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“None of these people are goin’ to the police,” Storm interrupts us, gripping my shoulders and squeezing. He gestures his head toward the couple who are currently shaking Tripp’s hand as they thank him. I look to the other side of the village where a woman is on her knees holding Troj’s hand in hers and bowing her head against it. One family is already leaving their house with a suitcase and a chest which I assume holds all their belongings.
“We’re fuckin’ heroes,” Storm points out.
“I’m done bein’ a hero. Let’s fuckin’ go home.” I slap Jessie on the back and start heading toward the gate, while Storm makes his way to the cage where the rest of the Elders are tied and gagged ready for their final destination.
“Wait.” I’m about to step back into the forest when I hear a weak voice call from behind me. The woman’s tiny frame struggles to carry her huge, round belly as she shuffles towards me cautiously
“Everleigh isn’t dead,” she whispers, searching the space around us to ensure no one can hear.
“What? Her mom just told me…”
“Follow me.” The girl turns her back and leads me behind the row of houses that are built along the perimeter.
“I don’t understand.” She ignores me as she continues to walk as briskly as her condition will allow her.
She stops when we get to the house that's much bigger than all the others here, then starts to move the heavy milk churns that are against the back wall. I notice her struggling and tell her to stop so I can move them myself, and despite the confusion on her face, she manages a grateful smile.
“I’m not supposed to know, I’m ashamed to admit that I was too afraid to save her. Abraham would have…” She lowers her head.
“He can’t hurt you now,” I promise.
“I heard him and the girl's father talking one night last winter. He was mad because Abraham had kept the fact that she was alive a secret and he’d kept his actions hidden from all the other Elders.”
“Kept what actions hidden?”
“He told Elder Thomas that God had spoken to him and told him that Everleigh should pay for Addison’s sins. That she would belong to him even though she wasn't chosen. Elder Thomas wasn’t happy, he had been told she was dead like everyone else was.”
“Wait, are you tellin’ me that he’s had her down there since Addison left?” I stare at the metal doors that lead underground beneath my feet and when I look back up at the girl, she’s nodding her head sadly.
“She wasn’t worthy of bearing him children, he kept her to pay for Addison's sins. He kept her to beat.” Tears brim in the little woman’s eyes as she explains.
“Abraham told her parents that he found her in the forest hanging from a tree. There was no reason for anyone to doubt him, Addison had escaped, and the two of them were close. I hope you can help her. Please tell her I’m sorry.” The woman goes to walk away.
“You’re Annie, ain’t ya?” My voice makes me pause and turn back around.
“How did you know?”
“Addison’s talked about you. She liked you.”
“I liked her too.” She smiles fondly.
“What will you do now? You need to be taken care of. I can help.”
“You already helped.” She reaches out for my hand and lowers her head.
“Here.” I take my wallet from my back pocket and give her all the cash I have. “It ain’t much but it's a start. I know what you’ve seen today doesn’t back what I’m tellin’ ya, but we’re good men. You ever need anythin’, you find your nearest Dirty Soul clubhouse and you tell ‘em Skid sent ya.”
“Appreciated.” She smiles before she walks away while I turn around and brace myself for what I’m about to find.
Iabsorb the fear from both of their eyes as they look up at me.
My brother’s bitch and her son are now tied to chairs in the kitchen. I have two rags ready to gag ‘em if they make too much noise, but since we have some time to kill I’d prefer to feed my curiosity.
Grabbing a chair for myself, I twist it around and straddle it in front of them.
“Now, which one of you is gonna tell me your name first?” I wave my blade between them.
“Don’t worry, he won’t hurt you,” the young woman tells her son, trying her best to sound like she has some control.
