ch. 2 (Eric)

THREE YEARS LATER

I slowly peered out of the corner of the building. It was 8:30 at night, everyone was in the chapel for Isaac's evening sermon. Becca and I found this to be the perfect moment to gather supplies from the convenience store. " Clear " . I started jogging down the sidewalk, Becca slowly trailed behind me.

I tapped her on the shoulder and she swayed ahead of me. She stared at the lock and produced two picks and went to work on it. We didn ' t have much time, the sermon was almost over.

The minute I heard the lock popped, I looked at Becca " Ok, just grab enough to keep us going for the week and head back to the cellar as fast as you can. I'll be there in a couple of hours. "

Becca just nodded her head "Okay, be careful",

"You too" I reached to kiss her.

I ran down the roadway, looking at the cornfield, and chapel often to make sure that no one was coming out. Nothing. There was a gun shop on the edge of the town, I know it's a long shot, but if there is a slightest chance of a a gun in this town, I need to see it. I stopped at the corner of the street. Ok, I'm on , I need to go west.

After about a mile of jogging I finally managed to reach it. Jeff's rifle and shotgun shop.

I went to the front door, but as with the other stores Isaac deemed forbidden, it was padlocked. I didn't know how to pop a lock like Becca did. I looked around for something to break the damn lock off with. Nothing, and time was growing short.

I drew the sword on my back that I keep with me at all times. I found the sword with my dad's old stuff, along with an Ankh pendent. Becca found the same pendent with her mothers stuff. We didn't know what they meant but we just couldn't part with them. I smashed the window with the hilt, waiting to make sure that no loose pieces of glass was left. They must of heard it so I need to work fast.

I resheathed the sword and jumped in. Anger stirred within me, as I saw the gun barrels removed from the stalk. The barrels where bent, broke, or melted. I moved around, sifting through the broken shards of the guns.

Ever since I gave Isaac that scar on his face, he's had Malachai train everyone in hand-to-hand combat, and weapons. They turned a wheat sickle into a more deadly weapon than it should be. I ended up fighting Malachai more than once lately, and It was far tougher than it should be, last time he nearly decapitated me, a gun would be completely helpful.

I was about to leave when something caught my eye, one of the stone bricks was pushed a little further out than the others. I rubbed my hand on it, then dug my fingernails into and finally managed to pull out the stone. Inside was a medium sized box, I quickly took the box out and replaced the brick. I strode over to the table and had a look.

The was a black pistol in it, from the looks of it I'd have to say a Beretta 92FS. I looked back into the box and found one magazine in it as well. Why the hell would a country Rifle and shotgun owner be carrying a pistol of this caliber. I've met Jeff before, he thinks pistol are inelegant.

I picked up the Berreta and pulled back the slide to inspect it, And everything was falling into place. Jeff was doing some bad things, this pistol has been converted to full-auto. Illegal yes, but a lot more money. The mechanism to convert the gun wasn't in it though, semi-automatic only, better than nothing.

"This way, the glass to the gun shop is broken."

"Shit" I muttered. I quickly shoved th mag into the chamber, and put the gun into the back of my pants.

"Find them". Holy shit, Isaac.

I peered out of the side window. Four of them: Malachai, Isaac, Rachel, And another girl; wearing the signature clothing for women since Isaac controlled the town: a long white dress, with a black shorter one over it, and a matching bonnet. I don't know why Isaac had all the females dress like anorectic maids. I recognized the clothing, but the other aspects; dark brown hair, and a darker version of Becca's alabaster skin, along with green eyes. Becca's traitorous sister Tara, and they are heading this way. There's no other way out, time for another confrontation. .

I jumped out the window and landed in front of the group.

Tara was surprised to see me, but the others weren't. Malachai just stood there, satisfied that I have shown my face.

Isaac slowly stepped up. The scar I gave him was all healed. " Hello Eric. "

"Isaac."

"What were you doing here?" Malachai asked, sliding his hand down to his knife.

I shrugged " It's kinda hard to find food and supplies since you closed the stores. "

Isaac slowly smiled "Three years you've been fighting against God, I know it's tiring, how long have you and Becca-

"Rebecca, to you Chroner". I snapped.

"Rebecca" He corrected "had to ration what you find. My guess you finished off the fresher foods, when you rebelled against the way of god."

He's right, we've been having a hard time feeding ourselves, most of the foods we've been finding were expired.

Isaac continued his evil sneering "we have all the food and supplies you need, Join us and you'll be nourished in the house of god."

I shook my head "Never. I'd rather slit my throat".

Malachai stepped forward, happily to obliged. Anger still boiled within him when I defeated him the day of the massacre. I set my hand on the hilt of my sword.

Tara quickly stepped forward, hoping not to make this a battle "p lease Eric. You and Becca are my family, I want you with me, basking in his glory. " She looked like she would get on her hands and knees, and beg if it would help.

I shot Tara a dirty look " You broke Becca ' s heart the minute you slaughtered your mother, and you ' re still breaking the little pieces that are left " .

"Or maybe her heart is breaking because she knows Tara made the right decision following He who walks behind the rows. While'll she chooses to blaspheme." Malachai interjected.

I quickly unsheathed my sword and pointed it at him. Malachai had said the wrong sentence "talk about Becca like that again and I'll give you a matching scar". I threaten him, pointing my blade to Isaac. I would just love to run this blade through his heart.

Malachai quickly grabbed the wheat sickle on his hip, and unsheathed the kitchen knife. " You are an unbelieving cur, Eric. I will slowly slit you ' re throat, and spill you blood all over the cornfield for God. "

"Enough. Malachai desist. Eric, Our lord is forgiving, but his patience does wear thin, we will give you, and Rebecca three days to decide. Malachai let him leave unharmed". Isaac ordered, placing a hand on a sobbing Tara.

Malachai slowly released his hand from the hilt, while placing the sickle back on his hip.

I gave a still sobbing Tara another look " Your sister still loves you, Tara. But I was not lying when I said you ' re breaking the little pieces of what ' s left of her heart " .

Tara slowly stared at me " Please Eric. I don ' t want to lose you and Becca. " She was starting to beg. " You remember the drought, i f not for He who walks behind the rows, we would have perished. He saved us and showed us the way. Please. "

I slowly walked off keeping an eye over my shoulder, and my ears opened. Tara fell to the ground and started sobbing again, then I heard another voice "Tara, honey, You have the most kindest and gentlest heart I've ever seen. Eric chose his fate, he and your sister are defilers of the corn. If this is god's will, let it be, he has a plan for all his children".

It was Rachel ' s voice she was trying to comfort Tara, in a twisted way. Of all the females among the cult, she was the most fanatical. She was the one who converted Tara, s he sees Rachel as a role model, as long as she ' s a devote member of the cult, so will Tara.

Ever since we found out that Tara joined them, Becca has been devastated with every encounter, with her. Tara begs Becca to join her with the cult, and Becca begs her to come back to her family.

Thank god, I'm an only child.