All Eternity

Think Twice

My head is throbbing when I wake up and I can't stop myself from throwing up almost immediately. I'm dizzy and my eyes don't seem able to focus on anything. It feels like I'm moving but I know I'm sitting still. Then I realize I'm in the car.

Everything comes back to me at once. I was packing and then my dad showed up. Now I'm here in the car with him and two men I've never seen before. It feels like we're speeding but I'm so confused I can't be sure. Why is this happening?

"Drink this," one of the men says, pushing what looks like a bottle of water to my lips. I taste it, just a little. My mouth wants to keep drinking but I don't trust them enough to be sure this is okay.

"Charlotte, do as you're told," my father meets my eyes in the rearview mirror. I look away. "This defiance is why you're here now."

"Where are you taking me?" I ask him.

"Somewhere you can't keep getting in the way," my father sighs. "Of all my daughters I thought you were the one I could count on, Charlotte."

"Count on for what?" I don't know why he's talking like I should know what he wanted from me.

"You were married to Justin for a reason," Dad says. "I have plans for him, and I thought you could be trusted to do as you were told."

"Maybe I could have if I'd known what you were planning," I say after thinking for a minute.

"It's not up to you to know, Charlotte, you just need to have faith and be obedient," my father shakes his head. "Drink that water," he orders.

I force my hands to grip the plastic bottle and take another sip. It's not very cool but my mouth is dry and has a sick taste. Though I try to pace myself I end up finishing the whole bottle. My head feels fuzzy again and I lean against the window. I close my eyes because it's easier than keeping them open. My fingers relax and let go of the empty bottle.

"Have you chosen a replacement?" the man sitting next to me asks. He sounds really far away.

"Not yet," my father answers.

"Will you send her back?" the man in the front seat asks.

"No, she's too much of a risk," my father sighs. "I'll send two new ones. That should keep Brother Justin happy."

"He seems like a risk too, sir," someone says. There's another sigh from my father.

"He's all we have," my father replies. "There's no one else so loved by so many people. The amount of control he has over his fans is incredible. Can you imagine when he takes my place?" he asks.

"What if he refuses?" the man next to me asks. It's the question I would ask if I could. Justin would never take over the church.

"He won't be able to," my father insists. "I'll make sure of it."

I can feel my heart racing even though the rest of my body seems like it's given up on me. No one asks any more questions after that but I'm dying to know what my father has in mind. How could he trap Justin into taking over as prophet? It doesn't make sense with Justin's career calling him away to so many different places.

The window vibrates gently and I can't keep myself awake much longer. It feels like I've just been asleep for a second when I hear shouting but when I open my eyes it's dark out. I have no idea where we are but I know we're speeding now. Blue lights flash behind us and everyone is fighting about whether or not we should stop.

"I can't outrun him here," my father argues. He slows and moves off the road."Tell me she's still asleep."

"I think so," the man next to me leans over me so close that I can smell his breath. I try not to move.