“Wha is going on ? ” Sawyer asked with a worried expression.

He had stopped short of me and faced the wall as if to give me some privacy,

“ I  want to,” I whispered meekly, even I could feel the dishonesty in my voice.

“I think we should talk,”

I stared at him hoping he would start this talking

“How about we do it in the living room,” he continued and lead the way  out.

“Okay, I’ll be out in a minute”

When he was sitting in the living room I made a dash to my own room and changed into a lilac camesole and gray sweatpants. When I met him in the living room he smiled up at me. I think it was the first time I had seen him smile. He was sitting in the center of the leather couch. I had a decision to make I could either sit next to him or in the armchair across from him.  I chose the armchair for no other reason but so I could stretch my arms.

“I’ll make us some coffee” Sawyer said breaking the silence

“I don’t like coffee” I admitted

“Oh . . . right,” he said as if he knew and had forgotten when in reality he had never known that.

“How do you like it here ? I mean is it good ?” he asked nervously

My mind raced with things to say

“Be honest,” he added

“ I miss my mom” I admitted, I felt a warmth in the back of my eyes.

“I’m sure,” he sympathized,” She seemed nice when I met her briefly”

“She was my only friend,” I said quietly, " Do you ever miss your mom ?"

"Yeah, I guess but I know she wouldn't want me to be sad over her." He said

"I suppose," I agreed

“Can I ask you about earlier um, in the room ? “ he said

I knew that was the real question he wanted answered.

I decided to push thoughts of my mother out of my head and told Sawyer about Caine’s visit word for word.

“He is full of crap,” Sawyer responded bitterly. It was the most emotion I had ever heard from him, “You know that right ?”

“I think so.” I said.

I knew the life of “protected living” wasn’t right.  I knew fear of the outside world wasn’t right, I knew forced marriage wasn’t right and I knew polyandry wasn’t right. However outside of that I didn’t know what was real and what was crap.

“ I think you should come to the Diner with me tomorrow,” Saywer said, “Get out of the house and stuff. . .  ff course you would have to be my friend.”

“Of course,” I agreed. “I would like that.”

“There is something you should know . . . “ Sawyer began, “ I kind of have this girl who I just started dating, it's been a month.”

“Oh” was all I could manage. How was I supposed to feel ? Betrayed or relieved.

“Her name is Elisa, she works with me,” he explained. “I haven’t told anyone about her and she knows about United Light but, she doesn’t know about our uh, situation.”

“Okay.”

" I mean I was hoping the marriage wouldn't go through or something because I really like this girl."

"It's okay," I said

I had no idea what I was okay-ing but it seemed to put him at ease.

 

***

It amazed me the tiny things I had never seen or heard of before. Or in this case things I had never eaten before.  The two big slices of crispy golden bread cut into identical triangles overlapping each other, dressed with a sprinkling of powdered sugar looked more like dessert than breakfast. It was paired with a meager side of fruit and a generous helping of bacon.

 I had never really eaten out living in the commune so, if my mom couldn’t cook it I never ate it. Exploring a new world of food was fun for me which is why I picked the one thing on the menu I had never heard of. French Toast.

As I picked up my fork to start my meal I heard a clang of silverware as Elisa took the seat across from me.

“Don’t let me bother you,” she smiled.

I could see what Sawyer saw in Elisa.

I had only met her that morning  as Sawyer was setting up the diner to open. She was absolutely gorgeous she had a sunkissed olive complexion her shoulder length hair was in deep waves she had bright green eyes that  made her look youthful and full of life. She could have been the poster girl for Miami and on top of all of that she had a personality too. 

Elisa was studying criminal justice at Coastal Florida University during the fall and spring

I'd watched from my seat as she greeted each customer like they were her new best friend  and whenever she passed by Sawyer she always managed to brush her fingers momentarily across his.

“So, what was it like living on a commune ?,” She asked nonchalantly.

“It was fine.” I said

I could tell she wasn’t happy with that answer

“So, what is United Light ? I mean Sawyer is kind of quiet about it and   I googled it and all I got was an invitation to one of their meetings or something,”

“It’s hard to explain.”

I looked up past her and was glad to meet Sawyer’s eyes. I gave him a worried expression.

“Hey, Elisa” he said placing his hands on her shoulders, “ I think you have customers.”

“Oh, sorry.” She said and turned back to me, “We can talk later” 

She walked to greet the group of businessmen waiting at the hostess stand.

“Is everthing good?” Sawyer asked me.

“Yeah.”

“Okay, I am going to pick up some raw material ordersfor the kitchen, you can sit here all dayor hang out in my office or if you feel crazy help out.”

“okay,"

He seemed to have a glow about him at work, I wondered if it had anything to do with Elisa.

I stayed in the dining room and finished my breakfast. After getting tired of people watching I decided to check out Sawyer’s office.

It was small but very clean. I looked on the wall at the Hospitality Management degree from Florida State. On his desk was a picture of a smiling Sawyer and Elisa.

 There was a computer but, I didn’t want to mess up the documents on it. I sat down in his office chair and spun around like I was a child when the chair stopped I  looked out the gigantic window to see the beach not to far away. Families were unpacking their beach gear out of their SUV’s in a parking lot right outside the diner. But one car didn’t belong.

A Lexus

I peered farther out the window to see if I could see Caine or if perhaps it belonged to one of the businessmen from earlier. I felt a sense of fear going through my body. I  decided it would be best if I was out in a crowd I turned to open the door and was face to face with Caine.

He pushed hard on the door and I toppled over on to the ground. I saw another man walk in behind him and Caine closed and locked the door.

The man behind him appeared to be in his late 30’s. He had a familiar face. He was one of the Tranquility Lights. His name was Garett

TL’s were the Unites Lights’s version of a neighborhood watch. Except they patrolled the streets at night armed with tasers and firearms.

Caine gave  Garret a look while he walked so he was standing behind me. I thought he was going to offer me a hand to help me up but, instead he put his hands on my shoulders and forced me down while Gareet held a taser to my neck.

“What are you doing ?” I screamed.

Caine produced a syring and aimed for my mouth I knew something wasn’t right and turned my head but he only jerked my head   back by my hair  and produced another syringe.

I screamed and started fighting, keeping my eye on the so far silent taser on my neck.

“Stop fighting” Caine commanded and slammed my head against the hard floor while his knee pressed into my chest.

I was afraid I was bleeding as waves of pain shook my body.

“Sawyer is obviously no good for you and United Light needs you now the most, sweetheart.I cannot wait 3 months. Although you are pretty this is not personal, which is why Garett is here. It is strictly business, Dear"

Now, I had an idea of what was happening and I continued to fight. Even though I was afraid he would hurt me again I was more afraid of what would happen if I didn’t fight. I started to scream and as I did I felt the salty liquid from the syringe touch my lips. I attempted to spit it out but it slid down my throat.

I kicked and screamed at Caine.

“Patience, she will be out soon” Caine said.

I felt myself fading and tears of frustration gathered in my eyes.

Pop !

 I heard the sound of loud firecrackers and then the glass of a window breaking.  I heard screaming an cursing and then I blacked out.

 

“What the hell is going on ?!” I heard Elisa yell.

“Elisa, I wish I could explain but—Look she is awake”

My vision cleared and I saw  I was lying in my bed in Sawyer's home.  Elisa and Sawyer were standing over me in combative poses.

“What happened ?” I asked.

Elisa and Saywer exchanged looks.

“Elisa . . . shot Garret,” Sawyer said

“huh?” was all I could manage.

“Those two guys came up looking for you they told me they were old friends and  they wanted to surprise you,” Elisa explained,” I told them you were in Sawyer’s office but something seemed off about them. I shook it from my head but when I saw the door was locked I opened it with the spare key and saw what was happening, I panicked took out my gun and well . . .”

“ I can’t believe you had a gun at the diner,” Sawyer chastised her, "Hell, I can't believe you walk around with a concealed weapon."

“It's the price of being a women in today's society. Besides, I haven’t touched the safety outside of the range in 2 years and then today well, it came in handy.”

“He was trying to get me pregnant.” I said. For some reason I was feeling bold and forgot Elisa was in the room.

“He was trying to rape you." Elisa " I want to know why and  I want to know why Sawyer won’t let us call the police.”

Rape wasn’t a word I really knew but I got the context. My mother had taught me about the birds and the bees and I asked her what if someone didn’t want to do it but she told me not to worry about it.

“It’s all about Polyandry,” Sawyer finally said.

“What ?” Elisa said

“Polyandry, multiple husbands”

“ I know what it means Sawyer,” she quipped

“Look, Okay . . . you see the United Light well, Caine really is trying to create Polyandy within the United Light as a way to grow the congregation but keep loyalties," Sawyer Explained, " He is convinced by having only a few bloodlines and  the congregation will grow rapidly through the years  but  will keep accountability within the family. He figures  it also gives men more accountability to their families because they have to compete. Also, he sees polygamy as the downfall of other cultures so he wanted to do that opposite.”

“That is the most disgusting thing I have ever heard in my life,” Elisa stated,  “Who the hell would go along with that ?”

“I don’t know, brainwashed people . . . my parents.”

It was the first time I had heard any of this.

“How can you agree with this ?,” She asked Sawyer

“I don’t . . . I just found out about it when we got married.”

“She’s your wife ? --"

"Shit, I mean-"

"Okay this is crazy I am calling the police and –“

“No!” Saywer yelled at her.

“People who don’t follow his rules disappear we just need to lay low for a while. I’m sorry I lied, Elisa . . . it’s complicated. When things cool down I'll explain everything”

“You kind of suck at laying low.” Elisa said

“What ?”

She pointed out the window where an array of SUVs were outside all lead by a Lexus.

Sawyer  picked me up cradling my head and mouthed one word to to Elisa

Run.