A thin girl came to Sophie's room in the morning, not bothering to meet her gaze. Miriam went through the dorms, her voice chipper.
"Up up up! Time for another day on the right path!"
The girl placed a tray on the small table beside Sophie's bed and turned to leave. Sophie glanced at the tray with a bowl of oatmeal and a mug of tea. She pushed her tray aside and rose to her feet. Miriam stepped into her room.
"Morning, Sophie. I trust you slept well?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Excellent. You've always been disciplined, and it's truly inspiring, but Sophie, I can sense that you've been struggling lately, so I've decided to give you the day off from the kitchen."
"Thank you, ma'am."
Miriam smiled. "I still expect to see you at morning prayer."
She turned and left. Sophie's stomach growled. She looked at the food in front of her. She took a bite. The oatmeal was bland, but she finished it quickly. Sophie stood and smoothed her skirt. She needed to attend morning prayer and seemed enthusiastic about doing so. Women filed out of their rooms, ushering children along. Sophie fell in line, following them to the dining hall.
Kessler stood at the front, and Miriam stood to the side. Sophie took her place near the front and bowed her head. Her lips formed those familiar words, and her voice brought them to life. But as she spoke, all she could think of was her mantra.
Help is coming. Just hold on.
"Brothers and sisters," Kessler said, "We are family. Your dedication brings us one step closer to our promise. One step away from darkness and destruction. We walk this path together. Each of you is here because you choose daily to reject the lies of the outside world and embrace the truth. Yes, we have made sacrifices. We have sacrificed doubt, fear, weakness, and what have we gained?"
"Freedom," Sophie spoke with the crowd.
Kessler smiled. "Yes. But true freedom comes at a cost. It demands vigilance, loyalty, and discipline. When even one of us falters, we must guide them back towards the light. Let us pray for those among us who struggle. May they recommit themselves to our path."
The murmured prayers began, and Sophie muttered something under her breath. When the prayer ended, Kessler smiled warmly.
"Before I can let you go, we must address a situation. A matter has been brought to my attention. It seems one among us has allowed guilt to cloud their judgment. This is not uncommon. Seeds of doubt are often planted in the outside world, and it takes vigilance to uproot it."
Sophie's fingers dug into her palms.
Help is coming. Just hold on.
"We are a family," Kessler said, stepping down from his podium, "As a family, we must stand firm. If one of us falters, we must guide them back with love and patience."
He moved closer until he was hovering over Sophie.
"Sophie," he said gently.
She tilted her head up. "Yes, father?"
Kessler smiled. "Your dedication has faltered recently, and your sisters have noticed it, too. This concerns me. You've always been an example of what it means to walk the right path."
"I'm sorry I've given that impression, Father," Sophie said, "I'm fully committed to the path you've shown us."
"Beautiful words, Sophie. But actions speak louder. If you are genuinely committed, you will see this as an opportunity to recommit to our family."
Sophie nodded. "Of course, father. Whatever is needed."
Kessler's smile widened. "Excellent. Miriam will oversee you. You'll spend a few days away from your usual tasks."
Sophie nodded, "Thank you, Father. I'll do my best."
"Excellent. Let us all go forth with our work. You are dismissed to your tasks."
The congregation filed out, and Sophie followed, going to the dorm. On the way to her room, she passed by the thin girl, who sat on her bed, knees pulled up to her chest and eyes darting around the room.
Sophie stepped inside. "Hi."
The girl's head snapped up.
Sophie knelt behind her. "I know it's hard at first."
She spoke quietly. "I don't belong here."
"You're not alone, " Sophie said, "Just hold on. Help is coming."
Sophie stood quickly and stepped into the hallway. She walked back to her room, where Miriam could find her. She reached under her mattress and felt her cross pendant. Her burner phone was still hidden in the scrap wood pile behind the chicken coop. She wanted to run and call for help, but Miriam was coming, and she couldn't risk it. She paced back and forth in her room. Everything was quiet. The only sound was the thin girl's sobbing.
Sophie clenched her fists and sat on the edge of her bed.
Help is coming.
Miriam stepped inside "Sophie. I trust you've been using this time wisely."
"Yes ma'am," Sophie nodded, "I've been reflecting on Father Kessler's teachings."
Miriam nodded, stepping closer. "Good. He believes you have potential. I do too, which is why I'll be keeping a close eye on you."
Sophie smiled. "Thank you for your guidance, ma'am. Remember, this is a chance to prove your devotion to our family. We'll begin your tasks shortly."
"Yes Ma'am", Sophie said.
Miriam turned and left. Sophie stood just in time to hear footsteps approaching her.
Miriam watched as the congregation left, and Sophie walked out. She followed Kessler into his office. Kessler had poured two glasses of scotch and held one out as she entered.
"I'm concerned recommittment won't be enough for Sophie," Miriam said as she accepted the drink.
"If she's still faltering after recommitment, that says more about your leadership abilities than it does about her faith."
"I don't know what I'll do yet. That concerns me. She's trying to go through the motions, but I can't help but question her loyalty."
Kessler swirled his glass. "Loyal to the family or loyal to you?"
Miriam set her glass down. "Both, Father Kessler. The last thing we need is for our followers to think they can walk all over us and get off with a slap on the wrist."
Kessler took a sip. "I agree, but I can't kill everyone who dislikes you, Miriam. If people see me as unforgiving, they'll never share another secret with me. I expect you to deal with this situation personally."
Miriam frowned. "I'm perfectly capable of handling her, Father. I know the most about the woman and am well-equipped to show her the path.
Kessler laughed. "You mean you'll scare her into saying she agrees with you. You're not exactly friendly, Miriam, and you lack patience."
"I'm impatient because I know how fragile this community is. I'm the one who keeps the women in line while you play preacher. We're a family, and that means someone has to be the bad guy. I don't appreciate you questioning my abilities."
Kessler smiled. "No one is questioning your abilities, Miriam, but you seem defensive now. Why is that?"
Miriam clenched her jaw. "I'm defensive because I care about our family. Your way may be gentle, but mine gets results."
"The fastest way is not always the best, Miriam, "Kessler said, "You of all people should know that."
Miriam pursed her lips. "Of course, father, I know that. But you're too soft. If you let Sophie get away with this, everyone else will see faith as optional."
Kessler smirked. "Sophie is a smart girl, Miriam. She knows the consequences if she continues to falter."
"I'm well aware of her intelligence," Miriam muttered, "She's clever, and cleverness breeds dishonesty. She's pretending to be faithful to save her skin. What happens if she harms our family?"
"Then we'll deal with it, but you must calm down. You're being more irrational and emotional than the women I've given you authority over."
Miriam sighed. "Emotional, perhaps, but I am not irrational. I know better than you think I do. I see things you don't."
Prentiss and Morgan stood behind the tree.
"You hear that?" she whispered to Morgan.
He nodded. "Someone's inside that building."
The two agents walked back slowly, approaching where they left Officer Landon. As they moved forward, they spotted a narrow window.
"Maybe we can see inside from here," Morgan said as he crouched down.
Prentiss took careful steps towards the window, hoping to hear something.
"Hear anything?" Morgan asked.
"Nothing yet."
They continued to listen as the sounds of people going about their lives filtered through.
"Keep listening. There could be more."
Prentiss nodded and continued to listen. Footsteps echoed from inside. They were repetitive and steady, like someone was pacing. Muffled voices could be heard from the inside.
"Sounds like a meeting," she muttered, looking back at Morgan.
Morgan nodded. "Any idea how many people?"
Prentiss crouched lower, inching closer to the barbed wire fence. She could hear a man's deep voice. Could that be Kessler? She would need eyes on him to confirm. She straightened slightly, hoping to peer through the glass. She could see shadows moving along the walls.
"I think it's him," she told Morgan, "He's speaking to a group of about thirty or forty people."
Morgan leaned closer, "We should head back before someone finds us."
Prentiss stepped back from the fence. "Sophie is somewhere in there. We're running out of time."
Morgan nodded. "Let's return to Landon and tell him what we've found. We must speak to the team to figure out how to get inside."
The two agents retreated into the woods quickly and quietly. Prentiss and Morgan had nearly reached the police car when Prentiss' phone rang.
"That better not be Officer Landon," Morgan muttered.
Jonathan Kessler sat at his desk, finishing Miriam's untouched drink. Something was off. It was too quiet. He looked out at the dining hall. Miriam returned, shutting the door behind her, and found Kessler staring into his empty glass.
"Father," she said softly, "Something is wrong."
He looked up at her. "What do you mean?"
Miriam crossed her arms. "Sophie is hiding something. I heard her talking to the new girl earlier."
Kessler sighed, putting down his glass. "Miriam, it's in a woman's nature to be paranoid, but you're looking for trouble where there is none."
Miriam's jaw clenched. "I'm not paranoid, I'm observant. The women trust me and they tell me things. Something is going on with Sophie."
"You see threats everywhere, Miriam. You doubt everyone here." Kessler stood, "What could Sophie possibly be hiding?"
"I don't know, but she's been distant lately, father. She barely speaks to anyone, and now she's talking to the new crying girl?"
"If one of your girls was crying, why weren't you talking to her?"
"That's beside the point, Father, "Miriam said, "She's changed; she doesn't smile. She doesn't contribute. She's been here a year, and all she does is wash dishes. Even that is sloppy. Something is happening. She will lead the good ones astray."
"How can you be sure of this?"
"I don't need proof to be sure," Miriam snapped, " She's slipping away."
Kessler looked at her."Enough Miriam. You have no authority to judge anyone in this community. You will not continue to pester me. Allow Sophie her time to reflect and treat her as you would any other girl. Is that clear?"
Miriam's jaw clenched. "Yes, Father. Completely."
Kessler nodded. "Good. Now, let me have another drink in peace."
She glared at him and left the office, shutting the door behind her. The dining hall was quiet again. Kessler poured his third drink and downed it all in one gulp.
Miriam's footsteps echoed through the dorms. Sophie could hear the crying girl try to stifle her sobs.
Miriam's voice was sharp. "There's no use in tears, child. Dry your eyes and find strength in your struggles."
Miriam entered her room again. "It's time for your tasks to begin. Reflection is a gift. It allows us to see and correct our faults before it's too late. This is an opportunity for you to grow stronger."
Help is coming. Just hold on.