Blake secluded himself the entire next day as well as the day after that. Turned into a nervous wreck who tensed at any shadows passing his door. When night came and he was alone he grabbed a rope from storage and headed alone to the burnt church. Stringing it up over the partly melted staircase. Yanking on it to test its climb ability before he did so. Pulling it up at the top so no one could follow him. He wanted to be alone and this was the only place nobody could reach him. He sat up on the roof top as he did ages ago. Gazing up at the stars as he laid back against the bell tower. Losing sight of them when the morning came followed by gray clouds filling the sky. Snowing down over him to cover the roof just as much. He wasn't as cold as he thought he'd be. His fever making sure of that, he laid down with a pile of snow collected onto his hot head. Him being back on the roof gathered a large crowd early morning. He could hear them calling, but refused to answer. He wanted nothing to do with anybody for a while.

Over the day the crowd dispersed, unable to do anything about the angel returning to his perch. He could still hear them all incredibly clear on the wind. Questioning why he was back up there. If he'd ever get back down. How'd they get him down. Moving onto concerns of what they'd do. Following closely to the routine of work. It gave Blake a chance to observe what they'd do without him. Almost everything was set to run under the managers. He mainly went out to keep stock and handle a few arguments on decisions, that's all. Exactly the way he wanted it, calm for the most part without the threat of societal collapse. There wouldn't be much of a reason to get down for a while unless an emergency popped up. Laying and sitting up as the snow came and went. Listening more for what people had to say.

Wonder if this is how God felt? He got annoyed at mankind and went higher above to ignore them. Watching the clouds pass he ignored the pains of hunger. Unsure if he could eat even if he wanted to. His sickness worsened throughout the day. Forever hot, a sore throat irritating him to constantly cough. A lingering exhaustion his rests couldn't shake free. People could hear him and talked about it. He heard John speaking with Marta on pulling him down.

But she refused. "He'll come down when he's ready. Like he did before." Having the most confidence in that compared to others.

"You don't hear him hacking up there? He's sick and should go to Mathew for care."

"Leave him be."

Many wanted to get him down sooner rather than later. Every once in a while he'd see Val watching him from between two buildings. Scared off by Marta's passing presence of patrolling the town. Stopping some who planned to rebuild scaffolding to the roof. James made a visit late in the day trying to get Blake down by tempting him with dinner. Another bowl of soup, but having meat this time.

Blake gave no reply, still refusing to come down. Watching James leave in defeat with the food. This went on for another two days. Blake's fever having gone down. His sore throat only a tickle with an annoying cough still accompanying it. When it snowed in the night he sat inside the bell tower. Watching snow fall from the doorway. People saw him missing the next morning and were excited that he got down. Disappointed when Marta pointed out that he just moved into the bell tower. More attempts were made to try luring him down. Making offerings from food to handmade trinkets like necklaces. The offerings started making him nervous as they got bigger. Not wanting to be treated like some actual holy being he spoke for the first time in a long while. Commanding to stop with the gifts or else he'll stay up longer then he aimed to. Gift delivery was halted immediately when he spoke up about hating it. Coming around to getting down when the fifth day came. Mood ruined again by a problem he heard on the roof. Someone, by the name of "Farlow", was trying to squeeze a higher position . Arguing the past few dinners that Blake shouldn't be in charge. Being so spineless to let the heretics make what demands they wanted. Acting like Blake was some animal gone alone to die on the roof.

Sleeping off the last of his lessening sickness. He woke by sunset to roll around his pill bottle to entertain himself. Listening to the pills rattle around inside mostly untouched. Back After the second day of illness, he knew it wasn't serious and the pills weren't needed. Using the bottle to also drown out the loud voices he could hear traveling a distance from the hall. He couldn't make out the words, but he knew it was Farlow arguing like before by the pitch. He thought of getting down, but couldn't find it to be a good enough reason. Stopping their roll when he heard John calling from inside right below his staircase.

"Blake, there's been a lot of arguing in the hall about you. A man named Farlow has been trying to convince everyone to follow him. He repeats that you're a coward who fled up there to die. Marta wont do anything unless you ask. People are getting restless the longer you stay up there. Please, will you come down?" He pleaded.

Blake didn't muster an answer. What could I say? "Hey, shut up."? Who ever Farlow was, he didn't like me and I can't suppress his opinion. Maybe I am weak. If someone thinks they can do better then let them try.

"… it's also about Val." John spoke nervously quiet.

What now? Does she want to lead too? Clearing his throat first before asking. "What is it?"

"She broke her leg. We don't know what to do."

Shit, I don't know how to treat a broken leg. "Has Mathew given her anything for it?"

"No, we wanted to ask you first."

"Okay. Give her some pain killers first. How bad's the break?"

"Feels clean, a small dent around the middle, but not free hanging. She can't walk on it though."

He mumbled to himself. "Not so bad." Speaking louder for John. "Is she willing to see the doctor?"

"Uh, no, I don't think she would be. She's only willing to see Mathew at most."

"Does Mathew know how to treat a broken bone?"

"Um, no."

"Know how to make a splint?"

"No."

Dammit. "Okay, I'll come down and show him how to make a splint, but she really should see a doctor. I only know to keep it stable, not fix it." Rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"Thank you, sir." John breathed with relief.

"Yeah." Blake cautiously made his way down the rope. Happy to touch the ground after fearing he'd fall he was so weak. Having not eaten for six days had taken its toll.

"Should we take care of you first?"

"No. Let's go see Mathew. Should teach him this before someone else breaks something." heading over to his house. They passed the grand hall with all the voices shouting from inside. John looked nervously between him and the building. "Should we go in?"

"No, it can wait till after Mathew."

"But what if someone gets hurt?"

"Vals already hurt. Marta and the guard will handle it if it gets serious enough in there. That's what they're here for." Not bothering to even look at the building he gestured a hand toward.

"I guess, but letting him go on about you ..." His voice went quiet.

"People can not like me. Not everyone will and I can't force them too. If I don't let them yell it out then they'll say it in secret. Val did the same with Knoth, didn't she?"

"Yes."

"If Farlow or whoever says I'm being too soft. Then maybe I am."

"I don't think so. I rather call it giving mercy."

"Thank you."

When they reached Mathews office, John didn't bother to knock. Barging in right up to him sitting at his desk. "Mathew! Blake's here to help with Val's broken leg." Talking fast to his boy.

"What?! When did that happ-"

"Recently." He interrupted. "He's come down to show you how to make a splint."

"But, I-"

"I know you don't know, but he can teach you to do it. So listen to him and maybe he can get to the hall quickly."

Nodding his head still looking partly confused. "Oh, ah yes. Yes sir." Facing Blake to receive instructions while his father ran out toward the hall.

Weird. He stared from John to Mathew. "Grab some sturdy branches and gauze." Getting started. Through the lesson he could tell Mathew knew more than he did about splints. Collecting the proper sized branches without mentioning it. How to wrap and twine with suggestions coming as hidden questions for Blake to figure out. Getting the basics out Blake let go on instructing past that. "I think you got it. Let me know how Val is when you see her."

"Yes sir. Do you need anything?"

"Nothing for me." Handing the pill bottle over. "You can take these back, it was just a flu." Aiming for the grand hall next. Peeking through the front door he saw everyone standing around listening or arguing back. Blake didn't want to shove through the crowd so he went around the back. While passing down the hall Marta heard him and came to greet him before he reached the main room.

"You're down."

"Yeah, there were some issues. Came to deal with whatever's happening here."

Her agitation for it all showed on a side eyed glance. "An idiot name Farlow runnin' his mouth."

"Saying that he doesn't like me?"

"Yes."

Passing by to enter the dining area. "Well, let's see what he has to say." When he did enter, everyone went quiet. The one he guessed was Farlow stopped his loud ranting to face Blake. Of course it's the one with the half smile. He thought as he stared down at the man before the stage. His inner rage bubbling to the surface the longer he did. Still not knowing why he felt so. "You have something to say?"

"Plenty, we're all working hard down here while you laze up on a roof."

"You all looked to be doing fine. Want me to hold a whip while you work? You're all adults who understand you have to work to bring food to the table."

"We're not stupid. Of course we understand that, even a child would. I'm talking about handling those heretics left alone to stalk outside our town like a pack of wolves."

"You want me to kill the Voltaire?"

"Isn't that obvious?"

"Don't like how I'm running things?"

"What aren't you understanding? You're too soft in discipline and faith, We'll never last with you. I'd have the problem solved without breaking our backs to care for heretics. We were taught to fear God's wrath, but now Temple Gates full of the scalled and their disease of the soul is here to ruin us. You struck us low then dug your claws in, as the devil always does. Our flock should be handled by someone who's lived here in rightful faith. A righteous shepard, not some judgmental outsider trying to change our traditions that have kept us safe from outside sins!"

"Alright, if that's how you feel. You're in charge now. What are you going to do?" His decree turned heads. Curious at Marta looking nervous for the first time ever.

A grin stretched across Farlows face. Delivering out orders without a moment's hesitation."The heretics won't be given any mercy. Right now, Marta will go out with her guard and hunt every single one of them. Their bodies will be brought back and strung up as a warning to anyone else. Val will be the only one spared of death, that's too good for him. He'll be a pristine example of what happens to followers of the Devil. Slash him, burn him, drag him through the mud, he'll never get a moment's rest again. God will see our shining faith through our actions toward those against him."

"What about everyone here?"

"What about them? Marta will deal with anyone else trying to do evil if the message isn't clear enough."

"And who would that be? Everyone here who did what I said? The people you don't like because they sneezed in your presence?"

"They have nothing to fear from me, only God's judgment. They now have the chance to fix their mistakes with me in charge. Knoths teachings will be risen up to its former glory and your vile books will be forgotten. His true flock will rise to rule the earth and the rest will burn for eternity with you in the boiling lake of fire."

"And when that's all said and done? What next?"

"We thrive and be fruitful as the lord wanted."

"First of all, they have to eat. How will you get that done?"

"We take from the farms."

"Take what? When? Do you know when you can plant?"

"Tsk, that's not hard to figure out. We have farmers for a reason."

"Who works the farms? Do you know that? You only need to order one person and he handles the rest. Who is he?"

The smug smile dropped from Farlows face. Unable to answer any of Blake's questions.

"Name one lord aside from Marta. You should at least know one other. You work, don't you?"

"Of course I do." He snapped. "But I don't have to answer who, do I? I'm in charge now."

"Ha, no, you think I'd just hand it over? You don't give a fuck about these people. You haven't even paid attention to who the lords are." Looking out to the crowd. Pointing out each lord he called. "James is in charge of farming. Liam builds, John hunts, his son Mathew is the lead doctor. Caring for the healed back home right now and there's Marta with the guard. Which one do you work for?" All eyes were waiting on Farlow to answer and they weren't happy. The one claiming they had to kill others for being leeches was looking like one himself. Blake glanced across the angry crowd. Focusing on Val he saw toward the back standing on her own just fine. Hmm. He noted in thought then continued his lesson. "If you want to be a leader you have to take care of everyone. Knoths mistake was he only cared for himself as a king and left everyone else in the slums. Don't be shut off like him, learn all that you can. You should know how to do a little in every job to keep it running smoothly." Turning back to Farlow. "To help you out, you should start under James to learn about farming. He'll need to clear the fields before eventually plowing them in spring. When he thinks you know enough, you can work next under John and so on. If you take it seriously, you'll work hard to get the experience you need. After you learn how they run things then you have a chance to take the reins. If you fuck it up, at least you can decide which job you like in the meantime."

"Of course you'd lie! See what he does!" Attempting to get the crowd riled up in his favor. "Plays tricks, deceives, notice he still does nothing against those heretics! He wants to feed you all to those disgusting sinners! Don't listen to him! The lord will forgive you if you turn from the Devil!"

Blake rolled his eyes, facing back toward the assembly. "If anyone else wants to join him, you may. It's not a punishment, it's to learn as much skill as you can. If you don't like your current job, you have a chance to test out another. If someone works hard and stays diligent, they can replace me." Dipping his head to them he turned to head for his room. "Have a nice night. John, tomorrow I need to speak with you." A low rumble of whispers filled the room he left.

Marta stepping close behind asked mid way to his room. "You'll let someone else take over?"

Exhausted and suffering a headache, he gave a halfhearted answer. "If they do well enough, sure, I can retire."

"What if they order me to kill?"

Her question stopped him at his door. He looked at her, seeing the worry on her face. "You can say no…" I don't think anyone's told her that, definitely not Knoth. You did as you were told, no questions asked. Blake had to fix his mistake on not saying so earlier. "If you're not comfortable doing something, you can always say no. Even to me. ..." Questioning now how little he considered her thoughts before. "Do you even like your job? You don't have to keep doing it if you don't. I can get someone else to take over if you want."

"I do- now. ... Never liked the things Knoth demanded of me. Every time he sent me out I prayed for it to end. For you, I will happily assist in all you ask." Flashing him a slight smile.

Encouraging Blake to give one of his own. "Thank you." Curiosity developing a deep question. Wondering how this all started with her. How much damage Knoth did over the course of her life. "… What made you join?" Inviting her in.

She let out a huff of air then a hum. "Mm, lookin' for some faith?" shrugging her shoulders as she sat. "Didn't have any at home, parents put theirs in the bottle. They Didn't have any in each other with the daily fights. Being a tall kid they thought I'd better get a job, quit dealing with school. Was honestly considerin' just to get out of the house. I couldn't cross the main room without entering a fight with my drunkard pa. Through the years I got used to hearin' him step across the apartment. Avoiding all the times he was stompin' around for a drink. Passing down the hall, sneaking from the house for one to sneaking from their room to the fridge for another. Scent of alcohol stuck to him like it was his own skin. Noticin' steps I used at school too for all those trying to beat me. A dreadful feeling of readying to be attacked and then readying to lunge first before they did. Lot of fightin' got me kicked. I still hate hearing people's steps 'round here. Even more annoying when they sneak, but makes them all the more easier to hunt."

Blake uncomfortably chuckled. "You found me because you hate my walk? I thought it was because I was being too loud."

"Yours ain't so, being so soft footed. Most of the time you we're a chore to find without your mumblin'."

"Mumbling?"

"You mumble constantly while thinking."

"No I don't."

"Constantly." She affirmed.

"Well, so do you with all your verses. I heard you coming before I saw you and that's saying a lot." gesturing to her height.

"Sure is." tapping a finger by her eye in referring to his glasses.

"That's not fair, I can't compete with the eagle eyes you got."

She puffed out an amused air through a smirk. "Spent my time looking out the window at things passin' by. Couldn't do anything else. No money and parents didn't want me talking to other kids about home. When school kicked me, it was what passed the day."

"How'd you meet Knoth then? At a church?"

Her expression dropped. "Was 'bout fifteen, watching from my window, when I saw Knoth preaching of the lord one day on the street. He spoke a lot of comforting words that I'd never gotten before. Listened to him for a few days before I went out to meet him. Parents didn't care, being so close to home. I spilled to him my sorrows in return he fed me words of comfort. He gave me a lot of promises. That I'd be freed of my pain and sufferin' at home. That I would be saved if I followed his word. For he was a prophet of the lord tasked to save the chosen few." pausing to twist her hands around her cane. "Gave him whatever he asked to keep in good standing with the lord. To keep his promises true." She sighed out frustrated verses. "I followed him everywhere. Soon after my sixteenth birthday he invited me to join his cause on a ranch. No-one came lookin' for me and nobody could tell I wasn't twenty, like he told me to say. Else I'd be "Taken back home" and I didn't want that. I tried to do everything for him. I studied his gospel so many times. Knoth said for us to go forth and be fruitful and I did as I was told."

"You had kids? But you were so young."

"Tried, It'd fail a couple terms in."

"I-I'm sorry."

"No need, thought it was some curse that'd grab a hold of my soul. Now I call it a blessin' in disguise." Nose crinkling. "Knoth would have been the father of a few."

"Ah." sharing her disgust.

"Years passed, then the raid happened and we were all displaced. He secluded himself up on a mountain before coming down missin' an eye. Preachin' about a blessed vision he saw of some far off holy land. But also a dreadful warning of the end's approach. By the time I was eighteen, I followed him out into that desert. Now here we are in Temple Gate." Gesturing around them.

"Did you start enforcing then?"

"Not really, dealt with some minor fussin' a few generations into Temple Gate. Didn't take up the pick 'till a few months ago."

"Why by then?"

"The coming end was always talked about, but nuthin' much was done. Speakin' the gospel, growin' the flock as fast as anyone could. Knoth started having more visions of the ends approach. One day he called me and Val to the compound tellin' us of a new vision that the Antichrist's arrival was on the horizon. Handed me the pick and told Val what had to be done with the children. Val set people in line before Knoth dubbed me to take over in that. He knew Val couldn't be the righteous blade he wanted. Things were dealt with differently after that. No absolution was to be given to betrayers of the prophet. A curfew was set with strict order. Fences and walls were built to separate the districts. No child by ten years of age was allowed to live. Mercy would be given when the end times passed and the Antichrist was slain from our flock. Gatherings were only to be done for mass headed by Knoth.
When I was first given the blade it felt like carrying a boulder. Got used to it soon enough when I was given routes to pace. Knoth praised my fury for steps. Said it helped "Catch sinners readying to do evil.". He ordered me to kill anyone I crossed paths with. Sent out to fetch who he demanded for questioning. Sent out again to slay the names he pulled from their mouths. I followed so carefully to keep his promises true, that'd it'd be over soon. A little more blood here or there wouldn't matter in the end. For the lord commanded, so shall it be. He always made it seem like it was around the corner, despite the months passin'. Each gatherin' had less and less attending. Felt a pain in my heart to see and I couldn't help but bring it up. Knoth was sure to feed me some comforting words like always. Set me out to smite another round of wicked souls plotting against them. All while his words rung in my head."

Blake remained silent even when she finished. Unsure of what to say, he wasn't much for encouraging words. Could he help after Knoth did so much damage to people's souls? Fixing a town was one thing as long as you could get the materials. Thinking over it all, he took in a breath. "Seems like you were looking for someone who cared, not necessarily faith. Knoth saw what you needed and knew exactly what to say to twist it to his needs. Without him, you have a chance to start over." Pushing the thought forward. "You can do that. Being lord of the guard doesn't have to be your life."

She joked. "You're not gonna force me to grab a friend, are ya?"

"Ah, consider it like a soul searching heal journey thing." He so elegantly put it with a chuckle. "Find what you like that wasn't allowed the time for."

"I'll get on that. Maybe after you do some healin' first. You need food?"

"Yeah, that'd be great." He smiled, watching her leave briefly to fetch him a bowl of chili. Thanking her before returning to sit at his desk. The starvation hit him hard after the first spoonful. Forgetting the silverware to chug it straight from the bowl.

Next morning when he came out for breakfast everyone shouted his name with a hold up of their cups. Happy to have him fully back from the roof. He raised his hand to awkwardly smile at them all. Searching for a specific someone to check their leg. Again he saw nothing wrong with Val, either they weren't Val or John had lied like he thought. When he got his food he found his plate bigger than usual. "Uh, this looks like a lot." He commented to the kitchen staff.

"It is. You look starved."

"You don't have to do that."

"We know, but you need it."

A second cook added. "We'll only do it for a few meals. Enough to get you better."

"Yeah, okay. As long as it's temporary." His mouth watering at the huge plate. Juicy venison sausages on a pile of mashed potatoes mixed with caramelized onions. It didn't last a minute once it entered his room. Making him sick after shoving it down so quickly. Recovered, he went out to fetch John for a talk in his room. Tuning to him after closing the door. "So, when did Val break her leg?"

"Recently."

"How recent?"

"uh, hour before dinner."

"How'd it happen?"

"I don't know. She never said."

"How'd you find out about it? Talked with her?"

"Yes."

"You saw her in an hour? She must've been a lot closer to spare you the full six hour journey to the mines and back."

"Uh, she was. She- thought it was important. Closer for care and-" Shifting a shoulder on each stumble of his words.

"Her legs fine, isn't it?" His annoyance peeked.

"... Yes."

"So you lied, again."

"I- I, it wasn't-" He stumbled. "Wasn't my idea."

"It was Val's?"

"Yes. She didn't like how long you were staying up there."

"Mm, well I was coming down anyway. Was getting tired of hearing Farlow yelling across the way. … How's Val otherwise?"

"She's doing better."

"What's she been doing?"

"She's been acting like her old self." Looking down at his hands. "Felt like she came back after Knoths death." Rubbing them together slightly when he looked back up. "Around his end I traveled to tell her the big news. I wanted to at least do that before distancing myself. When you came down from the roof and did all those things up to that lake ceremony. I had to go tell her about them. I went in the night and when I found her in the mines, she was different. She was confused on how they ended up the way they were. Starving, dying, inside of a dark depressing cave reeking of death. She had pulled herself together the days before to help the wounded from the collapsed mine shafts. Caring for the sick with only a few fit members left to help forage. After I told her, she came to see what was happening. She watched then left. I didn't have time to ask her anything when you were heading for outside and then the mudslide. Asked her the next time I could though. She wasn't sure what to think, mostly fearing Temple Gate would finish them off." Gesturing a hand around. "She kept her focus on just getting people to survive. She had a lot of guilt for not taking better care of them. With your help she's had time to breathe."

"How's the rest of the clan? Is the medicine helping?"

"Greatly. Some can manage a small walk around the caves now."

"Good. If she needs help with anything else she can ask. That's all I needed, thanks John. You can go now and tell Mathew he doesn't need to update me on Val's leg."

He gave a sheepish grin as he left. "I will, thank you and sorry."

Blake chuckled before he headed out with his little black book. Relying on the lords to give all the numbers he missed recording. Enjoying how much James was thrilled to have Farlow work the fields. Furthermore Blake was excited to see others taking up the offer of testing other jobs. At least gaining some experience in mixed skills.

"Hey, uh, you've been outside before. During Knoths time, right?"

"Yeah, used to live there." James confirmed.

"Why'd you join Knoth?" It was a fascinating question that he wanted to know. Drawn up from a peek into Marta's and Val's history.

"Ah, didn't have anything else. I was young and dumb running with a gang. A home robbery went wrong and I ended up killing someone. Not proud about it and wish I could change it. Went on the run from the law all over the united states for a few years. Was homeless and thinkin' of skipping to Mexico until I saw Knoth preaching on the streets one day. Wasn't much of a church man, my family sure weren't either. Decided to give "God" a chance at helping me. Knoth told everyone exactly what we wanted to hear. If we followed him we'd have a home, love, money, lives where we weren't rejected. We ate it up and followed him to a ranch eventually. Thankful to be where we were in the growing community he gathered around him. It felt like one big family living together. Eating meals at the table, raising kids, helping each other through chores. Being a shoulder to those sufferin' a tragedy. Then the raid came and most of us were caught. Our desperation to cling to what's left made us hungry all the more for his gospel. He came off that mountain with no eye and a depressing vision. Fear struck into our hearts that everything would be taken away when the end came. A single hope we could save it all, long as we followed him."

"When'd you stop eating his gospel then?"

"Things began to crack after finding Temple Gate. We weren't the first ones here, the natives were. Knoth claimed that they were demons sent to stop us from claiming our holy land. We couldn't let a single one get away. For some, killing was far too easy. Cant say my hands were clean that day. I didn't want to turn back toward the desert. Alone to face the world that hated me, rightfully so. But back then I didn't believe I had done anything wrong. Far too young and dumb I followed another bad path offering my heart's desires. This time instead of some white trash with gold chains it was a fat man with a bible. We cleared the land and moved in immediately to forget everything.
For the most part it became a community again. Eating together, raising kids, farming, you get it. Knoth enforced his gospel even harder to grow the community up from its remaining handfuls. Marriages became almost a daily matter. Some weren't so happy, but nobody argued. It was what the lord wanted and we didn't dare risk our flock falling a second time. Our struggles were thought to be over. Kids were all over the place. We had hearty meals to fill our bellies. Only the odd occurrence that ruined the peace. We covered those cracks with a bit of chewing gum and it was never brought up again. Then around when he decided to cull the- " Lowing his head for a moment.

"The kids?"

"Yeah." clearing his throat. "That was the death spiral. Our wives were taken by Knoth. Sons and daughters paired with their parents when their spouses died. We ignored it, made all sorts of excuses. "They were happy to serve the prophet." "Have to keep the lord's army growing." "We're still a community of faith that'll see through these dark times." A bunch of bullshit. The good times made it easy to wear the horse-blinders. Breaking bread with family and neighbors. The dances around a warm fire with glasses of wine. Staying meant staying happy and free. Knoth made sure to repeat those sayin's every Sunday. Those good times died with those kids. ... I tried holdin' onto the faith, but I had to face the truth. Things weren't as blessed as Knoth was sayin'. We all started suffering nightmares when we weren't awake to suffer in the day. Some of us wanted to leave, but we've been here for so long with still nothing for us on the outside. No family, money, or even old paperwork to get a footing for help. We gave Knoth everything when we joined. Can't imagine what it's like for the younger members. They don't exist to the outside. No social security numbers or even birth certificates."

"You think if we introduced them to the outside slowly, they'd be okay?"

"What, to live out there?" His brows furrowed.

"No, I want them to not be scared of it. They can go out, get familiar, and be fine to get what they need. Without needing me to lead a group every time."

"Ah, maybe? Teach them carefully what to expect and take small groups at a time. I suggest you don't start till spring when the harsh weather lets up."

Scribbling a note of it in his book. "Thanks, I'll make a plan." Moving on to gather numbers from Mathew.