Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 28874 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28874 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
“I know.” My stomach turns thinking of Joseph. It was supposed to be every girl's dream to marry him. He is a prophet, after all. Our parents had never been more proud than when he’d come to ask for my hand in marriage. Making me his third wife. The first had died, and the second has yet to give him a child.
I know he wants me for childbearing more than anything. Libby and I have always held firm to the belief that he killed his first wife. Not that it matters. Even if that is true and everyone knew it, they’d come up with some reason why he did it. I’m sure it would be along the lines of it was God's will. That’s what they say about anything whenever a man speaks on something or has questionable actions. It’s always the same, them pretending to speak for God. I hate them all.
“You’ll do what you have to.” I nod in agreement, knowing what she means.
“I’ll get help.”
“The police.” Libby says the forbidden word.
We’ve been taught to fear the police and government. That they rip families apart. I believe that many families here should be torn apart. Still, a fear that has been instilled in me lingers about the police. It’s hard to know what is true when you’re kept away from the rest of the world. It was only on a very rare occasion that we got to leave our homes and the compound.
“I promise I’ll speak to whomever I have to so I can come back for you,” I vow. I might have to leave her behind tonight, but I will be back for her. Nothing would ever stop that.
“Take this.” Libby slips off her coat. I try not to take it, but it’s pointless.
“I have one.” She ignores me, putting it on over mine.
“It’s snowing,” Libby points out as if we’re not standing in it for me to see. The only light comes from the full moon, which is bright in the sky even with the snow falling all around us. “You remember which way the town is?”
“Yes.”
Libby takes my bag from me and manages to tie it so that I can wear it around me without having to carry it in my hand.
A month ago, Father had taken us into town. He’d been in a good mood and needed help picking up an order. The other boys that would normally go with him had been busy building a new house. So we were the only other option he had if he wanted help that day.
We’d noticed it was closer than we thought. I just had to find my way back, and then I could get help. I don't think our parents can keep us here against our will if someone out there knows we want out. That is the problem, though. Getting the heck out of here isn’t as easy as just walking away. There are consequences for people that try to leave and get caught.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” I wrap Libby in a tight hug. I’m still worried that she might take some kind of wrath from our parents when they find out I’m gone. Hopefully that won’t be until tomorrow.
“Now go.” She sniffles, stepping back from me.
I give my sister one last look before I take off toward the woods, hoping the trees will help protect me from the wind and some of the snow that is getting thicker by the second, but thankfully the moon never falters, giving me the light I need to make my way through the thick trees.
It doesn’t take long before my toes start to ache from the cold. I’d put on a few pairs of socks, but my shoes are covered in snow, soaked through. I push myself to keep going. I should have hit the road by now. I stop and spin around in a circle, realizing I’m not sure which way is which. The snow covers my tracks as quickly as I make them.
“Please,” I beg anyone that will listen. I drop my head back and stare up at the sky. The cold is quickly spreading throughout my body. I feel it settling into my bones.
Keep going. I push myself. I have to keep moving. If I stop now, I’ll never make it out of here. I would truly leave my sister behind then. The snow grows thicker with each step I take. My breath catches when I finally see a break in the tree line. I sprint toward it, stumbling out of the woods to see a wooden cabin. A porch covers the entire bottom level.
I debate for a second what I should do. I have no freaking clue who lives there. I’m still in the middle of nowhere. I decide it doesn’t matter. I can’t make it much farther. It’s collapse in the woods to die or take my chances.