The woman and I had tear-streaked faces as the pain we felt over our losses permeated the atmosphere.
I had to keep convincing her not to join The Society. “Life there is hard. There aren’t financial burdens, but your freedom is gone. Someone else will choose who your daughter marries. People don’t leave once they join.” My voice nearly broke, but I persevered on. “From experience, I know there’s a strength in all of us. A strength that will emerge and see you through your grief.”
Being this close to a similar scene, after all these years, was nearing unbearable.
A hand came over and grabbed my hand. The woman gave a grateful silent whisper. “Thank you. I’ll never tell a soul.”
I squeezed her hand and stood. After all these years maybe this was why I had been spared, to save this woman and her child. Her tearful eyes watched me.
Standing with me, the woman gave me a hug as she spoke, “I needed this sign to stay and fight. I don’t know who you are, but I’ll always think of you as a Guardian Angel.”
There was nothing left to say. She was choosing life. After all this time, the sacrifices kept another child from the grasp of The Society. The woman grabbed her little girl and headed to the parking lot. More tears came down my face as I felt the small victory. There was one more victory to be had as I walked to the car.
Aiden had a look of apprehension on his face. Annalyn was sleeping soundly in the back. I loved my family with my entire soul.
“How’d it go, Kenzie?”
“She’s not going to meet John.” Aiden heaved a sigh of relief while he cranked the car. “But, I want to do something else.”
“What’s that, sweetheart?”
I watched his profile as I spoke, “John will be back here at noon tomorrow. I want to be here and see his face when she doesn’t show up.”
“Why?”
“I need to see it. After all these years we haven’t made any progress. Saving that mother and little girl means that we were able to do something.”
Aiden nodded. “We’ll leave Annalyn with my parents and come back.”
“Thank you. I love you.”
“Forever.”
MY LEGS WERE restless as Aiden and I sat on the picnic table on the edge of the playground. I’d hardly slept as I imagined this moment.
Aiden draped his arms around me in a supportive manner as we waited. At noon, a car pulled up. John emerged from the backseat in the same clothes I remembered the Watchers wearing all those years ago, black pants and white shirts. Time appeared to stand still at The Society. I often wondered how many of the people I knew were still alive and what they were doing.
Approaching the same bench the woman had been at yesterday, John looked at his pocket watch and his brows creased. Today, I won, John. Today, I kept someone from The Society’s grasp. Today, someone was saved. For some reason, I needed to see the victory of them not claiming someone.
I had no doubt that the woman would have been back today if I hadn’t interceded. The Society preyed on women who felt there was nothing left—no hope, no future, nothing. I made a vow to start an organization that helped women, like my mom and the lady I spoke to yesterday. Anything to keep innocent people away from a decision like joining The Society.
I glanced at Aiden and he took a deep breath and watched John with leery eyes. “We’ll keep trying, Kenzie. We’ll never give up trying to expose them for what they did.”
“I know.” My voice was barely above a whisper.
Ten minutes had passed. John stood and looked our way. Our eyes locked and I thought a hint of recognition passed over his face, but I wasn’t sure. I never once wavered as I stared at him and he cocked his head to the side like he was trying to place who I was. The same glint that had been in his father’s eyes shimmered as he keenly watched me, leaving me feeling cold and angry.
Did he recognize me? I wasn’t sure. John’s gaze shifted to Aiden for a second, but then back to me. Without thinking, I took a step forward. Why? I wasn’t sure. With my movement, John turned and quickly jogged away to a waiting car at the edge of the parking lot.
Why was he running? Had he recognized me? I’d been the only one I knew of to escape The Society and live to tell about it. I’d survived them.
John got to the car, but not before he turned back and glanced at me one more time. I took a few more steps toward him, but he hurried into the car, slamming the door. The car sped off. My heart was beating a million miles a second.
Aiden wrapped his arms tightly around me and I felt the support and his silent echo of my vow.
I’d continue to try and expose The Society for what they’d done.
Even as they kept trying to add numbers to their flock . . . I’d be there with my renewed hope . . .