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

with her, away from all this. I didn’t mean nothing by it.”
    “It’s okay,” Rei’s voice softened. “Who could blame you after all?”
    Carl looked confused, but hopeful. Rei continued. “She’s a pretty girl, isn’t she?”
    Carl nodded.
    Rei continued, “Fair skinned, long, beautiful red hair, and budding breasts. Who wouldn’t want to touch? Obviously the girl seduced you. You had no choice. You only took the apple because it was so freely handed to you.”
    Carl was still confused, but it looked like he was starting to figure it out. He shook his head and said, “No, I’m the one who asked her. Rebecca’s real shy; she won’t even ask me if I’m thirsty half the time.”
    Rei attempted a laugh, though Desmond thought it sounded more like a weasel choking. He leaned in closer, “Come now, Carl, you can tell me the truth.” He gestured to the dungeon’s new visitors. “We’re all friends here. And your friends want you to come down from there as soon as possible.” He placed a hand on top of Carl’s restraints, then allowed his fingers to run down Carl’s arm. “Really, it makes sense to end this sooner rather than later, don’t you agree?”  
    Rei turned to Will and Desmond. They were silent. John nodded.  
    “I’ll be honest,” Rei took Carl’s eyes. “I’ve no stomach for this. I want it to be over as soon as possible. I want to get you out of those restraints and outside to the long table filled with good people, people who can’t wait to see you back, and know you’re safe. It’s easy to get there. All you have to do is tell me the truth.”  
    Rei waited a beat to speak, then said, “I’ve known girls like Rebecca my entire life. There used to be millions, until The Lord thinned the herd a bit. Now they’re scarce. You’ll know these girls in your life, too. Whores pretending to be godly girls, doing their siren’s duty by distracting you from God’s Good Grace.”
    “It isn’t like that.” Carl’s head was pointed at the floor, shaking.
    “Well, that truly is a shame.” Rei looked so profoundly disappointed, Desmond half believed he was. “Have you read The Book of The Sanctuary Law? A rhetorical question, of course, as it’s required reading of all students. But have you really read it? Have you taken these laws to heart?”
    “Of course,” Carl said.
    “Then you clearly understand the brand of justice The Prophet will be forced to bring on you if you’re found guilty.” Brother Rei leaned in close. “If you did indeed seduce this child, you will be stoned to death.”
    Desmond felt a chill run down his spine. He looked to Will, who stared straight ahead, attempting to avoid emotion. Then Desmond saw that John was watching him, likely gauging his reaction. Desmond pretended not to notice John’s gaze.
    “Nothing happened. Nothing!,” Carl said, the treble in his voice rising.
    Desmond was chewing on his lip, doing everything possible to keep his brain from sending his body into motion. Will’s plastic glare said: Don’t be stupid. Sit tight.
    Why in the hell would John bring him down to see this? What was he expecting to think? Did he want him to get the hell out of there? Was he testing him? Did it have anything to do with Mary? Was John trying to get to her by getting Desmond to leave?
    As if on cue, John smiled.
    Creepy fuck.
    Rei continued his pacing routine in front of the boy, stretching each minute to the length of painful. He finally stopped pacing in front of Carl, waiting for the boy to meet his eyes. He said, “If everything is as you say, you have nothing to worry about. The Prophet can see innocence as clearly as the daylight. But I would like to help you improve your odds, to give you another chance. Because God forbid, if you’re found guilty ... I’m afraid you’ll have to face his full wrath. Not The Prophet’s, mind you; he is but a humble servant of The Almighty. You will indeed be punished, and it will be according to The Word.”
    Rei cleared his throat and softened his voice. “I suggest you start telling the truth and stop protecting the whore. Tell us it was her idea. Tell us how she seduced you. How she practically pulled you inside of her. Tell us you couldn't help yourself, you are only a fragile young man, after all. A young man with wants and needs, that Satan loves to exploit. You’re not yet equipped to deal with these slings and arrows and the Eves that are everywhere. Tell us how you fought off her