Zen's War: Captivity
Chapter 20: Brainwash

“So, I hear your exorcism was a success,” Bridget said to Sahara, as they lay down to sleep that night. “I remember my exorcism. It seems so long ago now. I remember how scared I was. I didn’t believe in it at first; I thought it was just some crazy superstition.”

“You don’t really believe in all that bullshit, do you?”Sahara asked in disbelief.

“Of course I do. Before my exorcism I felt empty inside. I felt like I had a huge weight on my shoulders. Ever since Joshua expelled the demon from my body, I’ve felt free. That huge weight I felt was suddenly gone. From that moment on I was one of the chosen few, picked by the son of God to prolong the kingdom of heaven on earth,” Bridget said, her green eyes sparkling with intensity in the candlelight.

“I didn’t believe that I was possessed. I just pretended I did, so Joshua would end the exorcism faster. I don’t believe any of it. I think that all this is just some way of scaring us into believing in him. Hitler did the same thing with the Germans,” Sahara said, as she turned on her side to more easily see Bridget.

“Who the hell was Hitler?” Bridget asked, furrowing her brow.

“Just forget it, it’s not important. The important thing is that you realize that he doesn’t give a shit about you. All he cares about is himself. He wants you to think that you were chosen for some higher purpose, so he can take advantage of you. He’ll tell you anything to make you worship him.”

“I used to think the same way you do. I thought that Joshua was just some psycho. I now believe that Joshua is truly the son of God. I have seen him perform miracles,” Bridget said, her eyes wide with awe.

“What miracles? Did he resurrect the dead, or give eyesight to the blind?” Sahara asked, sarcastically.

“Well, I never actually saw him perform any miracles myself. He told me he has though, and I believe him.”

“How can you believe him, if you’ve never actually seen him perform any miracles with your own eyes?”Sahara asked, this time in all seriousness.

“He says that I don’t need to see him actually perform the miracles, to believe in his abilities. The only thing I need to do is to have faith in his abilities. His love and sacrifice for us is all the proof I need,” Bridget said, as her eyes began to glisten with moisture in the ebbing candlelight.

“He doesn’t love you. He just wants you to believe that he does.”

“How can you say such blasphemous things? Aren’t you afraid of going to hell?” Bridget asked, not really knowing the exact meaning of blasphemous. All she knew was that it was used to describe something extremely bad. Joshua was always using it to describe the Muslims, or anyone else that did not consider him the Messiah.

“Hell isn’t real. It’s made up to scare people. I’ve been through enough hell in life to think that there is a worse place in death.”

“Why do you think that the war happened? Because, of Satan’s influence on people. People had turned their back on God. The legions of hell had gained control over God’s children. If you don’t believe in the devil or hell, then you are truly lost. Satan wants you to believe that he doesn’t exist, that way he can trick you and control you,” Bridget continued, her eyes growing wider.

“Do you know how crazy you sound? You’re just repeating everything that Joshua has taught you. You can’t even think for yourself anymore,” Sahara said, disappointedly.

“I am not crazy; my eyes have just been opened. The demon is obviously still inside you. That’s why you think I’m crazy. Otherwise, you would know the truth. You’re just blinded by Satan’s power.”

Sahara felt a pang of hopelessness. Would she too eventually become as brainwashed as Bridget had? She knew that she would have to resist Joshua’s charisma. Suddenly Sahara had an epiphany. She would not wait around to be rescued, or be molded into one of Joshua’s followers; instead, she would plan her escape.

“You’re hopeless. Joshua has you wrapped around his little finger. I’m not going to become like you. The first chance I get, I’m going to escape from here. If you’re smart you’ll come with me.”

“Why would I want to escape from my salvation? You may not mind burning in hell fire for all eternity, but I have no intention of suffering that fate.”

“Obviously, there’s no point in arguing with you. If you want to stay here, there’s nothing I can say to make you change your mind.”

“I have been chosen to bear Joshua’s seed. Right now it grows inside my belly. When we return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, we will need many to build it. I can’t abandon my mission. If I deny my mission, I am no better than the Muslims. I cannot question God’s will,” Bridget said, fervently.

“You mean, that you can’t question Joshua’s will,” Sahara said, her tone of voice taking on more of an edge.

“God and Joshua are one. You cannot question Joshua’s will without questioning God’s will. One cannot be separated from the other. By questioning either, you are playing into Lucifer’s plan.”

“What plan?”

“The plan that he has been working on since he was cast from heaven for rebelling against God. His plan to overthrow God’s kingdom, and put himself in God’s place as ruler of heaven and Earth--”

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Bridget immediately was silent. “It is far past your curfew,” said a deep baritone voice. Sahara recognized the voice as that of the disciple assigned to watch over her and Bridget. It was also his duty to enforce the rules, and if necessary exact punishment on them. “Extinguish the candles and go to sleep, or there’s gonna be serious consequences and repercussions,” he said, as serious as the plague.

They had no choice but to do as he said. If the exorcism was considered a blessing, Sahara was not eager to discover what their idea of punishment was. Bridget quickly got up from the futon and ran to the brass candle holder, still wearing her ragged white dress. The candle was burning so low it was nearly a puddle of wax. She blew gently on the flame, which was enough to extinguish it. They were suddenly plunged into almost total darkness. The only light visible was the moonlight that shone through the window of their room.

Bridget returned to the futon, returning to her former position beside Sahara. Neither Bridget nor Sahara said another word. Bridget closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. Sahara on the other hand remained awake, deep in thought. She questioned her current circumstance. Would she ever really be able to escape, or was she condemned to spend the rest of her days as Joshua’s slave? A feeling of dread gripped her heart, but there was still a tiny shred of hope present. It was that tiny shred of hope that would keep her from giving up.

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