by Thomas Baker
"You don't know him, but you know me. You can trust me." Hannah knew she sounded a little whiny. She didn't care. She only wanted them all together. Whatever it took.
JT gave her a look of disgust he quickly tried to cover up. "Hannah, what happened to you?"
"I woke up. You need to as well."
"If this is your enlightenment, then it's a step down for you. Where is the strong woman I knew? The smart one? Have you completely fallen for his bullshit? Because that's what it is. Faith is one thing. A cult is another."
Hannah put down the lantern she had been holding. She reached through the bars, wanting to touch him. Persuade him. Her hand caressed his forearm.
"Is it true?" she said smoothly. "You and Tyrone don't believe?"
"Tyrone, not one bit. Me, I'm guessing you would call me agnostic. That's not the real issue though. Can't you see? It's Albright. Forcing people to either join him or die. He has threatened as much. Ask him. He won't even let Tyrone or me join his church now. He just wants you."
It seemed he had more to say but again he stopped. He grabbed her hand. He looked her fully in the eyes. She saw his old anger in them. She tried again in spite of feeling it was a lost cause.
"It's not that way. It is not a cult. He has to protect his people. Don't you understand? I would think you would do the same thing, in his place. What would you do to protect me? Don't let jealousy cloud your judgment JT. He's a Reverend. There is nothing there between us."
JT let her hand slip from his and turned his back on her. Her stomach flipped and sank. She felt like a ship lost in a raging storm at sea. She wasn't going to convert him. Not this way. She would lose him.
"JT, please..." she pleaded again. "Don't make me choose between God or you. Come with me, even if you don't believe. You will, I know with time you will."
"Hannah," he sighed, turning back around. He reached his hand through the bars to take up hers again. "Honestly, I'm at a loss. I don't know what to do. I just know it's bad to join up with them like this. His use of force against us, you won't see. I don't think Tyrone would do it and I don't want to abandon him. I don't... I won't lose you and Gus either."
She let go of his hand, stepped back, and shook her head. She had done all she could now. She had to get back, before they realized she was gone. Why should it matter though, if I'm not a prisoner?
This visit, it was all confusing. She guessed she didn't want to worry any of her family if they woke up to find her missing.
"I have to go JT. I can pray that the next time I see you, it's at the church."
"Hannah," JT called after her as she picked up the lantern. She could hear him in the next room. "It doesn't have to be this way. Get us out of here and we can leave. Make a decision together away from Albright's threats and coercion. Hannah!"
She ran out, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes.
"You know guys, I don't mind the way things have turned out," Jelly said. He was lying on his back on his cot, looking up at the ceiling with his arms under his head. JT thought of itas Jelly's philosophy pose. The guy liked to talk and in a way JT welcomed it. It filled up the time. Turned his mind away from the circle loop it was on, as he replayed his conversation with Hannah the morning before.
On the flip side, Tyrone had become more silent and withdrawn than ever. He thought Tyrone had heard at least the end what Hannah had to say to him. JT worried what would happen to him if they didn't get out of here soon. He didn't want to tell him about everything said during Hannah's visit. It could push Tyrone into some darker place.
"What do you mean, the way what turned out?" JT asked.
"This Outbreak thing. The zombification of America. We were headed that way, anyway." Jelly then laughed hard, like it was the funniest joke he had ever heard.
"You think it's funny that for all I know my family has been killed by zombies or have been turned into them?" Tyrone spoke up. The harshness in his voice was one JT had never heard before.
"Yeah that part's a bummer," Jelly admitted.
"A bummer? That's all you would call it?" Tyrone said, even more agitated now. He had been sitting on his cot, but now he was up and at the bars.
"Look man, it's unfortunateand all but I found it didn't really matter. My Dad was a workaholic and my Mom was an alcoholic. Never had much time for me. I was punching the clock at some dead-end job and medicating my way through the nights. Now though dude, I can do what I want. I have ultimate freedom. No more work, no more money problems. I can live where I want, do what I want all day."
"I'm glad it spread quickly too," Jelly said, going on a spiel."If it didn't we would be living through the war on zombies, right alongside the war on terror and the war on drugs. What a joke."
"You can't do what you want right now. You are locked up in jail," Tyrone shot back.
"You are right, my man. I should find a car and leave this place. I think that's what I will do when I get out of here. Maybe find someplace that still has electricity. I miss that shit. Oh, and pizza. The internet, too. It so hard to masturbate now."
JT burst out laughing. Tyrone gave them both a dirty look.
"I miss my momma. I will probably die in this cell. You sit there and talk about such silly shit," Tyrone said, bitterly. "Real people died during the Outbreak. Millions. What about your theory too, people trapped inside their rotting bodies, unable to stop being cannibals? You really wishing that on people?"
"Nah, I guess not?" Jelly said nonchalantly. "I 'm sorry about your Mom dude. For reals. Most people though, they weren't reallyliving, anyway. Some days Ithink about how strange it is people like me and you guys are the survivors, but I've yet to run into anyone or hear about anyone talk about those who were supposedly more important. Did all the politicians, all the billionaires survive? Movie stars and athletes? Did they split the scene and move to some island they bought in the middle of nowhere, leaving all of us here to die?"
"That's a crazy idea. I have to admit though, now you say that-" JT began.
"Sorry to break up your little hippie party in here," Randall said. No one had noticed him coming in. "Jay, the Reverend wants to see you."
Behind Randall, in the open doorway, JT could see Charlie standing there, holding his rifle and looking stone faced. He didn't know why, but JT suddenly had a bad feeling about this.
"How many times have I told you to call me Jelly, not Jay, man," Jelly said, getting up from the cot.
"How many times have I told you my name is't man, it's Sheriff Randall. Now move your ass."
JT moved to the bars. "Why does Albright want to see him?" he asked.
"I don't know. It's none of your business."
"Shouldn't it be your business though Sheriff? He is one of your citizens, your people. You said you're here to protect the town and everyone in it. What if Albright assaults him or murders him?"
JT saw Randall's mouth twitch under his mustache. JT felt like ever since their little heart to heart he was getting through to him. He needed to press on. He had to convince Randall to let them go. Charlie stepped forward, interrupting the next thing JT had to say.
"The Reverend would never do such a thing. Killing is against God's law. It's written in the Ten Commandments. He only wants to help Jay, by praying his sins away."
"Is that how my friend Tyrone got a bruised face, by prayer?" JT countered. JT saw Randall twitch his eyes between him and Charlie. "How about all those bruises all over me and the lump on the back of my head? Those people hanging from trees? God's work?"
"How much longer is Albright expecting me to hold these other two?" Randall asked, sounding agitated. "It has already been weeks. Longer than I've ever had to before. I want to help the town, but there was such a thing as law and due process. I'm also tired of listening to their sorry asses."
"Let's go Sheriff. Albright is waiting," Charlie said, impatiently. He ignored what the Sheriff had asked. Besides, this is church business, not town business. It's none of your concern."
&nb
sp; "Townspeople are my concern. I will have to have a talk with Albright, tomorrow. Either these people go up to the church with him or I'm setting them free. Make sure to tell him that."
"Sure," Charlie said. "When we bring Jay up, I'll let Albright know again. With all that's been going on lately, he's been a very busy man."
Randall hesitated. He jingled the keys in his hands and his mustache drooped as he frowned. Just when JT though he might defy Charlie, he unlocked Jelly's cell and put him in handcuffs. He pushed Jelly out and handed him over to Charlie.
"I would say later dudes, but I'm splitting this town first chance I get. You won't be seeing me again," Jelly called over his shoulder.
Sheriff Randall scowled at the door after they left for a long while. Randall seemed in his own world. Like JT and Tyrone weren't even there. He left the cell block without a word, slamming the door on his way out.
"Linda, sweetie pie is that you I hear making all that racket over yonder?" Gus asked aloud as he sat up, pulled himself to a standing position, and shuffled his way towards the curtain. "I hope you're putting on something racy and lacy" Gus joked carelessly as he pulled back the curtain. His demeanor quickly changed when he found Charlie standing in the corner going through a cabinet of pill bottles.
"Well, I would like to retract my previous statement young man. I hope to never see you in anything racy or lacy."
"What are you doing up moving around without permission? Where is Linda?" Charlie was clearly not amused by Gus's wit.
"Easy now big fella. I don't know where Linda is but while you're here, I gotta question. What's an old fart like me got to do to get a meetup with the rev?"
"It's Reverend Albright, Gus," Charlie said, still not amused. Not for the first time Gus wondered how people could live with no sense of humor.
Albright himself stepped forward out of the deep shadows. "I came to see you and check up on your wellbeing. I'm happy to see my good friend Charlie here has been keeping you company."
Gus hoped his jaw wasn't as close to the floor as it felt. He couldn't believe how Albright appeared out of thin air.
"Well, he sure isn't as pretty as Nurse Linda but I hear he is the best in the business at scrubbing bed pans."
Albright let out a laugh at Gus's joke. Gus didn't know how to follow his own comment up so he jumped with the first thing that came to his mind.
"Reverend Albright, I was asking old Charlie here how I could have some of your time. See I have been reading that Bible by my bed and everything I have read makes me realize I have no explanation for any of this except that God brought me here and you and your congregation saved my life."
Albright stood there staring at Gus with a flat lined smile across his face. He looked to Charlie and back to Gus.
"Outstanding!" He exclaimed. "Dear Gus! You're beginning to see the light! I beg you to keep reading, keep preparing your place in The Golden Kingdom. For I asked you if you had given thought to what your next step would be. Would you be staying here with Hannah or were we going to send you out into this cruel world?"
Albright strode over to Gus and grabbed both of his hands. Gus kept his poker face in place, careful not to reveal the revulsion he felt at Albright's touch. He was convinced for sure by this act that the man was up to no good. Damn you for playing with Hannah's emotions. I can't explain how else she can't see your phony bologna.
"I couldn't imagine staying anywhere but by Hannah's side. Here in the kingdom of God."
"Excellent Gus, excellent! Such wonderful news! Hannah will be happy to hear that. I'd love to talk to you more about your discoveries but first I have business of which I must attend to. Charlie was the package from our friend, The Sheriff, delivered yet?"
"Oh yes, Reverend, it certainlywas." Charlie's reply was so cold it gave Gus goosebumps. That lump of muscle was one to watch out for Gus decided.
"Well then Charlie, let us take care of our obligations and leave Gus to further his biblical education. The way you're getting up and around, I better find you a place upstairs in the men's section."
Albright smiled and waved at Gus as they turned to leave. Gus did his best to listen to their conversation as they exited but their voices were too muffled to make out any words. He wondered what Charlie and Albright were up to down here. Gus was feeling better, but he wasn't up for being Scooby Doo just yet. Sighing, Gus walked back to his bedside and looked at The Bible on the side table.
Well old timer, you dodged that bullet. 'Further my biblical education' my ass, I don't need to read anything to see who the devil in disguise is in this story.
At least he bought himself more time to try tocome up with a plan. He knew it would be risky and a lot to ask but maybe he could get Linda to take him down into town. If he could get JT and Tyrone out of those cells, the rev and his followers would be in for one hell of a fight.
Another day dragged past as JT and Tyrone whittled away their time in the cells. JT couldn't remember a time when he felt more alone. More powerless. We might just die here, in these cells. What a way to go, after all we have survived.
Tyrone was as cheerless as ever. JT tried to engage with him about his mother at first. A rude 'be quiet' was all JT got. Attempts to talk about anything else with Tyrone were also met with silence. Not for the first time he thought about sharing Hannah's visit with Tyrone, but couldn't decide if it would help or make things even worse. All that talk about family must have upset him. I did the best I could Tyrone, but who the hell am I, really?
Strangely Randall had come back into the cell block once early that morning. He stood there, looking at the two of them. Drumming his hand on his gun belt.Every attempt he made to get Sheriff Randall's attention was met with silence. Randall turned and left. Everyone's glum and gloom attitudes were wearing thin on him. All this silence made him feel like he was buried alive.
JT spent the next several hours pacing his cell, fuming over being put in this situation. He never asked to be a leader, sure as hell never asked to be responsible for people's lives. Honestly, he couldn't even figure out why the group ended up looking to himin the first place. Or why he took it upon himself to be that guy. I guess if Dusty hadn't been so abrasive, it would have been him they trusted, not me. I wonder how different things would have turned out.
The slamming of the front door broke his train of thought. Sheriff Randall came storming into the cellblock, out of breath. He pulled his keys from his belt with shaking hands, fidgeting through the cluster.
"How could I have been such a blind damn fool?" He was muttering to himself as he first unlocked JT's cell, then Tyrone's.
"What's going on here?" Tyrone asked, panicked.
"I'll tell you more when we get out of here. Right now, let's just say you were more right than I am willing to admit, JT," Randall said through a clenched jaw.
They were all out in the hallway. JT heard the front door opening and shutting again. They all froze. Randall gave JT a looked. It seemed to say get ready. Randall gave them a hand motion to turn and around. JT could see Randall was trying to stand casually, but he had his hand near his gun, like he anticipated trouble. Charlie and Daryll walked in.
"What's going on? Why are the prisoners out?" Charlie asked. He brought his rifle up and leaned it on his shoulder. Daryll looked unarmed.
"I was taking them out for a little walk around the yard. Thought they could use a breath of fresh air and a change of scenery." Randall answered, cool and collected.
"I have a change of scenery for them. They can come up to the church with me. The Reverend wants to see them both."
"Why is that?"
"That's church business, not yours," Charlie said in a condescending tone.
"How about I bring them up, after they have had some time outside? I told you yesterday I either meet with him today or they go free. You'd almost think he's been putting me off. I've never had to make so many requests in the past."
"I don't think so." said Charlie, taking a step closer to the Sh
eriff and bringing his rifle down, pointing it at the ground. "I'm following orders, and my orders are to bring them both up now."
"What, he can't wait another thirty minutes?"
"He is a busy man. He has a lot to do. As you know, so many people count on him. He has a schedule, and he needs to stick to it."
Randall stood there a moment. His fingers drummed alongside his belt. JT hoped this didn't turn into a shootout. He and Tyrone were unarmed and vulnerable in such close quarters.
"All right, I'll help you escort them out to your truck." Randall said, relaxing his hand. He stepped aside and waved them past. "You heard the man. Get to moving. I'll be right behind you. It might be nice to have some real peace around here until you two get back."
They shuffled outside. JT was confused about what was going on. Randall seemed on the verge of letting them go. Was he really going to hand them over? What did he mean about being wrong?
Charlie motioned them to the back of the pickup truck. Its engine was still running. Little puffs of smoke escaped from the tailpipe, visible the cool fall air. Charlie had gone to the passenger side of the truck. Daryll was right behind Tyrone, at the doorway. JT made to jump up on the open tailgate when he heard Randall shout.
"Down!"
JT ducked and heard two loud cracks of a pistol. Tyrone was beside him, down on one knee. JT turned around and saw Darryl collapsed on the ground. He held a bleeding hole in the leg of his jeans. Darryl screamed incoherent nonsense. Randall stood rigid, gun drawn, eyes darting.
"Toss the rifle in the truck Charlie. I have you dead in mysights. You so much as blink and I won't be aiming for your leg." Randall was a cold stone.
Charlie glared at the Sheriff, never looking away. He made a show out of throwing his weapon into the truck.
"Now, raise your hands like the good Christian you claim to be and back away from the vehicle."
