Botanicaust

“ Josef, you can ’ t. Drink your milk, okay? I ’ ll be back as soon as I can. ”
    “ You ’ ll come back? ”
    “ I promise. Tonight. ” He planted a kiss on the child ’ s head and strode purposefully from the room. As soon as he resolved the situation with Tula and the girls, he would spend every moment possible with his son.

    On the road to the abandoned milk house, the sound of a tractor coming up behind Levi made him automatically step to the side of the road. The engine revved high and loud, and he wondered how the Blattvolk made their vehicles so quiet. Maybe Tula could help redesign some of the Old Order engines. The nose of the tractor pulled into his peripheral vision and Levi waved to the driver. Brother John sat behind the wheel, with the other two preachers, the deacon, and Bishop Eldon perched on the running boards. Samuel balanced with one foot on the hitch, his ruddy face somber. They focused on Levi.
    “ Brother Levi, a word. ” Bishop Eldon called out. He was an old man, but his back and voice were strong.
    Much as he wanted to get to Tula, Levi halted. The men stepped off the tractor and Brother John cut the engine.
    “ It ’ s good to see you, brothers. You won ’ t regret — ”
    “ The fate of the Blattvolk has yet to be determined, ” Bishop Eldon interrupted.
    Levi frowned. “ What do you mean? ”
    “ They are marked. ”
    Dread took root in the pit of Levi ’ s soul. “ The color of their skin does not deny them God ’ s love. They were but children when it was done. They were not of an age to choose. ”
    “ The Brethren have been praying for guidance. But the congregation must vote. ”
    “ On what? ” Surely they didn ’ t mean to turn the Blattvolk out? Lowering the fence would expose the Holdout to danger with cannibals so near. The Elders would never do such a frivolous thing. Or did the Bishop mean worse?
    “ I cannot say where the Lord may lead us. ”
    A chill settled over Levi. “ Tula could sing Jesus Loves Me before I met her. And the Twins can recite the Lord ’ s Prayer. They are Children of God, Brothers. ”
    The men exchanged tight-lipped glances.
    Brother John put a hand on Levi ’ s shoulder. “ Come to meeting, Levi. You ’ re in the Bann, but we ’ ll let you speak your piece. ”
    They had officially banned him after he left, but there was more at stake here than his own shunning. If they meant harm to Tula or the twins … “ Have you talked to Tula? ” His voice wavered with emotion.
    “‘ Satan masquerades as an Angel of Light. ’“ Deacon Yonnie crossed his arms over his chest.
    A deep tremor shook Levi and he straightened his spine. Although the Deacon ’ s position was filled by a lottery guided by Gotte ’ s Wille, Yonnie liked being Deacon far too much in Levi ’ s opinion. Act within the Ordnung . Taking a breath he said, “ The Apostle Paul urges us to prove all things. If you do not open your heart to the truth, you are but blind guides. ‘ When the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the pit. ’“
    The men drew up in indignation.
    Levi didn ’ t stop. “‘ Anyone who professes to be in the light and yet hates his fellow man dwells in darkness. ’“
    “ Do not quote scripture at us, Brother Levi, when you are in the Bann yourself, ” Deacon Yonnie thundered, a vein in his forehead pulsing.
    Brother John put a hand on Yonnie ’ s shoulder in placation. “ Brother, peace. Levi has a valid point. ”
    Bishop Eldon chewed his tongue. “ God instructed the Prophet to baptize the faithful during the Botanicaust. And there are other precedents to accepting outsiders into the fold. ” He nodded to Brother John. John ’ s jaw twitched. His grandmother had been a cannibal left as a baby outside the gate. The Old Order had felt moved to take her in.
    “ Not Blattvolk! ” Yonnie bristled.
    The bishop raised a hand. “ We must not form superficial judgments. ”
    “ They bear the Mark of the Beast! ” Deacon Yonnie countered, and Brother Evan nodded somber agreement.
    “ I will speak to her, that none may find blemish in my guidance. ” Brother John stood straight and tall, never wavering in his gaze on Yonnie.
    Levi nodded gratefully. When the Elder Brethren had voted on Levi ’ s request to search for a cure for Josef, the split had been four to one, with Brother John his only supporter. The congregation had grumbled over that. Years ago, many had opposed John ’ s nomination into the lottery