Final Reward

"When you enter the water I will release her."

"How do I know you'll keep your word? How do I know after I go in there you won't kill her?"

"I am a man of God, Samantha. I swear to you in the name of almighty Jesus no harm will come to this child."

"You've already lied too many times before. Let her go."

"You are not in a position to make demands."

"Aren't I? If you kill Prudence, then I'll kill you. You already saw what happened to Mr. Pryde."

"I am no fool, my child. You will not let me kill your friend. Step into the water. I will pull you out so you may undertake your new place in Eternity."

Samantha studied the reverend and Prudence. She needed to find a way to get the knife away from him. If she could keep him talking, maybe she could get close enough to bat the knife away. "What are you going to do with me?" she asked, taking another step towards the reverend.

"You are going to take your place at my side," he said.

"I wouldn't join you, even if you erase my memory."

"No? This time I will raise you myself from infancy. You will be my adopted daughter and you will love me as your father. Together we will make certain all the souls under our care follow The Way forever."

During this speech, Samantha had advanced within six feet of Prudence. A few more feet and she could try to take the knife from the reverend. "I would never love you, even if you raised me," Samantha said. She took another step forward. "For all your talk about recognizing Satan, you've never looked in the mirror and seen him staring back at you."