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

shut!
    As Emily wrapped her arms tight around his neck, Brent looked at Jane, and saw that look in her eyes again. That mixture of sadness and strong feelings for him. Even if they weren’t dating or together, there was a strong bond between them, some sort of love forged in sadness and tragedy. And these days, that kind of love was all there was. But this wasn’t his family. And as long as Gina and Ben might still be out there waiting for him, he had to do whatever it took to get back. He couldn’t afford to feel love for a new family.
    It was in that moment Brent considered something he should’ve thought about last night or earlier today. If Gina and Ben were still alive on his Earth, what happened after October 15? Did they wake up to find him gone with no idea where he went? Did they think something happened to him? That he’d been killed? Maybe they thought he just got up and walked out on them as so many parents did these days.
    It killed him to picture Gina and Ben wondering where he was, wondering why he didn’t love them enough to stay.
    And then another idea surfaced, one that sent a chill through his core. What if the Brent of this world took his place over there? Maybe that Brent didn’t even know he was in another world. Or worse, maybe he sensed something was wrong, but didn’t know what it was. What if the Other Brent snapped and did something to harm Gina and Ben?
    Every second he remained on this planet was another second of possible pain in the lives of those he loved most. He had to get back to Earth, no matter what he had to do, or who tried to stop him. He would do anything. Kill anyone who tried to stop him.  
    Because that’s what you do for family.

    * * * *

REBECCA SNOW: PART 3

    It was standing room only in the New Unity Church, temporarily located on the bottom floor of the women’s housing. The Prophet would have preferred to hold the hearing in his newly finished church, as he explained with apology while everyone shuffled inside, but construction was running behind and this would have to do.  
    Everyone was there, old people and new, all standing together. The Prophet was sitting at the head of a long table in the front of the room, their best attempt at recreating a judge’s chambers. Brother Rei was sitting to his left, John to his right, both dressed in thin white robes. Even with half his face concealed by the mask, The Prophet looked serious, sitting at the head of the table and stroking his chin for several minutes before finally opening his mouth and casting his eyes from Rebecca, who stood along the far wall, alone, to the onlookers, then back, with pain in his pupils, as though the burden of his duty was too much to bear.  
    Finally, he cleared his throat and stood to address the room. The already silent room grew so still that Rebecca wondered if some of the congregation had stopped breathing completely. She looked over at Mother, who may as well have been carved from rock. Her eyes weren’t moving, and she didn’t even have the usual twitch at the edges of her mouth. Her expression was indifference, if she wore any at all.  
    “Please bring the corrupted forward.” The Prophet waved his hand toward the door and Brother Eli ushered Carl inside, and then to the front of the room. Carl stood in front of The Prophet, who held his hands wide, as though offering the audience a giant embrace. He said, “Please, son, tell us what happened. And remember, The Good Lord always sees a way to reward the virtuous, and there is nothing more virtuous than looking into the eyes of honesty and speaking openly without flinching. Now, tell us what happened.”
    Carl kept his head straight and his voice steady. “Rebecca seduced me. She knew I was weak and so she took advantage, tried to get me alone so she could corrupt me with her wicked ways.” He stole a quick glance at Rebecca, then added, his voice shaky this time, “Not really her fault. She has the devil inside her, like all women do.”  
    Rebecca couldn't believe what she was hearing, couldn't believe what was happening. Her ears were burning, her face was crimson, and her stomach was at a rolling boil. She felt like she was about to throw up or cry. Maybe both. She shouted out in protest, “He’s lying!” but her words were drowned by The Prophet.
    “Silence!” he commanded, though the kind, patient look still covered his face.
    Rebecca shrank back. The Prophet continued, meeting Carl’s eyes. “You must