Chapter 30 #2
“I agree wholeheartedly, Elder Theodore.” The elderly man beside me spoke.
“The RLS program is designed to sow seeds of faith and weed out those who may hold too tightly to doubt and sin. She will be tested, just as Jesus once was, and the truth will be revealed. I’ve seen many fail and defy God’s will, but I believe I can always lead those very lost into the light.
They just sometimes need a stronger shepherd to guide them. ”
The statement felt ominous, and my stomach flipped. What the fuck do they do to ‘guide’ people they deem ‘very lost’ in the program? I shook the thought away. Whatever it was, it wasn’t going to be worse than anything Los Siete could do to me.
“I trust your judgment, Theodore.” Kit finally decided. I looked up to find Theo smiling. “Have her complete the preliminary screening before she is brought back to Eden.”
“Yes, sir.”
Kit gave me a nod with a smile before leaving the doorway and continuing down the hallway. Theo stepped into the office and took a seat in his chair. Wait. They’re going to take me right now? My stomach dropped.
Theo gestured for the man beside us to take a seat.
“This is Elder Mark. He teaches some of the courses at Reformed Life Studies.”
“Yes,” Elder Mark nodded. “The program, RLS, is a lot like school. You’ll be sponsored by an Elder’s family to attend full-time studies that will help to shape you into the woman that God intended you to become.
To mold you into a beautiful wife for a lucky Reformed brother.
You’ll live in a dormitory with other women attending the program for six weeks.
At the end, once you’ve been saved and reformed, you’ll be offered a place at Eden and be given the chance to find a match to wed within our community. ”
I nodded, my heart racing and my mind trying to catch up to the fact that they wanted me to join the program so quickly.
Elder Mark continued. “This program isn’t something you can take lightly.
If at any time the Elders who lead your courses feel you are straying from the path, you will face the consequences.
Nothing outside the scope of what The Bible has offered as a resource for punishment. But consequences nonetheless.”
I felt Theo’s stare and flicked my eyes to him in my peripheral vision.
He watched and waited, maybe expecting me to push back, but when I didn’t, he smiled.
It’s nothing outside the scope of The Bible.
It’s not like they’re going to torture me with a fucking drill or cut my tongue out.
I gritted my teeth against the flash of memory.
The bloody drill lingering near the man sobbing on the floor made my heart skip a beat.
“I know this can seem overwhelming, Olivia. It’s a big decision to choose to dedicate your life to Christ and follow in His footsteps.
But you are on the cusp of freedom, Olivia.
Freedom from sin and shame and evil. I want you to take some time to pray about all that we’ve offered you.
I want you to take a moment to realize that this is a test from Satan.
A test of whether or not you will continue to believe the lies he feeds you, or step into the light and let us guide you, let the Holy Spirit guide you to a future of peace and fulfillment as a daughter of Christ.”
I swallowed the saliva that was pooling in my mouth. Theodore was right. It was divine intervention. No way this man would be so enthralled with me if not for God’s hand leading him towards me.
“Okay.”
Theo nodded with a smile, leaning back in his chair. “Thank you, Elder Mark.”
It was a clear dismissal, and Elder Mark nodded, giving me a smile as he said, “Have a blessed day.”
I thanked him with a smile and once the office door was closed, Theo turned his eyes back to mine with an intensity that made me fidget in the chair.
“I hope I didn’t scare you off by confessing my conviction earlier. I truly do believe that God has placed us together to be joined as husband and wife forever in His Kingdom.”
“I’m…flattered. I don’t know what to say.
” I looked away, trying to appear shy and not concerned that the man I’d met a handful of times was confessing he was obsessed with me.
It’ll be fine, Shiloh. This is exactly what you need.
You are not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Better he falls in love with you than risk the wrath of Carlos.
He hummed in thought before standing and offering his elbow. “Can I give you a ride somewhere?”
I shook my head. “No, thank you, Theo. I’m meeting a friend for dinner nearby.”
He dropped his arm back to his side and nodded solemnly. “If you’re sure.”
“Yes. Thank you. I’ll see you on Sunday?”
“Yes.” He licked his lips. “I’ll be counting the minutes to see your radiant face again.”
I nodded and tried my best to walk casually out of his office and back to the main entrance.
My heart was racing, and I felt like I was going to be sick.
Everything was moving too quickly. I thought I would have months of back and forth before they let me into the program to join their church.
I thought I had more time before I had to say goodbye.