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

said. “I completely understand. The Prophet has my full support. What is done is done, and whatever is needed to right the ship before it sinks is fine with me. The child’s soul must be saved.” Mother was still looking at Brother Rei, but directing her words at Rebecca when she said, “She made her bed; she deserves to lie in it and sleep beneath the soiled covers.”
    Mother finally turned to Rebecca and pressed her fingers into her cheeks, not hard enough to hurt, but hard enough to let Rebecca know there was another round coming later, behind closed doors, hidden from the curious eyes of the congregation. She pursed her lips and hissed, “I will not raise another harlot.”  
    She released Rebecca’s face with a jerking motion and pinch, then turned to Carl. Her voice grew louder and she said, “You will both face the consequences.” Then, almost at a yell and with her finger just an inch from his face, she said, “ You should know better. How old are you?”  
    “Fifteen, ma’am,” Carl said, eyes in the dirt.  
    “What did you do to my daughter?”
    “Nothing, ma’am.”
    “Don’t lie to me,” Mother growled. “Did you take her virginity?”
    Carl looked up, visibly shocked. Rebecca cried out, “Mother!” embarrassed and afraid for Carl.
    “No, ma’am,” he shook his head. “It was nothing like that. We just set down for a picnic, that was all.”  
    “I told you not to lie to me!” Spit flew from Mother’s mouth. She was losing her temper publicly, for the first time since arriving at Sanctuary.  
    “It’s okay Sarah,” Brother Rei said, placing a soothing hand on her shoulder, his beady eyes glistening with secret pleasure. “All is well and as it should be according to The Good Lord’s Plan. You need not worry about a thing. We’ll take it from here. Brother Paul,” he said, turning to the man in robes behind him. “Please take the boy to the stockade immediately. I will be in to question him shortly.”
    “No!” Rebecca cried. No one responded out loud, though Paola looked like she was going to cry, and Mary looked like she wanted to pull Rebecca into a hug. Luca’s eyes were pointed right at her, but it looked like they were focused on something she couldn't see, off in “Luca land,” as some of the kids had commented behind his back. The soldiers all looked mad at her. The old man just looked mad.  
    Brother Rei turned to Mother. “Clearly, young Rebecca cannot be trusted, so we’ll be moving her from the girls’ quarters back to her lodging with you. That way you can keep an eye on her. If that’s okay, of course,” he lowered his head and waited for Mother to respond. Rebecca decided she hated Brother Rei.  
    “Of course,” Mother said, and turned to the crowd, though Rebecca could tell her words were meant mostly for the newcomers. “I apologize that my daughter caused all of this trouble, and for bringing shame to The Sanctuary.”  
    The old man, Will, said, “No trouble at all, ma’am. We’re just happy she was found safe. No harm done.” Rebecca didn’t miss the glance Will gave Brother Rei after the “no harm done” comment.
    Mother gave Will a dirty look disguised inside a quiet stare, then shoved Rebecca into the first step toward their lodging, hand tight around the girl’s neck as she pushed her forward. It wasn’t until they were on the other side of the front door when Mother’s fingers twisted inside Rebecca’s hair and she yanked them at the root.  
    “You will get every bit of what’s coming to you, child,” she said. “And praise be to The Good Lord for making it happen. Thanks to His Glory, there’s hope for you yet.”  
    “Yes, Mother, thank the Lord.”

    * * * *

DESMOND   ARMSTRONG: PART 3

    Desmond and John traveled back to The Sanctuary in near-silence. Desmond wasn’t much in the mood for conversation. Thankfully, John’s one-word answers to his sparse comments obliged. When they finally returned, the dust had already settled on the situation, and everyone had resumed their regularly scheduled stations.
    John parked the Audi in the hangar and both men stepped from the car. John held his hand out to Desmond. “I’m going to see Rei,” he said. “I’ll take your firearm to him now and save you the trip.”  
    Desmond nodded, pulled the gun from his waistband, and handed it to John.  
    “You coming to lunch?”
    John nodded. “See you there for sure.”
    Will and Mary were digging in the dirt,