REGIME (English Version)

Chapter 3 - Ancient Customs

As time passed, I no longer missed my old life. The daily adventures I lived occupied my mind all the time. In the colony, I learned to hunt, cook, wash my clothes, make fires, among other things. I studied about the events and some values that Matthew insisted I knew. So, on one of our journeys, migrating to another location with our caravan on a dark route, I noticed a cart carrying books, so I couldn't help but ask:

- Mat, why don't we leave all this junk behind? - I asked Matthew, looking at that handmade cart.

- These are the most valuable things we have... - Matthew replied in a serene tone without even looking at me. So I asked him:

- A stack of dusty books? We could use the horse to carry more supplies. Then Matthew looks at me and replies:

- You'll understand why these books are so important. Especially when there's nothing else left to take from us. - Matthew replied patiently. Finally, we arrived at a small town in the countryside that had been devastated. All structures were destroyed, there were burn marks on buildings and houses, and the entire village had been taken over by the forest that began to grow in the streets. Perhaps because there were no more inhabitants, that village wasn't infested with cameras or soldiers, it was completely empty, but we couldn't let our guard down. Matthew climbed onto a rubble and addressed the crowd of refugees:

- Attention, everyone! We have arrived at what seems to be a safe place. Our prediction is to spend the end of winter here. I will divide you into teams with leaders, and each leader will assign missions to you. Please, obey the instructions of the instructors and avoid attracting attention with noise or movements in unprotected areas. After that speech, Matthew came down from his "platform" and came towards me. He put his hand on my shoulder and said:

- I'll count on you for this. You are in charge of team B - team B had about 20 people, some infants and young adults. I knew how to deal with these kinds of people, but I didn't know that Mat saw me as someone capable of taking care of those people. Without hesitation, I accepted the mission, but I thought to myself: "I need to take care of these people as if they were my family. I am responsible for their lives." After some time, we from team B settled in the carcass of an old building that wasn't so structurally damaged. Then I instructed the people where they could store their belongings and rest from the journey. When the sun set, it was almost time for the nightly meeting with the colony, I arrived early as I, Matthew, and other people who led the movement used to do. But I noticed that Mat wasn't there, so I went to his nearby accommodation to see if he was sleeping.

- Excuse me, ma'am, have you seen Matthew? - I asked a woman who was sitting on the floor breastfeeding her baby inside what used to be a house. She shook her head and gestured towards somewhere. Probably she didn't want to wake her baby, so I just left there slowly going to where the girl pointed. Arriving there, I came across a church, but its facade was destroyed and the cross that adorned the entrance was vandalized with symbols of the regime and offensive words. Entering the place, I see Mat sitting staring into space, so I ask:

- What were you doing here? What is this place? - Mat stood up slowly and came to me.

- This is a church. One of the few that weren't completely demolished... it's a sacred temple where we used to worship God.

- I remember my mother telling me something about this. - I replied to Mat, who then said:

- This was very common in the past. Every Sunday morning we would leave home to thank for the blessings, ask for mercy, or something like that... I would go with my parents... it was so habitual that I didn't even know exactly what I was doing. All of that was confusing to me, but I decided to understand, so I asked.

- But what exactly is God? - Then with a sad expression, Matthew replied to me:

- I... don't know... I can't explain. - Mat started to walk out of the temple with his arm resting on my shoulders - For some, he's just another god... and for others, he's love... for some others, he doesn't even exist.

- What about you... what is he to you?

- ...Forgiveness... - Matthew replied after a short silence.

- Where did you learn all this? I mean, it must not have been something people simply imagined. - I inquire Matthew, still curious, and he answers me by giving me an old book.

- Everything you need to know is in here... - I accepted the book but stored it without giving it much importance, as I wanted a more direct answer. Then we walked to join the people. A few hours later, I was with my team in the place where we decided to stay, giving a brushstroke to that old book that Mat had given me. Its pages were full of mold, and some weren't even complete. It was late, but I hadn't been able to sleep... it was all quiet and only the cicadas and frogs could be heard, when suddenly I hear sounds of fast steps and some voices. So I sneak to a nearby window to see what it was, but I'm surprised by Matthew who pulls me by the shoulder and throws me to the ground.

- Get down! - says Matthew whispering.

- Mat, what's wrong? Are they soldiers?

- Seems like it... take this! - Still on top of me, Mat gives me a gun - we'll need to defend ourselves. Stay alert and protect the colony. - After that, Matthew left there, and moments later a big shootout started, waking everyone in the colony. I tried to reassure everyone the best I could, but it was very difficult to control people's restlessness.