The rug in the baptism room was soft under my bare feet as I shed my clothes and put on the robe they had given me.

The missionary poured water on me and said words in a low voice that echoed off the tiled walls.

When it was done and he spoke to me, his eyes looked both deep and empty. I don’t remember what he said, but I remember thinking, He looks like an alien. Like a person not from this world.

I felt like I’d been given a card to an exclusive VIP club for non-humans. I didn’t feel like a human. My soul was fresh, clean, light. I was invincible. And it felt great.

Part of my mind asked, What are you doing? Another part of my mind said, No going back now.