Page 3 of Axton
Koty shook his head. “What we do here is wrong, Belle. It’s against these children’s legal rights and it’s a terrible practice. I was forced into a marriage of faith to a child against my will. That’s why I will not give her a child, because she’s still a child herself. I need to leave, and I want to take you with me. If I can convince papa its best for you, he may give us the money to leave, and we can start somewhere new. Maybe I can go to college, we could still live faithful lives outside of this church, or whatever makes us happy. You can teach in a real school and the opportunities are endless. It doesn’t mean we can’t still believe in God. Jeremy has been waiting since he was fourteen to marry you, and the elders didn’t force him to marry a child like they did me. Papa would not want you to marry Jeremy, and I need to get you somewhere safe. The second papa takes his last breath, Jeremy is coming for you and everything else he believes he’s entitled to take.”
An uneasiness came over me. “Our brothers and the elders will protect me. They know who I’m meant to marry.”
“I know more about this world than you, Belle. I know more about Jeremy and how the real world works. During my quest to find a safe escape plan, I have been given information regardinga group of men that might be able to help us escape.” We both heard the back door open and jumped. The conversation we were having was very risky and the thought of my older brothers hearing it scared me. Koty turned to me and whispered. “Pack a bag and I’ll come for you.”
I knew Koty could escape on his own terms, but taking me was risky. Very risky, and with Jeremy involved it was dangerous.
“Koty?” John yelled out.
“Yeah, I’m coming.” Koty kissed my cheek then walked away. I turned toward the door and opened it, to see my papa peacefully sleeping.
The men inside our faith had jobs outside our community. Many were into real estate, some sold insurance, and it was not unusual for some to have educations. Women on the other hand took care of their husband’s and ran their households. We did not get educations, other than learning how to read and write. Me, on the other hand, well I had a burning curiosity. Koty had been sneaking books to me for years and he knew I had a need for an education. I was faithful, but I also had a few secrets that challenged me on a daily basis.
Chapter Three
Belle
“Belle, wake up.” My mama kissed my forehead and my eyes fluttered open. Her dark eyes peered down at me and my heart suddenly raced.
“Papa?” I wasn’t ready for him to take his greatest journey yet.
She slowly shook her head. “Not yet, but soon. My dear, Koty is saying goodbye to your papa. I need you to do the same then go with him. He is taking you to safety with your papas consent.”
She stood from my bed, and I sat up. “To safety?”
“You are about to become Jeremy’s forced bride. As soon as your papas newest journey begins, Jeremy plans to have you removed from our home and I’ve already been matched to a new husband up north. Your brothers have agreed to his demands. Please, Bellamy, it’s time to go. You’ll be safe to travel tonight. Koty has a plan, just listen to what he says. I’ve packed a bag for you, and your papa has money for you that he has trusted to Koty. You must travel to Utah, it’ll be safer there for you. I will meet you there as soon as it’s safe.”
“Koty can’t leave his responsibilities.” I said as my mother attempted to dress me. I meant the responsibility of being a husband.
“He will send for Maggie when he is ready.” Mama said.
“When?” I worried for Maggie.
“Your brother will explain. I have a bag for you already packed. Say goodbye to your papa, this will be the last time you will see him.”
I was throwing my hair up quickly. “Jeremy and the elders, they will come for us. They will use violence, mama.”
“This is why you must hurry.” Mama pushed me back to sit and put my shoes on for me.
“Papa’s prophecy. What if I’m not here when my true husband comes for me?”
She worked quickly to tie my shoes. “If it is to be, our almighty father will find you and he will send his soldier. He will wear your mark, just as your papa predicted. You will know when he has come for you, and he will ease your fears. He will be a soldier of God, you know this, Belle.”
I was whisked quickly from my bedroom and almost stumbled down the creaky old stairs before making it to the bottom. Walking into my papas room, I found him praying with Koty. I waited as I watched my brother on his knees, holding papas hand as he prayed. When Koty turned toward me, his eyes were red and full of tears, but my papa struggled to breathe. Papa tried reaching for me, so I ran to him and fell to the floor with my papas hand in mine. I prayed and I cried, then my papa struggled to say the words I needed to hear. “Obey Koty, let him lead you to safety. Our almighty soldier will come for you whenit’s time. He will find you, so be safe, but never forget the path carved for you. You will know him by the mark he bears, the hand of God.”
“Oh, papa.” I cried.
“Belle, we have to go.” I saw Koty standing in the doorway with a packed bag.
I turned to papa as he spoke. “Jeremy is the dark one, he has found his way into our beloved community. You must run and not allow him to lead you into temptation. Go north, the elders in Utah will help you, but if that’s not possible, have faith in your brother.”
I was crying as Koty grabbed my arm and pulled me away from papa. I cried for papa, I knew he heard my cries, and I was not ready to let go. Mama ran behind us with bags of food she prepared to take with us. Koty threw me into his truck and mama piled the bags on me, then kissed my hand before she shut the door. I was still crying, not being able to say a proper goodbye to mama, papa, or any of my other mothers and siblings.
“You’re going to be fine, Belle. Trust me, you do not want to be here when hellfire reigns down on everyone.” Koty spoke as he threw the truck in reverse. “Jeremy is negligent, not careful like papa. Bad things are going to happen, and you do not want to be married to a false prophet.” He threw the truck into drive, and we took off. “Nobody will suspect us leaving, they all believe I am heading out to fetch supplies for papa, he’s leaving us very soon.”
“It’s the middle of the night, Koty.” I cried.
“It’s nine o’clock, Belle, not the middle of the night. I have so much to teach you.”
