Held (Gone #2) by Stacy Claflin

has arrived for the unveiling." She handed Jonah the flowers. Together they walked over to Chester and Macy.
    Macy swallowed, nervous. As she looked at all the people watching her, beads of sweat formed around her hairline.
    Jonah handed Chester one of the flowers, and Macy the other. He turned around and touched Chester's arm.
    Chester let go of Macy's hand, which she had forgotten he was holding. Her heart picked up speed.
    Placing his hand on the top of Chester's head covering, Jonah looked back to the crowd. "And now I give you Chester Woodran." In one quick movement, he pulled the fabric off Chester's face.
    Everyone rose and bowed. "Chester Woodran." It sounded more like a chant than actual speaking.
    Jonah raised his hand and everyone sat.
    "And now I give you his daughter—your new sister. Heather Woodran." Jonah walked around to the other side of her and yanked her head piece off. Macy could feel her hair pull up with the covering. Her hair had to have been sticking out in every direction.
    The crowd stood again and gave a less dramatic bow. "Heather Woodran." Then they all sat.
    Eve walked over to Macy and pulled her hair back into a tight bun. She then whispered in Macy's ear, "You must always wear your hair like this outside of your home."
    Jonah paced again. He spoke of more visions and messages that he had received that day. Macy tried to pay attention. She didn't know if she would be quizzed. But she felt too self-conscious, standing in front of so many people.
    Jonah turned to face Macy. It felt as though he was reading her thoughts. Somehow just having him look into her eyes made her feel exposed. Eve took her hand and led her to the middle of the stage, where Chester met them.
    Waving his hands, Jonah came to stand with them. He spoke in words that Macy had never heard before. It sounded like another language, although it was nothing like one she had ever heard before. He raised his hands up high and Abraham and Isaac walked over.
    Jonah placed a hand on top of Macy's head. She looked over to see he had his other hand on Chester. He was speaking faster and Macy still couldn't understand a word.
    Her instincts were to run, but she knew better than that. Even if she could get out of the building, there was no way of escaping through the fence. Then what? Chester would be mad at her for ruining the ceremony. He would lock her up for sure.
    Something wet fell on her head and dripped down the sides, running through her hair. She looked up to see Isaac pouring something from a small jar over her. Abraham had a similar bottle and poured yellow liquid on Chester, although he didn't have as much hair to catch it.
    Once the bottles were put away, Jonah turned to the crowd again. "They have now been anointed with oil and are officially part of our great family. Now it's time for Rebekah to come up so we can have the wedding."
    Macy looked through the audience, anxious to see the woman she would soon be calling "Mom." She couldn't see anyone at first, but then at the far end of the room, someone rose and walked over. She wore the same white clothing as everyone else. Didn't she want to have a special dress for her wedding day?
    As she came closer, it was obvious that Rebekah was young—not all that much older than Macy—and beautiful. Even with her hair pulled back tight, no makeup, and wearing a nondescript white outfit, her beauty shone. If she lived outside the community walls, she could easily be a model or an actress.
    She finally made it to them and she stood near Jonah and Chester.
    Jonah looked over the crowd. "Now we are about to have a new family unit. Nothing is more prized than family. We are all truly blessed this day, but especially these three."
    Macy couldn't take her eyes off Rebekah. She looked over and they made eye contact. Rebekah smiled, easing Macy's nerves.
    Rebekah walked to the other side of Chester. Jonah still spoke about the importance of families. Macy couldn't concentrate.
    It might not