The Key to My Hart

Chapter 25

I had to keep my wits about me. I should have noticed a change in Josh's demeanor. I wasn't sure if he had betrayed me or not. So far, as we walked further into town, no one tried to attack or kill me. In fact, the lady that was part of the welcoming community was currently droning on and on about how they managed to survive the outbreak. How Father Peter had saved them with his early warning about the vaccine, and the town had made preparations in time to fight off the few biters that had wandered in to their territory.

The small town was surrounded by plateaus, a creek, and one main road going in and out. The plateaus were loosely guarded. Very few biters made their way into town from that direction, which is how we managed to sneak by without notice. The creek was slow moving, but wide and deep enough that no biter would be able to cross it. That left the main road going in and out, and the townspeople had managed to blockade both ends.

The preacher spoke up. Upon hearing his voice, I tuned back into the conversation. "Josh, I've heard such wonderful things about you and your sister. We are so glad to have you back in the community."

I narrowed my eyes at the back of their heads. That statement alerted me to two things. The first, Josh and Lucy were familiar with this area. The second being that the preacher was new to the town. He must have come
After the children and their father left. Or at least the children had never met the preacher.

"How did an entire town manage to not receive the vaccine?" I asked, startling the woman leading the party.

"Oh well we are a very small and poor town. The local pharmacy hadn't yet managed to receive any shipments.." the woman started to explain.

"It's because this town was chosen." The preacher interrupted. "On the day of the outbreak I was traveling for a conference, and I received word from God to travel to this town and warn them of the news."

I rolled my eyes but the lady spoke up again. "We almost didn't believe him until a biter wandered in after him. Father Peter definitely saved our little town."

The Preacher preened under her comment, but stated, "No, Bertha, it was the Lord's plan to save this village."

What type of hell had I walked into? Horror tugged at my conscious. The kids had been here before. Josh and Lacy seemed comfortable in that house. It was their house. It was their family house, and I was wearing their deceased mom's clothes. I barely stopped myself from smacking a hand to my face due to my own idiocy. When I came down after my shower I should have realized why they were upset.

Other people were milling around the town. Everyone was walking or riding bikes. No cars. It was like a blast to the past. Real small town living. There was a calm peace over the town that was only broken up by the men and women walking around carrying weapons. Children laughed and played quietly in the park right in the middle of town. This solved my problems of leaving the children somewhere safe. This was as safe as it got.

"The three of you are in luck. Tonight's sermon will be the most revealing yet." The preacher grinned back at me.

"Actually, I need to head out and meet back up with my friends. I was hoping I could by chance get some supplies from here before I head out. I don't have much in way of trade or money to buy." I grimaced at the desperate tone my voice took on.

The lady, Bertha, looked confused. "Why would you want to leave? We are safe here."

"To find my friends." I reiterated. "It was never my plan to stay once I found a safe place to leave the children."

Father Peter just grinned and clapped Josh Bertha gently on the shoulder. "It's okay. It's not everyone's calling to stay. Why don't you stay the night? Come to the service tonight and tomorrow we can see what all we can spare for your trip. Marty, take... actually I don't think I ever caught your name."