The metal doors opened with a screech like an otherworldly banshee cry. The addition of a megaphone squeal set teeth on edge as the call rang out:

“Roll on out! No one left behind!”

Today was Sunday, and it was time for Church.

Hess adjusted the still sleeping form of Silas on her hip as she hurried down steps to the still dark, foggy street below. She shared a two bedroom suite within the remains of an old hotel with another woman who had two children of her own. Rustling and voices from the other room told Hess they were ready to leave as well, so she stopped to wait for them. Her friend Taryn soon followed with her daughters; her youngest also still asleep in her arms. People passed by in groups of twos and threes. Everyone traveled in the same direction: the Church building, located in the heart of Santa Cruz.

Taryn huffed, blowing the hair out of her eyes. “These Sunday morning calls keep getting earlier and earlier! Next thing we know they’re going to start holding Church at midnight!”

Hess smiled. “Don’t say that too loudly, Taryn, or someone with importance may hear you and make it so.”

Taryn rolled her eyes, following after Hess. She clutched one daughter’s hand in her own, and held the other child to her chest. “Well at least I don’t sit in the back and leave in the middle of the sermon. You know they shorted me bread and potatoes last week? They know we live and work together.”

“I am sorry, Taryn. But I can’t pretend. I don’t think anyone believes their crap except themselves. We’re there for the food and water, and that’s it.We can’t continue to live in fear. Do we want our children to follow in our footsteps?”

Taryn didn’t answer, but Hess knew what she was thinking. Neither of them bought into the religious hype created by the Elders of the Church. Still, they attended the weekly meeting, as it was the only way to get food and water. Rationing allotted enough for one week, per family, making it near impossible to skip a Sunday without going hungry. The Elders would come to your house after the missed service and inquire why you weren’t there. Sometimes they took you away. Most of the time you never came back. It didn’t matter if you or a family member were sick, injured, or otherwise. The only acceptable reason to skip Church was death.

Hess and Taryn reached the building just as the sun rose, and squeezed through the crowd. The room overflowed with people grouped up to just outside the doors. No one really truly came for the sermon, for they heard the same words each week. Even now, the Elder was striding across the stage at the far end, voice raised with zeal. In one hand was a beat up Bible, and in the other was a bottle of water.

“You see what lies before you now?" he screamed. "Only the way of destruction! The way of filth, and of black hearts! Beware the Whore of Babylon, for she lurks among you even now! Beware her words, beware her eyes, and beware her sword as it cuts even the strongest man in two!” Spit flew from the Elder’s lips. Hess wasn’t sure the Whore of Babylon even had a sword, but the slight shrieks of people up front let her know they weren’t so confident.

The Elder continued, brandishing the Bible, but never opening it.

“The word in this book is the Law! Do you not know what belies the man who does not listen? We who listen know! We who obey have hope! Do you see what I hold in my hand? The Lord himself has bestowed upon His Elders the gift of Water, and we have been charged with handing it down to those who are worthy! And now the question remains: ARE YOU WORTHY?” The bottle of water was open. He would take sips and shake it about while he spoke, spilling as he did so. Hess could see people flinch, and felt the horror within herself to see the precious liquid wasted so carelessly. But she knew the underlying message, so blatantly clear: the Elders controlled the water, and the people had best not forget.

The sermon continued; the Elder shouting and the people waiting for their rations. Hess tuned out everything as she usually did; the crush of people meant less control of her empathic abilities. These meetings could last for hours. It was all dependent on the mood of the Elders. As she focused on meditative breathing, a small voice broke her reverie.

“Mommy, that man is lying!”

Silas was awake, and pointing at the Elder. Hess attempted to quiet her son, but he squirmed in her lap and stood up on her knees. The child repeated the accusation more loudly. “He’s lying! Why is he lying?”

Silence fell. Hess tasted bile in the back of her throat as the Elder’s eyes locked on hers. He carefully set down the Bible and water, and raised his hands. “That’s it for today, folks! Head on around the back for your weekly Bread of Life and Living Water. The blessings of the Great Elder Himself be upon you all.”

He climbed down the stage steps slowly as the people filed their way through the back door. Hess stayed where she was, clutching Silas to her body. Taryn handed her younger daughter to her eldest. "Aren’t you coming?" she asked in a hushed voice. "They won’t give me your rations also, Hess.”

Hess waved her friend away. “Go…it's fine. I’ll be fine. You worry about your girls.” She questioned once more, but Hess stood her ground. Taryn finally threw up her hands in frustration and gathered her girls to her. She then reached for Silas. “At least let me take him with us,” she said, and Hess reluctantly complied. Silas didn’t make a fuss as Taryn settled him on her hip. “I’ll see you later, love,” Hess murmured in his ear. Silas nodded, big eyes shining with intelligence beyond his three years. “Mommy, the man’s lying,” he repeated. “They’re all lying.”

Hess nodded. She didn't know how he understood this with such conviction, but now was not the time for speculation. The Elder strode toward her, eyes gleaming. Taryn hurried away, not looking back, and Hess didn’t blame her. No one wanted to fall afoul of the Elders, but apparently today was her lucky day. She braced herself and tried not to think of the worst possible outcome.

“Elder Silver Jack, is it? What a great name: Silver Jack. Sounds like a western cowboy hero of sorts.” She kept her voice neutral, as if she were commenting on the weather.

The Elder didn’t buy it. He grabbed her wrist and jerked her close. “Just what are you playing at, witch?”

Hess didn't struggle. “Witch? Whatever do you mean, witch? There’s no such thing. You of all people should know that, Elder.”

“You think I don’t know what goes on in that back room of your shop?" he sneered. "You tell fortunes, yes you do. I've heard what the people say. They say you know things. Secrets. The past, and the future. That’s Satan’s work, little lady. And Satan’s work gets you banished. Don’t want to leave your boy an orphan, do you?”

“It’s a place of healing, Elder. People come to me for medical help. That’s all. If I listen to their problems while I tend to their medical needs, I can’t help but respond with empathy. But I’m not a witch. Please don’t insult me.”

Silver Jack pulled her nose to nose with him. He was sallow-faced with pale grey eyes and yellowed teeth. His thinning grey hair lay lank across his damp forehead. He was shorter than she, and thin, but his grip on her wrist was vice-like. “Why did you tell your son to speak such blasphemy during my sermon? Do you want to damn his soul to the Eternal Lake of Fire?”

“I didn’t prompt him to do anything.” Hess tried to keep herself from trembling. “I don’t know why he said what he did. He’s three. Children say random things all the time. Do you have children, Silver Jack?” Now she tried to wrest away from his grip, to no avail.

He ignored her question. “Hester Grey, local healer and first-time offender of the Church. Perhaps we can come to some sort of…understanding, yes?” His squinting pale eyes now snaked along her body. She could feel his hot breath on her neck and cringed, not daring to attempt an escape. He licked his lips. “I’m a lonely man, you see. Doing the Great Elder’s- and the Lord’s- work is not much in the way of rewarding. But I deserve a reward here on Earth in the meantime. I’m the only one standing in the way of Satan here, and I do so want to see your soul on its way to Heaven. And your son’s soul. You do understand, yes?”

Hess stared, willing herself to keep a blank face. She attempted to tune out the emotion flooding from the man, not wanting to know his secrets or past. Her ears buzzed as the empathic power built up, but she dared not release it. Jack was still speaking.

“I won’t tell the Great Elder of your son’s evil words, nor of your witch’s ways, if you come around for a personal visit; you know, aside from Sundays. And I’ll throw in an extra bottle or two of water, just for you and the little guy. I’m sure he needs it to grow big and strong so he can protect you from those who might seek to...defile you. Of course, you’d probably enjoy it, being the witch you are. You probably seek them out, luring them to your bed with your wiles. Oh yes, I know just your type. Must be why your son’s father abandoned you. He knew you were nothing but a filthy whore!”

Hess jerked her body away as Silver Jack moved to kiss her, his tongue not waiting for the contact of her lips. She slapped him with all her might and he let go, shocked more than hurt. As she dashed from the building she didn’t hear his screaming threats. She couldn’t get the image of his purported conquest from her mind; it was as clear as the half-drunk bottle of water still sitting on the stage, and if ever there was Evil incarnate, it was Elder Silver Jack.

Next Chapter: Chapter One