Yesterdays Gone: SEASON TWO (THE POST-APOCALYPTIC SERIAL THRILLER) (Yesterday's Gone)

well on that test. Not until after the flood.”
    His chuckle died and his voice grew grave. “Don’t you see Mary; this is our new ‘after the flood.’ God will judge us on how we govern ourselves in the days right after the flood. While we sit and wait, patient for the Gates to swing back open and lead us on the road toward the Glory of Forever, He is watching every single thing we do.”
    Mary was losing her patience. She wanted to run away from The Sanctuary, as far and as fast as she could, not stay a moment longer at Bible school. “You don’t have to believe in the Devil, Mary, and you don’t have to acknowledge the Demons who walk before you, even though they’re the very Demons you’ve seen so many times with your own pretty eyes. But I do fear, Sister Mary, that if you cannot see the Demons swimming around us, or believe in the Devil hiding behind the gnarled shadows of everything we do, then Lucifer himself may have you fooled, too.”
    Mary was seething. She wanted to tell The Prophet where he could step off with all his condescending bullshit. He had no idea who she was, or what she believed. Nor did anyone behind the walls of The Sanctuary, which was populated by people who wanted protection from the madness outside, and were willing to believe, or pretend to believe, whatever they needed to in order to remain safe, or enjoy some illusion of safety. Brother Rei was crazy enough to believe every word he said, and Sarah too, apparently. But who knew how many people behind the walls of The Sanctuary were simply choosing one monster over another.  
    Mary said nothing.
    The Prophet said, “We’ve allowed you to stay here, in the safety of The Sanctuary, as a courtesy to Brother John. But it is now time you fell in line with our way of living. You can have a good life here, Mary. So could Paola and that miracle of a child, Luca. But to do so you must break bread at our table, and not just during mealtimes. You are the only citizens of Sanctuary not required to participate, take the oath, or be a part of The Church. I have tolerated it, for you know not what you do.”
    The Prophet shook his head and saddened his eyes, letting Mary know how truly sorry he was. “But I cannot allow you and yours to spread a cancer of doubt and sinful thoughts throughout my flock. You are a good, strong woman, Mary. I see the way you love your daughter. I see the way you care for young Luca, and the way you carry his heavy burden as though it were your own. There is a place here at The Sanctuary for a strong woman such as yourself. A safe place. But your group must choose. If you stay, you must live as we do; follow our rules and practice our faith. That means all of you. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
    Mary didn’t know what else to do, so she simply nodded.
    The Prophet’s hand was back on her shoulder. “I’ll give you three days to think about it. I urge you to take your time and think it over. Consider your safety, and the lives of your family and friends. Think what might happen to Luca and Paola. You are not prisoners here, Mary. You are free to leave whenever you wish. Pick any car you’d like, and drive right out of here whenever you want. I won’t do a thing to stop you. But I will weep a flood’s worth of tears once you’re gone, Mary. Because I have seen what’s slithering through the black beyond those gates, and I will grieve knowing you’re on the road to a fiery hell, and taking innocent children with you.”
    Mary nodded, still not knowing what to do, and thanked The Prophet for his valuable council. She was about to return to Desmond and let him know she was safe, even though The Prophet was every bit as crazy as they thought he was, when Brother Rei and John suddenly appeared. John nodded at Mary, then whispered something to The Prophet.  
    “You’ll have to excuse me, Sister Mary,” The Prophet said, then stepped to the side while Brother Rei stood staring at Mary.  
    The Prophet’s face went paler than the mask that covered half of it, as he mopped his brow several times throughout the brief exchange. He finally turned to Mary and said, “It looks like we had a tragedy today. Outside The Sanctuary, of course. Brother Scott and Brother Eli are no longer with us. Both struck dead by the Demons. They were out on a run with Brothers Paul and James when the Demons attacked without warning, taking the warm breath of God right along with them.”
    John added, “The Demons