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Styx laughed “Again, babe?”

I nodded and pulled at his dark, ain…”

A finger strokedme and I smiled

“Main”

The hand froze onrong “Styx?”

Still heavy with sleep, my eyes opened slowly and I wrestled with blurry vision Sitting up, I felt a tidal wave of nausea roll aroundof my deep sleep “Styx?” I called

As ed from the mist; females, one blond, one dark-haired

“Mae?” a soft voice whispered, gently calling me into the world of reality

Delilah? Why can I hear Delilah? I quickly scanned e wooden cross on the north side of the rooe hand-painted picture of someone… Prophet David!

No… no… no… please take me back to my dream Styx Styx, Styx…

Shaking, I ju to run, walk, crawl—I did not know My weak legs were unable to support ht and I fell to the floor Tears welled up as realization hit

The commune; I was back in the commune

Not the compound No more Styx

Abducted against my will and returned to Hell

“Mae?” I lifted my head in response

Lilah and Maddie stood before me Their wary eyes watched me closely; each wore the same worried expression They were clothed in the coray dress and their hair was held back hite cloth—modest and conservative

I held out my arms and the two of them launched intodown ood to hold the me as I clutched them in my arms

They held me close and I could hear their sniffles and soft cries After long minutes, they pulled back

Lilah brushed the matted hair from my face “Are you well, Mae?” she asked softly, then continued “You have been unconscious forfor you”

Drawing in a deep breath, I testedlimbs I eak, my arm throbbed but I concluded I ell When I looked down, I froze Me, back in the sisters’ traditional gray attire, a large poorly shaped floor- length dress Rolling up my sleeves, I spotted a red mark and I racked my brain to remember where it had come from