by Thomas Baker
It had been several days, possibly even a week, and she had heard nothing about JT or Tyrone. Nor a word from the Reverend to her since their last meeting except a wave here or there as they passed each other. JT and Tyrone had done nothing wrong. They wouldn't hurt these people. It was past time to make him see. It was time for Albright to bring them into the fold.
All those thoughts rushed through her head before the door opened. There was Reverend Albright, his smile beaming out at her. Not for the first time she thought what a handsome man he was. She cleared those thoughts quickly away, embarrassed they were therein the first place. She felt guilty too, when she thought of where JT was right now.
"Why hello,Hannah. Right on time I see," Albright said, making a gesture for her to enter.
Hannah had made arrangements through Mary Lou to see the Reverend the day before. Her and her husband, Ray, seemed like such nice people. Ray seemed very devout in his faith. He might make a great church leader some day.
"Take a seat," Albright said, pointing to one of the chairs in front of his desk. "Let me get you something. It will take the edge off." He went over to his alcove and came back with a glass of red wine. "Thank you for setting up this meeting, by the way. I like to work on a schedule, when I can. Make a little order out of the chaos."
Hannah took two sips before sitting the glass down. Albright chuckled. "I'm not sure why people need a little calming down when they meet with me. Unless they are afraid of my judgment against them. I'm a holy man, that's my job. Wouldn't they expect that of me?"
"I guess," Hannah said, taking another drink. She didn't know what else to say.
Albright sat down at his desk and looked at Hannah. His stare went on until she felt uncomfortable. She shifted in her chair and took another sip. Just when she was about to say anything to break the silent stare, he spoke.
"So, what did you want to see me about?"
Hannah took another drink before starting. Her head already seemed to be buzzinga bit. Must be strong stuff.
"I wanted to thank you for all you have done so far."
"Only doing my God given duty," Albright said.
"I appreciate it. It feels nice here. The church. And thank you for moving me into the woman's common room. They are all so wonderful and inviting. I was going a little crazy, staying out in the huge building by myself." Hannah let out a nervous laugh.
"Again, you are welcome. I think you will be a fine asset to the church. How can I help you today?"
Hannah steeled herself. "I want to talk to you about JT and Tyrone. When can I see them? How much longer until they can join me at the church? I miss them."
For the first time since sitting down, Albright shifted his gaze away from her and looked down at his desk. When he looked up again, he looked sad and pained.
"I have to tell you, and I know you vouch for them, but I am not sure if I can trust them. Not yet." Albright paused for a moment. "Did you know Tyrone's a nonbeliever?"
"Well, no, but during our time together things like religion never really came up. Guess we were too busy surviving."
"Well, he's admitted as muchto me. I had a talk with him yesterday," Albright frowned. "As you can imagine, it is going to be hard for me to trust him. How would he integrate into our group, if he doesn't believe in the Bible and God's rules? Would he follow me? Who am I to him? Just a man it seems, judging by his belligerence."
Albright watched her silently. Hannah took time to digest what he was saying.
"I can see that, if he is. I guess that would be true," Hannah said, dejected. This wasn't going at all like she wanted it to.
"Now don't be sad, dear," Albright said cheerfully. "I'm working with him. I gave him a copy of the Bible, to read in his cell. I'll have several more meetings with him, trying to convince him of the errors of his way. Maybe the scales will fall from his eyes. God wouldn't want me to give up on him. Neither would you right?"
Hannah smiled, feeling reassured. "Maybe I can talk to him, maybe I could help," she offered. "Tyrone is one of the nicest, kindest guys I have met. There must be some way to come together."
"Maybe we can arrange that and maybe it would help," Albright conceded. "I will pray on it."
"What about JT then? Same problem?" She asked, nervous to hear the answer.
"With JT, I am worried about my people's safety," Albright answered promptly. "I guess you know, as his friend. He seems to have some intense rage issues?"
"Yes," Hannah replied, looking down in her lap and speaking softly. "It's led to some terrible consequences I'm afraid."
"I see," Albright said, scratching his head. "I feared as much. As far as his religious background, we haven't fully explored that yet. He has been very uncooperative. You dounderstand my concerns now right?"
Hannah nodded. She had to concede his point.
"When can I see them?" she pleaded, hating the sound of her voice as it came out.
Albright turned on his full charm. "Hannah, pray for understanding. Pray for your friends. I am sure we can get this all sorted out and find a way tomake it work. I just ask for patience on your part. You have trusted me this far. Have a little more faith."
JT was silent the whole ride up to the church. He couldn't believe Albright would ever want to see him again. He had pretty muchconvinced himself that Albright was waiting for the right time to get rid of him and Tyrone. What could he possibly want with him now? Was this the time?
Charlie pulled the truck up into the grass beside the church. There were bald marks in the grass from all the times Charlie must have done this. The Almighty Reverend couldn't come down to the jail? Does he think he is too important?
The man riding in the back with JT got up and pointed towards the tailgate. JT took his hint and walked to the back and jumped down, wincing at his bad knee when he hit the ground.
"What's a matter, tough guy?" Charlie said, coming around the truck. "He give you any trouble Darryl?"
"Nah, he didn't talk the whole way up," Darryl said.
"What, you saving it up?" Charlie mocked. "It's too hard for you to use all those big words?"
"Take these handcuffs off, then we can talk," JT threatened. "We'll see how well you talk through broken teeth. Or would you rather see me fight off a zombie while restrained? Like you did to Tyrone, you fucking coward!"
"See, this is one of your problems right here. Your hostility," Albright said, approaching them at a casual stroll.
"Your problem is holding us all captive. That's called kidnapping you know. Not very godly."
Albright gave JT a cocky smile.
"Let's walk JT," Albright turned around. "The crisp air will do me some good. You too, I think. After being holed up in that jail cell and all."
Albright went on at a leisurely pace. JT stood where he was. He was trying so hard to swallow down the urge to take Albright out, damn the consequences. Those consequences could lead to the death of Tyrone and Gus so he stamped it down.
Albright stopped. "Charlie," he called without turning around.
JT got a sharp jab in his lower back. He stumbled forward a step.
"Let's go," Charlie growled.
JT shot him a look over his shoulder to tell Charlie he would get his. Reluctantly he followed the Reverend out across the church grounds. When he was beside the Reverend, Albright continued his pace. Charlie walked a few feet behind them.
"I dolove this time of the year," Albright said, looking around. "Look at the leaves changing colors. The heat of the summer giving way to the cold of winter. It reminds you how everything is in flux. Nothing is permanent, except God. God is eternal."
JT couldn't help but think what a tool this guy was. Was he trying to be artsy or something? He closed his eyes for a moment, envisioning the girl. She had almost become a kind of totem to him. A calming mechanism. It flushed out the rage and let him listen to what Albright was saying and give him the means to play along. Given time maybe Albright would slip up. It also gave him time to scope ou
t the grounds of the church and the surrounding area. He made a show out of looking at the trees. Mentally he was taking notes of the layout, how far away the shed was, and what other places you could take cover around the church. He didn't know how yet, but he would get them out of this.
Albright seemed to wait for some response from him. "Yeah sure." was his curt reply.
"All this beauty. What a gift the Earth is to humanity, and we were supposed to be the shepherds. Then we went andmade a mess of things, again."
JT was only half listening to Albright's church propaganda. He was more curious how many people were here. If it came to a firefight, would they all join in? What would the church body do without its head? Convinced any peaceful way out of here was gone, extreme scenarios played in his head. If it even existedin the first place. The guy had a certain charisma, JT had to give him that. He guessed Albright had most of the people here eating out of his hand.
"Before we go any further JT," Albright said, clasping his hands behind his back. "I should ask, what is your relationship with God?"
JT had to hold back a snort of laughter. Was this guy serious?
"He is our Lord and Savior. He died for our sins, so we may go to heaven. I love the guy. Jesus, he's all right with me."
Albright frowned. "That doesn't sound very sincere."
"I could say the same about you," JT slipped, instantly regretting the comment. If he wasn't handcuffed he would have smacked himself in the forehead.
"We aren't talking about me. We are discussing you," Albright spoke softly. If JT's comment upset him he wasn't showing it. "Your future."
They passed behind the shed and followed the edge of the wooded area now. JT noted they had painted all the shed windows black. He wondered what kind ofsupplies were in there? If things worked out like he wanted, he would get the chance to find out.
"My future holds me getting my friends far away from here."
"Your friends?" Albright chuckled. "You should know JT, even though it hurts me to tell you, Hannah hasn't asked about you or Tyrone at all. She is happy here now. She has found more than friends here. She has rediscovered her faith. She is now part of our family. She has moved into our congregation. I believe she has no interest in you. Her interest now lies with the church."
"Oh, yeah?" JT couldn't believe it. Didn't want to. "Where is she? I will ask her myself."
"Someplace safe. From what she has told me, I given her more than you could ever could."
JT's cuffs rattled as he shook. The fucking nerve of Albright. He was convinced the guy wasn't some crazed religious nut. He seemed to smart and calculating, to in control.He was trying to get Hannah. Albright couldn't be more blatant. Again JT had to close his eyes. When he calmed down a thought hit him. Albright might try to get JT to attack first, then Albright would have the excuse of self defense. JT clenched his jaw, trying not to let Albright get under his skin.
"That hit close to home?" Albright said, sounding smug. "Truth always does."
They were circling around now, back in front of the shed.
"Let me ask you something JT. If I was to let you and Tyrone go, would you leave peacefully?"
"Not without Hannah and Gus."
"Like I said, Hannah has no interest in leaving with you. She is one of my flock now. Gus will stay too. He was hurt, severely, while traveling with you. We've fixed him. As an older gentleman, I think he would much rather stay here. We could provide him shelter and comfort. Things he won't find sticking with you. No, it would be you and Tyrone leaving."
JT thought it over before replying. Was this some kind of trap? Was the man even seriouslythinking about letting them go? Of course wouldn't leave without Gus and Hannah. At the veryleast he had to talk to them first. Not that he believed Albright's bullshit. Should he say that? Or should he try to play along, get back his freedom, and plan some way to get them back? He was looking at it from every angle he could conceive.
"What about joining your church?" JT asked, stalling. "Wasn't that an option?"
"I'm afraid that won't be possible anymore."
"Why?"
"You and Tyrone are both unworthy." Albright proclaimed.
"I thought Jesus helped the sinners the most," JT shot back.
"I will take that as a no. I would have let you go, and Tyrone too. With a warning that my people would've been told to shoot you on sight if you ever came back. Now I must pray on what to do with you next."
They had arrived back at the truck. Albright motioned to Charlie.
"Take him back. Tell Randall to hold on to them for a little longer."
"You lying, hypocritical, no good fuck," JT shouted. His restrain broke. He struggled as Charlie and Daryll tried to push him back on the truck.
JT was able to knock Daryll down in the dirt with a shoulder block. He kicked out at Charlie, who danced back out of the way. Albright stood off to the side, smiling. JT made a charge for him, but was tripped up as Daryll lunged and grabbed his ankle. JT went down hard, face first into the grass. He coughed out dirt, the grittiness of it gagging him. He rolled over onto his back. He looked up into Albright's grinning face. He continued grinning as Charlie came over and gut punched JT with the stock of his rifle. JT gasped for air. He rolled onto his side, defenseless with his hands still cuffed behind his back. Daryll and Charlie kicked at him as he moved back and forth with the impact, protecting himself the best he could.
"That's enough," Albright said, walking into JT's field of vision. He still wore the shit-eating grin JT so desperately wanted to wipe off his face. If only...
"Get him up. Are you done now JT?"
JT could only moan. Daryll and Charlie took hold on either side of him and backed him up to the truck. It was awkward walking backwards. He felt his ass bump the tailgate of the truck. Albright came face to face with him. His mask cracked and JT could see behind the smile for a briefmoment. Albright's true face was one of pure rage. It was easy for JT to recognize.
"Goodbye. I don't expect to ever see you again," Albright said, pushing JT in the chest as hard as he could. JT fell back over open tailgate, slamming his head down hard on the metal bed. His breath shot out of him and his vision doubled. His head throbbed to the beat of his heart. They shoved the rest of him in the truck, the tailgate banged shut, and JT could feel the truck sway. The next thing he knew he was back on his cot in his cell, sore and aching all over.
"Huh, guess they will beat up on other people besides the black atheist," Tyrone said, standing at the bars.
JT didn't even dignify Tyrone's jab with a response. He closed his eyes, enjoying each ache and pain as he fantasized about his revenge.
It had taken a lot of stumbling around in the predawn light, but Hannah made it down to the jail without incident.
She knew Reverend Albright wouldn't be happy with her sneaking off, if he found out. She had to see JT and Tyrone. Only she could convince them that staying with the church was a good idea. They would trust her, over any of the church people or Albright. With one last look around, not expecting anyone would follow her, she went inside.
In the gloom, she could see a couple of desks. Squinting, she thought she could make out a door on the back wall. Maybe it led to where the cells were. She noticed a lantern sitting on the desk closest to her. She picked it up and flipped it on. Its weak light illuminated part of the generic-looking office space. Walking back she just now had a thought. What if any of the door to the cells was locked? Well, she had already made it this far, no reason she shouldn't try it. She rubbed her free hand on her jeans. She gripped the doorknob and shivered. It was cold to the touch. With a turn it opened with a faint squeak.
She held the lantern up, trying to adjust to the pitch blackness. She went to each cell. At the first one she could identify the big shape under the blankets with his back to her as JT. She also found Tyrone and another man she didn't know in the other two cells.
"JT...JT wake up," she hissed at a loud whisper, coming back to the first cell an
d standing at the bars.
If she could get JT to come along, she thought he would get Tyrone to follow. She had heard the rumors about Tyrone, his belligerence to Albright, his blasphemy about the Bible. She thought they had to be that though, rumors. Tyrone was a nice, decent person. He couldn't be an atheist like they said around the church. When they thought she wasn't listening.
"Huzzah..." JT stirred, turned, and sat up. He rubbed at his eyes with a palm. Then they widened in shock. JT sprang up and raced to the bars.
"Hannah is that you? You got away? Tell me, you are here to get us out," JT said, a grin spreading across his face.
Hannah was hesitant to let him down. "In a way,I am. It is so good to see you JT. I've missed you. You and Tyrone. I've-"
"Let me get Tyrone up. He'll be so happy to get out of here. He has been sulking like a twelve-year-old boy."
"No, don't do that," Hannah implored, still talking at a whisper. "It's not exactly what you think JT."
She could seem him visibly deflate. Still she thought convincing him was their best chance of being all together again.
"JT, please listen. I know you and Tyrone have gotten off on the wrong foot with Reverend Albright but I'm begging you. Be honest with him. He means well. What they have up there at the church, it is a good thing. I'm already out of the college and into a room inside. I work in the garden and do other odd jobs. The people are great. They have a nurse living there. She's healed Gus. Wait until you see him. This is the place we have been looking for."
"You mean our safehaven?" JT threw back at her. He let go of the bars and crossed his arms.
"That's something I would have expect paranoid Dusty to say," Hannah said, a little hurt.
"The so-called Reverend, I don't trust him. Tyrone won't talk about what they said to him up there, but I have seen the results on his face of what they have done. Hell, yesterday I felt them." He pointed at his lip. "Doesn't seem very Christian like."
She noticed the cuts and bruises on JT's face and arms in the weak light. His busted lip. Hannah felt JT was holding something more back. What or why she didn't know. A little alarm went off in the back of her head. She pushed it aside and plowed on, anyway.
