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

covering. “I am sure it does,” she spoke cautiously. “Could she have lost it the day you fleshed her out to die in the desert, Elder Aaron?” It was no use. They had their mindset, and she would be punished. But still, if she were going to be in trouble ... “Maybe that night was windy when you threw her in the back of a truck and―”

“That is enough.” Elder Aaron rubbed his arm where the scars still showed from where Rachel had scratched him. “You may go home to pray. Do not go to work tomorrow. Someone will be there to retrieve you after your supper. Your parents have already been informed of your misdeed.”

“What is my misdeed, Elder Aaron?”

“Abigail Pence! You are excused.”

Abigail dropped her head and turned to leave. Her disrespect toward an elder was already enough to get her fleshed-out. She just couldn’t seem to control the wrath inside of her after all that had happened.

She walked out into the heavy wind and was immediately assaulted by the harsh dust. Her heart was so heavy that she welcomed it. Nothing would ever be the same again. Her once normal, peaceful life had been turned upside down.

She sighed and slowly climbed down the stairs and headed for home. What would they do to her? Would they flesh her out like they did Rachel? So many questions plagued her mind as she pushed her way through the dust and wind to what would most likely be her last night in the safety of her home.

“Abigail?” a voice questioned.

Abigail strained to see a man coming her way. It was Malachi.

“What are you doing out here?” he asked sternly.

“I am on my way home.” She covered her face to avoid the violent dust. “What are you doing out in this weather?”

“I was loading the truck for PSP, but I have learned a bit of news about Rachel. Come. I will see you home safely.” He took her arm and led her through the community.

“What? What have you heard?” A wave of dirt thrust up into her face, and she coughed.

Malachi grabbed her arm to stop her. As he shielded her with his arms, he said, “Rachel is alive.”

Abigail opened her mouth and stared at the man before her and then closed it quickly as the rough wind slapped her face. Hadn’t her father said so? But how could Malachi know such a thing? “How do you know?”

“I have been informed. I cannot reveal my source at this time.”

The red image she’d seen earlier came to mind. There was no way it had been what she thought it was. But how else could Malachi know such news? “Did you speak to ― What was he doing here, among the community?” It was true. It had to be. But how?

Malachi placed a finger to his mouth. “That is not important. What is important is that Rachel is in danger, and so are the others.”

“Others? What others? I thought they were all—”

“Only one died in the crash. They have lied to us.” He pulled on her arm. “Come, we must keep moving.

The wind died down, and Abigail could see the way more clearly. “Who died?”

“Jacob. The others live, and they are in danger. And so are you.”

She’d known she was in danger, but she did not worry for herself. She worried about her sister and the others.

“You must get word to Rachel, Malachi. You must find a way.”

“But what about you? The High Prophet has some kind of plan for you. He will send for you tomorrow.” His eyes saddened. “I fear he will harm you.”

The kindness he showed was startling coming from such a rash man, but she was grateful for it nonetheless. Maybe he was not as harsh as she’d thought.

“Thank you, Malachi.” She touched his arm then pulled back. “You must get word to Rachel and the others. Please, Malachi. We must ensure their safety.”

They stood in front of Abigail’s home as she pleaded with him. She did not fear him as she once did. Malachi was the least of her worries.

“I will think of something. Do not speak a word of this.”

“How will I know when you have succeeded in your plan?”

“We are to be married, Abigail. I am permitted to court you freely, am I not?”

Abigail shuddered at the thought of marrying Malachi. She no longer feared him, but she was too young to be wed to anyone.

“You are,” she conceded with a shy smile. “I must go now.”

Abigail rushed away and into her home. Something about his warm breath on her face made her heart flutter.

Stop it! You are too young to have feelings for a man. That is the very thing that got Rachel in trouble.

As soon as she entered her house, her father stood in the foyer and stared at her with glossy eyes. She stood stock-still and looked down at her feet. Shame engulfed her.

“I cannot help you now, daughter,” he spoke quietly.

“I know, Father. I am sorry.” She looked up at her broken father as her own heart shattered. He’d already lost one daughter to sin, and he was about to lose another.

He nodded, excusing her to leave, and she rushed past him to the stairs. When she made it to her room, she flopped down into her bed, clothes, and all, and cried into her pillow.

Chapter 17 ― Luna

“That was the hardest test I’ve ever taken.” Luna sighed as she and Jonathan jumped into her mother’s car.

“You? I don’t even think I passed. There were words in there that I didn’t even know.”

Luna giggled. “I thought boys were allowed to go to school.”

“Yes, but we only learned the basics. Reading, writing, and farming. There was no use for anything else.”

“True,” Luna agreed. “Wanna drive?”

She threw the keys to Jonathan. If he was right, he probably didn’t pass their GED. It was a hard test for her, and she’d finished most of her high school.

Jonathan snatched the air for the keys