Terror or Lover? Chapter 2 (Decisions to Make)
Malachai had led Emily into an abandoned church building adorned with corn husks and vandalized paintings. Malachai released his grip on Emily's arm only to shove her to the ground.
"Pray, pray and ask forgiveness outlander." Malachai demanded.
Sobbing, Emily did as told, "I ask for forgiveness, for I have sinned." Emily stated through her sobbing, "I have sinned, and wish to join you once more, hand in hand." Emily concluded. Abruptly, Isaac graced them, his demeanor stoic for his age as he soaked in his God's presence.
Blurry pictures embedded themselves into Emily's mind's eye, and she trembled in fear of this God as it bore its own image and demanded respect from Emily. She tried squeezing her eyes shut for no fruit to bear, "Don't look away! Feast your eyes upon your new God, and let him in!"
Isaac was brutal once more, forcing Malachai to pry Emily's forest-green globes in order to take in 'his' essence. Emily winced as Malachai's hand buried and yanked on her dirty blonde locks. Whimpering, Emily opened her once clenched eyes and gazed deep into those of 'He Who Walks Behind The Rows"
Initially, Emily couldn't process the overwhelming fright it did give her, but she was soon overcome by this demon. Her consciousness hazed over and all coherent thoughts became foggy as the demon rewove Emily's personality to make her more malleable and agreeable.
With this, the demon had forgiven any of Emily's sins and she was now welcomed unto Gatlin.
The demon dissipated almost as sudden as it arrived, leaving Isaac, Malachai and herself alone in the church. Emily felt renewed rush- no doubt from the copious amounts of adrenaline pumping through her currently. No longer trembling, Emily's entire being seemed to make peace with her new surroundings.
Under the demon's influence, it was as if Emily was familiar with this place. She seemed to have been gifted an internal compass of the town despite never being here before. Emily almost forgot she was even being man-handled by Malachai; however, Malachai never felt the desire to cease his brutal actions as he lifted her with her hair to a stand.
Turning Emily to face him, he gazed within her eyes, "Now that you have been accepted, you must never leave. For if you choose to stray off the path of faith, and go against 'He Who Walks Behind The Rows' you will suffer a fate worse than death, and you will walk among him."
Malachai warned, making the message clear. Emily had no intentions to break said vow. Giving a nod of understanding did Malachai finally cease his violent ways. Isaac, too, appeared pleased by Emily's obedience and motioned Malachai towards him. After a few hushed exchanges, Malachai and Isaac shifted their attention back onto Emily.
" I will leave you in the hands of Malachai until God tells me what is to become of you here." Again with this. Emily heard him speak of her being of importance, but of what importance was she? She wasn't quite grown but she wasn't a child either. Emily and Isaac stared coldly into each other's souls until Isaac broke first.
At first Emily thought about not inquiring about the whereabouts of her parents, she had to have known deep down that they were gone. It wasn't until Isaac finished allotting Malachai his latest task and took a few steps towards the church's exit did she muster the courage to ask one final time.
"What did ever happen to my parents." Emily asked just but once more. Isaac hesitated before he replied to Emily's outspoken question.
"They are in the corn." Isaac responded before leaving Emily to unravel what he meant as Malachai lingered behind in case Emily attempted to scram.
Emily moved to take a seat at the first pew closest to the congregation. It was as if by a miracle her prayers had been answered, to some degree. Her suffering was at an end in a parental sense. Poor, unfortunate, soul had absolutely zero idea the amount of suffering would be in store for her at the hands of this cult.
Just by five simple words a weight was lifted from her. At the same time darkness shrouded Emily for different purposes now- all while welcoming a new life in Gatlin. Malachai did little to comfort Emily as he, yet again, gripped Emily's upper-arm hard enough to leave solid fingerprint bruises. He ended up rag dolling her from the church towards the residential area towards his own dwelling where he was to house her until Isaac said otherwise.