Sonya kissed the pendant of the necklace that hung around her neck and placed it on her forehead. Her mouth moved up and down inaudibly before she stepped into the circle of prayer.

It wasn’t that hippy-dippy bullshit the Buddhists practiced, nor was it the bore-you-to-death with the book that the Old Christians taught. The area was a multi-acre lawn on the north end of the Church surrounded by towering torches. Through botanical practices, the grass grew in an oval with a circle that touched the top and bottom of the oval but not the left and right sides. Burned in the center was another circle: six feet in diameter with stone pedestals lining the circumference.

She, like many other members, joined the hundreds-strong kindling crowd that surrounded the inner circle.

“Why’d they call a meeting?” She asked Pavel who had his right hand raised and his left hand covering his eyes.

“You would think a fellow Pupil of the Church would understand not to disturb someone's communication with the Light,” He grumbled while maintaining the stance.

“Uh-huh.” Sonya tapped her foot and scrutinized the crowd as she waited.

Soon enough Pavel dropped his hands and sighed, “The spell is broken.” He faced her, “What were you going on about?”

He squinted at her, “You really don’t know?”

“No. How about you enlighten me o’ enlightened one?”

Pavel shook his head, “No. You interrupted my prayer. You can wait like the rest of the Church.”

Sonya gaped at him, but the hush that fell over the crowd superseded her indignation.

A broad-shouldered man cut through the crowd like a hot knife to stand on the pedestal in the center of the circle. He wore a wrinkled suit: navy blue on white. The top button of his color was undone, and his tie swung loosely from his neck with each step. Her father.

“I assume most of you are wondering why I have adjourned this meeting,” her father’s voice was soft, like waves falling onto a beach. However, it rolled over the crowd easily. “Richard Buckley, or Dick as many of you knew him as, had been deployed on official business for many days now without communication.”

“He’s…” Sonya leaned over to Pavel, “You really kept this away from me?” she seethed.

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Her father continued, “As such, I personally dispatched two of our finer men to search for him to check if he had passed onto the Light. After finding remnants of his clothing covered in his blood and bile. We can only assume the worst.” Her father’s eyes swept the crowd until they rested upon Sonya. “I know many of you knew Dick and enjoyed his company but we already have three scouring the sewers to find him and I implore you to focus on the tasks given to you.”

Sonya stifled the urge to clench her fists, many would be watching.

“Now, onto other news. In less than two months, we’re determining the official squad to head east. Get your requirements in order if you are considering it. Pavel will inform you about the dailies. Thank you.” Her father stepped down and slid through the crowd.

Sonya immediately turned to follow him, but the crowd didn’t part ways for her as they did for the Chief. The buzz of conversation grew after he left. After many ‘coming throughs’ she pushed her way through the crowd.

He was gone.

She dug her fingernails into her palm. Normally, she would immediately call him-assuming he would pick up-but it was strictly forbidden for electronics to be used on sacred ground. She did not want to be seen by some rule-follower and be on call duty all month.

“I understand that the chief has left but I still request the same respect when I speak,” Pavel shouted over the sea of Pupils. The crowd’s sound level dropped, but to Pavel’s annoyance, it was nowhere near the quiet that had been betrothed to the Chief before him.

Mind racing, she turned for the exit. She would have never thought it would be Dick to go out first. Sure, maybe the others, but Dick had worked so hard, and little Benny... Sonya covered her mouth. What about little Benny? Does he even know yet? He had to be inducted already and was in the first stages of Base Camp by now.

“Hear that? Two months. Then you’re sponsoring me,” said a familiar voice.

Sonya spat on the ground, “Not now Zach.”

He smiled, his rifle which was normally glued to his back was nowhere to be found. Weapons were also not allowed on the grounds.

“What’s grinding your gears?” he said.

“Did you just not pay attention to what he just said?”

Zach nodded, “Of course. Two months. The mission-”

“No idiot, Dick,” Sonya said.

He scratched his head, “Yes. Very sad.”

Sonya rolled her eyes and began to stomp toward the exit.

“Hol’ up,” hollered Zach, “I’ll join you.”

“I know you don’t care about Dick, why are you coming?” She asked.

Zach shrugged, “Saving a Pupil would help my reputation. Plus, I never miss a chance to shoot something.”

Sand kicked up from under their steps as they exited the area. The crowd behind them stayed behind them as they listened to Pavel’s dribble.

“To start off, the toilets. Someone’s not flushing…” Pavel’s voice faded behind her as she exited the circle of prayer.

She retrieved her phone and revolvers and sent a quick text to the group chat telling Chet and Walker to meet her at the pavilion. She tried calling her father, but of course, it went to voicemail. Zach hoisted his rifle over his shoulder and restocked on ammo. He clipped a small leather pouch to his hip. A metallic rattle emitted from the pouch as he stepped.

The sky crackled above as they marched away from the Church.