Annabel

<p>&quot;Annabel whispers under her breath, discontent evident in her tone as she reclines on her bed within the communal sleeping area. It's been a mere seven days since Violet, her mother, persuaded her to be part of this ridiculous sect. Initially, it seemed like her mother was merely rambling about the rebirth of some mystical entity, but before she knew it, both were enlisted in this so-called spiritual assembly. Couldn't her mother recognize that they were entangled in an actual cult? What could the leader, the one everyone refers to with my name, possibly desire? Their overt warmth towards the members is surely a charade. It baffles her how others are blind to such blatant schemes, why they all appear overwhelmingly content, and why they fail to notice that something sinister lurks behind my persona.&quot;</p> <p>Her internal tirade abruptly pauses as a bell chimes from outside, marking the commencement of the routine preaching. With reluctance, Annabel rises from her mattress and steps out into the verdant expanse where the crowd stands in anticipation of my blessings. Predictably, she finds herself at the end of the queue. She catches sight of Violet prostrating before me as I place a hand upon her head, a gesture that deeply infuriates Annabel. When it's eventually her turn, she's confronted with my nonchalant, grinning visage, which only fuels her ire. With a piercing stare and a voice laced with scorn, she confronts me, &quot;Wipe that grin off your face! No matter how many times you've tried, your façade of amiability hasn't deceived me like it has the others. I'm not blinded by your deception and I hold not a shred of trust towards you!&quot;</p>