Read Held (Gone #2) for Free Online

shaming we discussed. The G is for greed and everyone who sees her knows she committed an act of supreme selfishness. She was already purified, but now must pay the price of her sin."
    Chills ran through Macy. What had she done that was so bad? She didn't dare ask, remembering they weren't even to speak of sins committed. They could, however, speak of preventing them before they happened. But they had to be careful, so as not to become tainted.
    As they continued to walk, more people came out of homes and buildings to watch the newcomers. What were they hoping to see? The only thing they could see was how tall they were and maybe their eyes, but no one came close enough to get a good look.
    Macy tried to tell what she could of the people, but they were mostly nondescript, all wearing the same white clothes. The girls and women had their hair pulled back in tight buns, some of them wearing odd, white hats. The guys all had super short hair, and again, some wore hats, while others didn't.
    Finally, they stopped. The horse and cart stopped first, and then Macy and Eve stopped also. She looked around, seeing a few small homes on either side of the dirt road. They all looked the same. Which one was going to be their new home? Not that it mattered. Wherever they moved wasn't going to be her home .
    Jonah walked to the house closest to their left. He opened the door, not appearing to have unlocked it. Were there no locks?
    Seemingly out of nowhere, about a dozen men showed up. They removed items from the cart and carried them into the house.
    Eve took Macy's hand again and tugged. They stepped back several feet.
    "We'll let the men do the heavy lifting. Once everything is inside, you two can settle in. Remember to keep the covering on until it's removed in the ceremony. Then and only then can it come off."
    Chills ran down her spine. "Why doesn't anyone have a coat?"
    "We don't wear coats. Suffering and trials lead us on the path to purity."
    "What about when it snows?"
    "No coats. Some go out in it specifically to become more pure. Sometimes it can turn into a fun competition." She smiled, her eyes shining.
    Yeah, that sounds like a great time, Macy thought sarcastically.
    Before she knew it, she and Chester were inside the chilly, little house, unpacking. She got the shivers again. "Is there no heat?"
    "You're not to speak until spoken to, Heather."
    Macy's stomach dropped. She stepped back. Was he going to hit her? Lock her up? Make her wear a letter?
    "You're free to speak—don't worry." It sounded like he was smiling behind his curtain of white. He actually sounded joyful. "Just don't forget it when other males from the community are around. About the heat: electricity is believed to be one of the evils of the world. See that wood stove?"
    "Yeah." She looked at the small, black stove in the corner.
    "I'm told those keep the homes nice and toasty. Would you like me to start a fire?"
    "Yes, please. I'm freezing."
    "Have a seat and make yourself comfortable."
    Macy stared at him. Was he serious? He wasn't going to put her to work? She sat on the couch, pulling a heavy afghan over herself.
    "Your new mom made that. She made a lot of things in here."
    "Have you even met her?" Macy asked.
    Chester picked up a log from next to the stove and shoved it in. "Yes, although not in person yet. We've been corresponding through letters. She's excited to meet us."
    Macy looked around the room, feeling like she'd stepped back in time. Everything looked like the Little House on the Prairie. A few years before, she and her mom watched all the seasons. Macy never would have guessed the show would become her life one day.
    Chester looked at her through his head dress. "It might take a bit for this to warm the place up. Why don't you unpack your room and get settled in? That way you don't have to worry about it after the wedding."
    "Uh, sure." She rose, keeping the blanket around her.
    "I'll get the rest of our stuff ready."
    She found her bedroom.