texted me, so I go down and let him in so I can update him. “Hey,” I say.

“Elise asleep?” he asks.

“Mhmm. I made her take her medicine so she should be out until morning,” I say.

“Jake getting killed, or was he good?”

“Jake was fine. He was able to get her to open up a bit. When I got here, she spent a lot of time yelling, but she finally said her piece,” I say.

“Which is?” he asks.

“She’s afraid,” I say. “She said before she fell asleep that she wants to want me, but she’s afraid of losing me.”

“So, she needs to know you are committed,” he suggests with a smile.

“Essentially. I’m afraid she might stab me in my sleep, but I think she’s there,” I say. “Jake and I told her everything tonight. The only things she doesn't know about are Halloween or the specific ceremonies or rituals.”

“She called it a cult, didn’t she?” he asks, laughing.

“She did. I think it was explained well enough that she understands that it’s not like she has to drink the Kool-Aid in order to be accepted. It’s not spiritual in that sense,” I say.

“It is though. We believe in destiny. Our actions are guided by that belief,” he counters.

“Yes, but we don’t force that onto others. We don’t even force that on one another. We don’t assemble for the means of teaching or guiding people into that belief. We simply live our life, and anything goes, so long as it doesn’t harm anyone else. We abide by the law for the most part and we are only considered a church to get by with not paying taxes.”

“By definition, we are a cult. Just because we are harmless doesn’t change that,” he says. “Not all cults are how they are portrayed to the world.”

“I guess,” I say with a sigh.

“Are you leaving the rose for her?”

“I am,” I say. “I’ll put it on her pillow before I leave.”

“How do you think she will take it?”

“Uh… poorly,” I laugh. “She is still a bit hesitant, so it will probably lead to another breakdown.”

“Well, I suggest you keep an eye on her and when she inevitably comes to find you, make sure you are around everyone else. That way, she will be forced to see the support she has from everyone to be a part of this tradition.”

“That’s a good idea. It seems to piss her off when I don’t argue back with her, so it should easily push her into letting out more of what she has bottled up,” I explain.

“Perfect. Well, get some rest. We have a lot to do before the games and the ceremony that is bound to follow.”