The Life of the Wife

Chapter twenty three

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

JOHANNA

I didn't feel the same anymore. My head constantly hurt from the argument going on in my head. The little voice inside that screamed "murderer" grew louder everyday. I was trying to convince myself that everything was for the good of the commune, but the struggle started to get harder.
We had figured out the detectives were working on their own, and that county office would just think they went back to the city. I was so scared when they came running in on the attack, but luckily some of the commune members were nearby and came to the rescue. Once we had them in the prayer chamber I thought they would open their minds a little, or just enough to know the truth, but they didn't, and I had to help Gabriel take one down. Frieda Morris was left and there was talk of her not being cleansed. I'm not sure if I even want to see her again anyway, I barely knew her back in the city, but Aiden told me about her, and I didn't like her immediately.
Not even a month and I had taken the mortal lives of three people already. One unfaithful husband, one betrayed cleansing and one detective who didn't see the light that is holy corrections. They were of mercy, to let them see the truth of their sinful lives in purgatory, weren't they?

With Garnet still in hospital the house felt empty. I had always known these walls to have the brisk steps of Garnets wilful actions. Now my thoughts echoed when I was home alone.
My only communications with Garnet were through the women safe enough to see or call her. After the unfortunate events of our last outing, we thought it best to stay within the walls of the commune for a while. I didn't mind though, even the thought of leaving made me feel sick.
They told me she was doing better, but may be having the baby early if things worsened. I prayed for her and the baby everyday, multiple times but it didn't make me feel better, prayers felt like they were losing their power with me.

'May I ask how you're doing?' Tom handed me the potatoes I had asked him to deliver this morning as I led him into the kitchen.
'Fine, why do you ask?'
'Everyone sees that you are not dealing with everything very well, I just want to check up on you.'
'Everybody?' A tingle of embarrassment rushed through my blood and bones and I just wanted to hide.
'It's okay, we all know the struggle that the commune brings, just know we are all here for you, Johanna, you are family.' Tom stroked my unwashed hair and I fell into his arms before bursting into tears. His hug felt like a fathers touch and it softened the heavy thoughts in my head.
Tom helped me upstairs to my room and made sure I was okay before he left. With the sound of the front door closing I fell into a heavy sleep.
I dreamt of the city, before we left and before Amelia escaped. I had no tears to stain my clothes, a smile would fall on my face everyday and I had the life of a teenager who went shopping with friends, and an embarrassing amount of cat pictures posted on social sites. I was with my father in my dream, he was showing me pictures of my mother again, smiling at her memory. I knew he missed her everyday, and always wished I could remember her, I was four when she passed.

I woke up to darkness, realising I had slept the whole day through. Aiden wasn't in bed yet so I rolled over to get up and make my way downstairs. Once I sat up I noticed a thing figure in the darkness. As my eyes adjusted to the shadow I realised it was Gabriel. I stared as he didn't speak for what felt like frozen time, then proceeded to leave the room as silently as he must have entered.
I didn't move until I heard his door shut and lock. I could barely breathe, what was he doing in here? Had I done something wrong to him? Was he mad at me? Tonight wasn't my night to take him to the prayer chamber so I hadn't been tardy, so why was he staring at me with so much hatred?
'Jojo! Hey sweetheart! I'm home!' Aidens drunken voice screeched through the house that was once so silent I could hear my heart pulsating through my ears. I scurried downstairs to greet him and quickly take him to bed. I felt safer with Aiden around.
'Hey, why the rush?' Aidens voice slurred and I didn't much like his attitude.
'I'm just tired, I want to go to bed is all.' I whispered, trying to make up for the amount of noise he was creating. I struggled as I helped him to bed, and he immediately went to sleep. I stayed up, my back to the bed head and eyes glued to our door.
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Sorry it's short, but there's going to be an ending soon, and I need to fit as much info in as possible! Thanks for reading!