Free Emerald City Dreamer by Luna Lindsey Page A

Yes, I've got it, Elder."
    " Good." He stood with a grunt. "We're done here. Don't forget, you're on cleanup tonight."
    Ezra stood and limped absently to the cooking circle. When he got there, the food was all gone, and a pile of dishes reminded him that everyone else had gotten to eat except him. And Elder Noah, I guess he didn't get to eat either. These were small sacrifices to make for the Lord.
    A couple of the sisters were cleaning dishes, and one handed him an empty pail. "Go get some more water, please, Brother Ezra." He nodded slowly, and headed for the creek. He squatted down to fill the pail and he heard a soft crying nearby. He set the bucket down and followed the sound.
    He found Sister Esther sitting against a tree, sobbing. She seemed so happy and confident when she spoke at Chapel.
    " What's the matter?" he stammered.
    She quickly dried her eyes and stood up. "I'm sorry. I'm just... You're the one that got up and spoke after me at Chapel. What's your name again?"
    " Brother Ezra. You're Sister Esther, the new convert, right?"
    " Yes."
    " Why... why are you crying?" He wanted to reach out and comfort her, even though touching was strictly forbidden.
    " I'm just... everything has changed so quickly," she said. "I know joining was the right decision... well, everything is so different now. And..." The sister looked down the path as if to make sure they were really alone. "Ezra, do they let you call your family?"
    " I don't have any family."
    " Well I do, and I want to call my mother and let her know where I am. She must be worried sick about me. They won't walk me into town."
    " Really? Maybe they're too busy. Maybe you could go with the group tomorrow. They're going in to sell bikes."
    " No, no, I already asked. They will let me write a letter, but they will not let me call. I'm worried."
    " Did they say why?"
    " They said Satan would use my family to try to get me to leave the true path. They said a letter is best, because it's one-way. This way, I'm safe from the Devil. Do you believe that?"
    " I do believe Satan is cunning, yes. That he would try anything. I suppose if I were the Devil, and wanted to lead you astray, I might tempt your family to convince you to come home."
    " That just doesn't seem right. My mother isn't evil. She always told me to lead a good life. She taught me about God when I was young. I was the one who did all those wicked things in high school and college. I was the one who looked for meaning in sex and drugs and alcohol, not her. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't even be here. How could the Devil use her?"
    Ezra had a hard time understanding. It wasn't a big deal, right? She had a new family now. But she was crying, and Ezra should comfort her somehow.
    " Don't worry too much. God will take care of us, right?"
    Sister Esther nodded and wiped her tears.
    " Listen to the Elders. They know everything. I'm sure it will be okay. Go ahead and write your letter. You were very convincing when you spoke at Chapel. Maybe you can convert her and she'll come and live with us."
    She laughed a little. "Maybe. Somehow, I doubt that. But maybe..."
    Ezra's stomach growled loudly. He hoped she hadn't heard.
    " Are you hungry?" she asked. "Didn't you get dinner?"
    " No. I was working with Elder Noah. I'm going on a mission in a few days."
    " And you missed dinner? I was on cooking team tonight. I think I can get you some leftovers. Let's go."
    " I have to help clean the dishes."
    " After, then."
    Ezra grabbed the pail of water and followed her back into camp.

CHAPTER 10
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    THE REAL MEETINGS OF THE SURVIVORS of Faerie Trauma were held in the parlor of Sandy's mansion. The antique furniture which had been pushed against the walls contrasted with the plastic folding table surrounded by second-hand plastic chairs. A tissue box sat in the center like a bouquet of white flowers.
    In attendance: Jina, Gretel, and Hollis, all members of Ordo Cruentus Ferrum Talea; Leland, a businessman who worked for a local