CHAPTER FOUR – Of Sticks and Holes
Inside the church, blood was smeared all over the walls.
A child shall lead them.
Spill the blood.
Follow He Who Walks Behind the Rows.
It is as it is written.
Chills ran up my spine, and felt gooseflesh prickle my skin. I thought of huddling close to Malachai, then mentally slapped myself.
We reached the altar and Malachai shoved me toward Isaac. "The Outlander is awake and ready for your word. What has He said to you? Does he speak?"
Irritated at the redhead's constant questioning, Isaac grew red in the cheeks. "Do not question my judgment, Malachai!" He spat the words. Such venom coming from a small child's mouth made my stomach tie itself in knots. Isaac's ruthless gaze returned to my face, "my child, are you ready to witness a ritual?"
"But Isaac—" Malachai protested, only to be cut off by Isaac.
"Hush! It is time to see what your fate is, or what it will be if you do not believe in our ways. If you do not follow us, you will be put to death." Isaac retreated, and turned to a boy sitting on near the altar. "Amos, are you ready?"
This Amos held a blade sheathed with corn to his chest. He was smiling. "Yes, I am!"
"W-What are you doing?" I shrieked.
Amos smiled at me, "it's my birthday."
My jaw dropped and I scratched my forehead, "happy, um… birthday."
"Thank you. This is my rite of passage! I go to Him tonight."
"Uh…" I giggled quietly, "who?"
Malachai grabbed my arm, "He Who Walks Behind the Rows, our God."
I nodded," wonderful."
Amos began carving something into his skin, allowing the dark crimson liquid to drip into a bowl, also made of corn. Soon, I saw that what Amos was cutting into himself was a pentagram. A Wiccan symbol. It suddenly looked more evil than intended by the Wiccans.
I began stepping back, only to be caught around the neck by Malachai. Isaac glared at him, and I closed my eyes.
"You are uncomfortable?" Isaac asked, touching my chin with his dirt-stained childish hands.
"Oh, no, I'm peachy! I mean, watching people drip their blood into bowls is a huge turn-on!"
Isaac smiled, "good."
"Clearly you don't understand sarcasm. I am very uncomfortable."
"Well, my child, you will soon become accustomed to this. After all it is your fate."
"I'm going to have to ruin my perfectly decent boobs to carve a pentagram into my chest?!" I gaped at him.
Isaac was silent. He blinked a few times, turned around, and ordered the children away. Malachai dragged me out the church doors along with the rest of the children of the corn.
"Now where are we going, babysitter?" I smiled.
He huffed and remained silent as we walked. We stopped in front of an ivory house with open windows. "Go in there, talk to Sarah and Job. I have no time for your games."
I said nothing and slammed the door. From the window, I watched Malachai walk away, probably going to speak with Isaac about my lack of cooperation. I rolled my eyes and called out for Sarah and Job. They came to the top of the stairs and invited me up.
In the room, they were playing a game of monopoly. An old turntable was scratchily belting out jazz tunes.
"Shh!" Sarah said as she brought me into the room. "Music and games are forbidden, don't tell Malachai."
"I wouldn't dream of it," I whispered, ruffling her hair. "Now that you mention forbidden things, what else isn't allowed here in Gatlin?
"Interlopers in general aren't allowed here, or to know our ways. Isaac must see something special in you." Sarah grinned at me, her lively blue eyes sparkling under unkempt blonde bangs.
Job nodded, "but I don't know why we even follow Isaac. It's stupid. Just because he was a preacher, everyone believes him!"
"Yeah," I grunted. "So, go on. About forbidden things, and taboo."
Sarah continued, "well, any criticisms of Isaac's way are forbidden, promisc… promis… promise- hibiscus…" she trailed off.
"Promiscuity?" I offered.
"Yes, that. I don't know what it means, but it also outlawed."
"It means having sex with lots of people."
"What's sex?" Sarah and Job inquired in unison.
"It's when… uh…" I racked my brain for an example that didn't involve directly naming genitalia. "It is when a stick goes into a um… hole and—"
A blade buried itself in the game board. Sarah, Job, and I stared into the angry face of none other than my babysitter Malachai.
As we all slowly trotted down the stairs, Sarah whispered to me that we were in trouble.
Isaac stood, arms folded when we met him in the church again. He had lit a candle and seemed less than surprised to see us held captive by his loyal homicidal henchman.
"They had a game and music. Which is forbidden." Malachai growled.
Isaac nodded, "I see… take them back, Malachai."
Malachai grew enraged. "But it's FORBIDDEN!"
"So is shoving sticks in holes, but who listens to that?" I shrugged and laughed.
Malachai gaped at me, and Sarah and Job were biting their lips to keep from giggling. Isaac snarled and slapped Malachai across the face. "DO NOT QUESTION ME, HERETIC!"
"Ok, take us back, before Isaac has a tantrum…" I snickered, winking at Malachai. It made him seethe.
The redhead pushed Sarah and Job, now holding hands, ahead of him, and with his other hand grabbed the back of my neck, violently shoving me forward.
Sarah and Job quickly disappeared into the house which I had found them. "Hey," I said defiantly, "don't I get to go?"
"NO." Malachai spat, "YOU get to come prepare for the fertilization ceremony. It is to be held in a few days. At dusk."
"Um, pardon me, what?" I pulled myself out of his vice grip.
"Our population isn't very large. Someone must carry a child."
"Uh… well, count me out."
"You'll be watching, along with the rest of us in the church. It's a ritual."
"Are you going to be killing anyone?"
"I'll slit your throat if you make another wise remark, outlander."
"Call me Sage, baby." I smiled.
Malachai groaned and balled his hands into fists.
"Bring it, tough guy."
"No. You're going to come to the field with me. Under the orders of Isaac."
"Of course. Malachai the Great wouldn't ever want to just spend quality time with lil' ol' Sage." I pouted and poked him in the chest.
Not understanding my intentions, Malachai turned and I followed him to the field. We began gathering corn as the red and pink bled through the sky.