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

advances. Tell us you did everything you could to steer clear of the shadows and remain faithful to The Word.”
    Desmond could see Carl starting to break, and was digging his fingernails into his palm to keep himself from beating Rei to a pulp and releasing Carl from his shackles. If John wasn’t standing a foot away with a gun, he probably would have – damn the consequences.  
    “Do it for both of you,” Rei whispered, dripping the final sweet drop of his own seduction into the boy’s ear. “The punishment for girls is far less strict than it is for men.   You will be helping both of you by admitting the truth. The Prophet is a great man, a loving man. He’ll be looking for any excuse to show mercy on the child. Give him one, Carl. Allow God’s grace to spare your life.”
    Desmond was glad he didn’t have his gun. If he did, he’d probably empty it into Brother Weasel before he could finish his brainwashing.  
    “Let’s get you down from there.” Rei ran his hands across Carl’s shackles. “Tell us, is that what happened? Did Rebecca seduce you?”
    The perverse smile that spread across Rei’s lips just before his final question caused Desmond to make a vow inside his head. Given the chance, he’d kill Rei. John, too. Not just for making him watch, but for playing his part.  
    Carl started to cry, then nodded. From behind a torrent of fresh tears he said, “Yes, yes, that’s exactly what happened. The picnic was all her idea. I only said yes because she was trying to seduce me and I didn’t know no better. And that’s the honest truth.”
    “Thank you, Carl,” Rei said, eyes now turning to Desmond and Will. “The truth shall set ye free.”

    * * * *

BRENT FOSTER: PART 2

    the next night . . .

    For the first time in months, Brent was smiling. He could hardly contain himself. His joy at the thought that Gina and Ben might still be alive was more than he could sort. A part of him had given up and died. Its resurrection was unfamiliar, but wonderful.  
    And while Keenan hadn’t said much about why he needed help searching for   Boricio, or why he didn’t just start the hunt with any of Black Island’s other more qualified guardsmen, Brent couldn’t help but think that Keenan had a plan.  
    And Keenan’s plan might actually bring him home.  
    Keenan hadn’t said it in so many words, had even talked Brent down when he asked if it might be possible to return to their world. But there was something in his eyes. Keenan didn’t have to say a thing, Brent could see it clearly — Keenan believed he could get them home. Unfortunately, Keenan had to leave before giving Brent additional details. He promised that he’d fill him in more tomorrow, when they’d leave Black Island and start their search. Until then, Brent had to keep his mouth shut, even when he thought he was alone. Continue acting normal. Every home on the island was monitored, and if they knew what he knew, it could endanger he and Keenan.
    Brent was practically giddy, so it was some surprise to Jane when she opened her door to find him smiling like a fool.“What’s got you so happy, and . . .” she glanced down at her watch, which read 4:05 p.m. “So early?”
    “Just happy to see you,” he said. Jane welcomed him in, then closed the door. “Got out of work early today.”
    Emily, with cute pigtails and turquoise bows to match her tee shirt, ran towards him and hopped into his arms, yelling “Mr. Brent!” He scooped the six year old into a giant hug, and she planted a big kiss on his cheek. He noticed the scent of strawberry.
    She giggled, and said, “I just gave you a strawberry kiss!”
    “Huh?” Brent said.
    “She found some strawberry lip balm,” Jane explained. “You’d think she found a pony, the way she’s carrying on.”
    “Yeah, Ben used to get excited about the littlest things,” Brent said. “To be so young, and have such simple things bring you so much happiness.”
    “I haven’t even started dinner,” Jane said, glancing toward the kitchen.
    “Good,” Brent said, “I can help. We can all cook together.”
    “ You can cook?” A surprised look arched Emily’s eyebrows.
    Brent laughed as he carried the girl into the kitchen. “Yeah, of course I can cook!”
    “I thought only mommies cooked.”
    Jane laughed. “Mike didn’t like to cook, so she figured no daddies cooked.”
    “What can you cook?” Emily asked.
    “I dunno, let’s see what you have.” He sat the girl on the