I squeezed Judah’s hand and sat back in my seat. Brother Luke cleared his throat, and said, “I have scheduled a Lord’s Sharing for this week’s end. Prophet David used to lead them in the old commune, but I know it is something that Judah has been leading in New Zion, since you have yet to take a consort or wife.” Brother Luke shifted in his seat and said, “The people are beginning to question why they have not been happening more regularly. We should be holding at least three a week. It is essential for the men to achieve their celestial meditation. Our people lose faith if these acts are not performed.”
I tensed as Brother Luke’s words assaulted my ears, and I could feel Judah stiffen beside me.
The Lord’s Sharing. The brother-sister exchange. I shook my head trying to erase what Mae had told me about those ceremonies, and also what Judah said about his involvement in awakening young girls.
After Judah and I had argued over the videos, I had sought out Prophet David’s private letters and there, in black and white, were his revealed words from God. He had preached about age not being relevant in taking a wife or consort, just as it had not been in the bible. But as I read those words and pictured the young girls dancing on the videos, I felt sick; knowing that men, grown men, would be taking them carnally in a brother-sister exchange.
“Brother,” Judah advised. His hand gripped my knee tightly. “Do not give our people cause to doubt you. We have called them all back from around the world, to unite as one commune, one community under God, with you as His messenger. After the devil’s men attacked, the men you spent five years living with, they look to you for guidance.” Judah leaned forward until I met his eyes and he emphasized, “We need order. We need our beliefs and customs to be honored, or our people will not trust in your judgment. With the Klan on our side, we are growing financially. We are protected from the outside world. It is now time to focus within the confines of our walls. Thousands and thousands are waiting for your leadership to shine through. Sermons are not enough. You need to lead more of the Sacred Circles and finally appear at the Lord’s Sharings.”
Judah’s words were right. My uncle performed these ceremonies, and our people never doubted him. And I knew, as per our traditions, I had to lead these practices. Our beliefs were based on sexual pleasure, even if I had never experienced it myself.
“Brother?” Judah prompted. I nodded my head.
“I will lead them,” I agreed, fighting my inner will, which taught me otherwise.
Judah’s face split into a huge grin. “Perfect,” he sighed in relief. “And believe me, you will want to participate after today.”
I frowned again. But all I could replay in my head were Mae’s words… Have you ever raped a child… have you ever taken a child in a brother-sister exchange…
As the van drove on, I looked out of the window, then closed my eyes. I prayed to the Lord to help me navigate this nightmare.
*****
An hour later, Brother Luke pulled onto a side road, a dirt path to a familiar place.
“Why are we here?” I asked Judah.
“You know this place?” he asked in surprise.
I nodded. “Judah, what—”
“You have waited this long, brother. Just a few more minutes and you will see what I have done for you.”
I looked out of the window at the ghost town we used to use in drop offs with the Hangmen, and my stomach rolled in trepidation. There was nothing here. Nothing here but derelict buildings and dirt.
I sat in silence as we approached a dark old mill. There was a van out front, but nothing else. As our van drew to a halt, two men came out of the mill.
The men were dressed all in black. They weren’t from the commune. They were no one I recognized.
The bigger one of the two flicked his chin as we got out of the van. “Judah?” he asked, but I shook my head and pointed to my brother. The man smirked. “Fuck. Hard to tell you two apart.”
Judah stepped forward and took the lead. “Did it all go well?”
“Like clockwork,” the man replied. “Our men went in and moved the stiff. Nothing will be left when the next person turns up. Total disappearance. Records have been wiped about who she was meeting. No traces, like the Klan’s Grand Wizard paid us to do. We do shit right. That’s why he put us on the job.”
Paid men, I thought. But what did Judah need paid men for?
“And the stock?” Judah asked.
“In the mill. Along with the girl.”
Judah’s eyes brightened again. I wondered what had got him so excited. Then he turned to me. “Ready for your surprise?”