The Book of Ethan by Russell J. Sanders

Author:Russell J. Sanders [Sanders, Russell J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2015-04-13T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

HOW CAN three weeks pass like three minutes? Ethan’s life was in overdrive. He had made up a lifetime in the last three weeks—and all his experiences taught him he had a lot more lifetimes to go if he were going to catch up to Pete, Virgil, Bernie, and the rest. The Family lived purposely, but they were so sheltered out there. Learning the outside world taught one lesson, first and foremost—you had to think. Thinking was discouraged in the Family. The Prophet told you how to think, and in fear, you did what you were told. Ethan looked back on his life there. He had been privileged, as the heir to The Prophet, but even he was expected to blindly obey.

He overheard Pete tell one of the other kids a few days back that people who wanted you to obey them unconditionally strove always to keep you ignorant. The kid told Pete he was learning so much about being independent since he’d left his controlling mother and come to the hostel. Pete said, “In the Dark Ages, the church ruled. They made sure the commoners had no education whatsoever, for when you learn, you think. And that can lead to rebellion. Most times in history, rebellion has been a good thing, for people deserved to make their own decisions, to be independent. You took the first step to independence when you walked away from your mother. I hope one day you have the strength and courage to patch things up with her, but on your own terms, not hers. Meanwhile, we’re here for you. We’ll keep you safe.”

Funny, Ethan always thought he and the other Family members were safe. The more he learned, the more he thought, he knew you could not be safe if you were controlled. The fence, the razor wire that topped it? Ethan always believed it was to keep them from harm. He was certain now it was to keep them in line, just as their limited education filled with half-truths and lies was designed to keep them ignorant. The Prophet exercised total control over them.

Ethan wept when he made this realization. His brothers and sisters, his friends, were all still trapped. Entrapped by a man who wanted them to believe Eternal Father spoke directly to him and him alone. Ethan had always both loved his father but feared him in his role as The Prophet. Now, he was absolutely sure why that was so. The man, too, suffered internally. Unfortunately, his role as The Prophet always won out over his role as father to Ethan and his brothers and sisters.

Ethan, heeding Pete’s advice he’d overheard, hoped one day he would be able to save the Family. He had always been designated their next Prophet. He would work to be their savior here on earth. He knew Eternal Father would support him, for he carried him in his heart. If he understood Bernie correctly, he’d said, “God is a part of you, so you are God.

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