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Great Buzzard Eli James IV · (07-08-2014)

THE GARDEN in the middle of nowhere was a new place founded by Eli James. It was quite different from the other two places we became accustom to in the last year he had built: the Village and the Promise Land. Both places had some similarities, but were for the most part very different. They could be compared to the complication that was told through Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Both places told a story of a very different Eli James.

The Promise Land was a very peaceful area with people you would always pull for in a fight. They were nice to each other, and always kept the golden rule, "treat others the way you want to be treated." They worked hard, day and night. There was hardly any gossip or fighting each other. Yes, they did have issues because they are in fact people but were united overall. It was a collection of people from all walks of life building a new life together. It was unique. It was a rare world that Eli had built. Then, he burned it all away, literally, and watched everything to go ash. This included the people he had grown close to and taught from the holy book(s) since he first built it. This was still a mystery as to why he did what he did.

The other place, the Village, was very much the opposite in a sense. People lived together, and what would sound good on paper would be just a tease to what was reality. They never fought. There was no gossip or backstabbing. There was no distractions from anything of the outside world such as technology (cell phones, television, even power), fashion, or any sort of articles with the happenings around the world. They were in a closed culture. Doesn't sound bad, does it? At least it may not to some, until you get to the reasons why.

There was never ill words spoken to each other because they were not allowed to speak. No jokes. No laughter. No 'hello' or 'goodbye'. No asking how your day was or mention of the weather. They were always being watched by people Eli had placed there to control it. Go watch a movie with slow walking zombies, mute the television, and you have the Village, except of course the eating of brains. We were never told of the origin, nor the reasons behind the entire story that was the Village. We only saw and heard glimpses into that dark world, mostly from Eli's first made prophet: Elisha.

Within that world, there was a barn not quite a mile away from the town. It wasn't pretty by any stretch of the word. It was old and looked like a sneeze would crumble it to the ground. The smell just being near it was enough to make one puke or run in the opposite direction. It wasn't like a manure or skunk type of smell. It was a mixture of dead animals, burned flesh, freshly burned wood, and a few other things we could toss it. The smell was a stew, a collection of many smells. That wasn't the worst part. The worst part came from within the barn, and it wasn't something anyone would want to peak to see what was happening. All you heard were screams. They were nonstop. No matter what time of the day, or what the weather would be like, screams were loud. Somewhere beneath the screams you also heard different voices saying "obey, sacrifice", which was also never ending.

That's just the basic two worlds Eli had built previously. They were both destroyed and abandoned by Eli. He was then murdered, at least it's what we've come to think. He was raised to life, which some believe he never was truly dead. Upon his return, or second coming as he calls it, we found him in this new world that's very different from the other two. This is where we find him once again on this day.

The garden is mostly populated by children and teenagers. To even get to the Garden you have to go through quite a bit. The location isn't really known, much like the Promise Land and Village. Several miles into an area of nothing but trees and rocks is an abandoned white wooden house. The paint is chipped. The wood is rotting. Cracks and holes are in every window of the home. It's not a pleasant sight. Most of those who do find it are middle school, high school or college students were are just exploring. Some use it as a secret place to have sex. Some use it was a place to get away from everything and drink. Others just come to cause damage to a house that doesn't matter anymore.

Once they finish their business at the house, they leave back to where they came and that's where their story ends. To find the Garden, you must keep going deeper into the woods. I'm not talking about a few hundred yards beyond the house. I mean miles. Eventually you're faced with a very high wall of nothing but thorns, briars, and living animals that can withstand the wall such as snakes. There's really no way around this wall. It goes in both directions for miles. The garden is just beyond this wall, but the wall isn't as small as one may think. It's much thicker than what may appear, and it's much longer than one would probably be willing to travel through all of that. It also goes on for miles.

Beyond the thorns is the Garden. The first sign you see when coming out of the thorn wall reads, "To get a rose, you must deal with the thorns."

Everything looks normal, at least to someone living within a private and rich area. The buildings are beautiful and kept up very well. The yard's are well maintained. The children go to school and have time to go outside and have fun. There's nothing unusual about this place. At least not to the naked eye. Everyone is wearing a similar uniform, except one girl. Her name is a familiar name to those who have followed the life of Eli James and ~~Eric Rex~~ Elisha. Her name is a common one that was once associated with former general manger of the XWF, Wallace Witasick. Her name is Lacey Rex, or just Lacey. And she's not a normal girl.

The day wasn't received well by the children at the Garden. It was pouring down rain which meant they were stuck inside all day without a break to go outside. Instead, during break time, they are forced to remain inside and read or do something without distracting everyone. It was not a very pleasant time. A few kids would just look out at the window hoping for the sun to eventually come out, but it doesn't. They did, however, notice something unusual.

"Miss Baker! Someone is outside," one kid would scream. The teacher would walk to the window to see what child is outside. The one outside in the rain was just standing in the middle of the field with their head facing the ground. The teacher realized who it was, and told everyone, "Alright, children. Let's get back to work." She would move the kids away from the window and pretend she never saw the one outside.

While the teacher was teaching the other kids inside, a younger looking gentlemen was standing on the porch underneath an overhang watching the child get rained on. She looked up and saw him standing there. The girl outside is none other than Lacey. The one girl no one wants to play with or talk to. She's the odd one that stays alone and does her own thing. The man looking in her direction is one we saw this past Monday on Madness, known as Reverend Matthew Flowers. Lacey starts to walk towards him soaking wet and he just watches.

"Come on, Lacey. Let's go get you dry and talk. Hmm?"

She walks inside with Rev. Flowers.

Lacey is sitting in a nice office on a brown leather chair. Rev. Flowers sits in his chair behind his desk just looking at Lacey who has her head down.

"Have you heard what the children say about you, Lacey?"

She doesn't make a noise, or a move. She sits still like a statue.

"Surely you've heard the names and rumors. You were once just a strange girl no one wanted to talk to, but now you could possibly be possessed by demons. That's what they are talking about. Do you want that?"

Again, she doesn't move.

"Lacey. I'm here to help you."

She finally starts to move her head, and looks up slowly at Rev. Flowers.

"You know, many others tried helping me before you and they have all died."

"Eli would not have brought me here to talk with you, if he didn't think I could help."

"Funny.. that's what the others said too."

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