Title: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back. Part 2/4
Author: Lisa
Main Plot supplied by: Monika
Emails: lisacheerio_85@yahoo.com &
mon_khanna@yahoo.com.au 
Disclaimer: we do not own stingers, etc. etc. Also,
certain actions and reason for these actions in the
next few parts may offend some. I assure you that none
of these thoughts/actions are a reflection on Monika’s
opinions or mine; in affect, it’s the complete
opposite.

Mac stirred, becoming aware that she was not in her
house, let alone her bed. Behind her, she could hear
the jug boiling and Pete whistling quietly to himself.
She looked at her watch. Six-sixteen. She’d only been
asleep a few hours. Oh well, she thought as she sat up
on the couch.
“Morning!” Pete said cheerfully as he finished making
coffee and brought it over to her. Mac took it,
smiling.
“How you going, Pete? You okay now?” Pete turned
serious.
“Yeah, Mac,” he nodded. “Look, I’ll be right.
Uh...thanks, you know. It meant a lot to me and...”
Mac started laughing as Pete sat down beside her with
his drink. She put her free arm around his shoulders
and leaned her head into the crook of his neck.
“No problem, buddy. What are friends for?” She looked
up into his eyes, and there was a long pause as Pete
contemplated the meaning in that statement. The room
was dead silent, the electricity building.
“Exactly,” Pete replied quietly. He stood to return
his cup to the sink, but turned. “You’re a good
friend, Mac, I really mean it. The best.” Mac nodded,
a smile spreading across her face as she too, stood.
“Well thankyou Pete. You’re not so bad yourself.” She
walked past him into the kitchen. He turned, feigning
offence.
“I would’ve thought I was more than not-so-bad!” Mac
laughed as her phone started ringing in her bag. She
looked around but Pete had picked it up and threw it
across the room to her. 
“Pete!” Mac gasped as she tried to catch it. Pete
knew she wasn’t a very good catcher, so he’d thrown it
slowly, giving Mac more time. The phone bounced off
her hands but she brought them forward, finally
catching it, rather awkwardly. Mac glared humorously
at Pete as she answered quickly.
“Mackenzie...Bill, hi...yeah, early start...sorry. I
would’ve left a note but...oh, look, I don’t
know...I’ll probably see you some time today,
okay?...okay, bye.” She hung up and put her face in
her hands.
“Oh God, Pete, what am I going to do?” She looked
back up at him seriously, and he saw how worried she
really was. “I don’t want to continue with him, but I
don’t want to hurt him either. I-“ Pete smiled and
moved forward, hugging her.
“You’ll think of something, Mac. You always do.” She
nodded, yet sighed as her phone rang again. 
“Mackenzie...Sir...yes?...mmm...we’ll be right
there.” Pete had his nose buried in the fridge, and
came out holding two apples. 
“Eat and run?” he asked. Mac nodded, taking the piece
of fruit. 
“Yep. You too. Commissioner’s office.” She gathered
up her things quickly. 
“Gotta go home and get changed though. I’ll be back
in about twenty minutes to pick you up.” She looked up
and smiled. “Okay?” She didn’t wait for an answer
before running out the house.
“Hang on, Mac!” Pete said as she turned around. 
“What is it Pete?” 
“What’d I do wrong this time?” he asked, thinking of
the many reasons the Commissioner would want to see
him. Mac laughed. 
“You’re my most experienced operative, okay? Look,
I’ll be back!” She continued laughing as she drove
back home quickly, to change into something more
respectable. 

*

Mac sat with Pete in the Commissioner’s nicely
furnished office as he sat, stoney-faced, opposite
them. There was a quick knock at the door before
Hollister entered, copy of the file tucked under his
arm. He and the Commissioner shook hands.
“Sorry I’m late, Sir. I got caught up in another case
for a second.”
“No problem,” he replied. “Sit, please.” Bill took a
seat next to Mac. “I’m sure you’ve met Detective
Sergeant Mackenzie and this is her operative, Peter
Church.” Bill nodded a greeting as he turned his
attention back to the Commissioner. 
“We’ll get started then. Just west of here, there
have been a number of murders, which we have linked to
the underground cult, W.A.S.P. White Australia are the
Supreme Proprietors. They’re against multiculturalism,
minorities. Their main dislikes, however, involve the
aboriginal people, and the fact they claim Australia
as theirs. Bill, would you like to continue?” Bill
nodded, opening his file.
“WASP has been operating in these areas, we believe,
for only a few months, but already their impact has
been great. Informants tell us there are a lot of
underground members, who have performed certain tasks
to ensure membership.”
“What sort of tasks?” Mac asked inquiringly. She
hadn’t really heard about this before.
“We believe the leader of the cult, a Norman Edwards,
chooses different tasks for different people. No two
people get the same set of tasks. There are two or
three, the final of which is to murder one of the
local aboriginals. Usually the people join as
partners, husbands and wives, things like that. The
way the murders occur specifically is still unknown to
us; a lot is still unknown, actually. The victims are
found with a single gunshot to the back of the head,
in a remote area near where they live.” The
Commissioner took over.
“We need your unit to cover this, Ellen. From your
files I believe you and Peter here would be the best
to undertake this operation. You are the oldest, most
experienced operatives in your unit, the entire unit
having an excellent track record for these sorts of
things. You’ll be going undercover as a newly married
couple who’ve decided to join this cult. Your details
and files have already been completed.” He handed them
to Mac, who left them closed on her lap for the time
being. 
“Ellen, I expect this case to go down without a
hitch. I know it’s difficult for you to guarantee that
at this point, but I’m serious. Edwards and his
followers, from what I’ve been told, put the couples
through rather dangerous tasks, ending with the murder
of a young aboriginal man. I expect the two of you to
hold your covers, even if it gets hard. Do you think
this is acceptable?” It wasn’t a question. Mac nodded.
“Definitely, Sir.” She cast a glance at Peter, who
nodded solemnly. “We’ll do the best we can.” The
Commissioner smiled, relaxing. 
“If your unit needs anything, just talk to myself or
the deputy. No one else knows. We’re not sure how
widespread WASP is just yet. Dismissed.” Mac stood,
shaking the Commissioner’s hand, Pete following her
out, Bill just behind them. 
“A real people person,” Pete mumbled amusingly
quietly in Mac’s ear as they entered the elevator.
Bill had gotten caught up talking to another officer
waiting to see the Commissioner, and looked up at the
sound of Mac’s gentle laughter. He watched Pete put a
hand to her back as they turned, still talking to each
other. 

In the car park, Mac leant over the top of the car,
discussing things with Pete, the car doors open. 
“So what sort of stuff do you think they’ll make us
do?” he asked. Mac shook her head. 
“No idea. They’ve only ever been in contact with one
member, who’s supplied all the information.” The file
was spread open on the roof, and Mac was flicking
through. “We don’t even know if the information’s
right; won’t until we get there.”
“Yeah, really great case, Mac.”
“I know it’s high risk, Pete, but we have to-“ She
turned as she sensed another presence behind her. 
“You two still here?” Bill asked as he walked up. Mac
closed the file hurriedly.
“Uh...yeah...we were just discussing things...uh...”
“Yeah.”
“Yeah.” 
Pete held in a laugh as he made his was past Mac and
Bill.
“Where are you going?” Mac asked him. He turned, a
cheeky grin plastered over his face. Bill couldn’t
see; Pete was behind him.
“For a walk. I’ll be back in five.” He gave Mac the
thumbs up sign, smirking suggestively as he walked
away. Mac turned back to Bill.
“Bill, look-“ 
“Are you free tonight?” Wow, Mac thought, don’t hold
back or anything. “It’s just that I had a really
wonderful time last night, Ellen and I-“
“I had a really good time too, Bill...” Mac wasn’t
lying. She had enjoyed herself with Bill, but she knew
it couldn’t continue. It would never work; “go”
anywhere.
“So, what about eight o’clock?”
“Oh Bill, I can’t tonight. This new case. We’re going
to have to get right into things. There’s a lot to do.
I’m sorry, I...”
“No problem...This is how it’s going to be, isn’t
it?” Mac looked up, surprised. 
“How is it?”
“You know, one of us would always have something
better to do.”
“Bill, I didn’t mean it like that, I-“
“No, I know. But it’s true.” There was a pause as
they looked calmly into each other’s eyes, knowing one
of them had to say it.
“Okay, Bill, I agree. I don’t think we could ever
have a future...”
“Yeah. Can’t have a future without a past. Ours is
somewhat limited. Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be?”
Mac nodded. Yeah, she thought, that’s how it’s
supposed to be. 
“All right, Ellen, I’ll see you ‘round?” They smiled
at each other.
“Definitely,” Mac replied as Bill turned and walked
away.

After a moment, Mac looked around. She watched Bill
get in his car and drive off. There was still no sign
of Pete. She knew he was around there somewhere – he
wouldn’t have just left her there, would he? 
“Hey, Pete! Where are you?” she called, her voice
echoing in the half empty car park. She turned at the
sound of a shoe skidding on the concrete. She grinned
as she caught a glimpse of Pete’s shoe disappear
behind one of the cars. She knelt down on her heels,
balancing herself on the ground with her fingertips. 
“What do you think you’re doing?” she asked into
space. She still couldn’t see him. He must be hiding
behind a wheel, she thought to herself. 
“Come on, Pete! I’d like to get to work. Stop playing
games, okay?” There was a small part in Mac that was
starting to get worried. It wasn’t like Pete to just
disappear. He didn’t have enough patience to stay
hiding for too long before starting to laugh and give
himself away. He was a better liar. 
“Pete?” she asked, suddenly much more timidly. She
started to stand back up, giving in; when she gasped,
feeling two hands go around her waist and lift her up
firmly. 
“Oh shit, Pete!” She gasped as he put her back down.
She’d relaxed once she’d heard Pete’s chuckle in her
ear, and he’d turned her around so they were facing.
Mac eyeballed Pete.
“You were worried, weren’t you?” Pete teased. Mac
shook her head. 
“Of course not!” Pete almost giggled, grinning
childishly. 
“Yeah, you were! You thought something had happened
to me and then you thought something was going to
happen to you!” Mac frowned at his obvious amusement
for the situation.
“I knew it was you!”
“Oh yeah? You did not, Mac. You gasped like I’ve
never heard you before.”
“Well you surprised me, but I knew it was you!” Pete
put his hands up.
“Okay, okay, calm down. I’m sorry, okay?” Mac nodded,
straightening her jacket as they walked back to the
car together. 

Five minutes down the road, Pete turned to Mac.
“How’d you know it was me?” he asked suddenly. Mac
looked over quickly, and then returned her eyes to the
road. She didn’t answer. Pete kept his eyes on her,
curious. They drove the whole way in silence, until
Mac broke the silence, as they parked at the factory. 
“Your hands, your arms.”
“Huh?” Pete mumbled, not realising she was answering
his question. Mac sighed. 
“That’s how I knew it was you. Your hands, your
arms...You used to wrap your arms around me on a daily
basis, remember?” Pete nodded, looking into space and
smiling. 
“Oh yeah.” He turned to her as she opened her door.
“How could I forget?” They laughed as the both got out
of the car, files in arms. 

*

Angie spotted Colette working at the reception area
as she passed the nurses’ station. She wondered how
Pete and Colette were going; seemed to be enjoying
themselves that was for sure. 
“Michelle!” Angie’s head snapped up at the familiar
voice saying that familiar name. Oh God, she thought.
Nevertheless she smiled at Oscar’s father as they
approached one another.
“Hi!” he started. “How are you?” 
“Oh, um...well, I’m okay, but-“ she slipped easily
into her cover. “It’s tough you know?” 
“Yeah. Close calls, I hate ‘em. Shirley and I just
want him back home, but he’s adamant, apparently.”
Angie nodded.
“He loves his job.” 
“You don’t worry about him?” 
“Of course I do. All the time! But it just makes it
more special when you see him at the end of the day,
unharmed.” They smiled at each other, Angie grateful
this was going all right. 
“So are you coming or going?” she asked.
“Going. As soon as Shirley finishes up in there with
him.” He leant in to whisper to her. “Mothering, you
know?” Angie laughed softly.
“Yeah, I can guess.” Just then, Shirley came out of
the room, and the greetings started again. After
Shirley had finished saying how good it was to see the
two of them still ‘together,’ Oscar’s dad thankfully
got the idea that maybe: “Michelle might like to see
Cam now.” Angie nodded. 
“Yeah, he’s awake, right?” Shirley nodded. 
“Oh, he sure is.” Before they left, Oscar’s father
turned to Angie once again.
“You stick by him, okay? He’s a good guy, and even
though he’s sticking with the job...”
“It’s okay,” Angie said. “The job’s not a problem for
me. I’m not going anywhere.” She smiled reassuringly
as they left arm in arm, Angie finally getting the
chance to talk to Oscar herself. 

“Hello Cameron,” she said quietly as she opened the
door. Oscar smiled.
“Oh Michelle! You’ve come to visit? How wonderful!”
They laughed. “You don’t know what I’ve just been
through, Ange, it was awful! Mum kept saying, ‘so is
Michelle going to come and see you soon?’ ‘I’d love to
see her again.’ ‘She’s such a nice girl, Cam.’ ‘You
know you shouldn’t really try to commit to both
Michelle and your job.’ ‘And Michelle means more to
you, right?’” He held a hand to his side as he
laughed, Angie taking a seat on the edge of his bed.
“Yeah, your dad just told me, in his own words, that
it’d be really great if I stuck by you for a while
longer. After all, you’ll make the right decision
eventually!” She paused, suddenly becoming serious.
She put a hand loosely to Oscar’s chest, feeling his
heart beat through his pyjamas.
“What is your decision, Oscar?” 
“I’m coming back, of course I am!” He grinned.
“Why?” 
“It’s my life, Ange...Angie, what’s wrong?” Oscar
watched as Angie started crying, a hand to her face to
hide the tears. He put a hand up to her shoulder.
“Angie...” She shook her head, composing herself. 
“No, no, I’m okay.”
“Talk to me, Ange. Come on.” She shook her head.
Oscar put on his puppy-dog face, pleading with her.
“Please?” He took her hand in his. 
“Oscar, it’s just that...Remember a few years ago, I
was ready to quit, but I didn’t. I stayed on. I don’t
regret that. But...but how will we know when’s the
right time? We can’t stay on forever...There has to be
a time...”
“You think it’s time I quit?” Angie shook her head
stubbornly. 
“No, I don’t. I think it’s time I quit.” Oscar
gripped her hand tighter.
“What? Why? Angie-“
“No, Oscar. The thing is, I don’t know for sure. This
job is all I have. All I’ve ever had. But I want more.
I just don’t know how to go about getting it.”
“You want to quit?” he asked again. She nodded.
“I know that sooner or later, someone’s going to meet
their fate by this job, Stoney. If it’s not me, it’ll
be one of you. I don’t think I’d be able to handle it.
I couldn’t deal with it if I lost one of my friends
when I knew I could’ve done something about it. I
couldn’t deal with...losing you...if I was still
working in undercover. I could’ve done something,
Oscar. I know I could’ve, if I’d just been thinking.
To prevent all of...this! I just...” Oscar pulled her
closer so he could reach up to her face. He held his
hand on her warm cheek as she avoided his eyes.
“You didn’t lose me, Ange. And there was nothing you
could’ve done, okay? Hey, I’m here, aren’t I?” Angie
nodded.
“I know. I-“
“You really want to leave the unit?” Angie shrugged,
Oscar’s hand still to her face. She took it in hers
and held it to her lap. 
“I don’t know,” she whispered uncertainly as she
leant down and hugged Oscar. 
“I think, maybe,” she started slowly, wiping tears
from her face. “I might stay on a while. See how I
go.” 
“You need a holiday,” Oscar said, smiling. “I know
the best place, too.”
“Oh yeah?” Angie asked as she brightened, knowing
where this was headed. Oscar grinned mischievously.
“Definitely. It’s got rolling green hills and an
endless supply of shady trees. Wonderful activities.
They’ve got fishing, and...oh, and your favourite,
Ange. Archery!” They laughed as Angie rolled her eyes.
“And you’d have the most handsome escort this world
has ever produced.” 
“Oh really?”
“Of course!” 
“Michelle, or Angie?” There was a pause as Oscar
looked into Angie’s eyes. 
“Angie,” he replied softly. “No doubt about it...What
do you say? Just a break; a getaway, so to speak.
You’ll love it.” Angie thought a moment.
“You know,” she answered. “I think I would love it.
Very much.” They smiled at each other as Angie
stretched out her hand.
“Friends?” Oscar nodded, shaking her hand without a
moment’s hesitation.
“Absolutely. Forever.” 

*

“So how’s lover boy?” Danni asked Angie as they met
in the locker rooms.
“Pardon?” Angie asked, surprised. Danni had just come
back from the hospital that afternoon, visiting Oscar
herself. He must have told her about ‘Michelle,’ Angie
thought.
“You cupid, you. Arrow straight through the heart!”
She laughed as Angie realised just how much Oscar had
told Danni. 
“Why’d he tell you all that?” she asked. Danni
smirked.
“His brother was there. Asked me if Mich-elle was
coming by again this afternoon. Wanted to meet you. I
didn’t know what the hell he was talking about, so I
said possibly, and then as soon as I had time to ask,
I forced Oscar to tell me the whole flippin’ story.
What a riot! Michelle!” She burst into laughter as
Angie hit her on the shoulder. 
“Not funny, Danni!” she said stupidly as Danni turned
and walked back out to where Mac and Pete were
discussing the finer details of the case. 

“Right, okay. So we joined this cult because...”
“Because we’re sick of the uh... ‘Abbos’ taking all
the jobs and government handouts. We’re going to work
to pay the tax that let’s them drink more grog? That
right?” Mac nodded as she checked the file. 
“Spot on, but Pete, stop pausing before you say
Abbos. Say it with some hate, you know?” 
“Yeah, I know Mac, but it’s...oh, don’t worry, I
know.” She smiled, standing as Danni and Angie
emerged, Angie looking slightly pissed off, in a
humorous way.
“Such a nice guy, Pete,” she whispered quietly to him
as the girls approached.
“So you two ready for this?” Danni asked. 
“You bet,” Pete answered. “Can’t wait!” Danni rolled
her eyes. 
“Oh yeah!” she mumbled.
“Uh...Mac?” Angie broke in. “Can I maybe talk to you
in your office?” Mac nodded, concerned.
“Sure, anything wrong?” 
“No, no, it’s just that after this case I was going
to take a holiday, and I...uh...need to check the
venue with you, I think...uh...” Angie realised she
had all three of them utterly confused, but Mac
quickly led her in, where they discussed her plans to
go on a break with Oscar. 
Mac understood what Angie was going through; she
approved the idea quickly.
“It’ll do you some good, Ange. Take as long as you
like, all right? You’ve got a lot of paid leave stored
up. Make good use of it.” Just before they exited the
office, Mac added, “Thanks for telling me though. If
there’s anything else you want to talk about at any
time. Uh...I think you know what I mean Angie...you
and Oscar...I want you to come to me, got it? I won’t
hold anything against you.” Angie smiled. 
“Sure, Mac. I promise, but we’ve agreed to just let
friendship dominate over any other uh...feelings. Now,
I know you know exactly what I mean by that!” She
grinned. 
“What?” Mac asked. 
“Bill Hollister called your office this morning.
Wanted to know if you were in. Said you weren’t. He
told me well, you weren’t at home. So I suggested he
try your mobile – it’s always on! Care to share where
you were?” Mac shook her head.
“I don’t think so...”
“No matter, I know where you were.” Her eyes let Mac
know that she indeed, did know. “It stopped for a
while, didn’t it? When Bernie found out?” Mac was
slightly taken aback by her sound accusations. 
“Uh...”
“It’s okay, Mac. I think it’s good. You suit each
other. I won’t tell anyone.” Mac nodded.
“Thankyou, Ange, I appreciate that a lot...And Ange?”
“Yeah?”
“It did stop, but it hasn’t started again, either.” 
“Not yet, anyway,” Angie smiled as she closed the
door quietly behind her. Mac leant against the edge of
her desk. 
Is it that obvious? She asked herself, but dismissed
the thought. She and Pete were just friends, that was
all, and they had a very important case to get to
tomorrow.

*

“You ready?” Pete asked as he helped Mac’s bag into
the boot. They weren’t allowed to take a lot of stuff
with them, and Mac’s bag was light for that reason,
but Pete still insisted on putting it in the car for
her.
“Yeah. You?” Pete nodded. They started the car
quickly and drove off. It was just after five in the
morning. Light was starting to fill the grey sky. The
cool night they’d had last night had left everything
coated in dew this fine morning. 
Mac hadn’t slept at all, again. Thinking about the
case, Angie and Oscar, Danni, Pete. She had been lying
in bed, thinking, when the phone had rung. It had been
Pete. He couldn’t sleep and had had a feeling that she
couldn’t either. They’d talked for a long time, and
Mac didn’t remember who had drifted off first. She
remembered saying goodnight drowsily to him, but had
she gotten a reply? Didn’t matter, she told herself.
They’d gone to sleep with the extension still
connected. Mac had woken up in the early hours by
Pete’s soft voice calling to her over the line. He’d
thought he would’ve been better to wake up to than a
blaring radio buzzer, Mac’s usual form of waking
herself up. He’d been right. Mac hadn’t felt what she
was starting to feel in a long time. She didn’t think
she wanted to either. It couldn’t work. It couldn’t.
Yeah, keep telling yourself that, her other
consciousness said. She shook her head, emptying her
thoughts. 
“You okay?” Pete asked, looking over at Mac, who was
shaking her head as they drove out of her suburb. 
“Yeah, yeah, just thinking.” She smiled slightly.
“Angie thinks we suit each other...”
“Oh does she now?” Pete smirked. Mac nodded. 
“Yeah... “
“Sounds accurate to me. You think it’s a good or a
bad thing?” 
“Uh...” she smiled. “Good, I think.” Pete shook his
head as he turned a corner. 
“I’ll just have to work harder to impress you then.”
Mac laughed. 
“How’s Colette?” Pete looked over at her. 
“I talked to her yesterday evening. Had dinner with
her. Took it well, I guess. Feel bad though, about it,
always do. Told you last night, remember?” Mac shook
her head. 
“I was probably half asleep by then, Pete. I wouldn’t
remember a thing!” It was true; Mac couldn’t remember
too much specific they’d talked about last night on
the phone. They’d simply just kept talking to each
other until they’d fallen asleep. 
Guess that’s a good thing, Pete thought to himself.
He’d tell her again sometime when she was fully awake.

They pulled up at the secluded entrance to the cult’s
head quarters. A tall, young man, Norman Edwards, came
out to greet them.
“Welcome,” he said, smiling. Mac and Pete returned
the gesture as they linked arms and followed Norman
inside. 
“Laura and Marcus, right?” They nodded. 
“And you’re eager to join this movement?” They nodded
again.
“We sure are,” Pete said. “It’s perfect.”
“Mmm...you know there are things you’ll have to do,
to prove you’re able to make the necessary sacrifices,
right?” Mac nodded.
“We’re prepared to do that, uh...”
“Call me Norman, please.”
“Okay. Well, Norman, we’re prepared to do anything.”
Norman smiled. 
“Great. I’m so glad. I hope you can withstand the
trials. You must understand that to be in this
movement you have to be strong, mentally and
physically. You never know what might happen in this
country one day. A revolution. It’s happened in every
other country. And we’re going to be the only ones
prepared. We have to be prepared.”
“I agree!” Pete said enthusiastically. “Trust me, my
wife and I are very strong. We’ll meet the
challenges.” Norman nodded, turning to Mac.
“Laura, you know the rules we have concerning women
around here?” Mac nodded as Norman told her anyway.
“Women are just as important as men, but only because
they procreate. They’re treated with the utmost
respect and care, not abused as you may think, as you
may have heard from others.”
“Oh no, of course not,” Mac said gracefully. “I
understand completely. I’ve actually heard you treat
women very well.” Inside, she told herself, yeah, by
sacrificing them on the occasional ‘special’ day.
Norman smiled back, a sickly smile that made both Pete
and Mac tense up; only because they knew they were in
for the long haul on this case. 
“Excellent. Tonight will be your first task. You are
to meet just out the back of the complex, wearing the
clothes provided for you. You must be punctual to all
activities and meetings; a schedule’s in your room.
Have fun!” He grinned and bid them farewell just
outside their new little ‘house.’ 
Pete pushed the door open gingerly. There was one
double bed, a small wooden closet probably with a few
clothes. There was a small dresser on each side of the
bed, one for the man, one for the woman, providing all
the necessary toiletries etcetera. 
“They’ve got everything,” Mac commented, going
through her provided things. “It’s like the Plaza.”
“Oh yeah,” Pete replied. “This is so, so much like
the Plaza!” They laughed quietly as they settled down
for a few moments. They weren’t allowed to wear wires
at the moment, the local coppers still trying to make
the right connections. Danni and Angie were camped out
at the nearest town, trying to look as inconspicuous
as possible.

Norman Edwards looked around the community room,
where some of their meetings were held. He had been
planning his tasks for the new couple, Laura and
Marcus, but he’d changed his mind. 
They seemed different than he had pictured. More
self-confident. Hardly anyone who joined his movement
had high self-esteem, yet these two definitely did.
Hmm...he thought, maybe they deserve something
tougher. They could easily pass with the task he had
been going to give them. And he’d had another stored
up for such a couple. One that would really test their
strength, whether that man, especially, could separate
business from pleasure; because even in the movement,
those were two things to be kept apart all the time.
Yes, he thought, smiling to himself, this task will be
the best yet. 
Let’s see you prove how much you’re really willing to
risk, to join this movement, he thought to himself. 
They were just so self-confident, sure of themselves,
that they would be accepted. 
Why was it they were so sure? He asked himself,
suspicious, as he began to write down his address to
his loyal followers for that night.

*

The gathering outside quietened as Norman began to
speak once again. Mac looked around. All the men were
wearing navy suits, white shirts, and no ties. All the
women were wearing long, tight, navy skirts and a
midriff navy top, also very tight. 
Norman had introduced them to the group and now they
were standing in the centre of the circle, awaiting
their first task. 
“And so, Laura and Marcus, I present you with your
first task, which you must complete in order to gain
full membership.” He paused for effect. “You’re just
newly married?” Pete nodded. 
“Yes, a month.”
“So you’re very much in love.”
“Yes,” Pete answered again, wondering where this was
going. Norman produced the small knife from the side
of his pants. It was brand new, shining in the
firelight. The blade was sharp and precise. Mac
shuddered. Knives were not a good thing at this
moment. 
“Are you prepared to show your love to all present?” 
“Yes,” Pete answered strongly, although he was
anything but sure of himself as he focussed on the
knife in front of him. 
Edwards handed Pete the knife, and turned to address
the followers. 
“Laura will lie down on the ground, and to prove his
love to her, Marcus will make a small, shallow cut on
her midriff. That is all. No harm will come to her, I
assure you all; the incision will heal. But it is the
ultimate proof of the lovers.” He turned back to Pete.
“You love each other very much?” 
“Yes,” Pete answered steadily. “We do.”
“Then we will watch you, at this important land mark
in your life. Silence.” The crowd stopped completely,
remaining still and eager to watch the ritual. This
was new to them; they’d never seen anything so risky
on a first task before. 
Pete turned to Mac, the knife in his hand. They
locked eyes, messages floating back and forth. 
I don’t want to do this, Pete told her. 
Do it.
I’ll hurt you. I couldn’t.
You’ve got to. Do it! 
Pete took a deep breath. I’m sorry, he told Mac
finally as he gestured to the ground, shifting his
gaze. 
“Lie down, Laura,” he commanded quietly, which he
immediately regretted. He picked up the knife, holding
it before him. Mac suddenly didn’t focus. All she
could think of was that knife. She knew she was in
good hands, but...accidents happened, and...
“Lie down,” Pete repeated, a little too harshly,
perhaps. 
Everyone watched, waited, wondered why Laura wouldn’t
lie down, why Marcus wasn’t forcing her. If only they
knew, Pete thought as he repeated the phrase one final
time.
“Lie down, Laura.”