The Forsaken (The Chosen Series Book 2), Patricia Bell [e textbook reader .txt] 📗

as his father. Golden. But what was he doing wandering so far away from his home?

“I came to speak to you,” the boy said.

“Me? Why would you want to speak to me?”

“Do you know who I am?”

Malachi chuckled. “I have a good idea.”

“I came to warn you.”

“Me? Why? And how do you know me?”

“I was listening when my father spoke to you. I have a secret place and, well, that does not matter, but I have heard things.”

“What things?” Malachi came closer.

“That your brother, Jacob, is dead but—”

“I already knew that.” Malachi placed his arms around his chest.

“But did you know that the rest of them live? The other two did not die.” Daniel shuffled and looked away. “And Rachel, she lives as well.”

Malachi stared at him for a long time before he spoke. “How do you know?”

“I told you. I have a hiding spot where I hear and watch everything . . . there is more.”

“I’m listening.”

“The High Prophet has hired a man to bring them back to the community where they will be stoned. And that is not all, Abigail is—”

“Stoned? That is impossible. That place has never been used.”

“There is a place?” The boy gave him a quizzical look.

“Yes, in the center of town, but it is only a reminder. No one has ever been— wait, what about Abigail?”

“A witness has come forward identifying her as the one who started the fire. And her sister’s covering was found outside the barn. The High Prophet will have her brought to him in the morning. I fear what he might do to her.”

“Will they flesh her out?”

“No. The High—”

“Why do you call him the High Prophet. He is your father, is he not?”

“Yes, he is. But I must only refer to him by his title. That is just the way it is.”

Malachi shook his head. “Tell me about Abigail.”

“She will be brought to the High— my father, by tomorrow night. I do not know what he will do to her. I believe she is in grave danger.”

“I will make a way to get to her. But—” Could he trust this boy? He was, after all, the son of the High Prophet. He stared long and hard at the boy. “Why are you telling me this?

“It is not just. The ― my father is not doing God’s will. I have read the Bible. This is not what he was meant to do. We are The Chosen. You are . . .  while we sit up there with electricity and indoor plumbing, you people are down here without. If I am to be the future leader, how can I lead like that? It is not right.”

“You are telling me?” He’d seen the comforts the High Prophet had in his home. “But what can I do?”

“I do not know. I just wanted to tell you. Maybe you can think of something.”

“What were you looking for when I came in?”

“I wanted to find you, but I could not do so in these.” He pulled at his red robe. “I was looking for something to wear.”

“And how did you think you would find me?” Malachi waved a hand for the boy to follow and headed off toward the section that held the community clothes.

“I do not know. I was going to figure that out after I found what did not make me stand out like a sore thumb.”

“A what?” Malachi turned to look at the boy who spoke outlandish words.

“Never mind.”

Malachi turned around and continued to walk. The boy was certainly strange. He stopped at the shelf that contained boys' clothing.

He grabbed a pair of jeans. “Try these.” He tossed them to Daniel. “Or would you rather wear this?” Malachi held up a dress. “With that long hair, this may be a better disguise for you.” He withheld a grin as he spoke.

Daniel frowned.

Malachi shrugged. “Okay, never mind. Here.” He grabbed a white button-down shirt and tossed it to him. He then tossed him a straw hat. “Push your hair up inside, and maybe no one will notice.” Malachi shook his head. He’d just better not get too close to anyone. “So, what now?”

“I must get back before I am missed. How can I get in touch with you again if I need to?”

“I am here most every night.” Malachi turned and headed for the door. “Next time just don’t be so obvious.”

“If I hear anything more, I will come.”

“You gonna put those on?” Malachi nodded to the clothes in Daniel’s arms.

“I will save them for next time.” He tucked them under his robe.

“Suit yourself,” Malachi said and headed out into the windy night with Daniel following behind.

Chapter 16 ― Abigail

“I will be back shortly,” Elder Aaron had said as he closed the door.

The click of the bolt had sounded as he locked her inside. That had been hours ago, and no one had returned since. The room was now dark, and the only sound was the whistling wind as it brushed up against the exterior walls of the church.

Abigail stood to look through the one small window in the room. Dust devils swirled around in the night air. Off in the distance, a red image floated through the thickening wall of dust. She pushed closer to the window, but the dust was too dense to get a good look. The red figure seemed to be that of a person. A child? The stature was too short to be a man. But red? No one in the community wore red.

Abigail’s mouth opened and closed again. It couldn’t be. She’d never seen him before, but everyone knew that the young son of the High Prophet wore red. As she stared out the window, the image drifted out of sight until it was no longer visible. Surely, she was imagining things.

The door opened behind her, and she turned from the window. It was Elder Aaron, and he was holding a covering. “Do you deny this belongs to your sister?” he asked

Abigail looked at the