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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
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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
The Reaping 29
Thomas “I know who did it!” With those words, my heart stopped. Elliot held the information that I needed the most. “Follow me.” I lead him to a remote area and made sure that there wasn’t anyone around. At this point, I didn’t care if there was a way for someone to be recording this. I just needed to find out what happened. “It was Michael. I know you probably thought of it too, but he is the only one that I could think of that would be that emotional when it came to Cora. I have him recorded going into the room and then an hour later leaving looking like he had just been through hell. His clothes were messed up and it looked like he had a few scratches on his face. She must have put up one hell of a fight.” Elliot is treading lightly considering that this was the woman I love and she was currently unconscious. “Get Rebecca down here. I want her to stay with Cora and her family. You and I are going to meet my parents and grandfather. Is security pick
The Reaping 30
Cora Rebecca gasps as she hears the words that change everything forever. The people we have been searching for turned out to be one person. Caroline was thought of as a loving mother and example to all women. She was poised and gave off an air of royalty, and yet standing here now she looks like a psychologically deranged person. “Mother you didn’t. Say you didn’t.” Thomas pleads with her. He looks like a broken child who has just learned that their hero wasn’t the person that they thought they were. “Thomas? Have you learned anything in all the years of training we gave you? You’re showing your emotions and making yourself look weak in from of your men.” She barks out at him. I look toward Doug and he just sits there looking straight ahead as if he hadn’t just heard a thing that was said. “Doug, why don’t you look surprised?” The words come out of my mouth before I have a chance to stop them. He finally breaks his staring contest with the wall in fr
The Reaping 31
Cora “Cora you must rest. You have been through a very traumatic experience and your body will start to shut down again if you are not careful. Thomas takes her home and makes sure she rests. I will contact one of my colleagues in the villages that worked as and therapist. She is going to need help working through all this.” Once you make it home Thomas takes me up to our room. As I walk into the room it suddenly hits me that I have just been to hell and back. I suddenly break down and sob my heart out. I cry for my rape. I cry for Thomas and all that he lost today. I cry for the friend that Michael had once been but is now no longer on this earth. I cry for Doug and the sad life that he must have had to live all these years. And finally, I cry for this world full of evil like Caroline. For all the girls who never got to live their lives. Thomas helps me get ready for bed and asks if I want him with me tonight or if I would rather him not stay. I know
The Reaping Epilogue
Cora As time passes things get clearer on what needs to change. the first huge step was punishing those who were out to harm others. Not a day goes by where we do not receive new reports from people wanting to inform us of a crime. A task force has been set up to help handle the situation and find justice for the victims. Thomas and Elliot worked hard on forming a new type of what was once called the police. These men and women are tasked with learning the truth and helping bring justice to those who are victims as well as those who are falsely accused. Our personal life has also moved forward and gotten stronger. Over time I learned to work through the pain from my attack and with Thomas’s help, I have made peace with that incident. I have even started a support group for women who have been attacked in any way to get help from each other. “Cora, please sit down and take it easy. I don’t want you getting too tired or hurting yourself or the baby.” I
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