Test of Faith

2

The two women stared at each other for a while. Both were very real, though existing at different times they both truly lived. They loved the same lives, same fates, and would see the same demise though Rachel did not know it. The woman sat on the edge of the bed, her legs reached the grassy floor but she did not yet stand up. Instead she observed the young girl infront of her. He's opted for younger, she thought. More vulnerable, more pure, more innocent. She took a step off the bed and rather than walking she floated over to the girl. Leaning down she sat just floating above the blades of grass like a ghost or a vision would. For that is what she was a vision, an omen, a lesson with a voice.

"That liar. That absolute monster." She held Rachel's face, and to the girl she felt oh so real. The woman's hands were cold like death itself and she shivered as she touched her face. Her eyes were full of rage and horror. She was full of hate and rage, a restless soul the woman was. "Look what he did to you. You poor girl, what has he done?" The question was rhetorical as she continued, her tone growing more and more vengeful everytime she asked. "Oh what has he done to you!"

"Who are you!" Rachel finally shouted, breaking the woman's cycle of words. She was scared but more so she was angry. She pushed herself further up against the door trying to move from the ghost's touch. The woman looked at her with new found pity as she let her hands fall to her lap.

"He called me Faith. But my name, it was Lana. Much like you, I too filled that role."

Rachel felt a cold shiver run down her spine, 'role' 'Faith' she finally pieced together something about the father. "There were more?" Was all she could say, and the woman nodded.

"I was the first- well of Sister Faith. The first Faith. She". Lana held her breath as if Faith, the real one was listening. "She was someone else entirely. She was real, she was named Faith. Unlike us." Lana's tone softened from when she first spoke. Her voice was deeper like that of a grown adult woman, a mother even. Her voice was smooth like rich caramel with hints of sweetness that made her feel safe. It took not long till Rachel peeled herself away from the door and instead moved toward the figure of the woman. Sitting adjacent from her she felt the blades of grass kiss her bare skin reminding her she was still very real. But instead she focused on the woman, her long black hair, her dark hazel eyes. Her ghost-like skin, and her torn white dress that looked almost identical to her own. Right down to every flower that cascaded down her waist to the very ends of the lace.

"Why are you here? To hurt me? To scold me on my disobedience to the father? Whatever it is, do it quickly... please." Her last word was pleading, she wanted this horrific trip to be over. She didn't want some religious revelation or a talking to from god. She just needed to get out of this bunker before she went crazy... or well, crazier than she was right now.

"Oh no, Joseph? Why would I ever sing that monster's praises? I'm here to show you the truth Rachel. We all are."

"We?"

"You're not the first Faith he's used Rachel. But you know that already don't you?"

She nodded trying not to let her thoughts consume her. From what Lana said she would speak to that Faith soon, much to Rachel's dismay. But she was always a curious girl, she always wanted to know more. And this, Lana, the other Faiths. This might be the closest to answers to learning just how to survive Joseph. Perhaps even thrive in her captivity.

"What's your story then? How'd you come to the project? Why did you stay?"

"Same reason you stay. Fear." Lana felt her body tense, or what would be her body. The memory's flooding back all of them. The march from Georgia to Montana, eventually being killed just weeks after the project staked its roots in the foreign soil. Killed at the hands of a younger more obedient girl with Joseph wrapped around her finger. Her death started the trend of faiths killing other faiths for their title. A sort of sick ritual to prove their true devotion to the project and the father. To strip their identity and humanity all for the sake of a 'new life.' And once the father sucked them dry of everything they had. He would find a newer, younger, more obedient girl. And the cycle would continue.