He leaned over the sink and splashed cold water onto his face. The dirt washed away, and he stared at his reflection. Where he was, who he was with, and where he needed to go clawed at the front of his mind, but he did not have an answer for any of his questions. The urge to relieve himself overtook him and he filled the toilet with brown urine.

The odor invaded his nose and he gagged. It smelled repulsive, and he knew something was wrong. Of all the times he's ever been sick, he's never smelled such a foul odor. Something foreign was coursing through him but he didn't know what.

He quickly washed his hands and opened the door. No farther than two feet away were the two cultists who escorted him to the bathroom. They didn't say a word, they only took him by the arm and escorted him back to the table.

William sat down in the chair and studied Thaddeus. He knew that the man who controlled the cultists, the resources, everything, sat in front of him. William guessed that something was wrong with the food offered to him, and that the water was likely poisoned. Nothing made sense. Nothing. He wondered why they didn't just get rid of him. Why offer him food and water? Though he was suspicious, he was no fool. William knew he had to play along in order to escape this place.

William said, "forgive me, but I have this horrible feeling that I can't describe. You say I'm in a church, but it doesn't seem like a church. I don't see a chapel, or any priests, or anything. Not even a bible."

Thaddeus gestured for everyone to leave the room. Thaddeus began to quietly eat his food. William continued to express his worry, until there was nothing left to say. Silence grew in the room as William looked around and sat back in his chair. Thaddeus had nearly completed his meal.

William said, "for fear of being poisoned, can you take the first bite?" Thaddeus nodded. William sliced off a piece of the steak, which had now become cold, and passed it to Thaddeus. His captor ate it without issue.

Thaddeus said, "I understand your concern, and I would like to take this moment to mention that you are welcome to cook your own meal by yourself if you are concerned about poisoning. Your worries are entirely valid, and you are right to be suspicious. I would be too if I woke in a strange swamp, surrounded by strange people, and without my family. I implore you to do what you feel is right."

William nodded and chewed on an idea. This group of people, which he learned belonged to a church, provided him with shelter, food, and water. He thought about how he has the freedom to leave, and that he is no longer restrained. Thinking about these things eased his mind, though he could not bring himself to eat the food provided for him.

Thaddeus had finished his steak and sat his silverware in the middle of the plate. He snapped his fingers, and a robed individual entered the room.

Thaddeus said, "this steak was cooked to perfection, and absolutely delicious," he patted his mouth with a napkin. Beads of grease clung to his beard.

He continued, "will you please remove my plate and silverware, as I am done. Also, will you remove the meal prepared for our guest," Thaddeus turned away from William and glanced out the window, he continued, "as I anticipate he will be leaving soon, and does not feel comfortable eating with us, which is entirely understandable." Thaddeus pressed his hands together and pointed at the cultist standing in front of him.

He said, "thank you for your kindness and generosity. Thank you. You are an honored member of our church, and I value your contribution."

As the cultist picked up William's plate of food, William felt a bit of guilt as he watched it be carried away. He stood up and noticed that Thaddeus also stood up.

William said, "I thank you for everything, but," his head swirled as he stood, and William slumped back into his chair. His cheeks were damp with sweat, and the world seemed to tilt, despite him standing still.

Thaddeus said, "I have matters to attend to. Every day at noon, we must make peace with Syn and whisper a prayer. Today I will pray that you are returned to good health, and that you will find your family." Thaddeus exhaled and walked toward the hallway which led to the bathroom.

He turned and said, "It was nice meeting you, William, but I must now make my absence. If you wish to return to your campsite, tread carefully. Head northwest, and your tent should still be standing. It's about a two hour walk from here."

William felt a hard stone form in his throat. He knew that he couldn't walk such a distance as sick as he was, and hunger now caused his stomach to cramp. Thaddeus shut the door as he left the room. William sat at the edge of the table.

Nine other cultists followed Thaddeus out of the dining room, leaving behind one. The cultist wiped down the table with a cloth, and for a moment, William saw the glimmer of a young woman's eyes. Black hair fell from the hood, and it was then that their eyes met.

He looked at the cultist and said, "is this really a church?" Silence was William's answer. William stood up and the world sank around him. He approached the door and reached for the handle. As he grabbed the handle, his eyes rolled into the back of his head, and he collapsed. The cultist whispered into his ear, "this is all a bad nightmare. Please wake up."

William opened his eyes and found himself lying in a warm bed. Beside him was a single candle. The air felt warm and smelled like cinnamon and apples — perhaps the aroma of a candle. His head swirled as he looked at the ceiling and tried to fixate on a single tile. It seemed to move, and twist inward on itself. Everything was distorting and it hurt to keep his eyes open for long. William rolled over in bed and felt sweat stream down his face.

A sudden knock captured his attention. William stared at the door, unsure if he was hallucinating. Thaddeus entered the room and dropped to one knee. 

https://youtu.be/qaF6jtg1mGY