Highland Tangle

FAITH #4

The air in Derrick's room still hummed with the echoes of last night, a dissonance that made the familiar comfort of his theological texts feel... fragile. We'd stumbled out of that barn like startled deer, the moonlight sharp and unforgiving on our faces. Carter, bendice su corazón impulsivo [bless his impulsive heart], had wanted to chase after his dad, a desperate, raw need that had been almost painful to witness.  The moments that followes felt like slow motion. Carter, face contorted, starting to run towards the dark woods. Derrick grabbing Carter's arm, pulling him back. Me putting a hand on Carter's shoulder, a silent plea. The three of us scrambling back into the shadows of the treeline as car headlights cut across the clearing.

  But Derrick, always the voice of reason, had held him back. And I... I'd felt it too, the primal instinct to flee, to disappear. Not just from the hushed, ominous pronouncements we'd overheard, but from the whole suffocating weight of Highland. I say quietly, breaking the silence, "He just... vanished. Like smoke. Him and that girl." Carter stops pacing, his eyes fixed on the floor, "He said he was coming back. He promised me. Also that was probably Valery." He kicks at an empty soda can, the clatter jarring in the quiet room.

Derrick looks up from his Bible, "Your dad is a P.I., Carter. He's resourceful. He knew what he was doing, running. It was the smart move." Carter scoffs, "Smart? He's my dad, Derrick! And he's running from... from them. The Council. What the hell was that meeting?" He throws his hands up in exasperation. Carter's anger was a tempest, a stark contrast to the controlled, almost unnerving calm Derrick was trying to project. And me? I was caught in the middle, the fear a cold knot in my stomach, the words I'd heard echoing in my mind like a mantra.

My voice low, almost a whisper, " 'The objective is containment. We must steer them away from the precipice.' " I look from Carter to Derrick, my eyes searching theirs, "That's what the leader said. The one in the center. Nathan as we now know. And then..." I pause, remembering the chilling shift in tone, " 'Derrick and Faith... their curiosity can be redirected. Their avenues of inquiry can be... subtly altered.' " Derrick winces, his gaze dropping to his hands, "They know about us. They know we're asking questions. Poking around."

Carter leans against Derrick's wall near his bed, "They know? They said it. Like we were lab rats they were planning to... to re-route. And what about me? I'm the linchpin? The key? I possess a unique... understanding? A connection to the very... essence of what they protect? Without me, all that they've have built... could crumble?? Why am I so important??" He frowns, a flicker of relief warring with confusion. I approach him, "Your dad is a loose end now, Carter. A disruption. If they're talking about containment, he's what they want to contain. And if he's here..."

  I trail off, the implications hanging heavy in the air. The silence stretched, thick with unspoken fear. We'd seen something we weren't supposed to see. Heard words that peeled back the veneer of our quiet, Christian town, revealing something... darker. Something that they wanted to control. Carter scratches his head, "So, my dad's in danger. And you guys... they're watching you. And me, a vessel. A vessel they must protect so that it may continue to hold its precious contents? They must ensure my... security. Surround me, without me knowing I'm surrounded. Protect me from myself, and from those who would exploit his... awareness??? What are we going to do?"

  He turns to Derrick. Derrick's voice urgent, "We need to be careful. Extremely careful. My dad... Pastor Marcus... he doesn't know we were there. If he did... he'd worry. He'd try to protect us, and that would put him in danger too. This could by connect to my mom's death too..." I nod slowly and solemnly, "My options are limited. Living under Pastor Marcus' roof is a privilege. I can't afford to cause trouble. Especially not... this kind of trouble. But I'll do what I can."