Chapter 21: Discovery

Twelve weeks later, Sarah’s eye had fully healed, she and her lovers could easily touch the raised letters upon her skin under her left breast, and spring had rushed upon the compound like a tsunami. Robins hunted, leaves sprouted and the sun warmed bare skin more used to snow and ice than rays. The women had tilled the fields in preparing for planting once the danger of night frost diminished. Nightly, Sarah dreamed of short clowns with Patrick’s face and serrated knives. She visited the moon every night to ward off more dreams, regardless of weather.

After the killing of Patrick, Brady seemed more withdrawn and moody. Brady’s sermons tended increasingly towards apocalypse: Pestilence, War, Famine and Death. Given the relative peace within Blessed Shelter, the unexpected topic unsettled Sarah and possibly others in the congregation.

Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;

Crickets had not emerged from hibernation despite the warm temperature of the evening. The fire crackled and spat, smoke rising through the pines. Sarah automatically joined Brady after the sermon with Susan and Patricia, lying on damp acrid pine needles. Brady seemed a little distant, almost making love by rote. Susan and Patricia balanced Brady’s distance, ensuring Sarah’s climax even as she kissed Brady. Sarah’s fingers wandered over Susan’s sex even as Patricia straddled Brady, coaxing him to finish. After everyone was satisfied physically, Sarah crawled over to lie in the crook of Brady’s arm. Absently he stroked her hair and drowsy, she dozed, the scent of pine needles and woodsmoke suffusing her dreams.

Ivan’s hushed voice woke Sarah. He crouched on Brady’s left, opposite to where Sarah lay. She remained nestled in Brady’s arms; the moon had shifted significantly in the sky above. She closed her eyes again, willing herself back into sleep, reminding herself that eavesdropping was a sin. She didn’t catch all Ivan’s hurried and hushed words, but she could feel Brady’s body tense as he listened to Ivan.

“ ... we found Janet...”

“She’s alive?”

“Apparently so.”

Brady paused.

“Shit.”

“Will she be a problem?”

“Sarah? She’s asleep.” Brady stroked her hair gently. “She sleeps soundly.”

“What the hell do we do?”

Brady paused again, his fingers absently trailing through Sarah’s blonde tresses across his bare chest.

“I’ll think of something,” Brady finally said.

With that, Ivan straightened and moved away. A moment later, Brady gently shook Sarah. She pretended to awaken, stretching and yawning.

“Bedtime, Sarah.”

“I’m comfortable,” she murmured softly, pushing herself closer beside him. She trailed one finger down his chest until she met his erect penis. Brady’s body tensed as she touched him. Gently, he grasped her wrist and urged her hand back to rest upon his chest again.

“Did you want me to make love to you before you go?” he asked.

She did, but she shook her head negatively. With a small sigh, she rolled from Brady and pushed herself to her feet. Someone had gathered up her clothing as she had slept. The night was warm. Shrugging, she bent and kissed Brady.

“Good night, Brady. I love you.”

“Good night, Sarah. I love you, too.”

She was the last to leave the campfire, save Brady who remained brooding under the pine tree. She walked slowly back to the bunkhouse, her bare feet enjoying the warmth of the pine needles and the earth.

“Welcome back,” Rebecca sighed sleepily as Sarah climbed into the lower bunk. “Good night?”

Her body wanted more sex, it always did these days, but she was satisfied enough. Sarah swung her legs out of the bunk and stood. She peered into the top bunk where Rebecca lay on her back. In the dim light, she could tell that Rebecca’s eyes were open, staring at the ceiling.

“Something strange happened before I came here,” Sarah said in hushed tones.

Rebecca turned her face towards Sarah.

“Do tell,” she smiled.

“I didn’t catch all of it, but Ivan came to see Brady while I was sleeping. His voice kind of woke me.”

Rebecca said nothing, listening.

“Ivan told Brady that he’d found Janet, whoever that is.”

Rebecca suddenly seemed more awake. She propped herself up and stared at Sarah. The sheet fell away from her chest.

“Janet’s alive?”

Sarah nodded. “Apparently, yes. Who is she?”

Rebecca lay back down, her breathing ragged.

“She’s alive? Oh my God. They told me she was dead.”

“Who is she?”

“She slept on your bunk before you arrived here.”

“That’s why I’ve never met her.”

Rebecca lay silent, her demeanour uncharacteristically rigid and tense. Sarah gently touched Rebecca’s shoulder.

“It’s good that she’s alive, right?”

“Maybe,” Rebecca told the ceiling. “Maybe.”

A wave of fatigue washed over Sarah.

“We can talk more tomorrow?” she asked.

“Sure,” Rebecca answered absently. “Tomorrow. Good night, Sarah.”

“I’m sorry if I upset you,” Sarah offered.

“It’s not your fault,” Rebecca assured the ceiling. “Get some rest.”

Sarah touched Rebecca’s shoulder once more, anxiety infusing into Sarah’s fingertips.

“Good night, Rebecca.”

“Good night, Sarah.”

Confused, Sarah slipped back into the lower bunk and pulled the sheet over her. Her fingers wandered over her brand. Despite worrying about Rebecca, she fell into a light sleep. The clown chased her, but she didn’t wake again until morning.

For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

“Ow,” Sarah murmured quietly.

As Brady’s voice droned on, Rebecca’s fingers grasped Sarah’s in an increasingly tight grip, pressing Sarah’s fingers together painfully. At her expression, Rebecca loosened her grip, but didn’t release Sarah’s hand. When Brady’s words on resurrection completed, Rebecca quickly rose to her feet and stalked away towards Uma and Hua well away from the campfire. Sarah massaged her fingers, shaking her head, somewhat amused, and wandered over to Brady’s tree. Tonight, Stephanie joined them, her tongue soft against Sarah’s, her fingers light upon her breasts. Unwilling to wait, Sarah straddled Brady, his cock penetrating her easily in one motion. She threw back her head, hair tickling her back as Stephanie kissed her lips, Brady’s hands stroking her nipples. As her climax inevitably rose to consume her, a shrill voice interrupted her pleasure.