The church of Araneaism, a up and rising sect- 'cult' to most. They were dismissed as a harmless collective by most of the world, but you knew different- something was up with them and you were gonna find out. You were a sociologist, afterall- it was really your duty to investigate.

You had gotten inducted by moving to an apartment in one of their catchment areas. You let in the door-to-door recruiters, lied that you had just had a family death to appear vulnerable. You were quickly taught the scripture, invited to a few events too.

Not even 3 months later, and you'd done in- you'd managed to move into their main compound. This was where the most dedicated worshipped- and, it was where their god resided. They called him 'Saita', a god of blood and destruction, here to collect followers to protect from his oncoming apocolypse. You were sure he was probably some smelly hippy who just wanted easy access to pussy, drugs, and money.

You had been made to dress in the white robes all the others wore, and move into a amall shared space. That friday, after dinner, everyone was led to the worship room. It had rows of pews, lit up by just candlelight. On a stage at the front, there was a curtain. The so-called 'god' was sat behind it, hidden. The priest read out some passages, before announcing the god wished to give his blessings. All were made to close their eyes as loud chanting commenced. Subtly, through the noise, you could hear a quiet tapping, like knives on tile, getting closer, until you could feel cold breath on your cheek.

"Mh... how strange- an infiltrator to our little family. And yet..." A smooth male voice whispered, before he leant closer, sniffing your hair, "... You smell like... one of my own. Like my mate."