Denomination

Trapped

Prologue

My name is Sapphira Mara Faithful. I was the sister of Jedidiah, Charity, Abraham, Jeremiah, Chloe, Ada, Asa, Tobiah, Jerusha and Tamar Faithful.

I am the daughter of an Elder, Balthasar Faithful. My mother is Abigale. She was good, godley and seemly. The perfect Faith mother. I was 7 when my mother died. I was 8 when my twin sister and two elder brothers died. That was the year our family split in two. The year I became Mara. This is my story.

1

My twin sister shoved me hard; "Sapph! Get up! We're gonna be late!" "Okay...." I reply sleepily, it's 0530 on a monday morning. Febuary 15th. School starts back today. We make breakfast hurridly, we do everything now, even though we're only 7 years old. Tamar died a year ago last month. Mother's illness has returned.

Once the younger children are ready, we leave the house. We go to the Faith school. I wish we could go to a normal school, in Faith school, we only learn what the government makes the Sisters teach us, apart from that, it's just cooking, sewing, Bible study. Boring!

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"I wonder who our supervisor will be this year..." I ask my sister, "Hopefully not sister Naomi." she replies, "She's horrible, Jedidiah said it's against the law for her to rap our knuckles, but she recons Elder Matthew gave her permission." "Oh sister," I joke; "can you imagine our fathers face if he heard you speak of the oh-so-perfect sister Naomi in such a way? 5 Years in the dicipline room for us!"

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We reach school, and meet up with Debbie, Orpah and Mags. "I think we have Sister Talitha!" Orpah exclaims, "She's so nice, she supervised the infants last year." Once we enter the classroom, Debbie runs up to Sister Talitha, even though running is againt the Word, for girls. "Sister, are you to supervise us this year?" She asks. "Indeed, I am, Deborah." "Thankyou, Sister Talitha" and she practically sprints back over to us, squealing with Joy. Elder Matthew does not like running.

We do Geogrophy first block, which is just countries and capitals. Sister Talitha lets us sit with who ever we want; her husband, Brother Reuben, thinks school should be both fun and educational. So of course, I sit with Charity, Debbie, Orpah and Mags. Beulah, Jael and Lydia sit off to one corner, probably talking shit about us. Dear Father, forgive me, I have sinned. But it's true! They hate us, even though Lydia is my mother's sister. "What'd you they"re talking about?" Mags asks, "They keep gigling and looking our way." "Probably how much they hate us, how long 'till they can leave the Faith, and how long 'till they can get us in trouble this year..." Charity replies. "Sounds about right." We all agree.

At the end of that block, we all rush out towards our spot, under the big tree. We sit there every break time. "So," Orpah starts,"we're getting betrothed at the end of this month. Who do you guys wanna marry?" "David!" Mags immediately replies," he's so sweet, and not too Word-abiding." "Hmmm, maybe... Cain." I respond, while kind of staring at him through his classroom window, he looks up and smiles. I think I blush a bit.

Magdalene, Orpah, Deborah, Lydia, Beulah, Jael, Charity and me. There are 8 girls. Cain, David, Eli, Jude, Zachery, Jadon, Asher. Only 7 boys.

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That Sunday, we go to the Meet, as per usual, but this time, Elder Matthew makes an announcement: "Children of The Followers of The Eternal Sun, Families of the faith. As you may know, the next betrothals are almost upon us. The 16 year-old boys who have permission to marry are: Cain Peaceful, David Resilliance, Eli Hope, Jude Love, Zachery Godley, Jadon Goodwill, and Asher Pilgrim. They may approach the fathers of the following 14 year-old girls to ask for their betrothal: Magdalene Goodwill, Orpah Biblical, Deborah Standtall, Lydia Solomen, Beulah Savior, Jael Praiser, Charity Faithful, or Sapphira Faithful. Thankyou."

After the Meet, Abraham says he needs to speak with us in private. "Cain says to tell you he sends you his very, very best wishes, Sapphira. And Jude says the same to you, Charity." "Abraham, do you know what this means?" Charity asks him. "That they wish you well?" He tries "Yes, de-" Charity starts, but I cut her off; "They wish to marry us."

Mother calls to tell us father wishes to see us in his study.

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"Daughters, please, take a seat." Father says calmly, (though he can't wipe the grin off his face) as we enter the mysterious room at the top of the stairs, "Girls, as you know, you are alomost of betrothal age. Charity, Jude has asked for permission to have you as his betrothed. Do you think he will be a good husband to you?" "He is good, godly and seemly. I believe this is the will of the Lord, father." He regurds her, and moves on to me: "Sapphira, Cain has asked for permission to have you as his betrothed. Do you think he will be a good husband to you?" "He is good, godly and seemly. I believe this is the will of the Lord, father." "My precious girls, I wish you all the best, Cain and Jude are good men. Go and tell your mother the good news, then you may retire for evening. Chloe and Ada will finish your chores."

And that's it. In Two weeks time, we will be betrothed to Cain and Jude, and in two years time, we will marry them.

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Magdolene, Orpah and Debbie were asked for too: Mags by David, Orpah by Zachery, and Debbie by Asher. We tell them the good news about Cain and Jude. Suddenly, Lydia, Jael, and Beulah approach us: "Are you kids betrothed yet?" she asks, as though butter wouldn't melt. "Yes, of course." Mags replies "Well who are the unlucky boys then?" "David," she gestures to herself, "Cain, Jude, Zachery, Asher." She points to each of us as she says the name of our betrothed. "I don't believe you." Lydia replies, and skulks off with her minions barely tripping over her ever-so-slightly raised heels.

Suddenly, I think; we havn't returned the boys wishes, how will they know we accept? "Abraham!" I call, and he comes running towards our tree, "Tell Cain, Jude, Zachery, Asher, and David we accept and return their best wishes." Orpah orders him, "Okay" He replies, and goes barrelling accross the court.