Lilly

Chapter 9

"Mrs. Perkins, we'll handle it from here," the woman said.

"Let me know if you need anything, Priscilla," Mrs. Perkins said, as Lilly was all but dragged inside. The door closed before she could reply.

"Priscilla, you'll have a bit of a transition joining our family, but it's necessary. We know the world is full of evil, and the Lord has called us to help cleanse it, through the children we bring to him," the woman said. Lilly was very uncomfortable with what the woman said, and she had said little. The look on her face, and in her eyes, was frightening.

Being led into a large bedroom, there were three sets of bunk beds. Only one appeared unused.

"That bunk is yours," the woman said, then turned her to the front wall of the bedroom, "That's your desk, where you'll do all of your schoolwork and bible study."

Lilly just stood there, not sure what to do. After a short pause, the woman said, "Put your belongings away, now."

Rather than start trouble so soon, she obeyed. When done, with the woman watching the entire time, she sat on her bed. It had already been a little late when Mrs. Perkins got her from the rehab center, and she was tired.

"Tomorrow morning, we will begin chores after breakfast. Breakfast is at 7:30. It is your responsibility to be on time, or not eat," the woman said.

I almost screwed up when my new caseworker came to get me. I was a little more sassy than I should've been, I guess. She almost put me back in rehab. I promised to be better, and she didn't put me back. She took me to my new placement. These people are really creepy.

Lilly was asleep before any other kids came in.

The next morning, Lilly made sure she was up early, but whoever shared the room with her was already gone. Finding her way to the dining room, she ate at a separate table, and not the same food. What she ate wasn't even good, but it was edible. Breakfast eaten, they then put her to work cleaning the bedroom. After several hours, cleaning already clean areas, she sat down, tired.

"It's not nap time," the woman said, with a stern look. Lilly hadn't even realized she'd walked in.

"How would I know when 'nap time' might be?" Lilly couldn't stop herself. She was done cleaning stuff that was already spotless. The woman walked over to her and slapped her hard across the cheek.

Before Lilly could say anything else, the woman said," How dare you be disrespectful to anyone in this house. Disrespect will be met with discipline. According to the law, we should stone you for it, but we'll be lenient, since you don't yet know better."

Rather than get in any more trouble, Lilly sat there looking at the woman. She knew the woman saw her anger, but there was a protracted silence.

"Come meet the rest of the family," the woman said, her voice sounding almost kind for a change.

As she turned, Lilly stood up and followed her deeper into the house. It was a big place, considering how small it looked from the front.

The woman led her to a family room, where there were several sofas, all filled with a collection of kids. The kids ranged in age from about 6 to maybe 17. Lilly wasn't great at guessing ages, though.

For the next 30 minutes, each kid introduced themselves, giving small statements about what they did for the family and the Lord. Lilly didn't pay attention to any of it, even their names. She was too angry from being hit.

"I'm Cornelius Lassiter, and you've met my wife, Belinda. You'll refer to us as mother and father," he said. Lilly had no intention of referring to them by those names. They hadn't earned them.