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

if The Prophet was okay, and he said yes, so he didn’t think much of it until the next day. Brother Rei has been the only person in or out of the room, lately. Not even Brother John has been in.”
    “I thought John was The Prophet’s right hand,” Mary said.
    “Yeah, but he’s been weird, lately. Like he’s not even paying attention anymore. Rei’s planning a revolution right under his nose, and he’s not batting an eyelash.”
    “You think he’s in on it? John and Rei are tight, right?”
    “I don’t know what to think,” Linc said.
    “So, they’re plotting a revolution?”
    Linc nodded. “Yeah, from what I gather, they had it planned before we arrived. Us coming here derailed them a bit, forced them to regroup, maybe. But I also think it helped speed the plan up. It’s happening, sure as shit. I’m worried we’re in the middle. Been worried since the whole thing with Will went down. Nothing’s felt right since.”
    “How many do you think Rei has on his side?”
    “Not too sure,” Linc shook his head. “Let me think.” He closed his eyes a moment, then opened them back, along with his mouth. “There are about 50 adults at the compound total, I’d guess. I’d say at least a dozen are with Rei lock-step, maybe more. I can’t say for sure. But something is gonna go down. It’s gonna be big, and it feels like hours more than days. I’m surprised that nobody’s come to relive me of my post yet, which makes me think that at least some of the guards are still loyal to The Prophet.”
    “You realize how much danger we’re in, right? I mean us, specifically.” She grabbed Linc by the arm and whispered through gritted teeth. “If there’s a power struggle and Rei wins, we’re goners, I know it. He’s crazy, and he hates us.”  
    Every cell inside Mary was terrified that Linc would betray the Drury Group, and that she’d already said too much. Had he said as much as he did to see where her loyalties stood? Or was he being honest? Her gut and the look in his eyes said she should trust him. Besides, it wasn’t as if she had anyone else left to trust.
    She held Linc’s hands and pleaded. “You have to help us, however you can.”
    “I’m on the front gate until Brother Barry returns from his break. I’m on prison guard duty after that, so long as Rei doesn’t change his mind before then. I’ll see how they’re doing and let you know.”
    “What are we going to do about Rei?” She asked.
    “I dunno, Mary. I’m thinking on it. I’ll let you know if I come up with something before shit hits the fan.”  
    Mary thanked Linc, then left, running back to Paola and trying to ignore the waves of acid sloshing along the shores of her stomach. The knowing she’d always felt was whispering a certainty she couldn't accept.  
    She and Paola were going to die. Along with the child growing inside her.

    * * * *

DESMOND ARMSTRONG: PART 1

    Desmond woke in the darkness, bound to the wall in a “T” shape, his head throbbing and arms burning. His feet were bound to the floor. He was able to move them, just slightly, and heard the sound of chains rattling when he did.
    The smell of piss and shit was rancid in his nose.
    Where am I?
    The room was pitch black and cold.
    “Hello?” he said, hesitantly.
    “You’re awake,” a familiar voice said, though it sounded different, a bit deeper than he remembered.
    “Luca?”
    “Yes, are you okay?”
    “Yeah,” Desmond said, trying to pull free from the arm restraints, with no relief.
    “Carl is in here, too,” Luca said, “I think he’s sleeping. Carl?”
    No response.
    “How long have we been in here?” Desmond asked, “And where are we? Do you know?”
    “Since this morning. I think it’s nighttime now; I’m not sure,” Luca said. “We’re in the basement of the women’s house. It’s like a dungeon.”
    Probably the room where Brother Rei interrogated Carl.  
    “Did they take anyone else?”  
    “Anyone else?” Luca asked.
    “Did they go after Mary, Paola, or Linc?”
    “No, I don’t think so.”
    “Good,” Desmond said. “Is Rebecca okay?”  
    “Yes, but Brother Rei put her back in the box not too long after one of the women examined her and made sure she was okay.”
    “How do you know?” Desmond asked.
    “Because I can talk to her in my head,” Luca said.
    Desmond laughed. “Of course you can.”
    “You don’t believe me?” Luca asked, hurt.
    “No, it’s not that. I was just laughing because