Messiahs by Matt Rogers (bookstand for reading txt) 📕

Brandon said, ‘Of course.’

Maeve stood at the top of the steps leading up to the porch, clad in a farm dress, every part the humble, simplistic commune leader. It was an impressive act, given what they knew about her true nature.

She descended the porch steps, lifting the hem of her dress as she stepped down. She walked across the driveway to them as they got out of the car. Like automatons, Brandon and Addison bled into the background, walking away silently. When Violetta looked over her shoulder, they were already halfway down the decline to the commune, having abandoned their vehicle.

Probably because it wasn’t theirs.

Must be one of the communal rides.

Maeve stepped forward and embraced Alexis in warm arms, curly hair framing her face. Violetta realised how good of an actress Alexis was when she bowed her forehead to Maeve’s shoulder and sighed in her arms, as if the hug was what she’d been searching for all along.

After a long silence Alexis stepped out of the embrace and said, ‘This is my friend, Violetta.’

Maeve turned to Violetta and smiled. ‘I’ve heard so much about you, dear. Oh my, you two are a sight to behold together, aren’t you? Such gorgeous creatures.’

Violetta squirmed uncomfortably, playing shy.

Maeve said, ‘I’m Maeve. Maeve Riordan. This is my commune.’

Violetta cleared her throat. ‘Sorry, I know. I suppose not saying anything was mighty rude of me. I’m happy to be here, Maeve. Thank you so much for the invitation.’

They could see the excitement barely suppressed in Maeve’s eyes. Two polite, shy nomads, ripe for exploitation. She thought they’d bend to her every word.

Maeve said, ‘Come inside. I’ve prepared tea.’

Falling in behind Alexis as they went up the porch steps, Violetta felt like she’d been transported to the Wild West. It truly was a different life out here. She wondered how the commune generated power, and what sort of system they had for maintaining a steady train of supplies. Mostly she found herself flabbergasted at how a community of this magnitude could fly so effortlessly under the radar. She’d seen the number of buildings. There had to be at least a hundred people living here, if not more.

How had no one back in civilisation acknowledged it? Not even with something as small as an online post?

Because people who hear about it disappear…

Maeve led them through the screen door into an old-fashioned sitting area with rattan chairs, a faded leather sofa, and ornate side tables. A royal blue rug covered most of the floorspace, making the room feel cosier than if the wooden floorboards underneath were left exposed. A soft breeze blew in through a handful of windows that were cracked open, circulating fresh air from one end of the ground floor to the other.

Maeve gestured to the sofa. ‘Please, sit.’

They sat.

Alexis said, ‘This place is lovely.’

‘One second, dear,’ Maeve said, disappearing into the kitchen.

She returned with a kettle that looked as if it had come off a charcoal burner moments previously. Steam crawled out of the spout. It was then that Alexis noticed the teacups already on the low table between the sofa and the armchairs. There was a measure of fine powder — bright green, in the distinctive matcha style — in each cup. She poured near-boiling water into each mug of fine china, then took a whisk from beside the cups and stirred the contents into thin green tea. She handed them over, one by one.

Alexis sipped hers.

It was very good.

‘Did you have a pleasant journey?’ Maeve said as she took her own cup and sat delicately in the rattan chair across from them.

Both women nodded.

Alexis sat forward. ‘I guess we don’t know exactly what to expect. But we’re coming in with open minds.’

Maeve swirled the tea in the mug and took a soft sip. ‘That’s fantastic news. Really, that’s all you need to make the most out of life, isn’t it?’

Alexis shrugged.

Violetta stayed quiet.

Maeve cocked her head. ‘Did I say something offensive?’

‘No,’ Violetta said, speaking for the first time since they’d sat down. ‘Definitely not. Sorry … we’re shy, is all. Don’t do well with small talk.’

She looked over to Alexis, who nodded her confirmation.

Maeve said, ‘Shall we get straight to the point then?’

Alexis said, ‘Which is?’

Maeve sipped from her teacup, settled back in the chair, and watched them.

Alexis and Violetta shifted restlessly on the sofa.

Maeve said, ‘Do you think there’s more to life?’

Silence.

35

Alexis said, ‘I’m sorry?’

‘Have you ever looked back on your life and thought, “What if…?”’

More quiet.

But Alexis started to open up. ‘I guess I have.’

Violetta nodded, mute but understanding.

Maeve said, ‘Isn’t that a fascinating concept, though? That in every moment we have in time, we choose what action to take. It draws parallels to quantum physics. In each moment there is limitless possibility, infinite choices, and therefore there are limitless versions of ourselves. In some parallel universe, there’s a version of you that has made every choice correctly. Imagine where that person is now. Imagine the sorts of things they’ve accomplished. Imagine … your ideal self.’

Alexis said, ‘I couldn’t begin to picture…’

Violetta’s gaze went far away, the concept dawning on her.

Maeve said, ‘That’s why we’re here in Thunder Basin.’

‘I’m sorry?’

‘To become what you could be, you must do something out of the ordinary. Wouldn’t you agree? Isn’t that the very definition of ordinary? Choosing to remain within the walls of your old life…’

Alexis said, ‘Yeah, I guess.’

‘That’s why we’re away from civilisation,’ Maeve said. ‘We’re mastering our destinies, to use a cliché. But it’s true. Here … you’re alleviated of all the responsibilities of that dreaded rat race that takes place back in the real world. We come here and we breathe the pristine air and we … evolve. We become the people we should have been all along, through a series of practices and habits and mantras.’

They took in the words.

Alexis realised that if she had no idea who Maeve was or what the cult leader truly did to get results, she’d fall for it.

That terrified her.

Maeve carried