CH 4: The Truth

Eddie was relatively easy to find. Despite Sarah's constant popping in and out of the house, her husband tended to have somewhat of a predictable routine. At this time of day, he was typically nursing a coffee in the kitchen, so Abigail was unsurprised to see him when she came in under the guise of making a snack.

"Hey," he greeted, never lifting his eyes from his newspaper.

"Hey," Abigail echoed. Opening the fridge, she selected a container of soy yogurt (which was honestly one of the more benign, least disgusting of her choices) before heading over to the island to stand beside him. "Anything interesting in there?"

"I'm reading the funnies," Eddie admitted, completely unabashed as she peered down at the comics. "Did Sarah send you to spy on me?"

"No…should she?"

With a snort, he flicked his paper and leaned more heavily against the sink.

Seeing this as her chance, Abigail peeled open her yogurt before grabbing her spoon. "So about Cal," she cautiously began, "what do you think of him?"

"Cal Roberts? He's…doing the best he can in Steve's absence."

"So you don't approve?"

"What is this, some kind of trap? Now I really do think Sarah sent you."

Abigail stopped stirring her yogurt, now looking up at him with an arched brow. "What's wrong with being curious?"

Eddie sighed. "No offense, Jane, but I don't know anything about you, so opening up about anything is very much unwelcome."

"And equal 'no offense,' but I kind of think you're all a bunch of nuts," Abigail spat. "I'm only staying here because it's safe, and pretty much the only place I can escape my old life. Is that candid enough for you?"

Setting down his paper, Eddie turned toward Abigail and folded his arms. "What do you want me to say, Jane? Feed me a line, and I'll spit it back out for you."

"But you won't," Abigail challenged. "I can see you're not like them…you're not just going to parrot back a bunch of bullshit to-"

"Hey."

"You know it's true! I saw your face when Joy was talking before Cal's service. There has to be something making you question the movement, and I'd like to know what that something is."

"Who says I'm questioning the movement? Maybe I'm questioning Cal's bullshit and why we haven't heard from our real leader in months. If Steve truly wanted us to worship in this way, I don't see why he couldn't just tell us himself - Skype, a phone call, anything."

Abigail's brow creased. "Do you think something happened to him?"

"Do you mean do I think Cal's a killer?" Eddie shook his head. "No, I don't, but something doesn't feel right."

"Then…what are you going to do?"

Eddie huffed. "Whatever it is, I'm certainly not going to tell you. I've already said too much as it is."

"Well, maybe I want to help."

"No. I'm not even sure that there's anything that needs to be done."

"But I could-?"

"No."

Frustrated, Abigail glared after Eddie as he grabbed his paper and headed for the door. Well, so much for that plan…

"Heeey, how are you?"

Abigail grinned, looking at her laptop with a wry shake of the head. "Hi, Marissa. What's up?"

"Seriously? You run off and you're asking me what's up? It's the same old shit, believe me. What's going on with you and the crazies?"

Abigail shrugged. "Nothing much. I mean, there's something really weird going on, but it might be a fluke."

"Oh, my God." Marissa suddenly appeared ecstatic. "After this is all over and done with, maybe Hollywood could make a movie about you! And you could include a cameo from your cute, currently single best friend."

Abigail snickered. "You're the worst."

"And?"

"And I'm afraid I'll have to be a disappointment, as always, because I'm not here deep sea-diving for men."

Marissa scoffed. "Well, why not? I Googled your movement or whatever, and that Cal guy isn't so bad-looking. He's probably over forty, but so what? Older men are hot."

Abigail rolled her eyes. "Gag me. Unlike some people, I actually have a life goal beyond pre-marital sex."

"Okay, rude. I forgive you, but rude." She pointed toward the clock on her phone. "I only have a few minutes before my mom gets home, but do you need anything? Money? Food? A CT scan?"

With a smile, Abigail shook her head. "Not yet, thanks. The money you lent has been holding up pretty well. I haven't needed to make any expenses since the flight."

"Really? Did the hot guy pay for your ticket?"

"Sort of…we agreed to split it both ways."

"Oh, for God's sake, Abby, now you owe him."

"So what?"

"Um, last time I checked he's a man, and men aren't very honorable when it comes to favors."

Abigail made a face. "Cal may be strange, but I don't think he's like that. Besides, he hasn't spoken of the money at all. He just wants to help."

"Yeah, right. But for your sake, I really hope it's true." Marissa craned her head and cursed under her breath. "Okay, it sounds like my mom just pulled into the driveway. I'll catch you later, alright? Make sure you stay away from public places, 'cause your face is all over the news. Your dad is so upset."

The blood drained from Abigail's cheeks. "What's been going on? Has he-?"

"Sorry, Abs, but I've really gotta go! Text me, okay?"

The screen went blank and Abigail leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes as she attempted to still her wildly beating heart.

"I'm glad I caught you."

Looking up from her book, Abigail's brow pinched as she set it down into her lap. "You were looking for me?"

Cal nodded. "Would you take a walk with me, please?"

Tasting bile, Abigail anxiously rose and followed him deeper into the woods, her arms hugging the book to her chest as she stepped with one foot in front of the other.

"Do you know why I'm here?"

She shook her head. "No, why would I?"

Cal huffed, though he didn't look at her as they moved. "I was watching the news today, and the most peculiar story came on after the weather."

Abigail drew a breath. "Yeah?"

"You can play coy all you want, but I know who you are, Jane. Or should I say, Abigail Hobbs?"

She halted and spun toward him, her stance tense as she lifted her chin. "Well if you truly knew me, as you're claiming, you'd also know what kind of a monster my dad is!"

Cal shook his head. "We can't harbor you – we could be accused of kidnapping."

"But you're not kidnapping me, because I'm nineteen! You have my permission to house me!"

Running a hand along his head in frustration, Cal pressed, "But how can I know that? You've lied about most everything else."

Abigail narrowed her eyes. "From what I understand, you know quite a bit about lying, yourself."

"Excuse me?"

"What are you afraid of? Could it be because now I know the truth, and you want to get rid of me before it all comes to light?"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Where's Steve?" Cal appeared as if he'd been struck and Abigail zeroed in, feeling tall despite her diminutive height. "Isn't it awful convenient that he's disappeared and left you in charge?"

"Who told you about him?"

"That doesn't answer my question."

Cal's eyes bugged and his jaw clenched, yet he didn't offer a rebuttal. Finally, he lifted a finger and spat, "You can stay. Just…keep your head down, and mind your own goddamn business. You don't know a damn thing about what's going on here."

"Then help me understand."

"Why?"

"Because I want to be your partner. I feel like I have no purpose, Cal, so maybe helping you will change that."

Cal snorted. "Partner? What the hell are you getting at?"

"This is a business, isn't it? Maybe not at a glance, but without funds, the movements sinks. Let me help you manage it." Abigail looked up at him pointedly.

"Alright, let's suppose I agree… What could you possibly offer?"

"I'm very resourceful, remember? You've seen how I've manipulated everyone, including yourself. I'm sure I could find a way to help bring in more clients."

"Why?" Cal pressed. "I don't see what you're getting out of this."

"I'm getting away from my dad," Abigail said. "In this equation, no one loses and everyone wins."

Cal seemed to mull this over, then he gave a fierce "Fine," before taking her by the arm. "But if you tell anyone about what we've discussed, and I mean anyone, you'll be on the next plane to Minnesota."

"And you'll be kicked out of the movement," Abigail challenged. "If you tell on me, I'll tell on you."

"You have no proof."

"Is that really a theory you want to test right now?"

With a growl, Cal yanked her along by the elbow. "Come on," he snapped. "As soon as we get back, I want you to gather your things."

"Oh, but-"

"You're going to live with me. And as much of an inconvenience as that is, it'd be even more of an inconvenience to have you potentially slip up to Sarah or the others. I want you close by."

"You have my word," Abigail promised. "I won't betray you if you won't betray me." Cal spared her a glare that made her stomach flip. At this point, she hoped and prayed that she could keep up her ruse.

A/N: This took a turn I wasn't expecting, tbh, because my initial intent was to have Abigail all doe-eyed and naive, but apparently Abby had other plans. I guess we'll just have to see what happens! :') I'm glad The Path is coming back at the end of the month, because that should help with my inspiration.

INDIVIDUAL THANK YOUS:

city bookworm: In this verse, Abigail is more or less at the beginning of her father's killings, which is why she ran away to prevent any more harm to girls. She didn't want to help lure when he asked. I have to keep reminding myself that in this timeline, Abigail isn't as jaded or experienced as show!Abigail, because she hasn't actually assisted in the kills. She was just given an ultimatum (the whole "help me, or I'll have to kill you" spiel), which is when she ran away. And thanks! :) If you like Hugh, I'm sure you'd enjoy elements of The Path. I find it fascinating, and most of the characters are likable (the character Nicole reminds me of Beverly, actually, which is nice cuz I've missed Bev), so I recommend at least giving it a look-see. :)