Read Outside for Free Online

after a while. “Are you going to school with me and Holly in August?”
    I blink at her. “I plan to return to Shiloh before then.”
    Jacki frowns at me and looks to Beth. “Didn’t they shut that place down?”
    Beth starts to answer, but I interrupt, blurting, “You can’t shut down something that belongs to the Lord.” I immediately cringe. I spoke out of turn! “I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t apologize,” Beth says. “We encourage free speech here.”
    I peek up at her. “Really?” Free speech is dangerous. People just spouting whatever pops into their head? “In Shiloh we are only permitted to answer direct questions, and even then, our answers must to be in line with what is pleasing to the Lord.” I’ve been violating that rule a lot since I got here.
    Beth nods. “That’s an interesting way of doing things.”
    Jacki’s question about Shiloh being shut down hangs over me. “What do you mean that Shiloh was shut down?” I ask Jacki.
    Her wide brown eyes dart to Holly and back to me. “You know. Just that the cops raided it and shut it down. Arrested that guy. What was his name?”
    “William Albert,” Beth says.
    I shake my head. “There wasn’t anyone in Shiloh by that name. I think you’re mistaken.” I knew they couldn’t have shut Shiloh down. The Lord would never permit it.
    Beth glances up at me. “I think you knew him as Milton Berman, sweetie. Big guy? Glasses? He changed his name to hide from the law.”
    Scowling, I stare down at my plate. Suddenly the delicious rice and vegetables don’t seem so appetizing. Elder Berman ? That can’t be right. He is our leader. The Lord’s mouthpiece. A prophet.
    Tears sting my eyes.
    “Alaina, honey? You okay?” Beth reaches over and puts her hand on my shoulder.
    The pressure of her touch irritates one of my scabbed over cuts. I wince and lean away as she jerks her hand back.
    “I’m sorry. I forgot about your…” she trails off as the first tear slips down my cheek.
    I look up at Jacki. “What about the rest of them?”
    She stares at me, mouth open like she wants to answer but can’t seem to find the words.
    Beth clears her throat. “You can read the articles after dinner if you’d like. I’ll print them for you. And then if you have questions, we can talk.”
    I rub my eyes with the backs of my hands. “Okay.” It takes me a few more blinks to stop the tears entirely.
    That night I dream Elder Berman enters my room and beats me. When he finishes, I turn and look at him. Instead of the great prophet I’ve admired and revered my entire life, I see the scruffy looking man with hard, angry eyes from the articles that Beth showed me.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FIVE
    ALAINA
     
    I spend the next few days in my room except for meals and to use the bathroom. The whole time I pray for guidance and forgiveness, begging the Lord to reveal my purpose here. My heart won’t accept that Shiloh is closed down. It’s not possible. Even if Elder Berman were taken away, surely one of the other Elders would step up and lead us, keep things going.
    Holly has tried to speak to me through the door, but I wouldn’t answer.
    On the morning of the fourth day, as I’m praying for a sign, she pushes a bible under my door. It’s a small, pocket-sized book with a flawless black cover and gold lettering. It’s pretty.
    “I bought this for you yesterday,” she says through the door.
    I stoop down and pick it up.
    He’s listening.
    My purpose is clear now. He wants me to use this time on the outside as an opportunity to observe. Maybe what I learn here can help on mission trips when I return to Shiloh.
    I cradle the bible to my chest. It’s not the King James Version that we use at Shiloh, but it’s something.
    At lunch, I decide to end my three-day silence.
    “Beth?” I say quietly.
    She smiles at me.
    “How do I…Can you help me find another dress?” I’ve been wearing the same two dresses with the same gray top. Despite my regular