Anika felt a chill run down her spine. "Just tell me what you want with me."
"I told you that I do not have His permission to tell you, therefore I cannot."
"Who is He?" Anika said as Cain began to pace back and forth, his footsteps pounding against the cold cement.
"He is God. He Who Walks Behind the Rows leads us. He brings us a harvest every year and he provides us with a mission," Cain said, his voice sounded as though he had rehearsed the lines beforehand.
Anika was silent until she asked, "What is that mission?"
"To destroy the infidel and those who defile the corn."
This is a dream.
Tell me this is a dream, she thought.
A smile lit up upon Cain's face but the lighting added a sinister touch to his face. "I've been waiting for this for so long, Susanna, the day we would be reunited."
The door opened again and a girl entered. It was Britannia and in her arms slept Samuel.
Cain turned his head toward the newcomer. "Hello Eve," he whispered.
Cain turned his head back to Anika. "This is Eve," he said, "but I'm sure you know her as Britannia."
Eve took no notice of Anika as she said, "Mara wishes to see the girl."
"Tell her I'll have her ready in a few minutes."
Anika saw Eve nod in the dim light of the flashlight as she opened the door and left.
Cain made sure the door was closed.
"Well, I'd love to be able to talk longer but I must prepare you to see Mara."
Anika quickly asked, "What does this Mara person want with me?"
"You'll have to wait and find out," Cain said as he leaned down and drew a knife from his belt," I'm going to cut the ropes around your ankles. I would advise you not to run however because you will find this knife in your back if you do."
The ropes were undone and Cain helped her stand up. His hand was firmly placed upon her shoulder. He led her to a house, the paint was chipped and the grass needed a good trim. He knocked twice on the door and it opened.
The house was very small. The dim lighting made the furniture hard to see but Anika could tell most of it had a faded flower pattern. Cain led her up the stairs and into a room.
A girl stood at the front.
Cain bowed and left, quietly shutting the door.
Silence followed until Mara said, "So, how do you like Gatlin so far?"
"Uh, it's okay, I guess," Anika said, not really knowing what to say.
"I'm glad, Gatlin used to be horribly ugly. Chemicals from the corn stained the air everywhere you walked. It was terrible. But that's all in the past. He saved us." Mara took a step towards Anika. "I'm so glad to have you with us."
Mara smiled.