It had been... how many days now? I'd completely forgotten, not because it's been that long, but because I've been focused on the sole purpose of this mission: to infiltrate this newly-formed cult. My communicator to the others had long since gone out, so I was alone.

But that was normally the case so I remained unfazed. I open the door gently, a large double door giving entrance to a clearly abandoned church. Kind of cliché if you ask me, but to each their own. Only a few turned their heads to look back at me. I clutched the box tighter.

"Ah, here they are! Our newest member! Let's give them all a warm welcome." Someone spoke from the front, behind a pedestal. Obviously the leader of whatever operation this was-- or branch.

Each member took their respective turns in getting close to me (at a casual distance) and introducing themselves. There weren't many, but enough to make me get tired of repeating my name and shaking hands. It eventually ended with me standing at the front.

"Now that we've all given our turns greeting you, Will," The leader began-- who's been recently identified as 'Father Sweet' (interesting name choice)-- with a sickeningly friendly grin and a loose posture, "show us. Your poor pet. It's a shame, and we all here are in the same boat as you. This is a safe space." I had to contain a scoff at 'safe space'. I heard what they did. I open the box anyhow and reveal a guinea pig. It was rotten and gouged, maggots wiggling about eagerly to get their fill, eyes puffy and gooey. It reeked, but the smell wasn't unfamiliar. Not in this line of work.

Now let me fill you in on why I brought a guinea pig and why it was in such a pitiful state: this cult worshiped guinea pigs, but only took in dead guinea pigs. That part is to be figured out later. I was told the worse the dead guinea pig looked, the higher chance I had of... well, getting in."Oh, my..." Gasps were heard. "What a sorry state your friend is in.. my condolences. What was their name?"

"Arabella. Her name was Arabella." I said. My tone was mostly neutral, but I made my voice shake only slightly. "I am sorry, Will. Arabella is in a better place now." Father Sweet shook his head, turning to face the gathered worshippers, "Look at this poor man's pet! Their loyal companion! This is why we are here: to remember the fallen, but make the fallen no longer fallen!" He spoke with conviction. If I didn't know any better I'd think this was a pretty noble cause. 

 The sermon commenced with initiating me and Arabella. It was normal for the most part-- or as normal as it gets. They take my guinea pig into a separate room from me, 'cleanse' me from any grievance I hold, and I am told that I am not allowed to see Arabella until their next 'conjuring'. I give a nod and thanks before I am led out of the church, into the deep woods behind it, and find myself upon barracks of some sort. 

 "This is where you will be staying." Says my guide. She never gave me her name. She turned to look at me, clasps my hands, and smiles all sweet-like, "Be safe, Will. You are safe here. We all are." 

 I thank her, give her the same 'wish you well' bull-crap, and head inside. It isn't hard to find my room. Actually, it's incredibly easy. I've only had to ask two people and I find it down the hall toward the end on the left. The barracks have no upstairs (if you don't count the basement, which I am told I am not allowed in there at the moment). It's just a long housing building with many doors leading to identical rooms (at least I'd assumed from the glimpses I get into other rooms). I unpack the bags I brought with me and decorate as little as I can. It isn't long before I hear shuffling outside of my room and a knock. 

 "You're Will, right?" Asks a new face. I nod. "Oh, cool! I'm Andrew, nice to meet you." We shake hands and exchange pleasantries before he says, "We're all gathering in the basement right now. Would you like to come with me? Best to indulge in our activities now."

I agree to follow. Andrew leads me toward the basement and it appears to be slightly cracked. I hear talking from outside. 

 "Please don't be frightened when you enter, we were told by them to wear it." This only peaks my interest. "I won't be. Not after what happened with Arabella." Andrew gives me a pitying look before leading me down the stairs to the basement. 

Andrew wasn't lying. Their clothing is... vile. Disgusting. Some of them are wearing pig heads-- real pig heads. Others cows, horses, dogs, any animal they could get their hands on. In lieu of an animal head, there we're what appears to be a make-shift guinea pig head. It looks scarily real... wonder who they have on costume design. 

"Oh, wow." Is all I say. Andrew laughs lightly, leading me to another door. None of the people look at me as we walk to the door. "Yeah, 'wow'. I warned you though, didn't I?" Andrew grabs a hood and passes me one. "We're only allowed to wear hoods right now. When we get better, we get to wear animal heads, then guinea pig heads." I nod and slip the hood on, then we exit to the main course.

"Followers!" Father sweet calls from the head. He is in a guinea pig head. Beside him are two others in guinea pig heads, "Today the skies part. They are for us! For them!" Just then people walk downstairs with something small covered in red silk. I already know what it is. "Please, place our friends in the center of our 'circle'." They do, follow his every command. People step up to unravel the silk to reveal dead guinea pigs. 

"Look at them! How could this happen-- how could God possibly let this happen?! They do not care for us. Not God nor Satan. That is why we are here." Father Sweet talks like he knows he deserves to be heard. Listened to, "Time has struck once more for them to appear. To speak to us, thank us, and live."Everyone cheers, murmurs excitedly, chattering. Andrew speaks, "I haven't seen it myself, but I've heard stories... this is going to be cool!"

I glance at Andrew, suddenly feeling nervous. I was right to have that feeling because suddenly in front of me is not human.

"Alive. I am alive." It speaks eerily. Its tone so deep despite not even having one. "Mmm... you all feel saddened. I can smell it."

The worshippers fall to the ground. Andrew and I stay standing. "What is this?" It says, staring at us. Andrew freezes, swallowing thickly, before falling to the ground. I scramble to follow him. "Good. Black sheep are no good for the herd."

"...What the fuck is that?" Andrew whispers to me. I can hear the pure mortification in his voice. I'm too afraid to answer him. The thing walks around in our makeshift circle. "Served me well, yes. You have. Indeed." It picks up a guinea pig. I glance up-- not Arabella. It sniffs the guinea pig corpse, "You bring me a fallen comrade. Is that right, Father?" It turns to Father Sweet.

"Indeed, O' Fantastic One! I bring you another. Again, for the satisfaction of your love and virtue. For our eternal flame to live true to it's name. For our prayers to have answers, at last." The thing huffs, like it's amused. "It'd be rude to not thank you." It speaks gravelly, opening it's jaw-- it's then I realize that it has no jaw-- and swallows the guinea pig corpse. "Delicious. Delectable. Exquisite. Perfect for cleansing the palate." Father Sweet looks pleased with himself.

"But you did not bring me what I asked."

Father Sweet is suddenly choking, coughing, and spluttering on the ground. "I asked for followers. I asked for loyal dogs. Not mutts." Father Sweet looks confused-- if you are to look past the fear and pain-- Father Sweet then gasps for air, and says with a hoarse voice, "Whatever do you mean?!"

It turns around to look at us. "You've brought in two rowdy puppies."

I feel like vomiting.

"We can't have that."

I miss my family.

"It'd be a blow to my honor."

I want to go home.

"How vile."

I'm crying.

"Putrid."