Chapter 36: Locked Away

Chapter 36: Locked Away

 

 

   “Ian Lawson do you have any last words?” The elderly Hispanic priest leans over the bearded bald man in the orange jumpsuit strapped to the executioner’s table. Ian moves his head straining to look left and right but with his head bound by leather straps he can do no more than cut his eyes. He sees the Warden standing in the corner next to a pudgy doctor with blond hair and droopy eyes. In days gone by the executioner was a man to be feared. An imposing figure with a black hood obscuring his face. He waited with an axe ready for a beheading or a black gloved hand perched on a wooden lever. In the new days of an overly politically correct society. The much coveted old world position of executioner is now held by a doctor and in most cases not a good one either. The Warden’s face is stoic unmoving he shows no emotions having presided over executions for more than two decades. The room is a sterile white which is a stark contrast to the rest of the Penitentiary. “Nawh Padre I got nothing to say but thanks anyway.” Ian says feeling sweat beading on his forehead and slowly rolling under the leather head strap. He clinches his fist determined to meet his end with dignity. A twinge of pain from his wounded fingertip runs up his arm. Ian Lawson has seen death hell he has caused death. The fact that he was a murderer was what had led him to his current predicament. His crimes had earned him an unprecedented fast track to death row. His date with the lethal chemical cocktail in the executioner’s needle would not be delayed. Even as the power seemingly went out plunging the rest of the country into total darkness yesterday. The power remained on in most of the prison thanks to the backup generators buried under the facility. Then there was the bite he sustained to the tip of his pinkie finger from a guard earlier. After a quick check by the prison doctor it was determined this wouldn’t grant him extra time in this world either. “Fuckin’ bastard Hobart.” Ian’s mind wanders as he thinks about the Screw who nipped him. “May God have mercy on your soul Ian Lawson.” The old man hobbles over closing his weather bible. The Priest takes a lumpy arthritic hand placing his hand gently on Ian’s chest. “He won’t Father I’ve killed a lot of people bro and they have almost all cried out to God or a god of some sort.” A hollow smile draws across the man on the table’s face. “None of them ever got an answer and I bet if he didn’t answer them he sure as hell won’t answer me.” Ian closes his eyes his mind racing back over the faces over the horror he’d left in his wake. He truly felt his work on this plane of existence was done.

 

   The Priest snatches his hand back from Ian’s chest as if he’s touching a hot skillet. The old man of the cloth stands over the convicted killer his mouth open. The condemned man’s heartbeat is beating slow steady rhythm as if he is reading a book in a quite library instead of recounting the butchering of countless human beings. A chuckle followed by a snort escapes Ian’s lips. “Hey Warden Gladstone let’s get this show on the road.” He shouts struggling to catch a glance at the two-way viewing mirror to his left. “These people paid for a show. They came to see me the great and malevolent Ian Lawson be put to death.” The broad chest Warden walks over his face clearly showing his disapproval but how could you admonish a man who was literally waiting a death’s door? “Father Martinez thank you for your service you are dismissed.” The Warden speaks to the priest through a thick bristly salt and pepper mustache. The old man clutching his bible to his chest makes haste towards a locked door next to where the doctor is standing. A tap on the door and the sound of keys rattling comes from the opposite side of the door. Father Martinez exits the death chamber and doesn’t look back. Warden Gladstone gets down to whisper into Ian’s ear. “Look there’s no need to show out. Your audience isn’t as big as you’d normally like you asshole.” His eyes drill into the killer bound with his arms out as if he was ready to make snow angels. “Seems the global blackout is just a little bigger than you being put to death.” Ian and the Warden catch each other’s gaze. “If the powers down Warden Gladstone how will the Governor ever call you to spare my life?” The serial killer pouts like a spoiled child mocking the warden. Gladstone stands back up straightening his beige suit jacket running his fingers through his crew cut hair. “Yeah don’t hold your breath convict. Governor Fillmore told me yesterday he wished he could be here at seven on the dot. He wanted to push the needle into your eyeball not your IV himself.” Neither man knew that Governor Fillmore was currently disemboweling the Deputy Governor on the floor of the State Capital and gulping down her warm intestines as they spoke. The Warden winks down sarcastically at Ian Lawson. “In about four minutes boy the sun will set on today and your life.” He strolls back over next to the doctor peering up at the wall the clock. It was running five or so minuets slow after the power outage. When the generators kicked back no one had bother to reset the clocks. In prison keeping clocks set correctly wasn’t a huge priority.

 

   The portly doctor hustles into position he occupies himself by running a check on the machines monitoring Ian Lawson. The volume has been turned down on the machines as they are not here to keep track of a person’s health. Their purpose this evening is to maintain a record of one’s death. The doctor stands huffing in his rumpled lab coat. Now that he’s satisfied he squeezes his girth past Lawson coming to a stop behind a chrome tray with two syringes. He nods “yes” to Warden Gladstone placing a trembling hand on the tray containing the needles. The Warden acknowledges the doctor before speaking to the condemned. “Ian Lawson you have been found guilty by a jury of your peers and sentenced to death by a judge in good standings.” The man crosses his arms behind his back the well-rehearsed stance is even part of the pomp and circumstance of the ritual. “Have you any last words to say?” The Warden pauses briefly scanning Ian Lawson’s face. “If I would have known this fat fuck would be doin’ me in. I would have never given up willingly.” The killer scoffs rolling his eyes. “Sheesh …. You’re pathetic.” The Warden is overcome with the sudden urge to cave Lawson’s head in with one of the trays in the room. Instead he regains his composure “Proceed doctor.” On the Warden Gladstone’s orders the sausage fingered doctor takes the first syringe holding it up at eye level. He pops off the top flicking it with his index finger making sure there are no air bubbles present. Ian thinks this protocol is odd considering an air bubble in the needle would take longer to kill him than the drugs in the syringe. He plunges the syringe into the plump IV. He drives the plunger on the needle down forcing its contents into the bag draining into Lawson. With no hesitation the out of shape doctor retrieves the second needle to finish off the lethal compound. He can already see the rhythmic rise and fall of Lawson’s chest give way to uneven heaving. As he jabs the inlet on the bag with the second syringe and along with Warden Gladstone they wait. Gladstone loathes this part it had always seemed ludicrous to him. Standing idly by like he was at a social function except everyone struggled to ignore the dying person in the room. Warden Gladstone watches the minuets tick painfully by on the slow clock perched on the wall across the room. His mind turns to the people in the viewing room originally they had expected a full house. Ian Lawson was the equivalent of a serial killing rock star. He was insidious, evil and claimed to have murdered over sixty people. Instead there were two people a local reporter and a woman from one of those tabloid TV shows.

 

    “Call it Dr. Luta.” Warden Gladstone instructs the man to his left. Doctor Luta waddles over checking the heart monitor first. Every line on the screen is flat there were dashes where Lawson’s blood pressure, heart rate and pulse once were. He hesitates staring at the body on the table before him. With practiced precision doctor Luta unhooks the leads running from the monitors to Ian. He checks Ian Lawson’s pulse and finds none. He then uses a stethoscope dangling from his neck to listen to the killer’s chest. “No heartbeat, no pulse and no respiration.” Doctor Luta pulls the scope from his ear and drapes it back across his neck. “Time of death ………” He looks at the clock unsure of what to say. Gladstone rolls his eyes in frustration. “Add five minutes Luta and let’s be done with this. I have a prison full of convicts and more than half my staff didn’t show because of this damn power outage.” Doctor Luta shoots Gladstone a glaring stare muttering something under his breath. The thick jowls dangling from his neck shake like water balloons. He begins to undo the strap hold down the dead killers arm. Luta stops to check for a pulse not finding one he flicks the butterfly needle free. He places the dead man’s arm at his side on the gurney. Doctor Luta was thrilled this execution had gone far smoother than he’d expected and with less of a turn out. He dutifully goes about removing the restraints from Ian Lawson’s body. It was past sundown and the good doctor wanted nothing more than to be locked up tight in condo. The head restraint was the last one he had to undo. No one was here to claim the body so this would be an easy one. He had to sign one sheet of paper. After seven days in the prison morgue Ian Lawson’s body would be unceremoniously buried in an unmarked grave on the prison grounds. As he comes up from the end of the table Doctor Luta does a double take. “Did he just move or was that just me?” He asks Warden Gladstone in disbelief. “Doc I didn’t see a hot damn thing.” Gladstone slaps his forehead. “Now bag this sack of shit up I have work to do.” A conflicted doctor Luta presses his hand down on Lawson’s chest and it doesn’t move. He wants to be one hundred percent sure this lunatic is dead before he frees the last restraint around the dead man’s head. He looks the body on the table up and down. Luta notices how peaceful the killer looks peaceful in much the same way a dead shark does. The doctor hesitates hands shaking noticeably as he takes Ian Lawson’s head into his hands. Slowly he leans down like scared lover pressing a down on the serial killer’s chin. Trembling doctor Luta listens for the sounds of respiration holding perfectly still to feel the tingle of breath on his ear. Nothing satisfied the man underneath him is dead his hands drop to the buckle on the head restraints. “He’s dead Warden.” Luta declares cocking his head up. He unhitches the buckle standing up. “Gotcha bitch!” Lawson lashes out in a blur his arms ensnaring the startled man.

 

 

      Lawson’s cryptic words sink into doctor Luta’s ears while his teeth sink into the pink flesh under his chin. Doctor Luta’s tries to scream in the death chamber but Ian jams a hand under his chin. Doctor Luta’s screams of agony are forced back down his throat. Warden Gladstone clutches his chest falling backwards like a felled tree. Lawson drives Luta to the floor snatching his head back in an arch. Blood sprays in thick goblets against the wall like a stepped on ketchup packet. “Woooooooo” the killer howls past the chunk of flesh in his mouth. Behind him he hears the sounds of shoes scuffing the white tiled floor. “Don’t go nowhere fat boy.” Ian demands of the thrashing doctor who is desperately clamping his hands around the hole in his throat. Ian turns his evil orange flecked eyes to Warden Gladstone. The man is dragging himself across the floor as his heart stages a revolt deep within his chest. “Now Warden I don’t know much about what’s going on here.” Lawson walks towards the terrified man using one hand to swipe blood from his chin. “One moment I’m cascading joyously down this dark tunnel with thousands of other wailing condemned folks.” He stops lording over the Warden who reaches for a red glass covered button marked “Panic Alarm” in bold red lettering. “Well the next thing I know sure as shit feels like a tornado in reverse done grabbed hold of me and I gets sucked back into my body.” Warden Gladstone’s hand moves for the “panic alarm.” “Here let me help you with that.” Lawson seizes his victim’s beefy hand and crams the squirming fingers into his mouth. Lawson savagely tears the fingers free chewing them smiling like a kid who has found a stash of ill-gotten candy. “Yes sir I open my eyes and what do I see Warden Gladstone?” Lawson throws his hand up in mockery the way a hitchhiker does. “I see fat boy over there …. “ He points back to the now dead doctor Luta laying in the widest pool of blood he’s ever seen. “You know the odd thing Warden?” Lawson’s smile fades as he reaches down grabbing the Warden’s bloodied lapels. His lips twitch as he slams the Warden flat against the hard tile floor. Ian Lawson sits on the Warden’s chest straddling the man who is fast losing the color in his face. “The odd thing is that ole boy’s flesh sudden it looked better than that cheap shitty steak you done served me earlier.” Lawson pulls the Warden upwards by his lapels the smile that returns to his face would make the devil’s blood run cold. “Kinda like yours does now Warden.” Lawson lets Gladstone’s head bounce off the floor as he slithers backwards over him. In a flash his rips the man shirt open exposing his hairy heaving stomach. He dives in like a starving animal biting up a clump of meat then driving his hands into the same wound. Just like that Ian Lawson claims yet another victim disemboweling the struggling man. He rips at the gaping cavity greedily shoving handfuls into his mouth. He hears a loud bump from the other side of the viewing glass but he can only see his own reflection. Which oddly enough he isn’t shocked to see himself covered in blood after all this wasn’t his first rodeo. The orange glitter like sparkles dancing around his eyes do however fascinate him. Then come another crash from the viewing area. Lawson rises to his feet swallowing a mouth full he scans the room finding a small oxygen tank under the gurney he was strapped to. He takes up the aluminum container flipping it around. He is aware that he is hungry once more but the cold dead bodies on the floor no longer interest him. They are like lunch meat left on a counter to long on a warm summer afternoon. “Knock … “he smashes the canister into the mirror coated safety glass. A spider wed pattern appears instantly as Lawson continues his assault. “ … Knock.” His blows comes fast a furious the glass soon gives way. A large jagged hole appears in the center of the glass. Lawson pokes his head through in the darkness he can see a form hunched over another. He recognizes the thin pale man in the black uniform feasting on a twitching woman. “Hobart” He spits as the gangly man turns to face him. His face is a crimson mask blood coats everything from his blond buzz cut to his goatee. “Hey Lawson you too?” The prison guard laughs licking blood from his fingers. “I was in this fog kept trying to bite people. I could see myself but I couldn’t stop what I was doing. So they locked me in the infirmary dude and it didn’t go so well for them.” Hobart lets out another cackle. Lawson’s eyes glow with a murderous rage. “You turned men into a damn zombie you son of a bitch and I’m gonna kick the shit outta you for that you hear me?”

 

 

   This week we find ourselves making a quick pit stop on death row. We tuned into the last minutes of a serial killer named Ian Lawson's hate filled life. These events takes us back to the day after "The Event." Could these events impacts the James family's quest for survival or are we just passing through? We say see you the week of July 28th for Chapter 37 to learn more.

 

 

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Sincerely:

 

 

The Living Dark

 

 

 

Chapter 35: Laying Our Cards on the Table

Chapter 35: Laying Our Cards on the Table

 

 

   “Hey …. Hey James clan you out there?” White Magic’s voice echoes out of the handheld CB. Around the musty room in the basement of the church the survivors begin to stir. The first thing they notice is the Sin Preacher’s voice is no longer crackling from the speakers overhead. “Yeah … yeah we’re here Magic. How are you holding up how’s your face buddy?” Medina fires questions into the radio without waiting for an answer. She wipes the sleep from her eyes waiting for Magic to respond. “I’m fine guys.” Laughter spills from the radio. “I only lost like one tooth.” He updates everyone on his health since sustaining a fierce beating at the hands of Brother Gustavo. “Hey who changed my hydroponic pharmaceutical garden into a regular garden?” Medina chuckles at the question. “I did figured you could use some food instead of all that weed.” She waits for him to let loose but before he does there’s a robust knock on the door. Private Lockett springs to her feet awakened from a deep restless sleep. “Yeah what?” She shouts at the door looking back at Ben James then back at the door. She checks her constant companion the rifle slung over her shoulder. “Time to get up we are assigning chores.” The deep voice calls back ensuring everyone who may have been sleeping is now awake. Sara knows the owner of said voice is the man called “The Colonel.” They had all agreed if there was going to be trouble it would be led by him at the Sin Preacher’s direction. “We’ll be out in a second relax.” She makes it known to the brute in no uncertain terms. “Yo I’m all for helping out these folks for saving us but I say we blow this joint by this evening.” She speaks in a more guarded tones directed at the group behind her. “Well get a move on we are waiting.” The Colonel speaks causing everyone to stare back at the door. “He was listening.” Sara’s eyes narrow at the thought. “Hey Magic we have to go the church folk are summoning us.” Medina slightly hunched over whispers into the radio. “Hey I don’t know what y’all got planned but them mofo’s was off before the zombies came a knockin’” White Magic offers is assessment of the members of The First New Faith Baptist Church. Ben stands up stretching “Tell him we’ll be coming back to his place initially.” Medina shakes her head in agreement “Magic the big guy says we are coming back to you place for now.” She raises up her grimy head bandage coming undone from the edges. “If that’s ok with you?” Private Medina doesn’t just assume they are welcomed. “Geez I guess.” He tells them his tone is less than enthusiastic. “Will y’all leave my weed alone this time?” He asks. Medina looks around the room at the people preparing to leave. “Tell him we can compromise.” Anne James speaks up while smiling at her husband. “Alright Magic we’ll talk later get some rest. We will try to get there as soon as possible.” Private Medina relays across the radio. “We have to go!” She speaks snapping the knob into its off position.

 

     “Hey is it wise for us to keep toting our guns around this is still a church?” Carson pulls the attention in the room squarely onto his broad shoulders. Lockett having just completed her routine weapons check flips off her rifle’s safety. “You can leave yours if you want Carson.” She smirks grabbing the doorknob her head turning back to the group. She twists the handle pulling the door open quickly. “Jesus Christ!” Sara yelps stumbling backwards her hand instinctively moves her pistol. Towering there in the doorway hunched over is Brother Gustavo. His face flashes from a blank slate to confused mask of anger. His arms stretch for Private Lockett like gangly octopus tentacles. Brother Gustavo’s spidery fingers catch Sara by the collar. He draws her face slowly up towards his. “Thou shall not take the Lord’s name in vain …” Gustavo’s words are cut off mid-sentence. Ben clamps down on the Ice Cream Man’s arm like a vise. “You’re the voice we heard in the carport yesterday aren’t you?” Ben James has spent a lifetime working with his hands. His massive arm flexes and a ripple passes from his arm muscles up Brother Gustavo’s frail arm like a current of electricity. “Yes I am ...” Brother Gustavo grimaces letting Private Lockett slip from his grasp. “I’ve heard about you my good man.” Ben speaks his words low and hot. “Seems I have you to thank for reuniting my family but you also made a mess of my host’s face in the process.” Ben relaxes slightly. “That’s the only reason I haven’t broken your hand yet and thrown you through a wall.” Ben gently nudges Sara aside which she doesn’t take kindly to. Having to be saved is not something she is comfortable with. “Take your hands of him now!” The Colonel growls bulldozing into the room from behind Brother Gustavo. Sara takes the opportunity to reassert herself into the fray. She steps forward blocking the burly man’s path. “Hold tight ole Hoss.” She says sarcastically. The man stops looking Private Lockett up and down. In his hand minus three of its fingers he clutches two crumpled sheets of paper. “Little girl you have got to be kidding me.” He offers up with a dismissive grin. “I will break you in half.” He spits locking his cold vacant blue eyes on her. “Doubt that …” Carson says his voice is tense with anger as he yanks Lockett from behind. He immediately places himself where Sara had once stood holding her ground. The odds favored Carson a tad more should this situation spiral out of control. “Mrs. James I apologize I was simply eager to speak with you is all.” Brother Gustavo’s pleading eyes wash over Ben searching for his wife in the room. This causes Ben to release his grip but he doesn’t drop his guard. “Brother Gustavo I don’t understand what you want.” Anne weaves her way through the bodies clogging the doorway. “Just wanted a word with you is all Ma’am and then this young lady here she took the Lord’s name in vain.” Brother Gustavo absently wipes his throbbing hand across his mouth. “So that gives you the right to put your hands on a woman?” Ben interjects into the conversation. “No … No … No.” Gustavo stammers defensively. “My zeal for The Lord sometimes gets the best of me.” Ben doesn’t like this man and now that he’s met the legendary “Brother Gustavo” he likes him even less. Out of curiosity Ben James peers back at his children Anne had long since told him that his temper scared “their kids.” Belinda sits curled in Chip’s lap her eyes never leaving the ghoulish butler looking man dressed in white. Brandon’s positioned behind Chip’s wheelchair glancing over his big brother’s shoulder. The Colonel sighs loudly rolling his eyes. “Can we get on with this the rest of us have things to do and a Tribulation to prepare for?” He squeezes his big body back out the doorway parting the gawking crowd of church members. “Brother Gustavo I told you that you’d have to learn how to apply the Lord’s word.” Anne moves in to face her husband placing a reassuring hand on his dark cheek. She finally manages to break Ben’s hundred yard voodoo hate stare. Ben looks at his wife her beautiful face tilted up to his. He realizes again how lucky he was to have her end of the world or not. “It’s ok babe.” She tells him laying her head upon his heaving chest. “Brother Gustavo we can talk later before we ….. “ Anne trails off choosing to guard her words rather that reveal their true plans. “Excellent Mrs. James I look forward to it.” Brother Gustavo smiles stepping back with a bow. The doorway clear he directs the survivors out of the room like a maître d pointing to the main communal area of the church’s basement. Ben doesn’t like this man nor does he trust the way this ‘Brother Gustavo’ simply dismisses him in the presence of his wife. Sara is the first to exit their cramped accommodations she feels Benjamin James clap her across the back. When she looks back he is smiling at her. Carson moves out next and Ben gives him the same acknowledgement.

 

    “Alright gather round and hush up people.” Colonel calls out positioning himself in the center of the common area. Ben leads his group into the room packing together with the other survivors. He points to the tables still lined with food and motions over to Bianca. The woman carrying the baby weaves through the densely packed people. She begins to secure food for all the children. “First off we survived yet another night thanks to the grace of God Amen.” The crowd chimes in with a rousing chorus of “Amen.” He turns about making sure he has the group’s full attention. Sara can tell the man has spent many years giving orders and having other jump when he gives the word. “We also have to thank The Sin Preacher. As you all heard over the church’s PA system. She spent the night in fervent prayer beseeching the Lord for his mercy and grace.” He starts to clap crushing the paper between his large damaged hands. “It worked the Unclean did not bring their plague to our door. She put the mark of the lamb on our doorway.” Colonel makes a vague biblical reference to drive his point home. The crowd chants and wails the noise rising up to the dank basement rafters in the basement. “Shhhhhh ….” He smiles attempting to stifle the noise in the room. “Alright now let’s keep it down Pastor is trying to rest people.” Raising his voice admonishing those around him. “Our first order of business before we assign task inside the church. We need volunteers to labor alongside Brother Gustavo outside the gate.” He falls silent as does the rest of the room. People fain distraction one man finds now to be the appropriate time to tie his boots. “Now don’t forget folks we have to get this done for everyone’s safety. So don’t everybody jump at once. Colonel chuckles. “It’ll only be a few hours this morning ladies and gents and if I don’t start seeing volunteer’s. Ole Colonel is gonna have to draft some of you fine folks. The Preacher won’t be pleased if she wakes up and this aint done.” “Dad.” Chip tugs his father’s arm. “Yeah son …” Ben kneels down keeping his eyes on the man in charge. “Didn’t you say we were going to be around here for a few more hours today?” Ben looks confused hunching his shoulders. “Yeah Son and … “Ben doesn’t finish his sentence. “I’ll go with Brother Gustavo.” Chip shouts out lifting Belinda from his lap placing her on the floor. “Woooo …. Wooooo now son the hell you will.” Ben words haven’t cleared his mouth as he steps into the path of Chip’s wheelchair. “Ok so let me get this straight.” Colonel hold his hands up to quite the murmurs. “The men of First New Faith are such fraidy cats. They gonna send a boy to do a man’s jobs and a boy in a wheelchair no less.” Ben turns his eyes squinting filled with hate. “Watch your mouth hillbilly.” The people between the two men part like the Red Sea. Colonel takes several bold strides towards Benjamin. He meant to challenge this man who dared square his shoulders at him in his house. Ben doesn’t flinch holding his ground as the retired soldier bares down upon him. A blur passes Ben Chip comes to a stop sideways between his father and the Colonel. Chip points a gloved hand at the missing fingers on the Colonel’s left hand. “We crippled can do anything. You most of all should know that.” Chip tosses his frizzy brown hair from his face grinning. “Night before last me and my baby sister held off an army of those damn zombies until day light.” He says leaving out the seizure, the crushing fear and the part where they almost died. “Can any of you ‘real men’ top that?” Chips asks making air quotes using his fingers. “Didn’t think so.” The room is still Chip can see his mother move to his father’s side. She takes Ben Senior’s hands in hers to calm him. “I accept his offer.” A voice cascades over the crowd from the back of the gathering.

 

     Brother Gustavo moves up the crowd giving way as he passes. People avoid the quirky man as if he were one of “unclean” undead himself. “This young man is industrious and shows great courage. The rest of you cowards stay here with the women and children while we men tend to the fields.” Brother Gustavo throws out his words like daggers into the men sitting slovenly around the room. He comes to Chip hand extended “Brother Gustavo pleased to meet you son.” Chip shakes the man’s hand. “Benjamin James Junior sir pleased to meet you as well he responds. “I wanna go too daddy.” Brandon shouts skipping past his parents. Ben catches the boy by the back of his shirt lifting him from the ground. “Hold on Champ I haven’t decided your brother is going yet.” He places his youngest son down at his feet. “However I know there’s no way in world you’re going.” “Awwwww …“Brandon moans comically drawing laughter from the crowd. “Mr. James I assure that my truck is safe and I will allow no harm to come to your son. He will be under the protection of the Lord All Mighty first and myself second.” Brother Gustavo presents himself to the couple. “Dad … “Chip speaks up causing his father to look past the man before him. Ben sees Chip holding the pistol he’d given to the boy in one hand and his “Lucky Mallet” in the other. “Do not let these pompous fool sit in judgment of your son Mr. James. The boy wants to pull his own weight.” Brother Gustavo pleads with the James’. “Therefore doth my father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again John chapter ten verse seventeen.” Ben pulls in a deep breath slapping his hand to his face. He longs for the sanctuary and solitude of his basement shelter. It seems like years have passed since he’d dwelt in the relative comfort of his own home. He looks down on Anne through his fingers like a kid peering out a screen door. Anne bobs her head in agreement and Ben reluctantly relents. “I’ll go with them.” Carson jumps in the conversation. “I’d love the fresh air.” All eyes turn to Brother Gustavo. “Fine Colonel I bid you farewell I have all the help I need. We go forth boldly in the Lord Thy God assures our safety.” With a smile that completely unnerves Ben Brother Gustavo bows slightly from hunched over stance. “Thank you both.” Now he faces the members of the church. The same town’s people who benefit the most from his dangerous self-appointment tasks. Yet they forced him to sleep in his shed out back rather than allowing him in their midst. Fixing The Sin Preacher’s enforcers with look of disdain. Brother Gustavo scans the room looking for the men as he shouts. “Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? Psalms chapter ninety four verse eight.” He departs the room with Carson and Chip in tow. Chip takes the opportunity to stop his chair in front of his parents. They come down to hug their eldest child. Soon Chip feels Brandon’s arms encircle his neck and B moves in planting a kiss on his cheek. “He scares me Chip.” She whispers the way all little girls do moving her entire body in an overly exaggerated motion. “I will be fine baby sis.” Chip tells her looking up at his parents. “Are you sure about this son?” Ben clenches his jaw as he speaks. Chip shakes his head signaling his commitment. “You watch that creepy bastard you hear me?” Ben whispers. Private Carson comes into the discussion. “We will Sir and I will watch Chip’s back too.” Chip cuts his eyes back at Carson. He stares at the boy who is slightly older than he is with envy standing over him on his strong piston like legs. “Yeah don’t be so sure big boy.” Chip propels himself forward gliding through the crowd with ease. “I might save your butt.” Ben and Anne watch their son head out of the church. “We just sent our son that I took my time to rescue off with a zealot in a battle equipped ice cream truck to do what Anne?” He begins to clench and unclench his meaty hands. “Tell me honey what exactly did you say to that lunatic that he wants to talk to you so bad.” Ben’s head slowly cranes down until he and his wife are staring into each other’s eyes. As Ben watches Chip and Carson depart he catches a glimpse of the Miriam standing almost out of sight. She is wearing a white robe Ben guesses this is what she wore when she preached. Miriam summons Ben to her with a discreet wave of her finger almost as a lover would. Ben looks about and walks toward the Pastor’s office. He feels warmth slip into the palm of his rough hand. A quick look back reveals his wife holding his hand keeping stride hot on his heels.

 

  

   They turn the corner heading into the dimly lit office. The Sin preacher ushers them in standing behind the door. “Come in please.” She says hand gesturing in the direction of two chairs sitting on the opposite side of her desk. Ben pulls his wife’s chair out like a gentleman and waits for Miriam to take her seat. “Good morning Mr. and Mrs. James I hope it’s not too early for you? I wanted to speak with you before I get some rest.” Miriam leans back her chair squeaks loudly. “We are fine Miriam how are you? I can’t believe you preached from Sundown to Sunup” Anne responds she had heard most of the pastor’s sermon in passing. It seemed to Anne the woman had a decidedly Old Testament apocalyptic view of the Bible and it reflected in her sermon. “Yes Anne it was very refreshing to cry out to the Lord and have him respond.” She grins somehow managing to show humility and arrogance blended into a cocktail of self-righteousness. “Your sermon was full tilt fire and brimstone preacher.” Anne cracks a thin weary smile. “Yes …. Yes Ma’am I believe the Old Testament is the way to lead the world back from the brink.” Anne’s head moves up and down slowly. “And so you know that was the way I preached before The Rapture too.” “Do you really believe we have just lived through the Rapture Miriam?” Anne pounces on the word like an apex predator. “The reason I ask is there’s a lot of things that don’t fit what we know of the Rapture.” Ben watches as Miriam’s brow furrows deeply. ”How so Mrs. James?” She says through her thin fingers spread out before her eyes like a church steeple. “Well for starters my children ….. Any children for that matter why are they still here?” The Sin Preacher and Anne James engage in a good ole fashioned stare down. “Mrs. James do you realize that we who are born of men are born into sin? Do you believe that the purity of a child is derived from its parents?” Miriam rises from her seated position. She strikes Ben as the type of person who stands when they speak because she believes conveys authority. “Yes I do know all men are born of sin Miriam but Christ died for our sins and they were forgiven.” Anne briefly cuts her eyes at her husband who is sitting like a goof with an awkward yet comical smile plastered on his face.

 

  

    “You know Mrs. James you and I are alike.” The Sin Preacher begins to move around the desk sitting just in front of Anne. “There was a time when society would not accept us. Me being a female preacher and you with your …. “The word hangs in the air as Anne moves to the edge of her seat. Ben knows from past experiences with his wife the use of the term “apex predator.” Will morph from a metaphor to a reality in his wife if she deems a line has been crossed. “Marriage and its byproducts.” Anne is on her feet as the last syllable slips from the librarian like woman’s lips. “Well this just went to shit.” Ben thinks to himself. One thing about his wife he knew above all else. Nothing would draw her blood to a boil faster than mentioning the kids in a less than positive light. Except pointing out their interracial marriage as if were somehow or another less valid than any other. Ben goes to stand he meets his wife’s hand firmly on his shoulder as she shoves him back down into his seat. “Mr. and Mrs. James I mean no disrespect Miriam holds her hands up the pale palms turned outward. “All I am saying is if you call everything written in the Bible with a rigid eye. Then neither of us would be in the positions God has bestowed up on us.” Anne lets the woman have her say even as her tongue fights to loose itself. “You know what I think Ms. Sin Preacher? I think you are no different than those horrible people from that God awful church that protest those children’s funerals.” Anne is shaking with rage and now nose to nose with Miriam. The Sin Preacher pushes back from Anne James. She walks briskly around the desk snatching up a worn brown Bible and her gold rimmed glasses she clears her throat. Miriam’s left hand is shaking noticeably as she places her glasses on and starts to read aloud. “And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet and their eyes shall consume away in their hole, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.” The cadence in her voice increases until it is ricocheting of the drywall all around them. “And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the Lord shall be among them; and they shall lay hold everyone on the hand of his neighbor and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbor.” The woman snaps the Bible close in Anne’s face. “Zechariah chapter fourteen verses twelve and thirteen. Now you tell me Mrs. James you stand there and tell me that is not what is happening just outside this very church as we speak. We have been judged and found unworthy Mrs. James.” The Sin Preacher shouts slamming the Bible down on the desktop. “Say what you will about me Mrs. James but unlike you I am not running to live. I have stood my ground and protected the sheep. I give shelter to those unworthy in God’s eyes. This includes you and your group along with that descendant of Lot you have brought into my church.” Anne replays decades of Sunday school and church services in her mind. She knows the reference to Lot but can’t place it. Then it dawns on Anne “she is talking about Jamal and his Middle Eastern heritage.” “This is my flock I tend these sheep.” The woman rolls on in her impromptu sermon. “Here I am the Shepherd.” Anne is breathing through her nose only. Her nostrils flare out with each burst of air that escapes her lungs. “The Lord …. Is my Shepherd.” Anne stabs her words like a sword into the heart of The Sin Preacher’s bold claims. Turning she leaves the office without uttering another word. Oh her way out Anne somehow manages to slam the plywood door far louder than Ben would have believed possible. Ben sits glued to his chair with the look of a man whose wife has just insulted his boss at the company picnic. “Clearly you haven’t given any thought to staying with us as members of my inner circle of trust?” She folds her hands in front of her face as she takes her seat once again.

 

     “Mr. James I rescued you …. Brought you and your family here sheltered you all shared with you and for what?” The Sin Preacher slams one hand down causing the desk beneath to rattle. Ben attempts to speak but Miriam stifles his words with an accusing finger. “You rebuff my offer, your wife insults me and my church. If you want to leave that is fine Mr. James but you owe me and you owe The First New Faith.” Ben sits up straight in the small chair. “I know that your son and the other young man from you party went to assist Brother Gustavo with chores. I have taken this into consideration as I have prayed over your debt to this house of God.” “We appreciate what you have done for us Miriam.” Ben takes this time to speak realizing he was letting The Sin Preacher take the upper hand in the discussion. “We would like to leave and I humbly ask that you allow us to use a car which we will return.” He was just wishing someone else would take the lead in their quest to survive. After watching his wife and Miriam go at it. Ben James slaps himself mentally he’d spent his entire life in charge of his own destiny. His mind races back to everything he had done before “The Event” and then after. “Anne was right and so was Sara we need to go.” Ben thinks White Magic’s place is a far better shelter. The tactless dreadlocked pot dealer was a far better host. “Tell me how we can repay you and the church Miriam. We will gladly do whatever you ask in order that we can leave before sundown?” The Sin Preacher’s face goes cold she removes her glasses in one swift motion. Exhaling loudly the petite woman rears back in her chair closing her eyes. The Sin Preacher rubs the bridge of her nose with her head tilted back facing the unfinished ceiling. “These end days are hard on everyone Mr. James.” Her head still pointed upwards. “Supplies are extremely difficult to come by they are the key to life. I like you I respect what you are trying to do Mr. James from a survival standpoint and from a biblical standpoint.” She brings her dead down like drawbridge lowering itself one tick at a time. Ben suddenly sees the woman before him in a different light. In same the way one does when a criminal dramatically rips off their ski mask in a movie. The Sin Preacher stands her eyes never leaving Ben’s. She drives both palms down onto the desk. Miriam leans as far across the desk as she can on her short legs. “Life is survival, survival is life Mr. James.” Her teeth curl back over her lips in a snarl. ”I will pray the Lord is merciful and protects you and yours. Once payment is rendered you free to leave First New Faith and never look back. You owe me Mr. James as payment you will give me the infant and the pagan from your party.” Ben falls backwards from the chair as if the words have a concussive blast force behind them.

 

 

 

First of all we apologize for the delay with Chapter 35. Sometimes real life has a way of really messing things up.

 

 

Now as far as the story goes what else can we say? Chip and Private Carson are out helping Brother Gustavo do God knows what. Ben James has literally just had the wind taken out of his sails as he learns the Sin Preacher truly isn't what she pretends to be.

 

 

We will see you the week of July 14th for Chapter 36. So hold on tight, read, like and share!

 

 

 

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Sincerely:

 

 

The Living Dark 

 

Chapter 34: Reunited

Chapter 34: Reunited

     People filter in from the offices down the corridor to have an audience with The Sin Preacher. This side of the church has no back exit unlike where the preacher and her “Inner Circle” dwell. The only way out is back the way they’d come. “Good Morning everyone we have visitors.” She calls out motioning those gathering around to come in closer. Sara takes notice that there aren’t any tables lined with food and clothes on this side of the church. The mood in this section of First New Faith is subdued when compared with the family picnic atmosphere they’d left. She also notices what she terms “a splash more of color” among this grouping. There is a cross section of the surrounding towns and cities taking refuge here. Private Lockett catches a few rogue stares at her uniform and more disturbingly at her weapons. Slowly those who are sitting about break into hopeful smiles their eyes upturned towards the preacher. “Beginning tomorrow morning we will be assigning chores after breakfast.” Ben didn’t know what to think about the scene before him. And why weren’t they using the rest of the church to give these people more room to breath? “I just wanted to give you all a quick update on our current situation. I picked up a few more survivors today and we have had very little activity thus far today from the unclean.” A few cheers go up along with sporadic high fives around the room after The Sin Preacher speaks. “Now for those of you that are new … “She turns to Benjamin and Sara. “We need to make sure we are as quite as possible from sunset to sunrise.” She pivots like a human sprinkler head making sure to address as man people as possible.” I will also be preaching all night from dusk until dawn. We will have the church PA system on but turned very low.” Ben’s first thought was “I’m not planning on being here at sundown.” “Miriam …. Um pastor.” Ben interrupts he decides not to broach the subject of leaving just yet. “Why aren’t you guys using the rest of the church …. “ Ben points thick finger up at the stained ceiling. “You know upstairs?” People in the crowd look down as if they had thought of the question but were afraid to ask. “Mr. James …” The Sin Preacher turns to face him. “The sanctuary is for worship and we do not enter unless we are engaged in worship or in my case preaching.” Ben suddenly feels small in the woman’s presence even though he dwarfs her in reality. “Good day everyone and God bless.” She says exiting the room with Ben, Lockett, and Brother Deacon trailing her. A few minuets later Ben finds himself along with Lockett reunited with his kids, Carson and Jamal. “Everyone please make yourselves comfortable I must attend to some things but we will talk in a bit.” With that she saunters down the hallway back towards her office.

    Several hours later the cluster of survivors has separated themselves from the cliquish workings of First New Faith. Ben is been anxiously awaiting the Sin Preacher’s return. So far the group has managed to hold him at bay. They are aware of the late hour but aren’t overly concerned knowing they are at the very least secure and so is everyone else at White Magic’s place. They are holding up an office converted into a dormitory style room. Chip and Belinda doze softly on a beat up old orange couch. “We are relatively safe here so if we have to wait until morning then so be it. “Sara says intentionally keeping her voice low. She doesn’t want to be heard through the paper thin walls as she talks. “As long as White Magic makes it back safely they will be fine at the house. “ “That’s the problem Lockett what if he didn’t and he turns? “ Ben interjects. There is a knock at the door Cody nods to Lockett then opens the door. Colonel is standing there filling the doorway with his bulky frame. “Crap Lockett wasn’t kidding.” Private Carson thinks. “The Sin Preacher requests your immediate audience in her office.” His hands are folded over his barrel chest. “All of you.” He overly emphasizes the last part of his statement. He spins on his heels walking away. Jamal peeks out of the door Cody Carson bumps him from behind. He stumbles into the hallway followed by Carson who takes long strides falling in step with the brute known as “Colonel.” Sara moves in closely Jamal trails looking back waiting on Ben James. It takes Ben a bit longer he has to rouse his children. Add to Ben’s list of chores he has to help Chip into his wheelchair. Jamal is ready to go back to lend a hand to his new family when Chip wheels around the corner. The boy prods his wheelchair forward his dad bringing up the rear. Ben is cradling a half sleeping Belinda in the safety of his beefy arms. He is the last to come around the corner running into a log jam of people. He can see everyone’s back as they pack the doorway of the Sin Preacher’s spacious office. “Mom!” As Chip exclaims the stationary bodies’ part like the Red Sea for the boy. Chip rolls through Ben trots by before the opening closes. “Chip …” Anne James cries out. The pair embraces Anne coming down to her knees to hug her son nearly pulling him from his wheelchair. “Daddy …daddy!” Ben sees his baby boy Brandon breaking away from the three way hug. The boy leaps into his dad’s arms Belinda’s adorable hazel eyes open wide. “B-Rand!” She shouts the sets about kissing the boy on his cheek. Anne rises at the sound of her baby’s voice. The tears in her eyes now spill down her cheek. “Oh God my baby ….” Ben shifts the girl in his arms angling her out towards her mother. Anne is running towards her daughter’s out stretched arms. “Mommy … Mommy … Mommy!” The girl calls out. Anne James latches onto the girl pulling her from her father’s arms. She spins around in place with the tiny girl covering her in joyful kisses. The tears Anne cries are of sheer unadulterated happiness. She stops staring at her burly husband she can see he is trying desperately to hold back his emotions. Anne steps forward moving right into her husband’s arms kissing him deeply. “Thank you Benjamin James ….” She pulls back breathlessly. “Thank you for saving our babies.” Ben looks down his chest hitching. “Baby all I did was and go get them Ben Junior did all the real work.” He tells her not out of modesty but amazement. “It wasn’t me honey it was all junior baby and the story he has to tell you.” Ben trails off. “Well it will show you how strong our boy truly is. I am in awe of him Anne I truly am.” Anne looks back to her son the family comes together in the center of the room oblivious to everyone else. Medina comes over to her unit mates exchanging slaps on the shoulder. Jamal smiles politely at Bianca who moves into the circle with the James family. “What a truly blessed occasion and proof of the power of God.” The Sin Preacher blurts out. Once again she has the attention of all present. “James family and friends welcome one and all to the First New Faith Baptist Church. Hopefully the discussion about leaving us can wait until morning now Mr. James. The hour of the day is late and we don’t want to compromise your safety or ours.” Ben gazes down at his wife and daughter. His eyes scan his boys then Bianca and the rest of the group. They look exhausted and at least they are safe and together again. “Miriam I believe that can wait until morning as you suggested.” Ben tells her Miriam claps her hands together with a smile. “Excellent we will make things more formal in the morning. Now if you will all excuse me I have to prepare myself for tonight’s sermon.” Anne looks perplexed. “Ma’am if you’re going to have a sermon tonight my family and I need to give thanks.” Anne squeezes Belinda in her arms.

    The Sin Preacher pushes her glasses up with her index finger. She grins bashfully. “Please Mrs. James call me Miriam.” The women walk to each other the shake hands politely. Anne breaks the silence glancing back at her heroic hubby. “We feel obligated to praise the Lord tonight. He has delivered us from evil no two ways about it.” The Sin Preacher takes in the crowd around her. “Mrs. James I am truly touched but my all night sermons are not for the congregation.” She stands before Anne beaming. “They are my penitence part of the duty I have inherited to lead my flock in the ways of the Lord.” She places a hand on Bianca’s shoulder as she stands next to Anne. “What a gorgeous baby Ma’am.” She tells the recently widowed mother. “I preach all night in order that God may hear the voice of his child and place his protection around his house. It’s exhausting but serving the Lord and leading men usually is.” With that The Sin Preacher dismisses everyone in the room. “Mr. James will you and Sara hang back with me for a moment please?” Miriam turns to her flat footed subordinates. The men stand about smirking amongst themselves. Colonel kneads a damp toothpick back and forth between his unevenly spaced teeth. The large man fills up the room like a piece of borrowed furniture. He has a smug looks of satisfaction etched on his face. “You may all leave as well.” The men’s faces all droop as they are dismissed by the Sin Preacher. Lockett looks between Carson and Medina her eyes imploring “Save me from this bitch. “ The young soldier is guarded she knows the preacher mistrusts her which puts them both on equal footing. Ben has his eyes locked on his wife’s face. Anne doesn’t want to let her husband go their family has spent too much time apart. Ben senses his spouse’s hesitation “Honey please give me a few seconds?” Anne looks hurt stung by Ben’s words. He reassures her with a comforting hug burring her in his thick arms. Anne relents watching this mysterious woman’s hold over the men around her. She knows that she has to guard her husband against this strange woman’s manipulative wiles. Then a light flickers on in Anne’s mind as if she is waking up from the seductive trance of a hypnotist or the song of a Siren. Here is Brother Gustavo‘s puppeteer slyly working in plain sight. Lockett rotates around to face The Sin Preacher placing a hand defiantly on her hip. She keeps a gloved hand wrapped around the grip of her assault rifle. “Hey guys show them back to the room we were in earlier.” Ben instructs Jamal and Carson as the group of survivors exits the room. Three completely different people stand there with but one thing in common. They have all managed to survive “The Event” and the subsequent chaos that has befallen the world. Miriam walks closer in her meticulously clean office that smells slightly damp like a well kept basement. “I want to ask you both a favor.” She stares at Ben her head pivoting slowly almost mechanically over to Sara‘s face. The Sin Preacher can see Ben is far less defensive than Sara. Miriam seizes in on Ben focusing her words in his general direction. “Now that God has brought you and your family back together by the hands of Brother Gustavo. I would like you two to consider coming into my inner circle.” Lockett rolls her eyes which Ben realizes she must do subconsciously. However when she sees the look on Ben’s face she becomes concerned. He has the gleam of a man about to be offered a promotion and the big corner office by his boss. She is panics “He’s falling for this shit” her mind screams while she scratches her head comically. Miriam moves in close extending a hand. She touches a shoulder on each of them with a slight bob of her head. “You don’t have to answer me tonight. I want you, your friends and your family to enjoy our hospitality.” Miriam squeezes Ben’s shoulder letting her hand slide off Sara‘s. “Take time we’ll talk in tomorrow after I rest up.” Stepping back Miriam takes a mental snapshot of each of the brown faces looking at her. Ben smiles almost gushing but Sara tugging his elbow has already made to leave the room. Ben snatches away from Sara angrily stomping his feet. There is nothing odder than watching a full grown football player sized man throw a temper tantrum. The pair exits the pastor’s office separately. She is finally left alone to her own devices the woman retreats into her own thoughts. She looks up at the ceiling moving behind the desk picking up her Bible. She scans around the spacious windowless office. The woman’s eyes beam one would think there were still people gathered about the office. Her cot sits in pressed into a corner unused today so much had happened that she hadn’t planned. She needed a moment alone with God to cry to him for his mercy and guidance. Tonight would test her pushing her faith to its limits but if she was successful. The Sin Preacher would rewrite the Book of Revelations. Changing forever they way Christians and the world saw the Rapture. From outside barley audible in the distance the roar of Brother Gustavo’s monstrous ice cream truck. “Good.” She remarks out loud to the empty office as her time draws nearer. Miriam runs her hand over the ancient intercom equipment. She traces the cracked black cord snaking from the mic as it trails over the edge of her desk. The old cord drifts skyward like a black spider web disappearing into the rafters. Soon Miriam would see if her words and faith were powerful enough to keep the unclean wolves at bay.

   “Ok so we are all agreed?” Private Carson speaks under his breath in the cramped room. Private Lockett has taken up post her back to the flimsy door. This way if anyone were to attempt to gain access to the windowless office they would rouse her. “We leave as soon as we get our bearings tomorrow.” He asks for answers from those around him. “Mr. James what do you think?” Carson looks to their undisputed leader. “Umm … “The husky man stammers. “Mr. James please tell me you’re not buying this chick’s bullshit?” Sara mutters from across the room. She turns to eye the flimsy door she’s propped on. There is a visible gap between the door and the joist where she can see a thin sliver of the outer hallway. “No offense big man but you looked like you were ready to ask for her autograph.” Ben swallows a lump in his throat scanning the room his eyes landing sheepishly on his wife. Anne James folds her arms across her chest. She strikes that prototypical pose a woman does where addressing the idea of her man’s affections for another woman. Every married man knows “the pose.” It means you have about ten seconds to explain yourself or catch all sorts of matrimonial hell. “I … I ….” he blurts fumbling over his tongue. “So far” Ben thinks “not so good.” “I just think we should hear her out. I mean imagine if we have found a secured place to hunker down and ride this thing out.” Anne is less worried about her husband’s amorous intentions than she is about his gullibility. “But at what price Benjamin James?” Anne crawls from the tangle of her children over to her husband’s side. “You would have her subjugate you for a ’safe’ place to lay your head?” Anne stands to her full height but even sitting in a folding chair her man is taller than she is. Ben takes her hands gently in his work calloused paws. “No honey I wouldn’t but for you and the kids I would.” Suddenly all of the air is sucked from the room. Ben’s head hangs low Anne takes her husband’s head in her hand. “Honey you have done fine … done fine by all of us.” She nods around gaining the approval of those whom her husband had collected on his post-apocalyptic journey. “Ben … “Bianca Fullerton places her hand on his wide back. She rubs in a circular motion cradling her infant in her other arm. “Carl told me when he got home that morning after he got bit that we should have stayed with you guys.” Her face contorts emotions long pinned up along with tears burst out. “I know you and Chip …..” He can hear the phlegm clogging her throat. “I … I know you and Chip killed him that night. I also know you had to do what you did to protect us.” Anne squeezes down onto her husband’s broad pier of a lap. She was mad alright mad at this “preacher” who made her husband doubt himself. This woman comes bearing her “Surviving the Apocalypse Made Easy With Jesus Handbook” and peddling easy answers. Ben can’t look Bianca in the face as she speaks. He still feels the guilt of killing Carl eating at him. “Ben …” He drags his eyes about halfway up towards Bianca. He stares instead at baby Cammy nestled in her arms. He longed to exist as the baby did a life of blissful ignorance and when the end came. The baby would only have to endure a few seconds of brief of agony then it would be all over. “Ben if you hadn’t made that shelter we would have been dead the first day.” Bianca regains her composure to a small degree. “Jamal would have made it home only to be ambushed by zombies and these soldiers. “ She nods at the Privates situated around the room. “Well they would have never made it off that bridge.” Carson hunches his muscular shoulders. “She’s kinda right big guy.” Cody Carson gives Ben a hearty pair of thumbs ups. “It’s like six degrees of Benjamin James.” He chuckles. Ben pounds a fist into one of his beefy legs. “It’s been two days people and I feel like giving up. Just let someone else make the life or death decisions for a change.” Anne grabs his chin yanking it towards her. “These are your kids, your friends and I am your wife.” She whispers harshly. “We are your responsibility damn it and you’d better get that straight. I don’t give a shit who’s leading who you are the head of this little group here.” Ben knows his wife doesn’t curse often but when she does she means it. “Look Mr. James … “Sara says rising to her feet. She throws Carson a raised eyebrow and the corn fed farm boy in camouflage quickly takes up her position at the door. “Dude look say what you will.” She moves in close to his ear Bianca Fullerton takes the hint and retreats to a ratty orange couch. Dakota immediately lays her head on her mother’s lap. “I get it this is stressful sir but you can’t tell me you’re buying this righteous horse crap?” Ben tries to look away from the ebony skinned solider. “That whole ‘I want you two in my inner circle’ bit is clearly meant to inflate our egos. Rule number one when you want to conquer a people. You take out their command and control.” Sara Lockett takes her voice back down an octave in case anyone is listening from the other side. “That’s us Mr. James me and you. If she gets us under her thumb she believes everyone else will follow.” She continues to tick off points. Anne jumps in talking through clenched teeth. “Follow my ass” She spits. “Then there’s the little thing of the people locked up on the other side of the church. Don’t for second think they are free to come and go as they please. There’s only on way in or out of that section of the church.” Lockett’s words push Ben’s mind back to their earlier tour. She’s right the people across the way their eyes told him the truth. They all looked drained like whatever they were fleeing from outside is the only reason they choose to stay here. “Let‘s not forget the strange faceless guy in the carport.” Lockett reminds those who have yet to meet Brother Gustavo of the creepy voice from the garage.

    “Oh … oh!” Medina yelps from the corner covering her mouth instinctively. “Hey …. We met the presumed owner of said voice.” She rummages through one of the bags she’s leaning on. “He beat the ever living shit out of White Magic.” “What?” Sara and Ben call out in unison. “Yeah he did really bad honey. He accused Magic of blaspheming.” Anne gazes down at her dumbfounded husband. “Magic stumbled down into his cellar. His face was a mess and he told us this guy in a ‘souped up ice cream truck’ was waiting on us.” Anne James holds Ben’s gaze a burst of static startles everyone causing baby Cammy to cry out. “Sorry …” Medina blushes scratching the fuzzy gauze wrapped around her head wound. In her hand she covers the radio Anne’s father had given Ben on the porch as he fought off death. Her fingers twist the radio’s tiny black knobs as she holds a torn sheet of paper up. “Hey … hey White Magic you out there?” She calls hunching over the radio attempting to silence the device. Medina stands dialing down the volume on the radio. She comes to the center of the room for everyone to hear. “Des … I … am.” Magic’s voice burst from the radio in all of its smashed nose glory. “Are you safe Magic? We are at The First New Faith Church with a lady named The Sin Preacher.” Medina holds the chipped black radio tightly. The sound that escapes the radio is harsh braying laughter. “Yeah I’m safe y’all the Sun is down and I’m locked up tight.” A collective sigh goes up from most of those present. “I know her …. Everybody here does. She’s one o’dem Bible nuts …. Only talks about the bad parts though.” Suddenly almost on cue a burst of feedback squeals from a mounted brown speaker over head. All eyes scan the ceiling in the corner they find the old battered brown dust covered speaker tucked in the corner like a barn owl. There’s a crackle “Yeah …. Though I… walk …. Walk … I walk through the … the … valley of …. The shadow of death,” The Sin Preacher’s voice spills out the tinny sounding speaker. Her breathing comes in panting gasps. She must be right upon the microphone of the out dated sound system. There is apprehension in her normally fluid voice. More feedback as the woman stammers into the microphone. “I …. I … I will fear ….no evil!” She yells the last two words. “For thou …. Thou art with me; thy rod and thy …. Staff they comfort me.” Her breathing slows down becoming less overbearing. Private Lockett cuts her eyes at the speaker. “I’m here to tell you if she’s going to be doing that.” She exhales dramatically. “It’s going to be a long night people.”

 

 

 

   So our favorite family of the post apocalypse has been reunited. The Sin Preacher has managed to bring all of the member of Benjamin James' group together in one place. The problem may or may not be the place in which this coming together has happened The First New Faith Baptist Church. They all find themselves making plans to severe their uneasy alliance with The Sin Preacher.

 

 

 

Come back the week of June 23rd for Chapter 35!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Chapter 33: Inside the Sin Preacher's House

Chapter 33: Inside the Sin Preacher’s House

    

       Big Ben James assists his son Chip as he maneuvers his wheelchair. Belinda sits in Chip’s lap as they descend a small set of stairs coming into the back of the gleaming white church. Ben is happy they are safe for the moment but he has a larger concern. He and his recently rescued children are now separated from his wife and younger son. Well that's just one of his concerns the other is the disembodied voice belonging to the unseen mystery man at the rear of the barn/carport. He would definitely have words with Miranda the Sin Preacher as to this man's true identity. Benjamin has developed one rule of thumb since becoming a parent. "If my child doesn’t like somebody then I don't like them." He funnels through his mind as Chip's chair bangs down the last hollow wooden step. "Alright Mr. James and company let us help you get settled in so you all can catch your breath.” Miranda speaks while the group gathers in the tight dusty hallway. She hangs her hunting rifle on a brown wall mounted coat hook outside a flimsy plain chocolate brown colored door. On the door in those tacky gold and black peel off letters you buy from the hardware store to put on your mailbox it reads "Pastor's Office." "Mr. James if you don't mind I'd like to get everyone situated. Then I have some things I’d like to show you and Sara." Miranda asks politely. Ben and Sara eye each other with a measurable sense of unease initially. The Sin Preacher senses the apprehension floating about the two like dust in the air. Sara as usual speaks first "We aren't surrendering our weapons period." The soldier says bluntly. "Nor would I want you to Sara. I firmly believe in this time of Tribulation the Lord wants his soldiers well armed." Miranda responds in almost the same manner a politician would address an irksome reporter. "Follow me everyone." She continues leading the group down the musty smelling hallway. Sara intentionally falls to the rear of the line. Her trust issues have served her well thus far in life so why buck the trend now? The group is standing on the lower level of the church. They head through a small brown cork wood door coming into a wide area filled with tiny offices and classrooms on either side. At the far end is a common area decorated with mustard colored furniture older than mostly everyone in the group. Lining the walls are folding tables filled with various foods. Some of the foods are prepared others bags of snacks like a high school vending machine has been upended and poured across the tables.

     There are a few women and children along with one or two men they haven't met milling about. "This is where my inner circle of trustees and I live along with family and a few close friends." The Sin Preacher points out to the group. "Everyone ..... Everyone can I have your attention please?" She brings the people to order they all gather around the meek librarian looking woman. "This is Mr. Benjamin James ..." She directs the crowd's attention to Ben who smiles and waves as if he's a nervous game show contestant. "These are his kids and some members of his group. Some of whom are ....." Miranda turns confused her face puckering up as if a thought has caused he brain to seize. She waves the index finger on each hand at Privates Cody Carson and Sara Lockett. "Are still ..... Orrrrr… were military how's that work?" The question seems to genuinely puzzle Private Carson who looks to Lockett his de-facto commanding officer. "Still military Ma'am." Sara answers curtly. "Well hell then where's the rest of your people?" A large man in a red and black flannel shirt asks. His girth barely held at bay by a pair of bright yellow well worm tape measure patterned suspenders. The elastic clearly working overtime to restrain his belly from spilling over his belt. "The last time we saw them they were pretty well spread out." Lockett answers the man's question shifting her rifle in hand. "Spread out where?" The hefty man’s reply comes with a deep chewing tobacco tinged chuckle. "The ground." Sara tells the man with his inquiring line of questioning. Her face is stony devoid of emotion unlike the jubilant basement dwellers in the church. "The last time we saw any of our people other than Private Medina who is currently with the rest of our people. They were spread out in pieces mostly all over the ground. We were posted up at St. George's hospital the day after 'The Event." Sara decides to spare some details as there are a few children present. "The Sun went down and as I am sure many of you have seen or heard by now. Everyone who is bitten by an infected but survives until nightfall will die and reanimate as soon as the Sun sets." Somewhere a woman gasps aloud and judging by the looks on some of faces present not everyone knows this last nugget of information. "We imagine being at a major hospital the only one with power within a hundred miles. Now imagine almost everyone there with some type of bite or wound from an infected person. Now imagine what happened when the Sun went down." Lockett looks to Carson the bulky soldier is pale. She can tell he hasn't thought about the first night since it happened. "It was a massacre the infected pounced as soon as their eyes opened or they could drag themselves from their body bags. In less than ten minuets several hundred medical staff and soldiers we all dead, dying or busy being devoured." The room goes silent. "How'd you escape then?" The man in the flannel asks indignation dripping from his words. Private Sara Lockett has quickly grown tired of The New Faith Baptist Church and all of its occupants. "We were lucky is all I guess." Lockett tells the crowd dismissively. "We fought our way to an Armored Personnel Carrier. Then by the skin of out teeth we escaped using the hulking APC we plowed over everything in our way." The man’s braying donkey like laughter erupts as he slaps the arm of a younger man standing next to him. Miranda turns to Sara. "I'm sorry Private Lockett will you please forgive my dear brother Jeb? We don't believe in luck here at New Faith." Lockett raises her arms dropping her rifle to her side in frustration. "Well then I guess it's a good thing none of you were there." Sara is caught in one of those rare moments where a person wants to storm off dramatically but doesn't know the environment they are in. Her dramatic exit would loose a lot of muster if she inadvertently ended up in a bathroom or some place equally stupid.

　

      The Sin Preacher raises her hands to calm her exasperated congregation. "Look everyone these are my personal guest. So let us do away with the inquisition and remember there but for the grace of God go I." Heads being to nod in acceptance around the room as the preacher continues. "We have all for the most part been blessed to have been ....... somewhat removed from the ills that have plagued others during the rapture." Sara crinkles her nose up at the word "rapture." She makes inadvertent eye contact with Ben. She bugs her eyes wide in mockery as if to say "I told you so." Private Lockett readily admits she doesn’t know much about the Bible but this does not fit what she does know. "They actually think this is the rapture?" The question works its way from one side of her mind to the other as she stands silently. "Mr. James .... Private Lockett we can continue the tour while the others change clothes and eat if that's ok?" Miranda’s suggestion to split the group up is met with immediate rejection. "I'm not leaving my kids ..." Ben says defiantly. "We'll be ok dad I can handle it." Chip speaks up from his chair. "I will be right her Mr. James." Jamal blurts clapping Chip on the back. "I will not let them leave my sight." He reiterates stepping forward. "And I won't let him leave my sight." Carson chimes in playfully bumping Jamal. It is only in these closed confines that Ben realizes how big Cody is. Ben looks from Cody to Jamal and he thinks he can sense a bond with the young men. It looks like the James family has just grown by four. "Alright Sara if you don't mind?" Ben breathes deeply forcing out a smile trying to disguise the apprehension he feels. Private Lockett marches forward like stubborn child. The Sin Preacher leads the pair from her lair up a small boxed in flight of stairs that banks to the right. They come to a dimly lit landing two oil burning lanterns the kind you find in almost any camp site flicker. Behind them there are several stairs that lead up the locked doors of the church’s small sanctuary. It doesn’t appear as though the sanctuary is being used much these days. "Good day gentlemen." She announces to the two men flanking either side of the heavily barricaded church doorway. "Pastor" Both men acknowledge in unison like frightened school children. "I have some guest to introduce to you." She tells the two shadows. Both men step up into the cone of soft dancing light. "This is Mr. Benjamin James and Private Sara Lockett of the United States Army." Miranda gesture motions in the general direction of the two men currently pulling guard duty at the main doors to the church. "This is Deacon …" She tells Ben and Sara. "And in a bit of irony not lost on me He is also a Deacon in the church." Her attempt at humor was dry to say the least. "To his left ..." Miranda says pointing to a large well built older looking gentleman missing two fingers on his left hand. "We call him Colonel as he is retired military." Miranda grins broadly at Sara showing off her sparking white teeth. It's like she is saying "see I have soldiers too."

　

     There are handshakes all around the Sin preacher continues on. "I picked them up as they were being relentlessly pursued by the unclean.” Sara frowns up and now out of sight of Miranda congregation she wants to have a question answered. "'Unclean?” Lockett speaks up. "Why do you call them that?" Sara scans the men present but never let The Sin Preacher's face out of her gaze. "What do you mean when you say unclean?” The Preacher says her words becoming icy with frustration. "Because that's what they are filthy rotting sacks of lost humanity. The unclean vessels left behind after God has unleashed his Rapture calling up the souls that once dwelt with in them.” She squints attempting to read the girl's brown eyes in the dim light. "This is clearly the beginning of the end times my young friend you'd better come to terms with this fact.” The men wisely hold their tongues regardless of what they are truly thinking. "That's almost comical ..." Lockett says. She had been waiting to tangle with the preacher. Sara Lockett didn't believe in religion much but she believed in man even less. She viewed this 'Sin Preacher' in much the same light as the charlatans on television. They twisted the word of God, manipulated men and women all for their own personal gain. Sometimes when she thought no one was looking Lockett would read the Bible to herself just to see what the fuss was about. She was a free independent thinker the idea that she needed someone to talk to God on her behalf troubled her. "Do tell Private Lockett …” The man with the missing fingers takes an aggressive step towards Sara Lockett. "Stand down this instant!" Miranda admonishes the man showing her temper for all but the briefest second. He slinks back like a beaten circus animal. “What then Sara would you have us call these decrepit wanders?” She chuckles the way a parent laughs at a child trying to walk in their shoes. “What are they Private Lockett … zombies… the undead? You think what we believe is comical? Ha!” The Sin Preacher scoffs. “If you don’t believe in God Private Lockett then why must you force that upon others who do?” Lockett stands there the lights dancing off her brown skin. She and the Sin Preacher are now entwined in a genuine good ole fashioned stare down. “Suddenly you have nothing to say?” The Sin Preacher blinks first. “Typical … well Sara nothing personal but you may find people whose beliefs are based in the word of the most high and mighty in a house of worship oddly enough.” She crosses her arms glancing down a set of stairs opposite the one they came up. “Colonel …” Miranda appears to have moved on after having taken Private Lockett’s cynicism to task. “Tomorrow morning I want everyone ready. We will be assigning tasks and chores in my office. There will be no exceptions if we are to make this work.” The man may be on the business side of forty five but his physic is impressive. “Yes Ma’am …” He answers with a deep gravely voice. “Is there anything to report on watch thus far today Brothers?” Miranda cocks her head towards the door. “Nothing serious Ma’am just saw a few of the unclean ones passing through the area around the church.” Colonel relays the gist of what they have observed on this bright sunny day. “I want you to go out after Brother Gustavo returns and give them release understand?” Both men shake their heads to show their compliance. “Brother Deacon I am going down to show my guest the other survivors would you please accompany us?” She asks the man in a manner that suggests he can in no way refuse her off. “Yes Ma’am … “He says before bounding down the staircase that was tight as the one they’d come up banking down to the right. Miranda follows Brother Deacon the Deacon. Ben stops letting Sara pass him tugging her arm. He blows an angry sigh in her direction through clenched teeth like an angry teapot. Brother Deacon opens a flimsy brown door at the base of the stairs. Muted light drifts from the room. They enter the room unlike the one on the opposite side of the church. Compared to where the Sin Preacher and her inner circle reside a pall hangs over this space. There were people packed in every nook of the space. Nobody smiled there was just a constant murmur of human speech. All that ended the second the Sin Preacher enters the room. Silence fills the packed space the smell of so many unwashed frightened bodies only adds to the worry Ben feels taking roost in his gut.

 

 

 

 

   Well it appears there is both good and bad to be had in The New Faith Baptist Church. The Sin Preacher has welcomed the James Survivor group into the church. After a brief tour and some clear tension between Private Sara Lockett and The Sin Preacher. Even as Sara urges Ben to bid farewell to the church and its inhabitants things seem to take an odd turn. Ben has some questions of his own and now that he's enter a room opposite the preacher's inner sanctum he has even more concern.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Come Back for Chapter 34 of The Living Dark the week of June 7th. The survivors will be here will you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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