Post-Pandemic: A New World

Chapter Twelve: The Cult

It had been yet another long drive across the many abandoned roads of America. Before the Fall, there were once cars and numerous other vehicles going across the roads and free ways. But now there was only a few roads that vehicles drove across each day. On many roads there were not any cars at all. On some roads there were a few abandoned cars and the occasional survivor group, driving across to search for sanctuary. On a few roads there was an endless line of abandoned cars, left there by people trying desperately to escape the areas where there were the most infected with the St Peters Virus. As the three R.Vs drove across the long since abandoned highway, Bridge could see the City of Springfield in the distance. It was clear that there were still some inhabitants left in the once great city. As John drove the lead R.V closer, Bridge could see the sign that welcomed people to the city had been changed. Someone had put "Welcome to the Blessed City of New Eden" over "Welcome to Springfield" and the population of the city was written down below those words. Bridge was very relieved to see that there were 20,000 people left in the once great city. Although there were many people in Springfield, or "New Eden" as it was now called, it was obvious that a lot of people had been lost due to the Virus, as there were thousands of graves in the fields outside the City. There were some people among the graves, laying flower wreaths for loved ones they had lost and noticed the R.Vs drive by. As the R.Vs went further, they passed by a massive field where farmers were growing corn, wheat, cabbage, carrots and even strawberries. The farmers noticed the R.Vs going by and some of them started waving at them. As they waved, Bridge said to Anna "Must be a peaceful lot". Anna looked over at the farmers and said "I sure hope so".

As they got further into the city, it was clear that there were many survivors within "New Eden". Many buildings had entire families inside, power was back on thanks to the solar panel station being reactivated and people were going about their business across the whole town. As the group got further into New Eden, they noticed that the Cross, the symbol of Christianity, was present on many of the buildings. There were also many murals on the walls of buildings, depicting important stories from the Bible, such as Noah's Ark, the Birth of Christ and apparently... the Fall.

As they went further into the city, they came across a large market place set up around a Church and parked next to the road. As everyone started getting out of the R.Vs, Bridge saw that the people were engaging in trade with one another and that they all seemed to worship whatever off shoot of Christianity had been established in New Eden. This was obvious due to them all wearing the Christian necklace and men in robes were preaching the religion. One of these apparent Preachers noticed the group arrive in their R.Vs and quickly walked up to them. He was a rather tall man, with brown hair and glasses. He was holding a book that had the Cross on it and the words "The Holy Bible of the Children of the Divine Lord" as well. The Preacher stopped in front of Bridge and said "Hello, my name is Stan Johnson and I assume that your all new here?" Bridge looked at Stan and said "I guess you could say that, we heard the broadcast and came to investigate". Stan smiled lightly as he said "Then I suppose that means that you are interested in learning of the Children of the Divine Lord?" Anna stepped out of the R.V and asked "Just who is the Divine Lord?" Stan looked at Anna and said "The Divine Lord is the one who created all that has and ever will exist, he is the father of Jesus and of the Divine Children". Michelle looked confused as she asked "The what...?" Stan noticed Michelle's large baby bump and asked "The child? Do They have a father?" Michelle's eyes widened at the sudden question. She was silent for a moment, but then she said "No, I've never had.....I'm still a virgin". Stan smiled as he said to Michelle "Then that means that God has blessed You to be the mother of yet another one of His children and made You a Divine Mother. Please, follow me and allow me to explain about the Children of the Divine Lord and about the honour He has bequeathed to you".

Everyone had looks of confusion on their faces as Stan began to lead them towards the church at the centre of the town square. Throughout the market that had been established, were many food and resource vendors, selling a variety of supplies that had become more precious than gold in this nightmarish world. As they got to the outside of the church, they saw the wood had been painted a pristine white, a large Cross was on top of the roof and many people were inside, following whatever religion had been established in New Eden. As they walked through the massive black wooden doors, which had the story of Christ etched onto them, Bridge noticed that the Clerics working at the church were clearing out white ribbons and a table that had many plates covered in breadcrumbs and a little bit of frosting. At the alter were lovely bouquets of flowers, that were being taken away now that whatever ceremony had occurred was over. Bridge looked over at the Clerics cleaning up the place and asked "Anything special happen?" Stan smiled brightly as he said "A young couple got married yesterday evening, Father Jones was the one who Wed them". As Stan stood at the altar, he looked over at the group and said "Now everyone, please sit down and I shall explain". They all obliged and Stan started to explain the teachings of the Cult.