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

pay for your sins,” he said. “You may have been led down the dark path by the Devil himself, and though you merely bit the beautiful apple that was set in your palm, we learn through punishment what not to do, just as we learn the steps to Heaven by following the Word. I’m afraid I’m going to have to give you two weeks in the Sin Box. That should afford you plenty of time to think about the corruption you allowed to infiltrate your heart and reaffirm your vows to The Lord Almighty so it never happens again. It shouldn't be too tough to manage that in two weeks.” The Prophet smiled. “The Good Lord did make the entire world in half that time, after all.”  
    Carl said nothing, so Brother Eli led him to the back of the room. The coward didn’t look at Rebecca once. She glared at him, her heart broken. He was the first nice boy she’d allowed to get close to her. And he betrayed her.
    Is this God’s punishment for my wicked thoughts?
    The Prophet said, “Please, come forth, Rebecca.”  
    She walked slowly to the front of the room and faced The Prophet, trying to stop her tears. “And what do you say in your defense?” The Prophet narrowed his eyes and she glanced to the ground.
    “That’s not how it happened at all,” she said, her voice cracking, tears waiting to gush from behind their gossamer-thin wall. “Carl asked me if I would meet him for a picnic. He seemed nice, like the kind of guy you could trust.”  
    She did everything she could not to turn and shoot him a look. “So I said yes. But I shouldn't have left The Sanctuary. That was wrong.” She looked down, caught her breath, then looked back, this time meeting The Prophet’s eyes. “But what he’s saying happened, didn’t. He asked me to meet him and I said okay.” She turned to Mother, and the congregation. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you where we were going.”  
    The Prophet flashed an almost imperceptible glance at Brother Rei, though Rebecca caught it and felt fear flutter through her body. Brother Rei stood from his seat and looked at Rebecca. “Are you saying that Carl is lying?” he asked, his voice soft and almost soothing.  
    Rebecca was silent.  
    Brother Rei continued. “We cannot tolerate liars, Rebecca. That is a violation of the Good Lord’s Word. Truth is power and nothing is more powerful than The Truth. Let me ask you again. If you’re saying Carl is lying, tell us now. Because if he is, he’ll be spending his two weeks inside the hole healing from a freshly removed tongue.”
    Panic bleached Carl’s face but no words escaped his lips. Rebecca wanted to blurt out that of course Carl was lying. He had to save himself after all, didn’t he, but the thought of Carl missing his tongue was enough to keep her silent. Like Rebecca, Carl had seen Brother Rei make good on his threats enough times to know they never lay idle.  
    Rebecca looked down, her head heavy with despair and fear. She shook her head, knowing she had no other choice. “No, it happened just like you said. Please forgive me.”
    Brother Rei smiled, then sat. The Prophet stood up and came around to Rebecca’s side of the table, stopping just inches away. He rolled his voice in honey before using it again. His smile wide, The Prophet said, “Listen, child, I know you’ve been tricked by The Dark Lord himself. Satan is a slippery snake capable of slithering just about anywhere, fooling Eve, herself. And he likes to slither in those places where it’s easiest to get to. And believe me, it’s never easier than when you’re young and haven’t learned to recognize the Devil in all his sinister forms. I was once young like you once, believe it or not.” The Prophet held his belly and chuckled, then waited for the congregation to return his laugh. They did. Of course, they did.
    He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped it across his brow, then said, “I’ve half a mind to overlook this incident, maybe even more than half, seeing as how you are so young and it was awfully easy for the Devil to get to you. But spare the rod and spoil the child. So I’m afraid we simply cannot afford such leniency now, when He is watching our every move, judging to see who shall enter His Kingdom.”  
    The Prophet raised his hands and looked at the sky. “Rules are in place for a reason, and I can’t turn my back on punishment entirely, unless I’m willing to surrender to the chaos of Hades below.” He chuckled again. “But if I’m