The Hope of Eden

Yet

1912
Sacramento, California

"Eden."

Chills ran down her spine at the coldness in his tone.

"Father," She answered softly, keeping her head bowed as she walked toward him.

A distinctly eery chuckle sounded.

"You've taught her well,"

Father chuckled along, though she knew it was forced.

Father despised humor unless it involved his twisted means of joy.

Harm.

"The Word says children must be obedient to parents. I am a Reverend. Eden had a rambunctious spirit, but to adhere to our Lord's qualifications for Reverends and their young, she has become rather compliant."

Unease turned her stomach.

She didn't understand how Father could be a Reverend of the Word and still be cruel.

"I like a little spirit." The man said pointedly. "Let me get a look at her."

Father cleared his throat. "Lift your head, Eden."

She obeyed.

The consequence of disobeying Father was scarring.

Slowly, she lifted her head and bit her tongue to keep from making a sound.

The man was white, tall and wide, and dressed in fine clothing.

His bright green eyes seemed to look right through her.

"She's beautiful," He stepped back to take her in. "A lovely young woman," He praised almost gleefully.

"What do you say, Eden?"

No! I want to go home. I don't like this. Please.

"Thank you, sir." She nodded slightly and he smiled, offering his hand.

Hesitantly, she shook his hand.

"Please, call me Mr. Naid. William Naid,"

-

1921
Lynchburg, Virginia

The sponge slipped from Eden's hands.

She didn't like remembering the past.

Unfortunately, her memories were cruelly intrusive.

Thankfully, cleaning the kitchen floors until they shined took her mind away from rumination.

It'd been two weeks since she and Rosalie came to live with Dr. Slater.

He hadn't done an untoward thing.

Yet.

Rosalie followed the man like a little duckling when he was around. Something he didn't pull Eden aside about or rebuke the child outright.

She didn't want to speak too soon, but he appeared to enjoy her presence.

It was unsettling and comforting at once.

Rosalie often echoed his accent when he wasn't around, giggling to herself about the German gentleman.

Eden couldn't find it in herself to scold the little girl about it. It wasn't proper to mock a person, but Dr. Slater encouraged it. He was teaching her how to speak like him.

There was much about the man that made her unnerved.

She kept her eyes open around him and when they slept, the door was sealed.

Truly, he could turn in a moment.

Still, she didn't want to think that way. He had shown himself to be good.