Just Survive (Complete)

Chapter 11

Owen stood, looking at Colby but addressing the whole audience.
"My dad was a good leader; we had a great community going. People from all walks of life came and went as they wanted. We had people of all backgrounds,  races, genders, religions; even different colors. My father believed that each race, color, or creed was a different individual, with its own way of seeing and doing things."
Owen paused and smiled at a woman sitting across from him with a black eye.
"No one was afraid. Everyone was safe. That all changed when Eli came. He and his group of survivors came a few years ago. We let them in with open arms. Eli was a preacher and asked to set up a church for his followers. We let him, knowing freedom was important in the community. His followers felt happy that they had a church, and we made sure we had lots of resources available. Eli told us that if we joined him; he would protect us in return, so we agreed, knowing nothing would ever happen to us. But Eli became greedy. He didn't ask our permission before setting up meetings and gathering his followers and worked his way to being a community leader. My dad and I were scared, but we also knew that whatever Eli wanted; he had the power to do whatever he wanted. When my dad and I began to realize that Eli had no limits to his actions; that the only power he had was influence over those around him. Then my dad died, and Eli jumped at the chance. His followers backed him up in everything he did. They followed him wherever he went. But things began to change: The ones who supported Eli grew tired of his abuses, and they refused to follow him anymore. He got bolder and bolder.
One day he gathered his followers in front of a church one evening. He said he was God's appointed one and that God had spoken to him and shown him the way. All of the leaders who were already opposed to him came to listen and support him. Eli promised us that he would give us a safe haven away from danger; a place where we would have food and safety. He told everyone that he would lead them into the kingdom of heaven. The other council members called him mad, but his followers defended him." Owen stopped talking for a moment,  giving the crowd time to absorb the information he shared with them.
"It turned out that we weren't the only ones who had doubts about Eli; the people in the church had begun to wonder if Eli was leading them towards a dark side. Then rules began being placed; Eli began banning books, shaming the other churches in the community, and even planning segregation. Our minority members began to feel unsafe and quite a few of them left. Then he began banishing people who spoke out against him. He kicked out a Jewish family, then a family who refused to discard their gay son."
Everyone gasped; this seemed like a nightmare come true.
"And we were all powerless to stop it."
Owen took a breath.
"So, one day, I tried to stop it by speaking up for myself, saying that Eli was leading us into danger. He beat me so badly; then threatened me with banishment if I tried again. One of his former followers met with me. He told me a secret; Eli and his followers were the remnants of a cult before the outbreak; the government had them on a watchlist because of their white supremacy and anti-government views. Then our informant dropped the bombshell; Eli had a history of abusing women. When he started selecting girls to work in his house, they were to be his plural wives. One of the girls is Dave's daughter. She snuck out a letter to him, exposing all of Eli's abuses. Right now, Dave's in jail. Eli had gone nuts; he was crazy. He and his followers are planning something...and we've got to stop him. We've gotta warn people of what's gonna happen."
"But how are we supposed to start?" someone yelled.
"We have a mission, now. We can't start too soon; they'll know something is up. We outnumber his followers. They are stockpiling weapons in the school! They could use our kids as collateral damage! They're trying to lure the rest of us into a trap, so they can destroy us all. It's time for people to act!"
The audience nodded in agreement, then began shouting questions at Owen.

"We have to fight back! We've been compliant for too long! Eli won't be happy until the people he hates are dead and those who are still alive are his slaves!" Someone shouted back.

"We'll bide our time and wait; we can't lose any more lives! The next time Eli and his followers gather, we strike!"

Owen looked at Colby; his eyes burning with determination.

"Colby, you have to protect Ashley! Protect that baby! You are newcomers; the perfect targets!

If you want your girl to survive, you'll need to do your part, you have to protect her!" Owen commanded.
"Don't worry. I'll do everything in my power to keep her safe." Colby assured him.

Colby didn't get to tell Ashley what was going on. If he had, it might have changed what happened next.