(ON HOLD) The Cult | EW CULT AU

lessons.

"A list?" Tom asked, his eyes slightly widened at the size of the slip of paper. Several names, addresses, and other information had been written down. NIKS smiled and turned to face him.

"Yes. This is the most recent list I've made. Since three years ago, I started taking note of all my... participants."

"Don't lie to me. They're your victims, aren't they?"

"Correct. This list is from a few months ago. I had just finished the previous one, and I think this is a good opportunity to teach you, but also get rid of some people."

"So, in order to teach me, you want me to do your dirty work?"

"Do you want your father back? Then you need to have faith in me. I'm your leader, aren't I, Tommy?"

Tom sighed, having no choice. "Yes."

"Good." NIKS tossed him some clothes that were on a shelf. "I went ahead and got these a while ago, just as a precaution. Go ahead and get changed, we have a victim to lure."

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Tord slouched over his desk at home, not allowed to go to work until he's better. He reviewed all his current evidence; photos, samples, and plenty other copies of what was in his work office. He rubbed his temples, focusing on what was in front of him. He wondered about what he had gotten himself into. He sighed as he leaned back, jumping a bit when Edd came into his room.

"Hey, Tord. Are you trying to work behind my back again?"

"Ah, Edd! Uh, n-no-!"

Edd sighed. "I'm worried about you, Tord. You work day in and night out, and I've never seen you take a break!"

Tord started taking off his normal clothes, removing his jacket as Edd spoke. Tord replied in a tired voice. "I-I will... I just have a lot of work to do-"

"Tord, no. Look, you're going to change into something comfortable, and then you're going to rest. You can come with me and Matt to hang out when you're changed."

"Fine." Tord replied, defeated. Edd closed the door and left Tord to follow orders. As soon as he was done, Tord came out of his room and joined Edd and Matt on the couch, sitting in the middle.

"I'm here. Happy?"

"Very."

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NIKS and Tom had gone into town in their disguises, and managed to lure in a victim and kidnap them. They now had them tied up, and were inside an abandoned building. The walls and a bit of the floor was vandalized, and objects were clattered everywhere. The ceiling looked like it would collapse at any moment, and the doors were slightly unhinged. The windows were broken, and most were boarded up with wood.

NIKS took a deep breath and sighed. "Ah, pure chaos. Adolescents are wonderful, aren't they?" She looked over her shoulder to see Tom dragging the victim inside.

"Yeah, sure."

NIKS put a hand on her chin. "Hmm. Why don't you put them over there?" She pointed to a nearby plastic chair, Tom following directions and placing the victim on it, their cries muffled behind strong duct tape.

NIKS smiled and laughed, "Just look on the fear in their face. Isn't that adorable?"

Tom looked on, feeling guilty. "So, what now?"

"I mean, I could torture them..." The victim cried louder. "Buuut, I have to teach you for now. So, we'll just simply kill them, quick and painless. Well, painless for us, anyway."

"So, what do I do?" Tom asked, fear lacing his voice.

"Well, you don't wanna go for anything vital yet. Maybe aim for the shoulder, or the leg. At least make them stop squirming to make it easier. You don't wanna kill them just yet, or the fun's gonna end too quick!"

NIKS laughed some more as Tom coiled back in regret. He held a knife in his hand, pointing it at the martyr. His arm trembled the more he looked at them. NIKS was growing impatient.

"Well, why don't I make it easier?" She went to Tom's side and grabbed his shoulder lightly. "Try and imagine something that makes you angry. Your worst fear. Your most painful memory. Wait, what about your father?"

"Dad?"

"Yes, your dad! You're doing all of this to bring him back, aren't you?"

"Yes..." Tom's arm became steadier.

"You were so young, and you saw him die right in front of your eyes. You poor thing. And it's all because of that bear shooting him!"

Tom's eyebrows slightly furrowed.

"Didn't you just want to take that gun and shoot it back?"

"Yes." Tom answered, more sure of himself this time. NIKS smiled.

"But it wasn't really it's fault completely. wasn't it Matt that gave it that gun? And to see him go on, scot-free. Doesn't that make you angry?" Tom started to breathe heavily. 

"That he didn't receive punishment? That, instead, he got ice cream? He got rewarded for his crime, whilst you stood there holding your father's remains. How cruel is that?"

Tom's eyes fumed as he took the knife and stabbed the innocent, becoming nothing but sacrifice in Tom's vision. He couldn't control himself and kept stabbing him, shouting in anger. NIKS' eyes slightly widened and her smile turned into a look of wonderment. Tom eventually stopped and caught his breath, soon realizing what he did. He collapsed to the floor, covered in blood and dropping the knife, a loud klang emitting from it.

"What have I done-?"

"A great job, honestly. I never knew that made you so angry. I kinda liked the energy that you had."

That fucking bitch. She knew exactly how to push my buttons, and do a good job of it. Tom sat there, panting, his vision getting misty since tears formed in his eyes. He sobbed lightly, feeling a hand rub his shoulder. 

"Don't worry, I know exactly what you're going through. The first time I killed someone, I felt horrible. I felt as if I died as well. I remember not being able to breathe, and almost having a panic attack behind an alleyway. Someone had almost caught me, and their footsteps sounded so close. But, as I kept doing it, it started to feel good. Fun. I absolutely loved it. And now, it's your turn."

Tom looked at her, face filled with confusion. "You're going to like doing this. It'll just take some time. And when that time comes, you'll have truly proved yourself worthy of working alongside me. Alongside us."

NIKS got up, untying the victim and started to put the body away. Tom got up sooner or later and was taught how to clean up. Afterwards, they left, being careful to not let anyone see them, as their clothes were somewhat stained with blood still. They left the area and went back into the woods, Tom looking back out of guilt.

"Come on, Tommy. We still have work to do."