by Thomas Baker
JT was feeling like a scolded teen in the principal's office as he focused on the floor. Sheriff Randall took notice.
"What? That doesn't interest you? How about pulling the half charred body of a baby from a burning car while her mother screamed from being burnt alive. I watched my best friend bleed to death in a foxhole helpless to do anything, as my platoon fell one by one in the rain and the mud and the muck turned red as his blood was added to it. If there are two things I have learned it's one, everybody in the world has a chapter of their life they won't read aloud. Two, you won't ever be punished for your anger, but you will be punished by your anger. So before you continue, think your words through. Give me good reason why I should believe you."
JT was surprised into speechlessness by the tirade. This isn't at all how he expected this to go.
"JT," Randall continued, seeming to take JT quiet for thoughtfulness. "Have you ever seen that movie from the eighties called Red Dawn? This is kind of like that, a bunch of raggedy high schoolers lead by two hot head brothers hell bent on revenge. In the end they finally realized they couldn't save the world and the older one is left holding his dying little brother in his arms and realizing how in over his damn head he was. How would you feel if that was you and this girlfriend Hannah of yours that you speak so highly of? But here's your chance, enlighten me. Tell me what got us to where we sit right now."
JT ran his hands through his hair and became a little wide eyed as he took in what Randall was saying. He proceeded to tell the Sheriff everything. About Hannah, Dusty, Ashley, Harold, the Cabin, all of it. He did leave out his disastrous run in with the girl. Strangely JT now didn't want the Sheriff's opinion of him to be any lower. Like he said, everyone has a chapter they don’t want to read out loud.
By the end, he felt his lips trembled as his eyes welled up. Sheriff Randall didn't say anymore, he stood up and walked past JT, giving him a stiff pat on the back.
"You stay in here as long as you need to young man," Randall said, clamping his hand down JT's shoulder. Randall broke his grip and walked over to the window in his office. “You’ve shoot straight with me. I can tell. And I won’t lie. You’ve given me much to think about.”
JT watched him gaze out at the town. "I hear what you are saying. I do. I’ve owned up to it. I promise you though, if I get my friends back and get out of her, I won't seek any revenge on Albright or the church." JT felt relief. He was getting through to the man.
Randall turned to him, a sad look on his face. "JT, if what you're spewing turns out to be right, hell is coming and it might be from the living as opposed to the dead"
Albright leaned back in his chair, put his feet up on his desk, and sighed. It was a sigh of contentment. Today was going to be a good day.
In about an hour, he was having a prayer meeting with Mary Lou. She and her husband were a young couple, barely been married over a year. Yet her husband seemed to be failing in his duties ever since Albright came here. The man cared more about saying prayers, studying the bible, and helping out the community than he cared about paying attention to his own wife. He was pleasantly surprised when Mary Lou responded to his advances and was more than happy to help her out in that department. She had a nice little body.
What a great scam he had going on here. Better than any he had run before, even the IRS scam. Even the time he had impersonated a police officer. The beauty of it now was he was never going to be caught again. He would never have to return to prison. All fear had been lifted from him, and in turn he was performing the best he ever had in his life.
Who knew learning all that Bible shit he endured in jail to get an early parole would come in handy? Especially when the parole never came. The Outbreak did. Just his luck, of course. He was left there, behind bars, in his quiet little square, to rot. Guards stopped showing up. If they died, got turned or just ran away, he never knew. All he knew was he and the other inmates were left there, caged like animals. No, worse than that. At least animals in a zoo had access to the outside. He didn't deserve that treatment. He wasn’t some horrible monster, like a murderer or something. He only collected cash dumb people were going to throw away on something stupid anyway. Why couldn’t he take it and spend it better than they ever could?
He would never forget hearing the moans of the other prisoners as they wasted away around him. Dying of dehydration or hunger. Not him though. On the first day the news went around that things were getting bad and about half of the staff didn't show up for work, he started thinking worse case scenario. During lunch that day he squirreled away as much food as he could, there wasn't nearly enough people to watch him closely at that time. The next day no employees showed up and the whole day went by without one guard checking on him, he flushed his toilet and then started using a corner to relieve himself in. The two weeks it took for the prison to lose total power, including the backups, were the longest of his life. When the doors finally popped, he was filthy and stank like a sewer. His mouth felt like a swamp, after drinking out of the toilet for so long. His stomach felt like a sunken pit. He was alive though, and able to walk out of that place. He was one of a very small handful to.
If he found his mind wandering back to those times, he always tried to redirect it away with how good he had it now. Stumbling across this place and setting himself up as "Reverend Albright", was a stroke of good luck and genius on his part. He had power now. He never had to worry about food, water, women. People looked up to him. More importantly, they did has he commanded. For he was the messenger, speaking the word of God. Look at the people strung up on the tree in the front of the church. He had real power now, and he liked it.
Albright chuckled to himself. He wondered, not for the first time, how much bigger could he make this? Could he eventually take over the whole town? Have a couple of hundred people under his sway? Build some kind of wall around the city and have whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted it?
Speaking of increasing my flock, what am I going to do about the newcomers?
Hannah he wanted. Mary Lou and a few of the others were fine but Hannah? Whew she was a beauty. He was going to find a way to get with her. She seemed vulnerable enough to give him a real good chance of converting her and making Hannah his. The reading he got from all her friends though. They were all going to be trouble, he could tell.
Tyrone was definitely out. He thought he could get rid of him without much of a problem. JT had to go too but he had to find a more delicate way. He could tell there was something going on between Hannah and JT. If he was going to have Hannah, he had to make sure it looked like he had no involvement in JT's death. Gus he would keep around for her. It would likely help her get over JT, having him around. Besides, he was an old man and a chucklehead. He wasn't likely to be much of a threat. There was a knock on the door. Albright stood and smoothed over the front of his shirt.
"Come in," Albright called from behind his desk, putting on his best smile.
It was Charlie. Albright's smile fell.
"Can I talk to you for a minute Reverend?" Charlie asked, crossing the room.
"Yes Charlie, but make it quick. I have other duties to attend to soon," Albright said, sitting back down.
"Sure, sure," Charlie said. He went on quickly. "It's just, you‘ve been asking me to keep an eye on Linda. Her and the oldster were just outside. She walked him around the building and I thought nothing of it. Then they disappeared out into the woods. I didn't follow them out there, but I thought it seemed a bit suspicious."
Albright pursed his lips. He thought Linda seemed to be putting on airs lately.
"It was good of you to come to me with this Charlie. You have a refined set of instincts."
Charlie smiled at this, and nodded. "Also, I took care of your Tyrone problem." Charlie sneered when he said the name.
Albright hesitated for a moment. "What do you mean?"
"Ken was with me when we were checking on Purgatory. He did something stupid and got bit. I raced him over to the jail, told S
heriff Useless he was drunk and you wanted him locked up with Tyrone. By now Tyrone is food in a zombie's belly."
Before he could even think about it, Albright lashed out. He was around his desk and putting his forearm under Charlie's neck in a flash. He pushed Charlie back, pinning him against the wall.
"You..." Albright started, his face inches from Charlie. He caught himself before he went ballistic. Charlie was too good of a follower to lose him by having a temper tantrum. Albright cursed him in his mind.
Albright let go and Charlie pushed himself off the wall, trying at the same time to recover his dignity.
"That was some initiative Charlie but it was not part of my plan. Let's hope this doesn't end up pushing Hannah farther away."
"It’ll totally look like an accident. There is no way they can blame you," Charlie said, rotating his neck from side to side. His look of anger quickly faded back into respect for Albright.
Albright sighed, clenching his hands into fists and releasing them. He could feel the tensions leaving his body. Once he felt composed again, he continued.
"Charlie, if your little plan doesn't work. What should we do, in your opinion?"
"I say take Tyrone to Purgatory. Him and his friends. They can be our test. I think it's a brilliant idea, by the way."
"What about Hannah?" Albright said, going back around his desk and sitting down.
"She will stay with us. Give her time. She already believes."
"Hmmmm. Time. Time," Albright said, steepling his hands on the desk. "We do have time. Nothing has to be decided now. Your blunder may even work to our advantage. You should pray it does Charlie. Now I need you to go and check on the Sheriff. If you’ve created a mess, I’ll need to clean it up. If you’ve done well, I will let you know. Leave me."
Charlie turned and walked away, a proud look on his face. He opened the door and there was Mary Lou, standing with her arm raised as if she was about to knock.
"May God be with you Charlie," Albright called out, putting on his winning smile again.
Charlie left, Mary Lou entered. He really admired her legs in the tight red skirt she was wearing. How nice of her to freshen up for him.
"Mary Lou, how nice it is to see you again."
Hannah stood there with her hands kneading together.
Why am I so nervous? By now I shouldn't be. This time I have an appointment.
This place was better than she could ever have imagined. It was the first time she had felt safe since the Outbreak. She felt like she could start over here and build a life. The people were nice. They looked out for each other and defended each other. All with the thought of God in all their pursuits.
The stories they had been telling her, about how together they cleared out the town of zombies. How the Reverend led them in taking back their holy ground and led them again in service, so they could grieve the dead. His plans for the future of his flock. He sounded like a decent man. Surely he wouldn't deny her requests?
He had already kept his first promise to her. She had been moved into the church from the dorms. It was already feeling like it was home. Gus was up and walking around and would be taking his place here as well. There was only one thing troubling her.
It had been several days, possibly even a week, and she hadn’t heard anything about JT or Tyrone. Nor a word from the Reverend to her since there 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 there in 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.
"You take a seat there," 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 started to feel 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 buzzing a little 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 starting to go 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 much to 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 had to take 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 down at 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 go down and 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 do know. He seems to have some intense rage issues?"
"Yes," Hannah replied, looking down in her lap and speaking softly. "It has 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 do understand 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 to make it work. I just ask for patience on your part. You have trusted me this far. Have a little more faith."
JT was shocked into silence the whole ride up to the church. He couldn't believe Albright would even want to see him again. He had pretty much convinced 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 lately. What? 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 the 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."
