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Arnoldo leaned forward; his eyes fixed on Paisley. "You’re in the right place. The best course of action, if some conspiracy is involved, is to close your circle as tightly as you can. Cinderhill is truly off the grid, and the people here are not connected to anything besides the earth. These conversations, even though they are tough, will help. It's essential that we understand their motives, their methods, and who might be pulling the strings."
“I just want to feel safe again. They’ve been terrorizing me for eighteen months. I’m exhausted and so scared for Doug or anyone else they might to try hurt to get to me. I’ll have whatever conversions we need to, if it brings this to an end.”
Arnoldo nodded empathetically, his gaze steady. "Carmen and the team back home are tirelessly investigating, but your input is invaluable. I’ll try to be delicate with the questions.”
“Don’t be. I’ve survived so many months of this hell, a few tough conversations won’t kill me.”
Bailey leaned over and topped off their glasses of orange juice. “Cinderhill has a resilient history. A pretty recent one. Everyone here has put their life on the line to keep what we have. I have my own experience with dangerous groups who thrive on madness. My father led the cult that nearly destroyed this place, and me along with it. There were days I never thought I’d make it through, but everyone here made sure I did. We’ll do the same for you.”
“Is it strange that all the way out here, with no one really knowing where I am, I still feel like they’ll find me? I can’t believe there is any corner of the Earth where they couldn’t track me down.”
King stood and took his plate as he headed back toward the kitchen. “You can take comfort in the fact that I’m not entirely sure Cinderhill is of this planet. It’s not like any place I’ve ever experienced. You truly are in the middle of nowhere.”
Bailey stood as well and sidled up to King. “He’s still adjusting to our way of life but I think he’s hooked now, even if he does think we’re aliens.”
“And I’m trying to bring some nice simple advancements to the place too,” King added. “I’ve been reading tons of new initiatives being implemented in communities like Cinderhill. It’s all very possible. I’m making myself the czar of innovation.”
“He want’s pizza delivery and cable television.” Bailey said, rolling her eyes. “That’s not innovation, that’s being spoiled.”
“I mean, she’s not wrong, but I’d settle for a DVD player and a coal-fired pizza oven of our own. I’ve already got Mo working on some engineering ideas for it.”
The two walked away, bickering a bit about the details. Mrs. Tully and Arnoldo gathered up their empty plates and offered Ben and Paisley sympathetic smiles, promising to talk more later.
“No one will find you here.” Ben whispered when they were alone. “Do you know how I know?”
“How?”
“Because we don’t even know where we are. I couldn’t find my way back to civilization if my life depended on it. Your team doesn’t have a clue how to find you. Carmen does this for a living. She knows exactly where you can be safe. But I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with that back home. I didn’t know it was that bad.”
“I didn’t tell them everything.” She blinked away the tears that were forming. “There were some other close calls. It got worse than letters and heavy breathing on the phone.”
“Why didn’t you tell Arnoldo?” Ben gestured to the man shuffling away as if he might go pull him back to the table.
“I’m not ready.” She grabbed Ben’s arm. “I need to breathe. To be here for a little while. When I think about...”
“It’s okay,” Ben assured her with a hand on her shoulder. “We don’t have to do it all at once. Although, I don’t know what else we’re supposed to do.” He waved around and shrugged. “What does one do on a commune? I’ve spent my whole life with at least two jobs. I’ve always been busy trying to keep up. Do we string up a couple hammocks and nap the day away? Catch up on our reading? Learn to knit?”
“Are you Ben?” a man asked, cupping his hands around his mouth and calling from across the small open common area.
“Yeah,” Ben answered skeptically as the man waved him over.
“I’ll take the plates; you go find out what he wants.” Paisley stacked the plates and waved Ben off. His question was legitimate. How exactly were they supposed to pass the time here? Her busy schedule and constant to-do list hadn’t left her any time to decompress. She wasn’t sure she knew how. It seemed like there were plenty of jobs around Cinderhill, but she was completely unqualified for the majority of them.
“Paisley,” Mrs. Tully called from the window common kitchen area. “You any good at math?”
“Not really,” Paisley replied with a laugh. “I’m not good at much of anything besides acting. But I can learn and help out with whatever you need.”
“Acting.” Mrs. Tully snapped her fingers. “You’re very good at acting, right?”
“I guess it’s subjective, but I do try to be.”
“A play. We need a pageant or a show. The kids would love that. It’s been a stressful time around here, and they need some fun. Do you think you could help put something together?”
“I’d be better at that than algebra.”
“Bring those plates in and let’s get it started.”
“A play,” Paisley whispered to herself. This could be something good. She needed something good.
