Nikodemus rolled his eyes, tired of hearing what he considered to be lies fed to humans for ages. “Lily, didn’t you see them when they were walking through your fortress? Do they look like creatures that were ever native to earth? They cloak their faces so we don’t realize anything is amiss. But I don’t think any creature that previously existed on earth would have evolved to look like them.”

Lily laughed in his face, and Nikodemus had a horrendous thought about his own daughter, such an idiotic dolt. She should be ashamed of herself.

“So now you’re telling me that the Zironists are what? Aliens?” Lily demanded, knowing that if Nikodemus confirmed what she thought, that it would make him sound ridiculous, but also knowing that if he stayed silent, then his daughter would have thought she had won the argument.

“They are aliens.” Nikodemus affirmed. “I know I can’t prove it, but I just know it. If they were native to earth, they wouldn’t be so callous towards us—they would have some genuine affection for us and the earth.”

“They are not aliens. You just can’t see the good they do for us. I should inform Ellia right now that you are not a believer. I don’t know what she would do, but I’m sure she’d mete out an appropriate punishment.” Lily said furiously.

“Lily.” Nikodemus said with a deep sigh. “I just want you to give this deeper consideration. You’re behaving like an ignorant child. You should give this cult more than a surface examination.”

“You are faithless and weak. You should be ashamed. It takes no courage to sit there and insist that the Zironists are only mortal. It takes no courage to believe only what your eyes tell you. It takes immeasurable courage to believe what you know in your heart. But you’re empty; as empty as the vast deserts surrounding us. There’s nothing inside you to drive you to be better—you just let yourself be pushed about aimlessly, accepting the punishment doled out to you. If you believed in the Zironists, you would have the ability to dig yourself out of the miserable hole you have fallen in. The Zironists teach self-sufficiency, unity, and love; something you could never understand, considering you couldn’t live by yourself for more than a month.” Lily countered.

Nikodemus couldn’t deny that there was truth too her words. He was silenced for a moment, but after that moment, he cleared his throat and said, “Yes, but all Scripture is in service to the Zironists, and not in service to the human race.”

Lily scowled. “L’Ati 6:20: Humans must strive to better themselves.”

Nikodemus made a face. He added, “So that they may aid in the betterment of the Zironists. Why did you leave that out, Lily?”

Now, it was Lily’s turn to be silenced. Her face twitched in anger, but with a great sigh, she decided she was done arguing with her father. “It doesn’t matter what you think. All that matters is the faith I have in my heart. I’ve had enough of you for now.”

Lily spun on her heel and marched out of the room. Nikodemus watched her go with an aching in his heart. Why couldn’t I keep my stupid mouth shut? Challenging her wasn’t worth losing her love…

Nikodemus’ eyes shone with unshed tears. He rolled on his side, sniffling. I guess it’s better to lose her attention now, and stop being apart of her life, rather than be apart of her life and experience her dying, like I had to do with Frey. Despite his attempt to quell his feelings, they still weighed him down, and his thoughts spiraled out of control for a moment. His loneliness sunk in, and he recognized he hadn’t had a meaningful relationship since he had lost Frey.

Instead of thinking of his daughters, he decided to think of his father, mother, and brother instead. It was less painful than remembering his own, unmade families. His daughters who he loved, and their mothers who were aloof and ineffectual. At least, with his mother, father, and brother, he was able to spend happy years with them.

***

Carl shook Nikodemus’ shoulder aggressively. “Nicky! Nicky! Wake up!” Carl whispered in a hushed voice.

Nikodemus snorted and then slowly opened his eyes. The last thing he wanted to see was his pesky little brother shaking his shoulder. He nearly blanched. “Oh God… what is it Carl? I’m trying to sleep.”

“Nicky, the hyenas have escaped.” Carl stated frantically. “Dad wants your help herding them back into the fence.”

Nikodemus shot upright. “Holy cow, really? I’m up, I’m up.” Nikodemus launched himself out of bed and he reached out with his consciousness and grabbed some clothes from his closet. He didn’t waste time going to the restroom to change; he unbuttoned his pajamas and then yanked his shirt on over his head and pulled his pants up over his waist. With a whistle on his breath, he dashed out his bedroom door and headed down the stairs and then threw open the front door and breathed in the fresh, night air. He enjoyed the scent of sand carried on the wind and the cool sensation of wind brushing his face.