Wolfe did not bother asking any more questions. Jennifer tried to talk to the smaller children, but their mother would not let them out of arm’s reach.
Walton began a monologue on the wonders of farming that filled the void without allowing Danny Boyle the opportunity to climb back into his pulpit.
For that, Wolfe would be forever grateful.
After ninety minutes, Danny mounted his bike and rode ahead. Walton finally stopped talking. The woman they presumed was Danny’s wife pointed to a sign up ahead. The Christian School of Little Rock.
“Is that where we are going?” Wolfe wondered.
“No,” she replied. “That is where the people’s disciples live. They always walk with us the rest of the way to the church.”
“It looks like they have a church at the school.”
“A small one, yes,” the woman agreed. “The people need more room. The Sacred Survivors are many.”
Wolfe looked ahead to see people streaming toward Little Rock.
“How many survivors are there?”
“Thousands!” She finally smiled a real smile. Wolfe shuddered and glanced at Jennifer without moving his head. She and Buddy were staying toward the side of the road away from their escorts.
“Did you hear that, Jim?” Walton interrupted. “Thousands!”
“Sounds like a lot of people,” Wolfe muttered, shifting his eyes across their surroundings as they walked deeper into the suburbs and toward the main city of Little Rock. “Are they all as committed to the cause?”
Chapter Seventeen
The old sign said Easter Seals. It looked like it had been a combination warehouse and office building. The faithful had turned it into the Sacred Survivors’ Church. No one peddled Easter Seals anymore.
People streamed in from all directions. Wolfe continued to push the cart, quietly urging Jennifer to stay close. She wedged Buddy between them. The big dog’s hackles were up and he panted, but not from the heat. He wanted the open air and the freedom to run.
They approached the door to find two men with clubs waiting. Wolfe raised an eyebrow toward Danny Boyle. Walton scowled.
“They are here to protect the faithful,” Danny said with an innocent shrug.
“They look like bouncers. Since I can’t take the cart or dog inside, we’ll wait out here.” Wolfe started walking at a right angle to the door.
Danny hopped on his bike and rode around to get in front of Wolfe. “This is getting old. Men do not get in other men’s way. I assure you, there will not be a third time.”
The man held his arms wide as he straddled the bike. “The time to rejoice is now. Take your place among the Sacred Survivors!” Danny nodded toward the doorway. Wolfe let go of the cart handle and sidestepped, ducking and coming back up with his arms wide and fingers ready to grab.
The men were coming, but slowly. They tapped their clubs on their palms. The faithful gave them a wide berth as they continued to stream into the building. They kept their eyes on the ground as they shuffled through the door. They had seen it before.
But they had not seen anyone like Jim Wolfe. He thought about using his AR-15, but he did not need it. It was only two men with clubs. They did not stand a chance.
They separated and raised their clubs to deliver heavy blows, but Wolfe was ready. He dodged forward, seized the men by their faces, and slammed their heads together before they could bring their clubs down. Their heads sounded like ripe melons hitting the pavement before they toppled. Dead or unconscious, Wolfe did not know.
Neither did he care. They should not have attacked him.
Danny Boyle’s pastoral smile disappeared.
“You should not have done that, Mister Jim Wolfe.”
Wolfe pulled his rifle from his shoulder and aimed at Boyle’s chest. “We thank you for your hospitality, but it is time for us to go. We will be leaving now.”
Jennifer restrained Buddy, who growled and lunged at the man on the bike. “That’s right, Buddy,” she said in a soothing voice. “He will be dog food if he tries to follow us.”
A voice came from the doorway, and the faithful stopped and took a knee. Boyle dropped his bike and joined the others in kneeling. Wolfe’s hair stood on end. He backed away from the cart until he could see both Boyle and the newcomer.
“Brother! I am Abraham. Please, pray with me.”
Wolfe looked from the cowed followers to the man wearing a flowing purple robe. Wolfe was not impressed. “I think I will hold off on that right now. I just want to leave. I am not here to make trouble.”
“I know, brother. Trouble has followed you here and caught you in its ugly tornado. We offer you peace, love’s embrace, and a place where you can be yourself.”
Wolfe smiled. “Perfect. I can be myself on the road out of here. Thank you, and take care.”
“Maybe we should listen to him,” Walton said softly.
“What for?” Wolfe had no intention of sticking around one minute longer than he had to.
“Abraham!” A woman’s shrill call cut through the tension. “Come quick. A child…”
“Come,” Abraham said without any sense of urgency. He waved for Wolfe and the others to follow and turned away without looking back. He walked through the doors and into the church. None of those kneeling stood.
Walton shook one of the faithful by the shoulder. “He’s gone now. You can get up.”
“We can rise only with Abraham’s blessing.” The young woman had no intention of standing until allowed to.
Walton kneeled next to her. “Why do you give him this power over you?”
“Why? Because we were starving, fighting, and dying. Abraham stopped all that. He only wants what is best for us. He is a peaceful and righteous man. We follow him because we want to, and we are better for it.”
Walton stood to look at Wolfe. A movement caught Wolfe’s eye. Abraham had stepped through the doorway with a baby in his arms. He bounced the giggling infant as a young mother followed, smiling widely, showing a neat row of bright white teeth.
“Where were we? Oh, yes, an impasse. Bring your cart in the side door, as well as your dog. All are welcome. We are friends to all.” He turned the kneeling faithful. “Rise, my children! Go in and make yourselves comfortable. We have a special celebration today.”
Abraham stopped two men in line and whispered to them. They bowed their heads and hurried to help the two bouncers. They hooked them under their arms and dragged them into the church.
“Come with me, please.” Abraham gestured for Wolfe to follow. Walton took the cart in case Wolfe needed to protect them again. Jennifer and Buddy stayed close, but the big dog wagged his tail and bobbed his head at the man. He bent down, still cradling the baby, with the woman at his side. Buddy ran to him and fanned the air with his tail while getting his ears scratched.
Wolfe wanted to dislike the man, but Buddy was a good judge of character.
Abraham straightened and continued around the side of the building, where double doors led inside. These were not guarded or locked. He opened the door and finally handed the baby to the woman. She smiled when she took the infant. Wolfe pushed the cart through, with Jennifer grabbing Buddy as she passed and Walton holding the door for Abraham.
Once they were inside, they let the door swing shut. They were immediately thrust into the darkness. Wolfe pulled his goggles up and saw that Abraham and the woman walked slowly, hands out in front of them as they sought the door on the wall opposite the entry. No subterfuge. No games. Abraham found the handle and pulled. Wolfe yanked his goggles into place as the door opened and light from the inside the sanctuary streamed through.
“Come join us,” Abraham called softly.
Chapter Eighteen
Wolfe waited for the applause to die down before pushing the cart to the doorway into the main hall and leaving it there. He leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed and studied the man on the stage.
Buddy liked him, and it jumbled his thoughts. He thought t
he man a despot, just like all the rest who hold power over others. The congregation appeared joyous in their praise, but he had seen the looks on their faces as they trundled toward the church.
Every day, they performed the same routine. For Danny Boyle and his clan, it was a five-mile one-way hike, and they made it without question.
No one should have that sort of power. But Buddy liked him. And now that Abraham was on the stage, the smiles appeared genuine.
“What do you think?” Wolfe whispered to Walton.
“A patriarch who the people worship. There were two thugs out front, but maybe that was to protect the faithful, not keep them in line. It is a strange day, Jim, and I do not have any answers.”
“We have only given,” Jennifer said.
Wolfe thought about it. Takers, like the wilders. He was not sure he needed any more takers in his life.
“We have visitors from afar!” Abraham spoke loud enough for all to hear. He was pointing at the doorway, where Wolfe and Jennifer could be seen. “Welcome them and make them feel like members of our family.”
Abraham waved for them to join him. Wolfe slowly shook his head. Abraham took a knee and clicked his tongue. Buddy rushed through the door and jumped onstage. Jennifer ran after him slowly as the faithful clapped and cheered.
“If I were you, I would want to kill this guy,” Walton whispered into Wolfe’s ear.
“I am not his greatest fan,” Wolfe conceded before waving to the crowd. He left his place in the doorway and walked to the stage. Walton went along out of curiosity.
Wolfe faced the crowd, holding out his hands for them to stop cheering. Abraham wrapped an arm over Wolfe’s pack around the bow and slung rifle. “Jim Wolfe, Jennifer, and Walton!” Abraham raised his hands above his head and started clapping. The congregation joined him.
Danny Boyle must have told him our names.
Wolfe glanced over the crowd to find the man but could not locate him. There were too many people. It was like Canon City’s dining room. Even had the same feel, except here, they were not lining Buddy up for the cooking pot. At least, he did not think they were.
Abraham gestured for the three to take seats by the door where Wolfe had left the cart. He shooed the big dog away after one last ear scratch.
Wolfe refused to sit, preferring to stand in the doorway. Walton and Jennifer sat, while Buddy lay at their feet.
The wheels in Wolfe’s mind were turning. He wanted to learn more about this Abraham, the man who had brought peace to Little Rock after the end of the world.
False god, prophet, or just a man who could say what people needed to hear?
Chapter Nineteen
After the hour-long service, the young mother, still carrying her baby, approached Wolfe, Jennifer, and Walton.
“Abraham has asked me to personally welcome you to the Sacred Survivors. If you would be willing to stay for a few days, we have accommodations set up for you. Are you two a couple?” she asked, pointing first to Jim and then to Walton.
The big farmer laughed so hard he could not speak. “Whatever would make you think that, little lady?”
“We do not judge,” she said, holding one hand out to calm any offense.
“My daughter and I are traveling through to get back to my wife and son,” Wolfe replied evenly.
“I see. Then we will provide two rooms if you are willing to share your time with us for a day or more. You may find that we have what you seek.”
“As long as Lurleen is in Florida, you do not have what I seek.” Wolfe’s tone turned cold. Jennifer took his hand and squeezed it. Buddy sniffed but was not impressed by the woman. Only Abraham held sway over the dog. Walton offered to hold the baby since she kept trying to talk with her hands. She shifted the baby but held onto the little bundle.
“You are more than welcome to recharge your batteries before you continue your journey. Do not think unkindly of us, Mister Wolfe.”
“You have electricity?”
“A simple expression. Maybe I should stop using it since it does not apply in the world of the Survivors, does it?”
Wolfe held her gaze but did not answer.
“Why do you wear those glasses?”
“My eyes were damaged in the war.” Wolfe did not care to explain further.
“But you survived, and now you are one of the Sacred Survivors. You are truly blessed, Mister Wolfe, you and all your party.” She shuffled her feet and looked over her shoulder toward the thinning crowd. “I will meet you out front and show you the way to the school where your rooms are waiting.”
Wolfe chewed on the inside of his lip as he pondered the rest of their day. Jennifer continued to squeeze his hand. Walton dragged the cart backward and headed outside.
“What do you think we should do, Miss Jennifer?”
“I think I am tired. I would like to sleep in a bed, but if you think we should continue, I will go with you and not hold you back.”
“I know you will. What do you say we take that room and see what tomorrow brings? I have questions, and the only place to get the answers is right here. I would like to stay long enough to peek behind the curtain.”
Jennifer looked around. “I do not see any curtains, Mister Wolfe.”
“Then we will have to find them first before we can see what is behind them.”
Outside, Walton waited. “Staying or going?”
“Staying,” Wolfe replied. “For tonight, at least.”
“Sounds good. I am not opposed to hard work, but I have walked about as far as I want to walk today.” Walton thought for a moment before continuing, “If you will have me, that is. I have no place to be and nothing to do. I was hoping I could tag along and see a bit of the world. I will take my turn with the cart. I am bigger than you, but not one-tenth as strong. Still, I will try to carry my own weight.”
“You sound like Miss Jennifer,” Wolfe said, smiling at the young girl. “I cannot turn a friend away. What would Lurleen think of me then?”
“Tell me while we walk.” Walton nodded toward the young woman with the baby, who waved at them. “Looks like our escort is here. Do you know where she is taking us?”
“Someplace we probably do not want to be,” Wolfe mumbled.
Chapter Twenty
Wolfe was not surprised when they arrived at the Christian School of Little Rock. Danny Boyle and his clan passed while Wolfe was taking stock of his surroundings.
“You think that is the last we will see of them?” Walton asked.
“Only if we leave before tomorrow’s services,” Wolfe replied.
“They make that walk every day. So much walking to get nowhere.”
“I believe the opposite,” their escort interrupted. “They walk to receive their blessing. They are happy to do it because of where they live. The lake provides nourishment for the body, and the church provides nourishment for the soul. It is the best of all worlds.”
She bounced the baby as she smiled.
“What is your name, Miss?” Walton asked.
“You can call me Katherine.”
“Is that because it is your name?” Jennifer asked. Wolfe had to bite his lip at the innocent question.
“It is the name I have now, yes.”
Jennifer nodded at the answer before running off with Buddy.
“Miss Katherine, we appreciate your kindness, but we would like a place to cook our dinner and to be left on our own, no disrespect intended. We have been on our own for a while, and we are not used to people.”
“I understand. There is no need for you to cook your own dinner. We eat together. If you would care to donate some of your pork to the group, we will prepare it for all to enjoy.”
Wolfe’s eye started to twitch. More taking.
“We have a long journey ahead, and this will help us get there. Would you deny us our repast? We have already shared much with Danny Boyle and his family. Soon, we will be left with nothing. Is that what you intend?” Walton asked, putting the burden back on
the young woman.
“Of course not. You are more than welcome to cook your own dinner, or you are welcome to eat with us. You are free to do as you wish.” The tone of her voice suggested she was not happy with Walton’s diplomatic refusal. She hurried toward a low building and went inside.
Wolfe stopped. The cart would not fit through the door.
“Wait, Miss Katherine,” Walton called, through the opening.
She returned, looking less than patient. “What is it now?”
“We prefer not to leave our stuff out here,” Walton said softly.
“No one is going to take your stuff. Bring it inside if you want, but there are no locks on the doors either.” She put her free hand on her hip as if she had just played the trump card.
“Trust is earned when you have risked something for someone else,” Wolfe started. “The way I see it, one hundred percent of the risk is ours. Danny Boyle took ten pounds of meat to bring us here. You want some of our food, too. You want us to take all the risks. What have you risked to earn our trust?” Wolfe kept his hands away from his weapons, but they remained within reach. He was not worried about Katherine but expected she could summon a small army of the faithful with one scream.
“We have brought strangers into our midst. Is that not enough?”
“No,” Wolfe replied. “Come on, Miss Jennifer, we will be leaving now.”
“Of course, Mister Wolfe.” She dipped her head toward the woman with the baby. “Thank you, Miss Katherine. Come on, Buddy. Time to go hunt rabbits.”
Jennifer skipped away. Wolfe nodded and turned the cart toward the main road, where they found Abraham slowly walking toward them with a small group of people in tow.
“I cannot believe what I am seeing.” Abraham smiled broadly and spread his arms wide. His acolytes lined out to either side of him. Wolfe saw it as a showdown. Buddy treated it as a game, darting toward the line and away, barking at Abraham and the others as he pranced.
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