Three Converts

Part 65

I was shocked Brother Augustus let Sophie get as far as she did. He finally pushed in front of us, his Robe brushing my bare leg.

"Never mind you have interrupted our time of worship," he said in a deep, deadly dangerous voice. "I might forgive that, but I cannot let these accusations stand. You forget-" he raised his voice and turned to all the Robes, "You all forget! The councilmembers are not mere Robes! We are Diety's own messengers! You chose this life to serve and honor Diety. By adhering to our rules that is what you are doing."

"I'm glad you mentioned that, Brother Augustus," I smiled. "It begs the question to all of you- is this the life you signed up for? Are you spiritually satisfied? Do the council's edicts, their punishments, bring you closer to Diety?" Brother Augustus snorted. "We actually have a gift for the commune," I continued. "Griffin?" He smiled his blue sky smile at me and opened the door. Dobson entered, a crooked grin on his face, followed by dozens of people. The room filled and more people stood outside. The flood of people drowned the councilmembers in a sea of normal, colorful clothes. Some of the Brothers and Sisters were yelling, but that too was buried in the gasps of everyone else. One woman pushed her way to the front "Pearl? Pearl!" One of Franklin's converts stood, tears falling.

"Mama?" They ran to each other and embraced. Every person watched as they left, arms around each other without a word. I knew Pearl wouldn't be back. A man from town boomed, "You have taken too many of our loved ones! They're entitled to their own decisions, but we aren't going to stand idly by while you keep them from us and mistreat them!" The townspeople cheered, and chaos ensued. Several more Robes ran to their friends and families. The council was yelling and babbling. Brother Augustus grabbed my arm roughly and spat at me, "You will pay for this!"

"Take your hands off her, Augustus."

Despite his soft tone in the midst of the racket, his words were clear and firm. Augustus dropped my arm. "Thanks, Herb." I hugged him.

"Thank you, Lucy. This place was just what I needed when you recruited me, and I thank you for that, but I think it's time for a change of pace." I smiled, but came up short for words. We nodded at each other and Herb quietly left the commune. I never saw him again, but thought of him every time I had freshly baked bread. It never tasted as good as his.

"Gibby!" Annie was shaking my arm. "Help me find Gibby!" I took her hand and shoved through the secret door in the back of the lecture hall. I heard the council members protest, then Dobson shut them up quickly. We yelled for Gibby. Annie clutched her heart when his boisterous voice boomed back. We followed it to the same pit I'd been in. Annie picked up the rope ladder on the floor by the dirt hole and threw it down. I shivered at my memories of this place. Gibby emerged and kissed Annie full on the mouth. I giggled. "Come on you two, we don't want to miss the commune liberation!"

When we returned, the lecture hall was emptying out in a hurry. Families were reunited, friendships rekindled, amends were made. The council members stood stupidly watching the reunions, watching their followers trickle out and away from their tyrannical grasp. I spotted Sophie talking to my parents. I approached them shyly, but they wasted no time folding me into their arms. My dad stroked my hair, my mom cried. I remembered Griffin and found him at my side. "Mom, Dad, this is Griffin." There was no label for him I was willing to say out loud. Everything Griffin was to me would remain tucked in my heart. I was greedy with it and wouldn't put it into the world. I could see my mom understood this. She politely introduced herself and my dad, with a side smile at me. For the first time in my life I saw my dad look down at his robe, embarrassed. "I don't know how it all came to this," he muttered. He looked up at the council, who was grouped together. I heard arguing, yelling. Great, let their precious council implode on itself, I thought. "Let's get out of here before I do something I regret," my dad said, puffing up. His jaw twitched, and I certainly wouldn't want to mess with him at the moment. We joined the crowd outside. Gordo stood by Sophie. He looked more nervous now than when we were storming up the mountain. Sophie introduced him as her friend and Griffin's brother. Griff and I smiled at each other.

We had many deep conversations waiting for us asa family, but we kept it light in that moment. Suddenly, there was a commotionby the cliff.