Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: FOLD (10/08/15)
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TITLE: The Secret Truth | Previous Challenge Entry
By Allison Egley
10/15/15 -
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The storm howled outside, and Josephine shuddered, pulling the cover tightly around her. By now, she should be starting her last year of high school, but she wasn't. Her parents had tried to shelter her from the outside world as much as possible. Sequestered is the better word, actually. "Sheltering" felt safe. But this? This didn't feel safe. At least "sheltered" had the illusion of safety. Josephine had been home schooled her whole life. There was no internet or TV in the home, but that didn't mean Josephine knew nothing of the outside world.
The darkness outside seemed to permeate the entire house, right into Josephine's heart. Josephine sat up. She knew she had to find that book. Her parents had been called away to a meeting, and she knew they would probably be gone a few hours, but she had to be careful, just in case.
She tiptoed to her mother's hope chest, felt for the book, pulled it out, closed the chest, then scampered back to her room. She traced the worn lettering with her fingers. She knew this must be a piece of her mom's past, but she never questioned her mom about it. The book looked well loved, and Josephine could see why. It brought such comfort when she read it; something she rarely felt. The words felt foreign and familiar to her at the same time. So close, yet so far away from the words she heard at the meetings she attended with her parents.
At the weekly meetings, they talked of God, yes. Or, at least a god, of sorts. They talked of love, but it was love for family, and mostly love for their leaders. But this book talked of a real love. And she knew it must be true. Why else had her mom kept this? Why had her mother strayed from these words? Had she been deceived? Had Dad led her away? So many questions. But Josephine didn't dare ask.
Tomorrow was to be a big day for Josephine, one she was supposed to approach with much excitement. It was the reason her parents were at their meeting right now. Tomorrow, Josephine would be asked to join The Fold, as it was called. She'd be asked to pledge her allegiance to the leaders and her Fold Family. She knew it was wrong. As sure as she knew that the words in her mom's book were true. This... Jesus. He was the way. But at the same time, she knew no other way. She knew of no way to get out this bind she was in. She held the book close as she tried to fall asleep. She didn't even care that her mother might find the book was missing.
She awoke the next day and hid the book in the deep pocket of her long dress, hoping no one would notice the bulge. With a fake smile she greeted her parents, and they all headed to The Folding House.
She stood with the others her age, not sure what she would do with her knowledge. She numbingly knelt and rose and repeated some words, completing the sacred ritual without much thought. Her heart wasn't in it, and she hoped no one could tell. She had to stay, though. A wolf in sheep's clothing, so she could share the truth... the real truth, with her friends. Plus, she needed to find out more about this truth herself, before she ventured out on her own. Maybe one day, she'd find her way out and find her way to the Truth.
"Josephine Barnes?" The voice startled her. She had been lost in her own thoughts for so long. But now? The Blessed Leader was towering over her. "Welcome to The Fold."
Josephine shuddered.
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Thanks for reminding the reader how it is for Christians elsewhere in the world.