[IC] The Compound

[raleighallynn]

Effy and Logan huddled in the back of The Compound's makeshift chapel, it was nothing but a series of tents strung together but it served its purpose well enough. Logan fussed over his sister's newest bruises that littered her chest and shoulders, lines of worry etched onto his typically handsome face. "You cannot continue down this path." he whispered, "the next beating will be the end of you."

"Maybe that's what I want!" Effy said a little too loudly, earning cold glances from those around her. She shied away from her brothers touch, wrapping her arms around herself as if they would offer her some sort of protection. She shook her head, trying her hardest to free herself from the memory of the previous beating.

[Irisity]

Jennelle kneeled in front of the altar, folding her hands toether and resting her forehead on them. Her eyes were stinging with tears. I couldn't be tue, it couldn't be true.

"God," she whispered quietly to where no one could hear her. "I have devoted my life to you in the Compound. Please don't let all be fake. There are families here, little children." Jennelle took in a deep breath. "Please, God. Just this once. Do me a favor and let this place be real and true."

[HollywoodMole]

Mathew stood in the chapel, trying to keep as irrelevant as possible, fiddling with his fingers.I suppose this place looks nicer than most of The Compound, to me, at least.

[raleighallynn]

Effy glanced around the room, intently watching the people around her. She watched as they reverently prayed or nervously twiddled their thumbs. Did they know what was truly going on? Did they pretend that they didn't notice the disappearances and the bruised and broken people. She stood, crossing herself as she approached the altar; out of habit she bowed as she sunk to her knees in "prayer."

[BK201]

Natsuno was watching Jennelle pray from outside the chapel when she was interrupted by Eefy's and Loga's loud voice "Sibblings fight again?" She asked as she walked towards them.
"My my poor child, you got beated again?"

[raleighallynn]

"It's nothing I'm not used to." Effy said with a shrug and a halfhearted smile in Natuno's direction. Logan simply grimaced, knowing that saying too much would cause more trouble for his already troubled younger sister.

[HollywoodMole]

Of course, nothings as it seems. But I'll just sit here, ignoring it. If I could walk out right now I would, but I really can't. Mathew looked around. "Being beaten is nothing to smile about..." It's despicable, honestly.

[raleighallynn]

"You think I don't know that?" Effy snapped defensively. She knew well that being beaten was nothing to smile about, but what else could she do? Crying over it wasn't an option anymore.

[HollywoodMole]

"Well, then don't act like it's a thing you should talk casual about." Ellis scoffed back. These people have some real tempers...

[raleighallynn]

Effy turned to face Ellis, "Oh, I apologize. I didn't realize that you were such the expert on what I can an cannot speak casually about. Please, teach me how you cope with your beatings." she said before stalking out of the grouping of tents.

Logan sighed as he watched his sister stalked off; her temper was always worse after a beating. "People cope in their own ways. What is it to you that she deals with her beatings in a casual manner?" he asked calmly.

[HollywoodMole]

"Well, being beat is note exactly a thing to be talked about normally. It's like saying casually about how you want to massacre an entire family. It's actually quite disgusting, to me at least, to say that it's a normal thing."

[Irisity]

Jennelle got up and joined the rest.

"Keep it down," she whispered. "Father could be around any corner and you know it."

[raleighallynn]

Logan laughed, but it was not a pleasant sound. "I've found that beatings are talked about with normalcy in places where beatings are normal." With that he stood and walked to the altar, placing a gentle hand on Jennelle's shoulder.

[HollywoodMole]

"Well, maybe we shouldn't be in the chapel..." Ellis whispered.

[Irisity]

"These people are not ready to find out about this. Whatever it is." Jennelle told them.

Children sat around them and could her and easily tell their mothers and fathers.

[HollywoodMole]

"You believe in lying to children? I don't care what could happen to us, people deserve to know." Ellis stopped twiddling and had a chill down his spine. "Now you mention the Father, It makes you feel constantly watched..."

[Irisity]

"This is all these children have ever known and you just want to throw it in their faces and tell them all tht t isn't real? It would tear them apart," Jennelle snapped back.

[HollywoodMole]

"So? The truth can be harsh, don't act like it isn't, Because it is. Children deserve to know more then us." Elliot replied.

[raleighallynn]

Logan ran a hand through his hair, a sigh escaping his lips. They were at a delicate place in their life, with very few options that seemed to be feasible. Warning people of the dangers of The Compound only put them in more danger. What could they do? He didn't know anymore. He ran his hand over the the brand on his neck. It told him to "Lead" but he knew not what to do.

[Irisity]

"How would you like your home and life ripped out from under you at such a young age?" She protested.