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20
Thomas
The last couple of days at headquarters went quickly and both Cora and I both managed to stay out of the path of Michael and Megan. This morning we are leaving for our first visit to village number one. At the beginning of his control, my grandfather thought it best to not name the new villages. So many were dealing with the shock of what happened to our world that he thought it best to have a fresh start.
Throughout my childhood, I would often hear stories about how he led the people to peace and stability. There were never any real in-depth details given but they always gave an overview of what happened. I am hoping that in seeing these villages and speaking with the leaders there, I will be able to uncover some of what happened in the past.
“So what is the plan once we arrive?” Rebecca asks.
“First we’ll head to the hotel and get you guys settled in. Until we know how the leaders feel about women, we need to keep you too
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The Reaping 21
ThomasAs Elliot walks into the office he gives me a look that asks what in the world is going on. I motion for him to sit down and Alfred hands him a glass of whiskey.“So Alfred here has told me some interesting information. He may be just the person we need to be able to finally give us the information that will help us to the answers we need.” Elliot looks surprised at this but there is also a twinkle in his eyes showing that he is excited at the prospect of answers.Alfred recounts everything that he told me and Elliot is eating it up. The tech talk that the two get into is mind-blowing for me. I always knew that Elliot was amazing with this stuff but I had no idea that he had studied it so much. As they finish their talk I know that it is time for Alfred to give us his information.“Here are some copies of all of the files you wanted as well as some copies of everything that I have gathered. I can’t pinpoint exactly who sent
The Reaping 22
Cora For the next few days, we visited the villages that were closest to the headquarters and we found that they were each a little different, but nothing like what I had grown up in. The women were not as free as they were in Alfred’s village, but they were not being kidnapped and raped like they were in mine. My theory was that the further we got from headquarters the worse it would get. Elliot came up with the idea that in order for Rebecca and I to be able to go with them, we should say that we are there at the order of our men to help gather the information. We were to play dumb if anyone asked any questions and just push everything on Thomas and Elliot. If anyone gets too nosy about our involvement we should just pretend to have no idea why they want the information or what it even is that we are looking at. At the last village we were in there were some men who looked as if they were not very happy to see us looking through the books. When one man star
The Reaping 23
Thomas Elliott went ahead of us to the rooms and did a sweep for any type of video or listening devices that would be in the rooms or anywhere near them. Of course, there were both found and he managed to take care of the problem without any trouble. Cora and I were to meet Elliot and Rebecca in an hour and a half to go and meet Cora’s family. Cora has been very quiet since we got here and it is worrying to see her reverting to what she was like when she first came to me. Once we are inside the room I turn and lock the door and reach for her wrist. “Talk to me, Baby. What’s going on inside that beautiful mind of yours?” She looks up with tears in her eyes and my heart aches from seeing her this way. She hugs me tightly and I know that she’ll give me answers once she has calmed herself. Cora is a creature of habit most of the time and when she is upset she needs my touch, scent, and words to calm her. I run my hand through her hair and whisper sweet wo
The Reaping 24
Cora As the words hang in the air and I can see that my family is nervous. More nervous than I have ever seen in the entire time that I lived with them. I take a deep breath and center my mind knowing that something is going on here and that it may change everything. “Look we have made sure that no one can hear a word you say. We are most certainly not going to do anything to hurt you, we just need to know what is going on.” Thomas says in his voice that he reserves for only those closest to him. I smile at him in thanks and turn back to my family. “I’m sure that you were coached on how to act in front of the leader. We are trying to do something that can help everyone but we need to know the truth of what is happening in the villages. Dad, I know that you are a man that follows what the Chosen says, but you need to know that what you have been told and what is the truth are not the same things.” “What do you mean by that? You know they could kill you
The Reaping 25
Cora The ride back is one that was full of silence. Everyone was lost in their thoughts trying to make sense of all that we had learned. The trip was not as successful as we would have liked but we did learn enough to get a good start. Thomas seemed to be thinking more than any of us. The thought that one of his family members could be behind this was beginning to take a toll on him. I reach over and take his hand to show him that he isn’t alone in this. He has supported me so much that all I want to do is give him that same love. Once we finally reach the headquarters Elliot and Rebecca head home and Thomas leads my family into the house. They all stand around looking like they have never seen anything like it. I smile knowing that they are finally going to be living a life that is free of Carl’s tyranny. “We have three guest rooms on the second floor for you to stay in. Please treat this as your home until we can get you set up with a place of your
The Reaping 26
Cora As soon as the words left her mouth my anger raged inside me. When we were talking earlier I noticed how she was trying her hardest to not have to touch anyone and the looks that she was giving my family. She just avoided me altogether and I just wanted to know what was so wrong with me that she couldn’t even make an effort. It seems that now I have my answer, she doesn’t like people from the villages. The rest of Thomas’s family was amazing. His grandfather had me laughing the entire time we were talking. He said that I reminded him of his late wife and that I would be perfect for Thomas “What do you think I mean Dear? it is clear to me that my son has picked well below him in the Reaping.” Gasps were heard around the table and the sickly sweet smile that she is giving me is anything but friendly. “Caroline, what in the world are you talking about? You are from the villages!” Doug yells and I can see that he is losing his temper with her.
The Reaping 27
Cora The first morning I went back to headquarters with Thomas I was a complete nervous wreck. Knowing that we still had no idea who was sending the messages or who was behind Michael’s schemes made it all that much harder. Thomas told me multiple times that I would be fine but, something in the back of my mind told me otherwise. “Cora, could you go to the file room and see if you can find the records from your old village for the last six years? I want all of them if possible. Do you need someone to go with you?” Thomas has worked extremely hard the last few days and I know that he is getting tired. “I should be fine. I am just walking down the hall little ways. If I need anything I’ll yell. There is security always walking around. Don’t worry.” I kiss him on the cheek and head out the door. Walking down the hall I see the security guard walking around and notice that there is a lot of activity today. Since we came back Thomas has been working on man
The Reaping 28
Cora I come to find Michael stripping my clothes off. My dress is gone and he is working to get my undergarments off. I start flailing around trying to stop his movements. He raises his fist and punches me in the face. “Stop fighting me dammit! You brought this on yourself!” He says into my ear in an almost whisper. “Please don’t do this Michael. Please don’t hurt me.” I feel myself beginning to lose control and the tears are starting to roll down my face. I want to stay strong but I am weak from being knocked out and I can feel the fear taking control. “I told you already, I should have been the one to have you first! I loved you and you just threw me away for what? Power, sex, money, or were you just trying to get me to prove myself to you? Why are you making me out to be the bad guy?” He slaps me a few more times and takes my underwear off and uses them to bind my hands together. He stands and starts to pull his pants down and all sane thou
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