Pt Four-Three

3

“So what are you telling me Ray?”

Ray continued to type on the computer trying hard to not look at the man directly in the eyes. He had been working on this particular project for some time now and had got distracted from it when the people from the other side had come in and grabbed his attention. This software in the building had barely been touched in three years and this guy expected everything to happen overnight.

“What I am trying to say sir,” Ray started, “Is that these networks and servers have not been used for a long time. Everyone has pretty much wrote them off as useless, not to mention there are countless firewalls that I have to get past before I even think about getting anyone’s attention. I have a good chunk of them taken down but there are still quite a few left and they are quite complex.”

“So you are telling me that this is too much work for you? Do I need to find someone else who will be more capable in this job?”

“No that’s not what I am saying at all sir. I am more then capable to take them down. In fact I am probably the only one left alive in the states that could do this job it’s a good thing you found me otherwise this plan would never have gotten done.”

“That’s what I like to hear. I expect you to make contact by this time tomorrow evening if not things are going to get unpleasant for you.”

“Sir, I need more time than that I have already been up for almost 24 hours I---”

“I don’t care,” the man interrupted Ray with no hesitation. “Sleep is overrated I want it done, yesterday.”

Ray gave a reluctant agreement and put his attention back to the screen as the leader of the new America walked out the door. He had so much work left to do. He picked up the little miniature radio that all the key members of the complex had and requested that coffee be sent up to him on a regular interval. If he was going to change the world he needed to make sure that he wouldn’t fall asleep at the screen. Their was no room for error in these servers he was messing around with. One wrong push of a button or one wrong command then it might be the beginning of World War 3. All of America’s nuclear weapons were still in their respective areas and all it would take to launch them off was one misplaced letter. Ray didn’t care about the people that would die at the result of the launch he only cared about what the leader would do to him. As his first coffee of the evening got to him and he continued to hack into old government database’s he could only hope that he would be done before tomorrow otherwise he would be the newest meal for the zombies that prowled outside.

********

“So what exactly are you planning on doing?” Emily asked the traveler as they drew closer to the group of the other survivors.

“I haven’t quite figured that out yet,” the traveler admitted, “But I have faith that everything will turn out for the better. Maybe not right away, but we are working towards the bigger picture here. The other side is working on something big. Really big and whatever it is it will affect more then just us.”

“How are they going to do something that is going to affect everyone on a worldwide basis?” Marcus asked joining the conversation, “We aren’t exactly on great foreign relations with everyone else. We are kind of cut off.”

“Who knows the exact details,” the traveler responded, “Just know that they are moving to the next stage and we have to know what to do next.”

The traveler stopped speaking as the group came into sight and as they entered the meeting spot a crowd started to gather around the four people bombarding them with questions. “Where is Eli?” One asked, “Where are we going to next?” Another asked. The traveler leaned over and whispered something into Emily’s ear and she lifted both her hands and spoke with a loud voice.

“There will be plenty of time for questions and we will try to answer them to the best of our ability. Let me start by saying,” She stopped a second to try to choke down the emotion that were starting to come back up, and then finally. “Eli has fallen. He has moved on to a better place.”

The crowd immediately grew restless there were many, “What are we going to do?” and “we are all going to die.” Emily tried to get everyone’s attention again but the crowd continued to talk amongst themselves but grew quiet as gunfire filled the air. Luke had raised his rifle in the air and had pulled the trigger to get them to shut up, it worked, they instantly became silent.

“Okay,” Emily continued, “Before he passed, Eli talked with the traveler that came to us led by the wind. The two of them talked for quite some time and I believe that traveler is meant to lead us in these dark times. I know it seems rash. And we all don’t know this man very well, but God brought him to us for a reason and I can’t think of a better place for him then here with us. He is a smart fighter, and the spirit goes with him. He is going to talk to you now, please give him the same respect you would give Eli.”

The crowd was not moving an inch, they were all extremely quiet, they had been hanging on her every word. Tears were coming down several of their faces and as the traveler began to speak a gentle breeze began to blow through the group almost like a confirmation to what Emily had just spoke. The traveler had never been good with words but as he was about to speak he felt something inside of him stir as words began to come out.

“I know it seems like all is lost right now, these times we live in are already dark enough as it is without more tragedy, but everything happens for a reason. I have been walking for three years trying to find the next piece of the puzzle that I call life, but I found nothing. But the wind continued to blow and I continued to follow because the one who saved my life has promised me a purpose for all this. He has assured me that even though times are dark that they would lead to light. It’s always darkest before the dawn and he will not forsake us or leave us.

“I know you all loved Eli very much. I knew the man for two hours and loved him as much as I would my own brother. The loss of him has hit me harder then I thought it would, I feel your pain but we cannot falter. That is what the enemy wants, they think that now, since you are leaderless that you will panic and be easy to conquer. I say that this will only make us stronger.”

He paused looking over the crowd. Every eye was on him, everyone’s focus was on him. They were waiting to hear what else he had to say. He continued,

“You have been running for so long, I say no more. I am going to send Emily out to find somewhere, somewhere we can stay and protect. I need two people to go with her because I need Marcus and Luke here to do some other things. I know you aren’t fighters but its easy to become one, can anyone here help me? Two people is all I need.”

Two hand’s immediately shot up, the traveler looked at Emily and said, “Take them with you, find someplace where they can call home. Make sure its not too open and that its easy to defend.”

Emily look up at this man that she barely knew and felt peace. He knew what he was doing and she couldn’t argue with him.

“No problem boss,” She said with a smile on her face, “Come on you two,” she motioned to the two men, “Try to keep up.”

The three of them rushed off and disappeared to find someplace safe and the traveler once again focused his attention back on the crowd.

“We are going to stay here until they get back. I want you all to pray, we are going to do it together the men, women and children and then when we have reached our breaking point we are going to keep praying until we have heard his voice. We need to make this next movement on his terms not ours. It’s getting dark so lets get some light in here and then focus on prayer. Then we will be make our next move.”

The crowd began to shout, clapping their hands, some of them were singing the breeze began to blow a little hard and soon it was a regular wind blowing through the group. The people continued to lift up their voices and clap and sing. The traveler turned to Marcus and Luke.

“Luke,” He said.

“Yes sir,” the boy said with no hesitation.

“I want you to scout out there. Try to find as many supplies as you can. Ammo, weapons, I want it all. Also food, as much as you can carry. I want you to come right back here, take two people with you.”

The boy nodded in agreement and pulled two people out of the worshipping crowd and then they were gone.

“What about me boss?” Marcus asked.

“You are now officially in charge of security,” the traveler began, “It’s your job to protect these people and as soon as we find somewhere secure I want every person here to know how to use a gun, that’s your job.”

“Understood. I will check the perimeter.”

Then Marcus was off and the traveler was left with the crowd. This was the first part of his calling and as he joined in with the crowd singing and praying he felt contented for the first time in three years.

********

The two angels stood at their spots, the same spots they had been standing at for the past three years and couldn’t help but be proud as the group continued to sing and pray. If only they could see the effects of it in the air around them.

“It’s amazing isn’t it Ezra?” the angel on the left of the traveler said.

“That it is Zephna,” Ezra answered, “That it is.”

They looked up as the air above them began to shimmer and circle, and something that resembled a portal opened u and more of their brethren began to come out of if. Angels, one after another began to come from the portal and surrounded the whole area that the group had occupied.

“They will be protected.” Zephna said, “God answers prayer.”

“Yes he does.” Ezra said with a smile. “Yes he does.”

Pt Four-Two

2

Legion watched as the man sat in the middle of the dark room. His legs were crossed and his eyes were closed. There was a pentagram drawn on the floor, and he was sitting directly in the center of it. His lips were moving and something was laying on the floor in front of him split down the middle. It was a small animal of some kind, it was no longer recognizable. The ritual was always amazing to watch Legion never got tired of seeing it. This was how the monsters outside were controlled, the were bound and tied by the dark arts that were created by the dark one. The man in the middle of the room had stopped muttering his words sensing that the one he served had entered the room.

“They will not get away this time master. The zombies will wipe them all out.”

No they won’t, Legion hissed, they always get away. They are like sheep and with sheep you must take out the shepherd. That is why we sent a little surprise to the camp along with your little friends.

The man turned around and looked his master in the eyes. Hate and anger filled every corner of them. They had done a good job with this one. There was not one shed of love towards the good of the world in him. He was completely devoted to the darkness, one hundred percent. It was almost time. Legion had not decided whether to tell the man or not about their little visitor it might distract him from his job and that could not happen he must be focused on the coming days there was no room for heir. Lucifer did not take failure well.

“What sort of surprise master?” The man asked with a small grin on his face, the mark on his head barely visible in the candlelight. Legion would have to get rid of that mark, soon this man would be in front of the world and he could not have one of their hands that they were going to play stamped on his forehead. Legion reached over and touched him, the man screamed in pain as the touch burned the flesh. Legion removed their hand and the mark was gone nothing showing.

You won’t be needing that anymore. This was only a test run and now we have to go on to bigger and better things. Its time to move from the pond to the lake. We sent one of the others to take care of the old man, the one they call Eli. He is their leader and when he falls they will scatter and will be vulnerable.

“All the preparations are in the final stage. By this time next month the agent will be exposed in the promised land. And the so-called chosen people will be infected. The world will see this and fear that America’s disease has spread across the ocean. Then….” He stopped and looked Legion directly in the eye.

“You still haven’t told me what’s next.”

All in due time, Legion began, soon everything will be revealed.

“As you wish master,” the man said standing to his feet. “I will have someone else start another ritual so that we can prepare the herds for tracking down the survivors. They will be destroyed and their will be nothing left of their existence. They will call out to their god and he will remain silent and we will become victorious.”

As Legion turned to leave the room and wait for word from the creature he send he could only hope that it was going to be that easy.

********

Eli felt the presence enter the tent as soon as the traveler had left. It had waited for the opportune time when the travelers protector’s had left with him. This thing was coming here for a reason and Eli only feared for the worst. Don’t worry, A familiar voice filled his head small and quiet, I am here with you. Today, you will be with me. Eli felt a peace and boldness come over him suddenly in mere moments. He looked forward.

“Why don’t you come out of the shadows?” He began. “I know you are there.”

Eli saw movement in front of him. It was as if the atmosphere was shimmering and a brief spot of black was in front of him but was quickly gone again. Eli began to pray softly closing his eyes and feeling the familiar feeling that enveloped him when the helper was near. A unearthly yell filled the tent and the smell of sulfur filled his nostrils.

Your god is dead old man, a voice filled Eli’s head, We killed him long ago, he has given up on you.

That’s a lie, another voice said, I am very much alive.

The sound of hissing could be heard and Eli felt something crash into his and he was being lifted up, intense pressure was being applied to his ribs. He cried out in pain as he felt one of his ribs snap and a sharp pain filled his body. The pressure didn’t stop and suddenly the enemy in front of him was visible and it was an ugly sight. It was completely black with several, small and sharp spikes protruding from its body. The smell of sulfur seeped from it and Eli almost vomited because of how overbearing it was. The beast continued to apply pressure to the old mans body and his old fragile bones began to pop and crack.

Where is your help now? The evil voice filled his head as the creature opened its mouth in an evil smile revealing rows of razor sharp teeth. A peace filled Eli’s body and the pain that he was feeling was melting away. He smiled at the demon with blood coming from the corners of his mouth.

“The battle has already been won,” Eli began with a little chuckle, “You will strike me down and someone stronger is going to take my place. Enjoy your time while it lasts demon, because you are soon going to be in a place of torment for all eternity the serpents head will be crushed by the Son.”

The demon screamed and put its hands around the man’s neck. Air was soon cut off to Eli’s lungs and his world began to go black. As the world around him faded he began to think of the visitor that had come to him today for advice. He knew that the traveler would soon find his true purpose. Come home Eli, a voice spoke to him gently as he breathed his last breath and blackness gave way to white.

********

As the four people entered the tent nothing could prepare them for what they walked into. Eli was suspended in the air held up by some invisible captor he was hunched over, looking completely lifeless blood was dripping from his mouth. The traveler knew that they were too late and that the old man had moved on to a better place. That did not still soothe his feelings and the other three were clearly distraught. Emily was screaming and running towards the old man, merely inches away from him she was struck by the invisible assailant and fell back to the ground. Eli dropped to the ground the invisible enemy switching focus to these new targets.

The traveler saw the atmosphere in front of him begin to shimmer and a dim dark shape began to become clearer. He felt some familiar movement at his sides as he looked he could see the two beings that had rescued him earlier in the day as clear as day their swords were drawn, the bright orange glow surrounding the blade.

“You know the enemy,” One of the angels spoke down at the traveler, “Now you must rebuke it and we will react to your words.”

Luke and Marcus had their guns out and Emily had returned to her feet with two knives removed ready to kill anything that she could see. The traveler knew that physical weapons were not the weapons that they needed. Even though this creature had manifested itself in the natural world, it was not a natural enemy and had to be fought in the spiritual realm.

“Put your weapons down,” the traveler motioned his friends, “They will do no good against this foe. We have to come against it by the power that has been given to us.”

You have no power over me, the creatures voice pounded into their heads, who are you?

“I am no one,” the traveler began walking towards the creature, “But he who strengthens me is everything in the world. And he died long ago to settle the score. You have already been defeated by the blood of the Lamb.” The traveler pointed a finger at the creature, the angels at his side began to move towards him. “By the authority given to me by Christ Jesus I command you to leave this place and return to the abyss that you came from.”

The demon screamed immediately at the mention of the name of its worst enemy. The two angels at the travelers side pointed their swords at the demon as it reared back onto its hind legs and hurled itself forward towards the traveler. The angel on the left side of the traveler reached out with its free hand and grasped the demon in mid-air around the throat as it was merely a few inches away from the travelers face. He could smell the sulfur coming from the creatures mouth but he didn’t waver and continued to stare at the beast with determination in his eyes. The second angel took his sword and cut the air and the traveler once again saw the atmosphere around the sword cut rip and reveal a blackness. This time the traveler thought he could see an orange glow almost like that of a campfire.

Please no, the demon screamed as the angel reached back to hurl him into the ripped atmosphere around them, anything but that please not there no.

There were no recognitions to his call. The angel brought his arm back and then forward again releasing the demon which flew into the hole. A loud hissing noise filled the travelers ears as the creature was sucked in and the hole closed behind him.

“What just happened?” Luke asked as he looked at the traveler not having a clue to what was going on.

“It happened again didn’t it?” Emily asked him.

The two angels were still clearly visible to the traveler. He looked up at them as they looked down and smiled, returning to his side.

“Prayer is the key, remember that.” The angel on his left said.

“Call upon the name of the Lord and you shall be saved.” The angel on the right said immediately after and then the two of them were no longer visible even though the traveler knew that they were still there by his side.

“Eli,” the traveler suddenly snapped out of his trance and remembered the old man and rushed to his side kneeling down to check for consciousness. He put a hand to the man’s neck to feel a pulse and was disappointed to not find one. He immediately began CPR, closing the mans nostrils, breathed into his mouth twice and then placed his hands on his chest and began to pump. He counted until he got to thirty and then repeated the process. After several tries and no response from the old man the traveler stopped and looked to the three people around him. Each one of them had tears streaming down their cheeks. Emily had the most by far with Luke being a close second.

“He’s gone,” Marcus said in between sniffles, “What are we going to do now?”

“I’ll tell you what we are going to do,” Emily said angrily, “We are going to find the man responsible for this and we are going to make him pay.”

“No.” The traveler stated.

“No?” Emily asked, “No? Who asked you traveler? You aren’t even a part of our group if anyone has a right to decide our next course of action its me.”

The traveler stood up to his feet, determination in his face. His purpose was becoming more and more clear by the moment. He had been brought to these people on this day for a reason. And he was going to make sure that the right steps were going to be taken and that no one was going to do anything foolish.

“I was brought here for a reason.” The traveler said. “You found me for a reason. We were brought together by the breeze and you brought me to Eli. He told me that I had a special purpose, he didn’t get into specifics but I really feel like we should tread lightly here.”

“What should we do?” Luke asked.

“I think we should regroup with the others because right now they are out there with no protection. We will talk over our next move and more importantly we will pray about what to do next. We don’t need to rush into the lions den, there will be plenty of time to be a martyr later, no need to quicken it. Is that okay with you Emily?”

Emily knew that he was right. She had been led to him at what seemed to be their most time of need. She knew that he was the right person to take Eli’s place even though the words would never leave her mouth. Trust him, a voice inside told her, my hand is on him. Emily was amazed at the words. She knew they weren’t her words in her head which meant that is was His. It was the first time she had heard an audible voice from the creator so she knew she had to listen.

“Alright traveler,” Emily began, “We do it your way. But don’t expect me to just be satisfied with being on the defensive and just sitting and twiddling my thumbs.”

“Oh trust me,” the traveler said as the group left the tent and headed in the direction of the rest of their group. “That is the last thing we will be doing.”

Pt Four-One

1

Three Years Later....

Eli sat and watched as the traveler stopped speaking, opened his eyes and locked them onto the old man. There was a lot of pain behind those eyes, but at the same time Eli couldn't help but realize that there was tremendous joy there as well. The two were constantly in competition like two dogs fighting over a bone, only they were fighting for control of his soul. Luckily the joy was winning but telling this story had brought up old feelings of hurt and anger.

"Thats enough for now," The old man said with a smile on his face, "We have plenty of time to share with each other later. You don't have to finish now, but thank you for telling me these things. It takes a lot out of someone to talk about their past so openly as you have."

"I tried to remember as much as I could," the traveler responded, "I hope it was enough."

"Oh it is, it is. You have been through a lot my friend and I am afraid to tell you that there is still a lot in the coming days. The evil one's time is just beginning and it is going to get rough for those of us who believe. The rest of the world has yet to be touched, but I am afraid that it is only a matter of time."

"Do you know what I am suppose to do? The boy speaks with love and peace but has yet to reveal my true purpose. I was hoping that you might possibly have some answers for me. Emily says you are a prophet."

"Did she?" Eli asked with a chuckle. "I guess it would seem so to her, she is so young after all, but she is too kind. I only listen when the wind blows, and do what I am asked, and every once in awhile He rewards me with some privileged information."

"So you can't tell me anything?" The traveler asked with a look of disappointment clearly showing on his face.

"Not specifically, but I can tell you what I am feeling in my spirit about you. I do sense that the Lord has a specific, special purpose for you. I feel he is raising you up as a witness and a warrior to his Word and glory. He is with you more then you know, the breeze travels with you."

"I only follow where it takes me." The traveler stated. "But it always leads me true it led me to you and also..." He paused for a few moments, opened his bag and removed something from it that was wrapped in tissue. He unfolded the tissue slowly and laid it down in front of Eli. Looks like skin, Eli thought.

"I took this from a women I encountered," the traveler continued, "I cut off her arm it didn't even phase her. I then chased her outside where she had zombies waiting to meet me almost as if she was controlling them."

"Yes," Eli nodded examining the object in front of him, "That has been known to happen. People on the enemy's side have dark powers that control the creatures. Well, for a price I would guess, it can't be cheap the mark on this skin is the mark of the harlot. She was very high up in the enemy camp, it seemed like she was always out doing evil work. It seems that we don't have to worry about her anymore."

"No thanks to me," the traveler said, "I had her cornered and buried my machete into her skull, but then something else happened. Something ripped itself from her, calling themselves Legion."

"A physical manifestation?" Eli asked with a look of puzzlement on his face. "Literally ripped itself from her?"

"Yes," the traveler said, "I was as good as dead, but the One showed up."

"He always does, especially when we need him the most. Especially when he has a purpose for us. But this physical manifestation bothers me, it hasn't been heard of before his power must be growing tremendously."

"We have nothing to fear," the traveler said. "As long as he's for us who can be against us?"

"Here I am, the one who is suppose to be giving the wisdom and yet here you are with the wise words."

The two of them laughed over the little joke and then the tent grew quiet once again.

"Dark times lie ahead," Eli said, "We are going to need all our strength for what lies ahead, but at the end the one who has already defeated them will be victorious. We will need to work together, you don't have to be alone anymore."

The traveler was suddenly hit with the realization that the old man was right. All this time he had been by himself and now he had found others who had the same beliefs and struggles as he had. He tried to keep down the emotion as it washed over him he began to cry. Not tears of sadness or despair, but tears of relief and joy. Eli reached over and put a hand on the mans shoulder.

"Welcome to the war," Eli said. Just as the words left his lips several gunshots rang from outside the tent.

"We have visitors," Eli said with a grim look. "They will need your help."

The traveler nodded as he wiped the tears from his eyes and walked out into the early evening to face the enemies that were invading his new home.

********

The traveler walked out of the tent into total chaos. People were running around in all different directions, the traveler could not quite make out what they were trying to run away from. He could see Marcus and Luke up ahead, with their rifles firing in the direction they had entered the camp from earlier. Emily was nowhere to be seen. Luke turned around and saw the traveler looking at them and motioned with a quick head gesture for him to join them. He moved past several people who were running, heading towards Luke when he saw the source of panic.

Several zombies had broken the perimeter to the east side of the camp, obviously surprising everyone. There were few warriors it seemed in this camp, most chose the peaceful approach. Mark, Luke, Emily and himself were the only ones that knew how to fight. The traveler withdrew his machete from it's hiding place. He had still not gotten ammo for the twelve gauge so it was going to be the fun way to dispatch them. He rushed to the east side, there were four zombies there, one of them had just grabbed a person and taken a chunk out of their neck.

Thats not good, the traveler thought to himself as he collided with the group. First, swiping in an arc at the zombie who had just bit the person, the machete hit at the left elbow cutting clean through and then he continued through with the right arm just as another zombie was getting ready to lunge at him, he quickly spun around. The armless zombie was trying to grab him with his stumps, not realizing he didn't have arms, blood sprayed from the nubs and the person that had been bitten was on the ground convulsing as blood poured from the hole in his neck. The traveler kicked out at Stumpy sending him flying back as he ducked under another attempted lunge, swiping across another one's midsection, splitting its abdomen open, all the hidden treasures came out and fell with a splash to the ground. He then spun around again and took off a leg of the one behind him then quickly stood up and slashed at it's neck sending its head falling to the ground. He then brought the machete back immediately in the opposite direction repeating the decapitation slash to the zombie he had gutted. Two down, two to go hopefully not three. The traveler looked over quickly to the person who had been bitten they were still on the ground no movement was evident. Anytime now, he thought. The effects of the bite should be setting in.

"Don't worry about him," Emily cried from behind him appearing almost out of nowhere it seemed. "We aren't affected by the bites."

This was a new piece of information, it almost cost the traveler from hesitating for a few moments, the third untouched zombie was inches away when a knife flew into its skull and it stopped dead. Sweet Emily, the traveler though as he shifted his attention back to Stumpy. He almost felt bad, this guy was helpless on the ground trying to get up by propping himself up with his stubs but he kept falling.

"Sorry sport," the said as he raised his machete up and then brought it straight down on his neck where the head met the spine. Stumpy lay flat on the ground, no signs of movement, finally free from his struggle. The traveler withdrew his machete just as Marcus and Luke were running up to them.

"I think thats the last of them," Luke said, "We just took care of about five on the other side of camp. We need to get moving soon, the others will know we are here soon we have to go."

"Easy kid," Marcus put a hand on the young man's shoulder. "We still have a little time we have to start gathering the things we need then meet the others at the rendezvous."

The group always had a predetermined spot where they met after an attack. From there they tired to find a new location to settle, it confused the zombies if they didn't stay in the same spot for too long even though it always seemed like they found them.

"That was fast," the traveler said, "You didn't even have enough time to unpack from the last time."

Marcus shrugged his shoulders, "We are use to it. More often then not we only have a couple days. Every once in awhile we get a week or two. One time we lasted a month, that was nice."

"So," the traveler began walking over to the dead believer on the ground. The fish mark still clearly visible on their forehead. "Since when do people who get bit not turn?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Emily asked pointing to the mark, "We are protected. His children aren't allowed to be turned to the enemy."

"So it's just the undecided then?"

"And the straight up evil people," Luke interjected.

The traveler was just about to ask something else when a cry came from the center of camp. It was a mans cry.

"ELI!" Emily yelled as she rushed towards the old mans tent the two other men following behind her. The traveler felt a pit growing in his stomach. He knew that this had been too good to be true, even now it seemed as if though tragedy could reach its blade into his life, and twist the handle.

Pt Three-Eight

8

Rick woke up the next morning with a weird feeling on the inside. Something did not feel right as he got up and surveyed the sanctuary. It looked as if though everyone was here, no one was missing as far as he could tell. He could hear cluttering in the kitchen so he walked towards it, walking past a sleeping Aaron on the way. Man there was something off about that kid, Rick thought to himself. He hadn't figured it out yet but ever since he had walked out of the bathroom when Danny was holding Kailee hostage something began to emanate from him that just rubbed Rick the wrong way. He been making an extra effort to keep an eye on the kid just so there wouldn't be anymore incidents like Danny. The morning they had gotten to the church the guy had just been here chilling as if there wasn't a psychopath waiting to spring in the womans bathroom. Kind of convenient actually, now that Rick started to think about it.

Rick was still thinking of that when he walked into the kitchen and was greeted by three smiley faces. Kailee looked one hundred percent better than when she had gone to sleep the night before. The three of them were laughing and playing like there wasn't flesh hungry monsters outside waiting to eat them all. Strange, Rick thought as he walked over to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup of the delicious black liquid. Oh the small things, Rick thought to himself as he took the first sip which was always the best and then turned his attention to the trio behind him.

"Well you are looking good this morning." Rick said to Kailee whose smile was etched into her face from ear to ear.

"I know right? Jake and Dave prayed for me this morning when I woke up and I feel one hundred times better! There is a little tenderness but almost all the pain I had is gone, isn't that amazing!"

Rick had to admit, she did look ten times better then the day before, but that could easily be from all the sleep she had been getting. It was easier for Rick to believe that then her being healed by some all powerful deity. But still, something inside him was curious, very curious indeed but he would not let curiosity get the best of him. If it could kill cats then who knows what it would do to him.

"So you two are drinking the kool-aid now too?" Rick asked, "Now I have three religious nuts to watch and a kid who lays in a corner by himself and doesn't communicate with anyone else. Wow my luck just keeps getting better and better by the second."

Kailee had been raised in the church, her story was very similar to Jakes actually. She had been praying ever since the stuff that happened at the clinic and her healing was just icing on the cake and now she was back in the fold. Where else was she going to turn? The world was hopeless, so she might as well turn to the one person that offered her hope.

"You know, you could always just give in and realize the Truth that is right in front of you." Jake said with a smile. "When are you going to stop running Rick? When are you going to stop and turn to the one who loves you?"

When I have no where else to go, Rick thought to himself, choosing to keep that comment to himself.

"I'm glad that you can find someone to pressure even now," Rick said, "I have my opinions and you have yours. I think it would be best if we keep them to ourselves from now on."

The room grew extremely quiet, the three of them were looking at him with smiles of joy still on their face. Why were they so damn happy? Rick asked himself. There was absolutely nothing to be happy about, but still these three were acting as if there was nothing wrong outside.

"Very well Rick," Jake said, "We will leave it be for now. But just know when you are ready we will be here for you."

Rick turned around and walked out of the kitchen holding his coffee cup. He was trying to stuff down a sudden wave of feelings that were coming up. No dammit, Rick thought, no I won't do it. If only the three of them could have seen the single tear that started to drip down his cheek as he walked out of the room.

********

Aaron awoke late in the afternoon, rising from his spot of solace and began to make his way to the rest room. He ignored the greetings of the three people that had smiles on their faces. Kailee was up and about and Aaron had to stuff everything down to keep himself from vomiting on the floor. They were making him sick. Every part of this new person he had become was disgusted by all these people. He actually wouldn't have minded Rick, if only the guy wasn't always watching him with a scowl on his face. That guy has a hunch about me, Aaron thought to himself, I will have to be extra careful trying to get out of here with him around.

But something inside told him that he would have nothing to worry about. Tonight, when everyone was asleep he would slip out into the new worlds and into the new life that had been given to him. As he walked into the bathroom he couldn't help but smile at the idea of everyone realizing he was gone and noticing his exit spelled their doom. It would be too late for them of course, according to Legion they would all be dead by dawn.

As Aaron walked up to the bathroom sink, he turned the water on and waited for it to get warm and then made a cup with his hands, filled it with the warm water and then splashed it on his face. He looked into the mirror at the reflection staring back at him. The gash on his forehead where Legion had touched him was starting to scab up and early signs of healing were starting to show. Aaron reached up with a finger and dragged the fingernail across it until blood started dripping from the wound and began to trickle down his face.

Something about the blood intrigued him and he could feel something inside of him jump at the sight of it. He took the same finger that he had reopened the wound with and stuck it right into the blood that was on his forehead and began to draw shapes. He could suddenly hear whispers coming from all around him uttering strange words that he had never heard before but at the same time they felt familiar. Aaron joined in with the voices, whispering the words with them as he began to remove his clothes and then walked over to the separate adjoining room that housed th shower. He turned the water as hot as it would go and jumped in. A sharp burning pain touched him at first but eventually he just got use to it and stood in the middle of the shower still muttering the words as the water came down around him. He closed his eyes, and could feel a presence all around him as he continued the ritual that he had discovered. He felt reborn, a new person was standing her now, something inside him was different and he knew that he was going to do great things. He embraced the darkness, and continued to chant as the water got colder, he didn't move for an hour until he snapped back as though in a trance, realizing the coldness and got out. As Aaron got out and put his clothes back on he realized that tonight couldn't come fast enough.

********

Several miles away from the church a group of zombies were starting to form in one single location. The could not think for themselves, they had died and were now in the control of something evil. As these zombies had been roaming the small town and the surrounding area and they had suddenly felt an urge and pull to stop what they were doing and come in this direction.

It was like a mysterious song that they couldn't help but listen to, the melody washed over them and they had no choice but to do what the words commanded. The words were old. They had been around for thousands of years used in many different ways. And now someone was using them to bring these things to a place, and they listened. The group came together and then stopped suddenly, all of them stood still all at once and looked in the same direction.

It wasn't time yet, but soon they would walk, and soon they would eat. All they had to do was wait. The time would come, and the end would then begin.

Pt Three-Seven

7

The next couple of days seemed to go by fast. The group kind of just recuperated, sitting around getting to know each other. Kailee got stronger and stronger as each day passed recovering slowly but surely from the gunshot wound that had saved her life. The bullet had not made a clean wound luckily Rick and Jake had both been in the military and had to remove them before. Rick had taken a knife that he carried, sterilized it and proceeded to remove the bullet. Kailee had of course screamed in pain as he was doing it, but it was quickly over and they patched up the wound, stopped the bleeding and all that was left was the recovery.

Jake had gone out several times scouring the surrounding area for supplies as he liked to call it but the group knew what he was really up to. He was killing zombies, even though he would come back with different items that he found his bat would always be marked with the tellings of zombie slaying. They left him alone, knowing that it was helping in this dark times. Jake had not found one single survivor in his trips to the outside, he had looked within a 1/2 mile radius including most of the suburbs that were close to the church. All he found were zombies, lots and lots of zombies. Even if he wanted to take them all on there was no way he could do it without losing his life and that was something he didn't plan on doing.

Dave had noticed Aaron was being very peculiar of late. He was not being his usual, cheery and chippy self choosing instead to sit away from the rest of them. Dave chose to ignore it, thinking that he probably just needed time to digest the things that were going on. Kailee was sleeping a lot so Dave had been spending time with Jake and Rick talking and learning from them. They showed him several things including how to properly dress a wound, hold a gun the right way and even a knife. Jake had found a machete on one of his adventures and was showing Dave how to hold it.

"It's good to grip it with both hands so you can get some power behind your swing," Jake was demonstrating, "But it's also good to have some mobility, which you have more of if you only use one hand." Jake switched the machete to his right hand and swung it around in an arc with lightning quick speed stopped and then handed the machete to Dave. "Your turn."

"Alright lets hope I don't cut one of my fingers off," Dave said taking the machete.

"Just do it the exact way I showed you and everything will be fine."

Rick chose to sit against the back wall watching the two men, interjecting with his wise old words when he felt things weren't being done right.

"Make sure your feet are set properly," Rick said. "Otherwise you are going to trip and decapitate yourself and fingers will be the least of your worries."

"The old man is just jealous of your mad skills," Jake said smiling, "He can't move like this anymore since his arthritis set in."

"Ha ha very funny," Rick said in a sarcastic voice, "Don't you have an adventure to go on Pippi Longstocking? Your about overdue for an excursion."

"I thought I would stay in and chill with you guys today." Jake answered. "We got enough things for now to last awhile I don't need to go out and risk myself needlessly."

"God wouldn't like that would he?" Rick asked.

"Besides the point that I have free will to do what I want, no he probably would prefer that I didn't go out and risk myself just to kill a few zombies."

This was one of several times that God had been brought up in the last few days. Jake seriously trying to show his side of the story and Rick making arguments to why he thought if there was a God, he was cold and merciless. Dave was fascinated with the discussion having never heard anything about God before. He had been raised far away from any sort of religion and had no friends that were religious. His mom's side was completely LDS, but she had left the church at an early age, separating herself from her family in the process. She had been a severe alcoholic during her life, dying at an early age not long after Dave was born. Dave's dad went off the deep end and Dave ended up being raised by various different family members until he was eighteen and had just recently gotten an apartment to himself, since he had graduated and was ready to face the world. Now there was not much world to face.

"So you mean to tell me," Rick began on one of the conversations that took place, "After everything you have seen happen in the last couple of days, you still believe that God loves everyone yet he would let something as terrible as this happen?"

"I believe everything happens for a reason." Jake answered. The two of them went on for hours it seemed sometimes. Neither one of them giving in to the other or gaining ground in the discussion, though Jake always kept his cool and Rick took a lot of it personal. Dave could tell that Rick had a reason why he believed the stuff he was saying right now and that whatever it was it had hurt him deeply. Dave could see both sides to the argument, but then again he knew nothing about God or his so called purpose in life. But still something inside of him stirred when they started talking about it and something told him that there was something behind the argument.

The second night at the church after everyone had fallen asleep Dave got up from where he had been laying and walked over to a still wide awake Jake who was sitting on a counter in the kitchen reading his bible. His eyes were closed and it looked like his lips were moving.

"I am not interrupting anything am I?" Dave asked.

"Of course not man," Jake said opening his eyes with a smile on his face, "Is there something wrong?"

Dave thought for several seconds not really being able to think of why he had gotten up and came into the kitchen to talk. It was almost like something wok him up and urged him into the kitchen to confront this man he didn't even know.

"So I was just curious about the qualifications for your little club?" Dave asked, "You don't have to be a saint or anything right? Totally perfect without spot or wrinkle or anything like that?"

Jake sat there looking at this young man for a moment. Here, even now in this world and the state it was in, there was still hope for salvation. Jake was amazed at how God worked, bringing the right people together for just a time as this, so that even just one person could possibly come to know him.

"You know if that were true," Jake started, "Then I would not have a chance to be qualified. I have done a lot of things that I am not proud of."

Jake continued, telling Dave of his past, how he had grown up in the church, but it had been under a whole different mindset then he had now. He fell away at the age of eighteen turning to drugs, specifically marijuana and alcohol to fill the hole that he felt was missing from his life. He joined the military at twenty one thinking it would give him a new outlook on life but it had only made things worse. The politics that ran the military had driven Jake into a deeper hole he continued to spiral deeper and deeper and then he hit bottom. The military had no use for drunks so they kicked him out and he ended up back home in Idaho wallowing in his own self pity. At the beginning when he first got home nothing changed, he was at the bar every night doing the same thing he always did until one Sunday he decided to go back to church.

"It was different then it use to be," Jake continued, "I was greeted with open arms and love at the door unlike anything I had ever felt before. These people didn't know me, all they knew was that I was in need of something and that I had come there to find it. The preacher that morning spoke on God's grace and love, that he cared for us so much he sent his Son to die for us on a cross. John 3:16 says that God loved the world so much that he sent his one and only Son that whoever believes in him will have everlasting life. You ask and you shall receive."

Dave stood there speechless not knowing what to say to what he had just heard. He had been though a lot in his life, and made decisions that he was not proud of. Here this man was offering him something he had never heard before. A chance at a new life, a new beginning and a way to start over. Dave suddenly felt a wave of emotion come over him and he fell to the floor tears pouring from his eyes, Jake hopped off the counter and came to his new found friend putting a hand on his shoulder.

"What do I have to do?" Dave asked in between sobs.

"Admit you are a sinner," Jake began, "And that you are powerless without his help. Ask him to be the Lord of your life and let his grace wash you clean."

Right there on the kitchen floor of an abandoned church in the middle of the zombie apocalypse, a new person entered the kingdom adding another blow to the Enemy's campaign.

*********

Aaron laid on the chair in the sanctuary listening to the sobs coming from the kitchen. He felt a strong anger and hate rise within him like nothing he had felt before. Suddenly beside him a shape emerged from the shadows unseen by everyone else in the building.

Well, Legion whispered, you seem to be enjoying yourself.

"I am doing what I was told," Aaron spoke quietly to his master being careful not to wake up Rick or Kailee. "I feel totally worthless actually just sitting here watching these people prance around and talk about Jesus all day."

Legion cringed a bit at the mention of the name. Aaron could tell that it was painful for it to hear and actually it made Aaron a bit sick even saying it. He had never been into the Christian thing, his grandma had been into it but Aaron had always fought going and luckily his parents were not the church type. His mom was actually a pagan, and his dad, well he wasn't exactly sure who his dad was. His mom had rebelled as a teenager going the opposite way of her mother getting deeply involved with some oculist's at her school. There were many rituals that they believed in including some sexual ones and Aaron was born as a result of one of those rituals. The leader of the group had claimed him of course but there was no way to be sure with all the practitioners that had been involved. It didn't matter of course because he abandoned the both of them three years after Aaron was born, leaving his mother in a mess of heroin and jack Daniel's. She bounced in and out of several rehabs leaving Aaron with his grandmother while she was in. She never gave up on her beliefs and they had led her to her grave as a result of one of the rituals going wrong. That had been two years ago, Aaron had pretty much been couch surfing since then, choosing to have a random life then deal with his grandma's religious lifestyle. And now here he was, in a church the place he never wanted to be with a demon on his shoulder telling him what to do. Well he had been born into it so what was he suppose to expect?

Let's try to keep the mention of that name to a minimum shall we? Legion asked, It's not very pleasant to my ears, especially since Him and us have a little bit of history.

"Oh really?" Aaron asked pretending to be interested.

Yes but soon that will not matter. We are in the process of ruining everything He holds dear and you are one of the keys to do that. Your time is drawing close.

"So my time of sitting here having to deal with all this crap is almost over?"

Yes. Tomorrow, after everyone is asleep you are leaving.

"Really?" Aaron tried to not sound excited. "Where am I going?"

You are going to go east. You will meet up with a woman about three hundred miles from here.

"You expect me to walk the whole way?"

There will be transportation eventually but yes you are going to have to walk awhile.

"Okay then. Finally I can get away from these people, they are driving me crazy."

One more thing.

"What is that?"

Legion looked at the boy with a smile on their face. When you leave, They began, you will leave whichever door you go out of open.

For some reason the words that left the creatures mouth did not make Aaron upset. He felt like something inside that had been holding him back was removed and that he was finally doing what he was meant to do.

"Yes master. Whatever you want."

No hesitation. I like that and trust me you will be rewarded. Feel free to take care of the girl before you leave.

"I have no idea what you mean." Aaron said trying to hide the smile on his face. It was true though, he had been trying hard to stuff the urge of suffocating the girl while she was sleeping. He knew that Dave would be heartbroken if you died and something about that idea made Aaron happy inside.

Sure, Legion said with an evil grin, whatever you decide it doesn't matter she will die either way. Just make sure the door is left open.

Legion disappeared into the shadows leaving Aaron laying on the chairs looking up at the ceiling. He just had to endure one more day of this group and then he would disappear in the night and walk into his destiny.

Pt Three-Six

6

Having left the other three people in the sanctuary, Jake and Rick went up the stairs that led to the second level of the church. The second story contained several different rooms that were used for different things but mostly for Sunday school classes and practices for different competitions that the kids went to. The two of them were going to have to check every one in order to soothe their feelings. They opened the first door that laid at the top of the stairs, Rick flipped the light switch on revealing a bare room.

"Well there is one down," Rick said shutting the light back off. "Lets hope its as easy for the rest of them."

"Hey," Jake said pointing down the hall. "That door looks like its open."

"Is that unusual?" Rick asked.

"Well usually they are all closed unless there is someone here."

"Then lets go see what lies behind the curtain."

The two of them approached the door with caution. Rick holding his shotgun close to his body, while Jake grasped the bat with both his hands getting into his hitting stance. As they got to the door, Rick held up his hand to stop Jake and then held up one finger, then two beginning a countdown. Jake guessed they would go at three and he was right because immediately after the third finger went up Rick flipped around the frame of the door shotgun extended ready to blow the brains out of any threat. Jake followed and immediately felt his stomach tighten as he entered the room.

The pastor of the church was spread out on the carpet barely recognizable. He was cut straight down the middle from his throat all the way down to his abdomen, various organs littered the floor. There were also lacerations going down his arms and legs, his eyes were wide open with a look of shock on his face. But that was not the most disturbing part. On the wall sprawled out in the deep red of the pastors blood were three words that caused both sadness and anger to rise up in Jake's body.

GOD IS DEAD

"Well," Rick said putting his finger to the wall to check the writing. "Zombies definitely didn't do this. The blood is dry so it had to have happened last night sometime."

Jake looked down at the man that was lying on the floor. He had not expected to see anyone he knew in such an embarrassing state. He looked over to the desk and saw a coat hanging over the chair. Jake walked over grabbed the coat and threw it over the pastors body trying to give him some decency. He felt a hand on his shoulder as some tears began to fall from his eyes.

"I'm sorry kid," Rick said. "He was a good man. Even though I didn't agree with all this religion stuff he was always there for me. He was always trying to help me even after Megan died and I just blew him off."

This was the first time that Jake had heard Rick talk about Megan since she died. He could hear the hurt and sadness in Rick's voice when he mentioned her name. Poor man, Jake thought to himself, he still hasn't healed. Jake wiped the tears from his eyes, turned around and faced Rick.

"Yes he was. He is in a better place now. We need to find out who did this and right now its pointing to only one person."

"You mean the guy that was already here when we arrived?" Rick asked.

"Exactly. He's the only one that was here, unless someone else is here hiding."

"And that is not likely," Rick said as they left the room and began to walk down the hallway. "Lets hurry up and get this done. I don't trust him down there with the others."

Barely had the words escaped his lips when a scream broke their conversation coming from downstairs. Both men immediately changed direction and hurried downstairs feeling they might already be too late and the person had already struck his next target.

********

Dave and Aaron entered the woman's restroom not knowing what to expect. They hurried around the corner and into the main area, stopping dead in their tracks. There was a man in a policeman's outfit holding Kailee around her waist with one hand and holding a knife up to her throat with the other hand that was also missing two fingers. There was a look in his eyes unlike anything Dave had ever seen. He looked like someone who had lost his mind and didn't have anything left to live for. Dave held up put down the shotgun knowing that it would be useless unless he wanted to hit Kailee in the process and withdrew the 9mm Glock the was stuffed behind his back in his jeans. He held it up trying to aim and get a clear shot at the mans head.

"Let her go," Dave said, "Or so help me I will end you right here and now."

Aaron was silent, choosing to be quiet. He didn't have any weapons, so he was pretty much useless right now. Plus Legion told him to sit and watch so that was what he planned on doing. The door opened behind them, Jake and Rick rushed into the restroom and stopped directly behind Dave who was still holding the gun.

"Danny?" Rick asked recognizing his deputy instantly, "What are you doing son? I thought you were gone."

Danny looked at his boss, insanity in his eyes.

"They are talking to me," Danny said pressing the knife harder against Kailee's throat a small trickle of blood dripped down her throat, "They saved me Rick. They saved me from hell. I have to thank them for the gift they have given me."

"Whoa," Rick said holding a hand up, "Take it easy there Dan. She is just a girl, she hasn't done anything to deserve this. Let her go."

Danny looked at all of them then all around the room and then locked eyes with Aaron a wicked smile on his face.

"I must make way for the one who comes," Danny said. "The one's who serve the master will be saved, the rest will perish. You are all going to die, they are all around you."

"He's lost it." Jake said aloud. "He must be close to turning or something he obviously has been bitten."

Aaron knew that the man was telling the truth but of course he couldn't say anything. He could see the things that were attached to the man and wondered if that was what was all around him at this very minute. There were several small creatures all over the man, they were all black with spikes protruding from their backs and sharp claws on their hands. They held all the mans limbs, controlling his actions and they were all looking directly at Aaron.

"All of you must pay." Danny said, "There is no room for unbelievers. God is dead and stays silent."

The words hit Rick and Jake like a ton of bricks. Danny was the one that mutilated the body upstairs and desecrated the room. Rick looked at Jake who obviously was on the verge of rushing Danny and beating him to death with the baseball bat not caring about the girls safety.

"Easy champ," Rick whispered, "Lets get the girl first then he will get whats coming to him."

Jake nodded continuing to glare at Danny with anger in his eyes.

"Sounds good to me."

Aaron continued to watch as the creatures tightened their grip on the man. He knew it wouldn't be long until Kailee was just another corpse and he didn't feel sorry. In fact there was not one single emotional thought in his body right now. He could care less what happened to her, if the master wanted her dead than she had to die regardless. He turned around to walk out of the restroom.

"Where do you think your going?" Dave said.

"It's pointless to deal with him. He is not going to let her go." Aaron replied.

"You don't know that."

"Either way I am tired of standing here. I am going to wait for you guys in the other room."

Aaron continued to walk and exited the room with no arguing from Jake or Rick. They didn't care what he did now they found who they were looking for.

"It's time," Danny said lifting the knife just a few inches from Kailee's throat. "The beginning of the end is here. I am a messenger of the one who comes. He will reign forever, all others will be cast down and thrown into the fire."

"Last chance buddy." Dave said, "I am going to count to three."

"No need." Danny said as he brought the knife down towards the girls jugular. Dave pulled the trigger. The bullet hit Kailee in the shoulder sending her back into her captor causing him to release his grip the knife missing by inches. Jake rushed Danny instantly, pulling Kailee out of the way and began to beat Danny with the bat. First he went for the kneecaps, he heard them crack as the bat hit them, shattering from the impact. Danny screamed in pain as Jake continued to crush the bones in his legs. He wasn't going easy on him, who knew what kind of torture and pain his friend had to endure last night. After several minutes he let up his pounding, Danny looked up at him still alive but unable to move almost every bone is his body shattered blood was coming from his mouth as he spoke.

"He called out to God the whole time I was cutting him," Danny smiled. "Each time he did I cut deeper and deeper, removing one organ at a time."

"I hope you enjoy where you are going." Jake said lifting the bat one final time. "Tell your master I am not going to rest until I kill as many of his creatures as I can. He can send as many as he wants, I will be there to stop him even if it means I die in the process."

Jake brought the bat down as hard as he could as he had several times in the past twelve hours. This being the first time on an actual human being though it felt no different then killing a zombie. Danny's face was unnoticeable after a minute, Jake finally stopped and turned to Rick who was just watching. Dave was on the ground with Kailee, he had found some rags in a closet and was applying pressure to her gunshot wound, she had lost a lot of blood already though.

"I am sorry," Dave was saying to her. "It was the only thing I could do."

"I know," Kailee said looking up at him with a smile on her face. "I am not mad. You did what you had to do."

Jake walked past them to Rick who put a hand on his shoulder. They did not exchange words, choosing instead just to look at each other. Both of them knew that it had to be done, but now they were left with more questions. Why hadn't Danny turned into a zombie? Had something or someone did something to hold the sickness back? If so were there others who had been bitten or infected who were under the influence of this thing. Only time would tell and one thing was for certain, they had a lot of work to do.

Pt Three-Five

5

Jake approached the edge of the field with extreme caution. He did not know what kind of danger possibly lied on the road ahead. The weeds in the field were very unkempt; they hadn't been trimmed or cut in ages. The owner of the field had been warned on several different occasions about cutting the weeds but had ignored all of them. Jake wished that he would have because he couldn't see any trace of the road from where he was at and it felt like he was walking into unexplored territory. Anything could be over there and he just had to be prepared for it. He had run into a couple other zombies as he entered the field and had dispatched them with ease. Jake was catching onto this zombie killing lifestyle, not having any problems so far minus the close call last night.

Jake got to the end of the field and carefully looked outside of the weeds, inspecting the area around the church. There was nothing in sight as far as he could see. There were a few cars a ways down from the church pulled over to the side of the road abandoned by the looks of it. Jake looked to the left and thought he could see a few shapes down the road, probably zombies, but they were quite a ways away and wouldn't be any trouble. He took a deep breath, said a quick prayer and put his foot out onto the road. That’s when he felt something press against the back of his head and the sound of what was more than likely a twelve gauge cocking.

"Don't move another step," a voice that sounded very familiar said, "Or I will blow your stinking head off."

"Alright, alright," Jake said lifting his hands into the air still holding the bat. "I am not moving okay? Gosh, I thought zombies were the only things I was going to have to worry about. Now I have to add crazy people to the list."

"Shut up."

Jake stuffed the urge of continuing to rant down as he felt the barrel of the gun press harder into his skull.

"What are you doing out here?" The voice asked.

"I was going to cross this street right here in front of me and go into the church. It was the closest place to me with power so it was a no brainer actually."

"Have you seen anyone else?"

Jake suddenly recognized the voice and it immediately explained his behavior.

"No not a single person. You are the first, even though I haven't technically seen you. I am not doing anything wrong sheriff."

There was a pause for several seconds, followed by a question.

"Is that you Jake?" The pressure on the back of Jake's skull was relieved and he felt an arm on his shoulder pulling him around.

Sheriff Rick Sheldon was standing there with a weak smile on his face. Probably the best smile he could muster actually under the circumstances. The two of them had played softball together over the summer. Rick did not attend the church but his wife had while she was alive. That was the ticket for him to be able to play since the only league in town was a church league. They had many Barbecue’s at the Sheldon's after games but after Megan died well all of that sort of went to crap.

"Good to see you Rick." Jake said looking back behind the sheriff to the two people standing silent, "And you found some friends. Man they must be desperate."

"Very funny Locke." Rick said patting Jake on the shoulder and then motioned to the people behind him. "This is Dave and Kailee. They so happened to make it to the station last night. So now here we are. We couldn't get to my car it was surrounded, so we snuck out the back and trekked out on foot. Town is crawling with them man, the early risers were caught out guard they didn't have a chance in hell."

"Well at least you made it Rick. I don't know if there is anyone inside the church but we can go check it out. Maybe these two should stay here while you and I check it out?"

"No," Rick said shaking his head. "These two have been through a lot already. They stay with us plus they are both carrying if you didn't notice which is more then I can say for you. Is that the bat you used in high school?"

"Heck yes man," Jake answered swinging the bat around as if it were a light saber. "I love this bat I can't think of a better way to kill zombies. Already gotten some good uses of it too, see."

Jake pointed to the stains of gore on the end of the bat.

"Well it’s good to see you can handle yourself Jake." Rick said. "Now if you're done being a show off we should probably get inside and out of the open don't you think?"

"Of course sir," Jake said motioning towards the church. "Would you like me to go first?"

"Lead the way Dora the Explorer."

"Oh wow," Jake said as he started crossing the street. "So your a comedian now?"

As they crossed the street, all of them were unaware of something perched above them on the building watching as they entered. A wicked smile on their face Legion could only hope everything went according to plan. But if not, only one person would be leaving that building alive and the future would begin.

********

Aaron opened his eyes at the sound of a door opening and then voices soon after. They went quiet suddenly, probably checking to make sure that the building was empty and that there were no zombies getting ready to feast on their insides. He didn't know what to do, he could just stay where he was pretending to be asleep until they found him, or he could just sit up and show them he was there. There could be potential risk to that, one of them could have an itchy trigger finger and blow his head off. He would just stay put for now, close his eyes and wait for them to see him.

It seemed like hours that he laid there with his eyes closed. All the events of the day played out through his head. He had no idea what Legion had planned but he had been instructed to watch and listen and that was what he was going to do. His thoughts were interrupted at the sound of a familiar voice.

"Aaron? Aaron is that you?" Dave asked coming over and shaking him from his pretend slumber.

"What?" Aaron asked pretending to be groggy. "Who's there don't hurt me. Dave?"

Sitting up Aaron spotted the rest of the people that had entered the church with his friend. Kailee of course, she looked like crap. There was the sheriff, just as Legion had told him and then there was a young man, probably around twenty four or so wearing a Boston Red Sox baseball cap backwards and holding a bloodied Louisville Slugger. There was something about him that Dave did not like, when he looked at him, something inside of his body screamed.

"Thats not a bite there is it son?" The sheriff asked pointing the barrel of his shotgun at Aaron's forehead.

"No sir I ran into a wall in an alley running away from the clinic. I was trying to head north out of town and ran into this place last night."

"I'll vouch for him Rick," Dave said, "We have been friends for a long time."

"Alright then," Rick said, "But if he eats one of us in the middle of the night it’s on your conscience. I am going to check the rest of the building, Jake come with me."

The man in the hat with the bat followed the sheriff to the other side of the building and disappeared.

"Why the hell did you run off man?" Dave asked his friend punching him in the shoulder.

"Ouch!" Aaron said holding his shoulder, "Dude I was freaked out and I ran. I'm sorry I am not use to dead people walking around eating peoples fingers."

Kailee excused herself to the restroom and the two boys sat discussing what had happened to the two of them. Well Aaron left out a huge chunk of stuff for fear of feeling the wrath of his master.

"I am glad you are okay man." Aaron said, "I am sorry I got you into this. I made you go to the party."

"Dude stop," Dave said lifting his hand. "It's in the past, let’s forget about it. Who knows what would have happened if I would have stayed home. Who knows how far this thing has spread maybe we are better off where we are at."

"You’re probably right."

"Of course I am. Now let’s see what there is to eat in this place. Hopefully not just crackers and grape juice."

The two of them laughed as they went into the kitchen looking for food to sustain their hunger. It was short lived as a sharp female scream came from the restroom reminding them of the dangers that were present in this new world they lived in. Both of them rushed to the restroom and walked in, not knowing what to expect.