“Higher.” I stand back as the small construction crane swings a set of pallets onto the top of the bonfire structure. Once it’s in place, I motion for Tony to turn the machine off.

He walks over and whistles at the structure we built almost overnight. It’s three stories tall, dry as a desert, and ready to go up in a rush of flames.

“Heaven won’t be able to miss it once it’s lit.” Tony cocks his ball cap back on his head.

“That’s the plan.” I clap him on the back. “You can get on over to the development now. I think we’re done. Put in for overtime and I’ll see you get paid.”

“No, sir.” He peruses his work. “This is for the glory of our Prophet. I was happy to do it. Molly wasn’t too happy when I told her I had a night job, but she got in line real quick.” He winks. “We’re big believers of perfect obedience at our place.”

I wonder what part of Molly is bruised or broken before brushing the thought from my mind like dust off a mantle. “All right then. I’m going to stay and do some cleaning up on the back side. I figure we’ll set up one of the pavilions over there.”

“Yeah, that’d be a good spot. I’ll call Gene and see if he can come on out and start working up the structure. Last time I looked he had a truck bed full of raw wood that would work for this. Anyway, see you later, man.” He shakes my hand, then walks off toward his white work truck. Once he’s bounced down the road toward the rear of the property, I’m alone.

I walk toward the back of the clearing to gather up my shovel and work gloves. The sun isn’t up yet, the first rays lighting the tops of the barren trees. It’s cold and lonely, and I’m more than happy to have a few minutes of solitude. As always these days, my thoughts stray to Delilah. I wanted to see her last night, but my father had different ideas. He piled more work on me, keeping me busy while they installed additional monitoring equipment in Delilah’s room. Maybe he even sprang for audio. I plop down next to a chunk from a tree trunk and lay back.

The chill doesn’t bother me. I let my head rest against the bark. It’s green, probably thinks it’s still alive, but I killed it days ago. Wind makes the tree limbs creak and knock, and I watch the ridge to my left. Any second the sun will show its face, bright orange granting color to the dingy winter woods.

Did Delilah worry about me? I can’t stop thinking about her, about what Grace said about trying to get answers from her. Grace. I’d like to destroy that bitch, but for some reason, she did me a good turn. When she did her little perusal in front of my father, she lied. I hadn’t showered since I’d been with Delilah, a mistake on my part. And a witch like Grace would be able to tell, but she didn’t give me up. Why? I know it wasn’t for Delilah’s sake. She wants to ruin her, to send her to the Chapel as soon as possible. Then again, she could have scarred her by now, ended her run at being a Maiden of worth that’s bartered off to the highest bidder. Any Maiden who’s scarred or “defective” as my father calls them, are never allowed to marry.

I’ll see Delilah tonight. The Prophet won’t upset the equilibrium amongst the Protectors. He already tried that with the office showdown. I just need to lay low. And more than anything, I need to see her. She asked me to trust her, and I do. That’s part of my problem, because now she’s invaded my entire being. Trust is like a chain that binds us, and I’d like it to cinch even tighter.

Her trust is the only thing seeing me through right now. I had no idea how close I was to the void, to the edge, to despair, until I found her. Now I have hope that maybe we can work our way out of this place. Maybe we can have a future. Her belief in me can make all that happen. Setting my plan into motion has never been so close, so real. But with her by my side, I can finally make this place right.

“Adam?” a man calls from the other side of the bonfire pile.

I stand and brush myself off, the solitude busted. Walking around the structure, I find Gene there along with the promised pickup truck full of lumber. “You got here quick.”

“Tony radioed me, and I was already up on the main road. He said you’re needing some stuff built.” Gene is older, with crooked glasses and a warm smile. “My crew is right behind me. We can go ahead and get to work on this before we start working on the decks at the family houses.”

“Yeah, sounds good. I can show you the spots.” I lead him back around the side, and catch movement in the woods.

“Did you see that?” He stops next to me.

“Not sure.” I change direction and head into the trees, Gene at my heels.