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I step back. “You knew he was going to do this?”
To be honest, I’m surprised that I’m even shocked about that.
“Of course. You are a sinner, Faith. You went against everything we have ever taught you and willingly committed a sin when you allowed the devil to plant his seed in your womb. You bore a bastard child and you will pay penance for that.”
“But I’m your daughter. You should love and protect me. How could you?”
“Because you let me down when you sinned against me.”
“Against you! What are you talking about?”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing, and he snaps, “Do you know what happened when you ran, Faith? Do you know what it was like to walk down the street under the glare of disapproval? We were pitied, Faith. The town was disgusted with our family because we raised a disobedient child who was given too much freedom. They blamed us. Your mother and me. We weren’t good enough parents. We had failed in our duty. We were shunned and dis-invited to everything. Made to sit at the back of the church and singled out for blame. The reverend made sure we were the subject of all his teachings about evil and allowing it into Heaven. We were pariah’s, Faith and all because of you.”
“Is that why you brought me back?”
I can still remember waking up after having Hope with my parents by my bed, demanding I return home with them. I resisted but mom promised she would help care for us and as a new mother with no means of caring for my child, I had no choice.
He hisses. “It was our path to salvation. The reverend told us we must pay the lord back by sacrificing the bastard child, along with its mother. He would tear the devil from inside you both and, in doing so, would grant us redemption.”
“You’re sick. The whole fucking town is sick!”
I scream as my father raises his hand, the sting of his knuckles cracking against my face drowned out by the opening bars of the wedding march.
He wastes no time in pulling down my veil and growling, “Now do your duty and pay us back for ruining our lives. You have no choice, Faith. This is your punishment for your sins, and you can burn in hell for all I care. You and that bastard child you brought into the world.”
The tears blind me as I stumble after him, his grip on my wrist a painful reminder that I have nowhere to run to. There is only one person left who can save me and I pray to God, he doesn’t leave it too late.
The church is crowded. There isn’t a spare seat inside and as we enter, the townsfolk stand and stare ahead with rigid backs. They don’t even look at us as my father drags me down the aisle, crying helplessly and begging for help.
My voice is pitiful and edged with pain as I struggle against the powerful grip of the man who just spoke his way out of my life forever. I had a father once who, as it turns out, wasn’t man enough for the job and so I kick and scream as he marches me down the aisle, the music getting louder to drown out my protest.
Two men step forward when we reach the altar and I recognize one is Purity’s father and the other one is Amos Budleigh, the town doctor.
They grip hold of my arms on either side and hold me up as I stare at the man who is the biggest bastard in town.
My husband if he gets his way, and he stares down from the pulpit with anger flashing in his eyes as I sob and scream like a wailing angel.
“SILENCE!” he yells, and I swear you could hear a feather drop as he sneers, “The whole town will witness the hard work I have ahead of me.”
He points to me and almost screams. “The devil is among us! It has consumed this poor pathetic creature, and that is what happens when you let evil inside your mind.”
The congregation murmur and I don’t expect I’m helping my claim to sanity as I yell, “Don’t let him do this. The man’s a deranged monster. He’s sick in the head and you must stand up to him.”
Their disapproval hits me along with their disgust as my pleas fall on deaf ears and Reverend Peters yells, “You can see the Devil at work, right before your eyes. Stay strong and pray to God to deliver us from this evil. She will become my wife and I will do my best to cure her within the protective sanctity of marriage. Praise be to God for his wisdom and help with saving her poor soul.”
It’s a good job the men are holding me up because my knees have weakened, and my sobs are all I can hear over his vile words. This is a disaster. There is nobody here to help me and as the reverend starts reciting the marriage vows, I really believe this is the end for me.
CHAPTER18
JONNY
Iam like a feral beast straining on the leash, and it takes every inch of self-control I possess not to rush in and ruin a carefully thought-out plan.
“Easy, soldier.”
A rough hand sits on my shoulder and if I am grateful for anything, it’s my brothers who arrived in Heaven earlier this morning.
They flew out, bikes and all, in the early hours and made their way to the cabin.
