Yesterdays Gone: SEASON TWO (THE POST-APOCALYPTIC SERIAL THRILLER) (Yesterday's Gone) (18 page)

“How old is this place?” Desmond asked, moving his eyes from the three houses to the silo, then across to the hangar and back. “How many people are here?”
 

Will shot him a look, desperate for the guided tour from Animatronic John to be over. Although Desmond’s face was turned from her, Mary was sure he could feel her glare.
 

“Oh, it’s old,” John said. “The land had been in his family for more than 100 years. It began with a simple house on farmland. Then The Prophet’s grandfather built the church, which stood until October 15. We’re now home to more than 60 people, though there’s room for you all should you decide to stay.”

Mary took a step toward Desmond then grabbed his hand, squeezing it hard.
 

“The Prophet built The Sanctuary to prepare for the Glorious Day when Heaven would open its doors to its chosen few. He never asked to be a leader, never wanted it at all, but The Prophet is not just the son of The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, he is the Son of The Inevitable, and there is no redirecting fate from eternity.”

Mary squeezed harder, wishing the lecture would end soon. She felt as uncomfortable as the time her old friend, Susan, got married and became a Jehovah’s Witness and started trying to sell Mary on her faith. Mary was on the fence with religion most times, but was never comfortable with the hard sale; especially when it came from someone she knew. This latest experience felt like that, but multiplied, as if John had also joined some multi-level marketing scheme and was trying to sell them on a “golden opportunity.”

“God showed our Prophet the future. Gave him the vision and then the strength to see it in all its Glory, because only then could he lead the righteous to His Kingdom. Once he saw God, The Prophet knew his life’s purpose. And as the Lord’s Chosen, he bore the burden of choosing the path for everyone to follow – building the compound, gathering his flock, and waiting for the Glorious Day when Heaven would open its doors.”

“You covered that,” Desmond said.
 

John stopped speaking and turned to Desmond, considering him for a moment with undecided eyes, then opened his mouth to speak. Before he could say a word, The Prophet stepped forward and said, “Desmond, right?”
 

Desmond nodded. The Prophet moved faster than Desmond would have imagined, and was inches away almost immediately. “I understand how you’re feeling right now,” he said, “And I know that even as I’m talking, you’re likely thinking, ‘well, who in the front door does he think he is?’ Well, I’ll tell you exactly who I am. I’m a man, no different from you, Desmond. I just saw something you didn’t, something most couldn’t, and not because I wanted to. And once I saw it, well, that something changed everything.”

The Prophet started pacing, shaking his head earnestly side to side. “No, I didn’t ask to see what the Good Lord saw fit to show me. And no, I can’t say it’s been an easy burden to bear. But I don’t have a single regret. It’s all a blessing, from the sky opening up and taking my family, my congregation, and little Ellie May, to the pox upon my face. And why do I feel these things are blessings?”
 

The Prophet paused for an answer he didn’t expect, then dropped his voice to something just above a whisper. “Because I know my purpose. And when you know your purpose, everything else is
gooood.
”
 

His voice returned to its full bellow, “I’m here because while most men ignored God’s voice, I
listened
. My congregation was welcomed into Heaven because they listened.”

“I’m curious,” Desmond said, sounding sincere, “Why did the rest of your congregation go to Heaven, but you were left behind? Doesn’t seem like a very nice thing to do to one’s messenger.”

The Prophet smiled, “That’s a great question, son, and one I must admit, I wondered about for a bit. After all, He had promised to reunite me with my wife. Yet, he took all but me. And I wondered, had I not been true enough to His Word? Had I strayed? What had I done to anger him so? But then I realized that perhaps God wasn’t punishing me, but testing me. Could I, in the face of conflict, maintain my faith? Could I persevere? Could I still deliver His Word? Could I be a tenth of the man that Job was? Was I truly worthy to enter His Kingdom?”

The Prophet paused, and his pale blue eyes met Desmond’s. “I wasn’t always a righteous man. I wasn’t always a good man. And though He forgives, He does not always forget. I believe this is my final test. To show God what I am truly made of. That I am worthy. That I have repented and learned from all my youthful indiscretions. And that’s why I’m here, to do His work. To serve as His instrument until I have fulfilled my obligation to Him.”

The Prophet turned to Mary. “I have seen terrible things. I saw you in my visions. You and your daughter, slaughtered by the very beasts who invaded your home this morning. God gave me this vision, worked through me and this church to intervene and save you all. To bring you here and offer you sanctuary from the Demons.”
 

Demons?

The Prophet let the word sink in, then chewed on his lips and adjusted the mask which covered the left half of his face before continuing. “You see, while the Good Lord was smart enough to leave a man like me down here to help you, he isn’t the only one with skin in this game. That black backed Beelzebub downstairs is also playing for keeps. And much as I don’t like to admit it, I think he might’ve outfoxed the Good Lord on this one. See, as capable as I might be at keeping you safe and spreading The Word, I am just a man. There is a war for this world and the souls left behind, and Satan has set his Demons against us, looking to claim us all.”

Desmond waited until The Prophet turned his head, then caught his eye and said, in an uncharacteristic smirk, “These Demons, are they the ones who made all the bullet holes?”

The Prophet chuckled. “No, no. I wish. At least then I could blame it on pure evil rather than my own dirt poor judgement. Even when God himself will take the time to speak with you, no one likes to be wrong. And I’m downright ashamed of some of what’s happened on this here holy soil.”
 

The Prophet held Desmond’s eyes, then shook his head. “No, the bullet holes were my doing. On October 15, after the Gates swung closed and left me alone without my flock, I needed help. Unfortunately, I’m a man of faith who put my faith in the wrong people in the immediate aftermath of His Glory. There were survivors nearby. I took them in and gave them a job to do: to help me find someone. But they did things in their own way, and not in a way the Good Lord would approve of. They’re all gone now, sizzling with the other sinners in The Lake of Fire. So no, we won’t ever need to worry about them again. Besides,” The Prophet waved his hand in the air, “It’s not their fault really, the beginning of Limbo was awfully confusing with no one knowing what to expect. And men are men, after all; imperfect creatures full of sin, some more than others. Those unfortunate souls hadn’t been here long enough to know their true virtues. They handled the situation real poorly, and we paid a dear price.”
 

The Prophet shook his head. “But that’s history now. We’ve cleaned house and scrubbed it good. The Demons stay outside and we stay safe in here. With John’s help,” The Prophet pointed at John, thoroughly beaming, “only Good People are allowed into The Sanctuary.”

“Who were you looking for?” Will asked, surprising Mary with his curiosity.

“Why, Brother John,
 
of course. God told me to find him. And just when I’d nearly given up the search, he walked right through our front door. And John has proved me right; he’s been such a guiding light since arriving here.”

The Prophet slapped John on the back and added, “Why don’t you introduce everyone, John,” then he turned to the crowd of newcomers. “You’re all welcome to stay as long as you like. John couldn't have said nicer things about you all, and I find myself awfully humbled to have you here with us at New Unity. Of course, you’re under no obligation to stay. But it’s good times and good people. And besides,” he laughed, “There are no Demons in here!”
 

Most of the gunmen who helped out at the farm had already disappeared, but John introduced the remaining bystanders, starting with Eli, the oldest of the Amish-looking men and Sarah, the woman. Sarah said hello in a voice that sounded thin enough to shatter. The round of introductions ended with Brother Rei, a disciple. John said his goodbyes, then told the group Brother Rei would lead them to their rooms.
 

Brother Rei looked young, no more than 25, but Mary would swear he was at least 10 years older judging by the short conversation on the way to housing, which quickly turned to Kurt Cobain after Desmond said, “Nice looking nirvana.” Rei steered the conversation to Cobain, but unless he was smelling Teen Spirit as a toddler, his story was off.

Rei turned to Luca, Scott, and Paola. “Children are in the second house,” he said.
 

“What?” Mary and Paola cried in unison.
 

Rei smiled. “Oh, none of the children stay with their parents. Independence helps the children to grow up so much stronger. The Prophet knows you’ll agree; independence has never been more important than it is right now.”

Rei didn’t raise his voice, though the generator in the background doubled its hum. Mary strained to listen, wondering if the generator was always running, and what that would cost the The Sanctuary in gas, and trips to get more.
 

Luca wore no expression; Paola looked angry. Mary hugged her, assuring her that everything would be okay and that Luca would look after her. Scott seemed content just to be alive after the morning’s events. All three children said quiet goodbyes, then followed Sarah silently into the house.

“I’d like a room with Mary,” Desmond said.

Rei turned and smiled, “Oh, we have a married couple?”

Mary laughed and shook her head.
 

“I’m sorry, but there can be no sinning in The Sanctuary,” Rei said, “Women’s quarters are in the third house.” He bowed his head, gesturing toward the women’s housing.

“That’s ridiculous,” Desmond said. “We’re grown adults.”
 

Desmond took a quiet step back and seemed like he would drop it, but then added, “Besides, we
are
married. Mary just didn’t want anyone to know because Paola will get upset. She thinks her father’s still alive.” Desmond added a sneer to the ending. Mary wasn’t sure if it was for her or Rei.

“I understand what you are doing,” Rei said. “But even if you were married, your union would have taken place after October 15 and is therefore unrecognized. I am quite sure The Prophet will be happy to marry you under his authority. Would you like me to make a request?” Rei smiled.

“No. Thank you,” Desmond replied, his tone contradicting his verbal gratitude.

Rei said, “Sarah will take the children and get them settled. The Prophet would like the four of you to make yourselves at home for a short while. Everyone will meet back in the dining hall in an hour to break bread. One hour,” Rei repeated, then bowed his head, took a step back, then turned around and headed toward the hanger.
 

“See you in an hour?” Mary said to Desmond, Will and Linc, though mostly to Desmond.
 

Will tapped his head.
Observe everything.

Mary nodded, then headed up the stairs.
 

She immediately went to the window. Eli was bringing the men their bags. Just as he disappeared into the stairwell, the floorboards outside her room creaked, followed by a light knock on her door. “Miss?” said the timid voice.

Mary opened the door. “Sarah, hello.”

“Where would you like me to set these?” Sarah pointed at the two bags by her feet. “There are another two downstairs.”
 

Mary nodded, “Yes, may I help you with those?”

Sarah shook her head. “Oh, I wouldn’t hear of it.”
 

Mary wasn’t surprised. “Thank you,” she said, then pointed to the corner. “The corner will be fine.”
 

Sarah brought the rest of Mary’s belongings into the room while Mary washed up in the bathroom sink. When the door closed and Mary was alone again, she resumed her watch at the window.
 

There were three homes in the compound, plus a barn and silo. There was also the hangar and another smaller building, the purpose of which a mystery. New construction had been started on the farthest side of the compound, and though the building was far from finished, the giant cross hinted at what it would become. She was also fairly certain the houses had basements, which gave the compound plenty of square footage to hide acres of unknown.
 

The generator belched, causing Mary to wonder again about the gas situation and how difficult it was to keep the generator fueled.

Mary felt a sudden, and rather surprising flutter of hope. Sure, The Prophet was delusional, but the compound
did
seem safe. And wasn’t that what they were looking for – a place to grow their future and family? The world had changed and humans were endangered. Wasn’t it best to group together as closely as possible? The one thing that gave Mary the most hope was also the thing that made her most anxious – they had surrendered their guns; all of them. According to John, all guns were forbidden except in emergencies, or for the four main guards who kept watch. That had been The Prophet’s law since whatever disaster had happened in the immediate aftermath of October 15. And while that made the day-to-day safe, it also made the future terribly dangerous. What if the monsters broke through the compound’s defenses? Were just four men with guns enough, or could they get to the rest of the supply before it was too late?