"Wait a minute. Do you mean Carrie was in a cult?" Orchid asked. TJ told her and Jago about his discussion with Carrie last night. As morning arrived, the boxer discovered the half-siblings and led them away, hiding behind a hut.
"Maybe not the kid herself, but her mom... look, I'm not one to judge people, but the way Carrie described her lifestyle sounds fishy. What kind of Christians separate themselves from the world?"
"Several," Orchid said. "The Amish is one such example. Some Protestant religious groups follow the doctrine of non-fellowship, meaning they shouldn't associate with those 'of the world.'"
"Okay, fair points," TJ said, "but Carrie and her mama don't appear to be the type. They're not Amish, as she doesn't know what that is. She has no clue what Christian sect they follow. It's like their own thing."
Jago scratched his chin. "When I brought Carrie to the hospital in Tibet for her stab wound, she was ignorant about the place. Even the doctor informed me about Carrie's blank medical records. I assumed her family couldn't afford an annual check-up. Carrie also told me how her mother thought the menstrual cycle was sinful. I never understood the concept, but now that you're mentioning this cult thing..."
Orchid furrowed her brow, concerned. "It sounds off, even for standard religions. It's one thing to have strict beliefs, but to ignore basic health needs? That's a red flag. I'll dig into the mother's background to discover signs of cult-like behavior, but I can't promise any answers."
"Jago?" Carrie peeked behind the hut, with Pemba following.
"Give me a minute. We'll head to the waterfall soon," the monk said. Carrie and Pemba nodded and left. Once the women were out of earshot, Jago returned to Orchid and TJ, lowering his voice. "So, what do we do if we discover she's in a sect without her knowledge?"
"We'll cross that bridge once I find the information," Orchid said. "Also, we should focus on making Carrie feel safe and supported."
"Oi, TJ!" Pedro's voice called. The boxer recoiled as he peeked out. The young man stood at the gate entrance, waving with a broad grin.
TJ cursed, gritting his teeth as he remembered the outrageous bet.
"Oh, you're about to endure Maya's cardio run, right?" Orchid rested her hand on the boxer's shoulder. "All I can say is good luck."
"Ugh, don't remind me." TJ groaned, rolling his eyes. "That run will kill me, but a bet's a bet." He straightened himself, shaking off his irritation, and plastered on a determined expression. "Alright, Pedro, let's do this!"
***
The path ahead was a breathtaking testament to ancient engineering, each step carved from natural stone. Moss-covered slabs formed a zigzagging staircase, guiding travelers toward the majestic snowy peaks above. The rocks, weathered by centuries of footfalls, whispered stories of Inca messengers who once raced along this route with messages of urgency and hope.
When TJ and Pedro arrived at the starting point, Maya was already there, with seasoned warriors and young trainees, preparing for their morning cardio. They first stretched their muscles. After Maya gave everyone the safety brief, the group began their ascension. At first, TJ kept pace with everyone. However, at a quarter of a mile, he lagged by twenty steps, panting. To keep himself focused, he threw punches, pretending to fight an opponent.
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Killer Instinct: Carrie Unleashed
Fanfiction"You can only push a person so far before they break." The dark veil of the Black Prom Massacre still hangs heavy over Chamberlain, Maine. Everyone believes the tragedy's catalyst, Carrie White, is dead, but they are wrong. Barely clinging to life a...
